Bendigo is named as Australia’s best town to visit in 2024
The title of Australia’s best city to visit in 2024 has been awarded to Bendigo, a vibrant regional hub in Victoria.
Online booking site Wotif ranked the city number one based on the platform’s data on accommodation affordability, quality and traveler feedback.
Bendigo is just a two-hour drive from Melbourne, making it easily accessible for anyone looking for a country getaway from the Victorian capital.
Bendigo has been named Australia’s best city to visit by online booking site WotIf
An aerial view of Lake Weeroona in Bendigo
The city offers a wide range of attractions including vineyards, breweries, orchards, excellent cafes and restaurants and authentic Aboriginal experiences.
Next on the list is Broken Hill in New South Wales, followed by Stanthorpe in Queensland.
This year’s top 10 list features more inland cities rather than beach spots, as more Australians swap the coast for an inland getaway.
“Australian travelers are driven by a curiosity to experience the world around them and it’s fantastic to see that this pursuit of discovery is leading many to find culture close to home,” explains Wotif travel expert Sarah King.
There’s no better way to see the sights of Bendigo than on board one of the iconic vintage trams
Bendigo offers a wide range of attractions including vineyards, breweries, orchards and cafes
“With one in five Aussies planning a trip over the upcoming Easter long weekend and 56 percent planning to take advantage of the school holidays for local getaways, these awards provide the ultimate inspiration for those planning their trips for the year ahead.”
The announcement comes just days after the country’s best beaches were named by Tourism Australia.
Surrounded by the rugged wilderness of Wilsons Promontory National Park, Squeaky Beach was voted the best in the country.
Just a three-hour drive from Melbourne, ‘Squeaky’ is known for the ‘acoustic delight’ of compressed quartz and quartz sand underfoot, crashing waves and clear water, and for being enclosed by impressive granite boulders.
It is the first time a Victorian beach has been crowned Australia’s best beach.
Here’s the full top 10 and what Wotif says about each city:
1. Bendigo, VIC
Nestled in central Victoria, Bendigo is known for its gold rush legacy, dating back to the 1850s, where visitors can explore underground at the Central Deborah Gold Mine.
Bendigo also offers spectacular cultural experiences, including the Djaa Djuwima First Nations Art Gallery and the Bendigo Art Gallery, one of Australia’s largest and most innovative regional galleries.
Bendigo’s exciting cultural and food and drink scene led to the city being recognized as Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy.
2. Broken Hill, NSW
Known from the iconic 1994 Australian film, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Priscilla’s spirit lives on with the Broken Heel Festival, a five-day event in honor of the film.
Visitors can also enjoy contemporary works by leading Aboriginal artists at the oldest regional gallery in NSW: the Broken Hill City Art Gallery.
If you prefer to get outside, visit the rugged, beautiful landscapes just outside Broken Hill in the Mutawintji National Park.
While you are here you can visit one of Australia’s most sacred Aboriginal Historic Sites, with beautiful ocher hand stencils and rock carvings.
3. Stanthorpe, Queensland
Nestled in the south-west corner of Queensland, Stanthorpe, 2.5 hours west of Brisbane, is home to one of the state’s two recognized wine growing regions.
Stanthorpe’s cooler climate and high altitude make it perfect for a winter getaway and wine tasting with over 50 cellar doors to choose from.
In addition to wine, dining experiences range from apple and strawberry picking in the warmer months to truffle hunts in winter.
Outdoor enthusiasts can hike in the Girraween National Park or take a self-guided walk to admire Stanthorpe’s vibrant street art.
4. Katherine, NT
Katherine marks the point where the traditional lands of the Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman Aboriginal Peoples meet and is home to spectacular sandstone country, majestic gorges, misty waterfalls and authentic Aboriginal experiences.
Katherine also has a thriving arts scene: from vibrant street art to the Barunga Festival and galleries such as the Godinymayin Yijard Arts and Culture Centre.
5. Bathurst, NSW
As the oldest colonial settlement in inland Australia, there is a wealth of history and heritage to experience, including visiting authentic gold rush villages and gold mining.
Bathurst is also home to Australian Motor Sport, with the iconic Mount Panorama/Wahluu right on its doorstep. T
The Bathurst region has something for everyone, experience the thrill of V8 supercars at major races, drive around the track for free or visit one of four world class museums in the heart of the CBD.
6. Tanunda, SA
Tanunda is known as the ‘red heart’ of the Barossa and is in a prime location.
From iconic heritage buildings to the beauty of the Barossa Mountains and surrounding vineyards, the name is believed to be derived from an Aboriginal word for watering hole, with the Peramangk being the original owners of the land.
The city of Tanunda also has a strong European history thanks to the German immigrants who settled in the city in the 19th century.
7. Griffith, NSW
Griffith has the highest percentage of Italian ancestry of any local government area in Australia, due to the large number of Italian immigrants who settled in the area in the 1930s and post-war period.
This influence remains strong in Griffith today and can be seen in the city’s vibrant café, restaurant and wine production scene, as evidenced by the ‘A Taste of Italy Griffith’ programme, a seven-day celebration held every year takes place in August, celebrating the Italian culture and heritage unique to Griffith.
8. Stanley, T.A.S
Take a walk through time in this coastal town with its preserved cottages and historic monuments.
Explore the 1830s Highfield Historic Site, stroll the Stanley Heritage Walk and delve into the Stanley Discovery Museum to learn about the history of the area.
And while the iconic Stanley Nut provides the perfect backdrop. Don’t forget your camera!
9. Exmouth, WA
Exmouth is home to the culture and land of Nyinggulu’s First Nations people. During your visit, enjoy the region’s ancient wilderness landscapes.
A mecca for divers and snorkelers, it offers the world’s largest reef with an incredible coastline and some of the most unforgettable encounters with marine life.
10. Coober Pedy, SA
Coober Pedy, the opal capital of Australia, is an underground city in the heart of the desert, with a sun-drenched moonscape, a fascinating history and a unique way of life.
Below ground, visitors can explore subterranean houses, churches, museums and even shops.
You can even choose an underground hotel for the full experience! Above ground, travelers can try their luck searching for opals, watch a movie at SA’s last drive-in or take an outback tour in a 4WD to one of the many surrounding natural wonders.
