Port Fairy wins Silver at tourism awards

Published on 13 August 2026

Port Fairy’s remarkable run of tourism award success shows no signs of slowing down.

The town claimed silver in the 2026 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards, adding yet another accolade to a trophy cabinet already packed with state and national tourism honours.

Port Fairy was named a finalist in the Top Small Tourism Town category earlier this year, with the community getting behind the town through the public voting component of the awards. 

Moyne Shire Mayor Cr Jordan Lockett said the award was a great reflection of the people, experiences and places that make Port Fairy such a popular destination. 

“This is a phenomenal result for Port Fairy and something the whole community should be incredibly proud of,” Cr Lockett said. 

The award is the latest in a string of success for Port Fairy at the annual event. The town entered the Hall of Fame after winning gold in 2021 and 2022 and went on to claim silver again in 2025.

The town also claimed silver at the Australian Tourism Town Awards in 2021.

The win follows Port Fairy’s recent success in the Australian Traveller Top 100 Towns rankings, where the town was named No. 4 in Australia and No. 1 in Victoria as well as being Australia’s best town for Festivals and Events. 

“Port Fairy has so much to offer, from its beautiful beaches, coastline and natural environment to its history, cultural heritage, arts, festivals, food and hospitality,” Cr Lockett said.

“But what really sets it apart are the people who bring all of that to life. Our businesses, tourism operators, volunteers, artists, event organisers and community groups all play an important role in creating the experience visitors enjoy.”

“Tourism continues to play a vital role in supporting local jobs, businesses and investment opportunities across Port Fairy and Moyne Shire.” 

Port Fairy is also a gateway to the broader Moyne region, with visitors drawn to its historic towns, agricultural landscapes, local produce and the rich cultural heritage and stories that have shaped the region. 

Cr Lockett said the recognition was an opportunity to celebrate what makes the destination unique and to pay tribute to the work of Council’s hard working tourism team. 

“Visitors might come for the beaches and beauty of Port Fairy, but there is so much more to discover across Moyne,” he said.

“Our visitor services team and volunteers go above and beyond to make sure visitors have everything they need to get the full Moyne Shire experience - this award is a huge credit to the work they do to promote our region.”

The VTTT Awards celebrate communities that demonstrate a strong commitment to tourism and delivering outstanding visitor experiences. The awards provide valuable exposure for regional destinations and can help increase visitation and economic benefit to local communities. 

Pictured from L-R: Jo Mackenzie, Cr Jordan Lockett, Cr Myra Murrihy, Mark Eversteyn