- Australia Votes SYDNEY Best City
- Margaret River Awarded Best Town In Australia
"Being voted by travellers themselves, the survey results are an accurate mark of what Australians recognise as the best adventures and destinations, and which leisure operators are excelling in their field. It's also an indication of domestic travel trends for 2013," says Georgia Rickard, editor of Australian Traveller magazine.
Sydney swooped in taking the crown as Australia's Favourite City from last year's winner, Melbourne - by a single vote.
"Judging by the startling number of Sydney award winners (five in total), it's the city's buzzing cosmopolitan delights that are clearly appealing to travellers," continues Rickard.
"It's not just about the picture-perfect beaches and harbour attractions. We are increasingly seeing Sydney's hatted restaurants push culinary expectations, luxury hotels gain world-wide acclaim, and chic hidden bars popping-up all over the city. "
Queensland was the highest-winning state, taking out a staggering seven awards with New South Wales hotly on its heels with five.
Western Australia also received several awards. Margaret River, Australia's capital of wine and waves, won Best Town for the second consecutive year. Readers lauded its quality restaurants, wineries, art galleries, farm gates and boutique accommodation, not to mention "awesome surf." The Kimberley, a destination on most people's bucket list, took out two gongs: Australia's Dream Destination and Best Adventure Holiday Destination in Australia.
The Readers' Choice Awards are the only consumer awards for tourism in Australia. Over 1000 Australian Traveller magazine readers nominated their all-time favourite travel destinations and experiences throughout the country in a survey comprising 22 categories conducted by the magazine over the past four months.
The full list of award winners and runners-up, plus explanations, and the top travel trends for 2013 is published in the summer edition of Australian Traveller magazine, on sale Wednesday 5 December. They can also be found at australiantraveller.com
Australian Traveller Readers' Choice Awards Winners
AUSTRALIA'S FAVOURITE CITY
Sydney, NSW
FAVOURITE AUSTRALIAN TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
A Weekend In Sydney, NSW
BEST TOWN IN AUSTRALIA
Margaret River, WA
BEST RESTAURANT IN AUSTRALIA
Quay, Sydney, NSW
BEST BAR IN AUSTRALIA
Opera Bar, Sydney, NSW
MOST ROMANTIC DESTINATION IN AUSTRALIA
Whitsundays, QLD
AUSTRALIA'S DREAM DESTINATION
The Kimberley, WA
FAVOURITE AUSTRALIAN SUMMER DESTINATION
Gold Coast, QLD
AUSTRALIA'S FAVOURITE WINTER DESTINATION
Queensland
BEST RESORT IN AUSTRALIA
qualia, Hamilton Island, QLD
BEST LUXURY HOTEL IN AUSTRALIA
Crown Hotels Melbourne, VIC
BEST ADVENTURE HOLIDAY DESTINATION IN AUSTRALIA
The Kimberley, WA
BEST PUB IN AUSTRALIA
Daly Waters Pub, NT
BEST GUIDED TOUR IN AUSTRALIA
BridgeClimb, Sydney, NSW
BEST CRUISE/YACHTING EXPERIENCE IN AUSTRALIA
Bareboating in the Whitsunday Islands, QLD
BEST TRAIN JOURNEY IN AUSTRALIA
The Ghan
BEST MAJOR AIRLINE IN AUSTRALIA
Qantas
BEST REGIONAL AIRLINE IN AUSTRALIA
QantasLink
BEST AFFORDABLE HOTEL BRAND IN AUSTRALIA
Ibis
BEST B&B IN AUSTRALIA
Glass on Glasshouse, QLD
BEST CARAVAN PARK OR CAMPSITE IN AUSTRALIA
BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, QLD
AUSTRALIA'S FAVOURITE TRAVEL WEBSITE
TripAdvisor
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