Koondrook wins Top Tiny Tourism Town Bronze Award

Published on 30 July 2024

Koondrook is the toast of the Victorian tourism industry, with the Murray River town one of nine locations recognised in the 2024 Victoria Tourism Industry Council Top Tourism Town Awards.

In its first year of entering the prestigious accolades, Koondrook received a Bronze Award in the Top Tiny Tourism Town category, with the award recognising efforts to promote the town as a nature based tourism destination.

“Council congratulates Koondrook and the efforts put in by its business owners, community groups and residents to achieve this accolade,” Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“By entering these awards and ultimately becoming a finalist, Koondrook has received significant additional exposure, which will increase tourism numbers and provide positive flow-on benefits to the municipality.”

As part of the nomination process, Council’s Tourism team developed an editorial, promotional video and suggested two-day, one night itinerary for tourists, highlighted by visits to Koondrook Wharf and waterfront, a paddle on Gunbower Creek, eating at local businesses and an overnight stay at Koondrook Retreat.

This content assisted the award’s judges to determine the category’s five finalists, with visitors to the Victoria Tourism Industry Council using these materials to vote for which town they would like to see win the Gold Award, which was awarded to Timboon.

“For Koondrook and the Gannawarra to be recognised in the same awards as Arthurs Seat, Ballarat, Bendigo, Daylesford, Heathcote, Sorrento and Warrnambool is an honour,” Mr Rollinson said.

“This accolade also highlights Council’s strategic focus on improving tourism opportunities throughout Koondrook, driven by the award-winning Koondrook Wharf and Koondrook Retreat. These sites have been an attraction for local, national and international visitors since their respective openings, and Council envisages that visitor numbers to these sites will increase thanks to Koondrook receiving the Top Tiny Tourism Town Bronze Award.”

Visitors to Koondrook will be able to view the award as it tours local businesses in the coming months.

“By sharing the award across our various businesses, it recognises the work they do to support Koondrook and thank our wider community for their efforts,” Koondrook Development Committee chairperson, Thomas Chick said.

“Being recognised for this award places Koondrook on the map of potential visitors. It will also add credibility to future tourism strategies such as the Murray River Adventure Trail and will put focus on future development.

“Koondrook values its visitors. Many feel so welcome that they come back again and often have moved here permanently as a tree change.”

ABOVE: Council's Visual Design and Marketing Officer, Cass Miller (left); Koondrook Development Committee chairperson, Thomas Chick; Mayor Ross Stanton; and former Koondrook Development Committee chairperson, Bryan Goble with the Victorian Tourism Industry Council Top Tiny Tourism Town Bronze Award.