NEW Norfolk will today be named the bronze medallist in the Aussie Town of the Year Awards for 2023. The awards are an initiative of travel app and website Wotif, and there is a link between the winner and the third place getter.
The crown will go to the New South Wales town of Albury, which is where New Norfolk-based Australian Newsprint Mills built its second newsprint factory in 1981. Many people left New Norfolk to help establish that paper mill and remain there to this today, creating enduring family links between Albury and New Norfolk.
Wotif says the Top Aussie Towns win proves that the NSW-Victoria border town has become far more than a pit-stop destination for travellers. Bundaberg, in Queensland, is in second place, ahead of New Norfolk in third place. Now in its sixth year, the Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Awards recognise trending destinations for the year ahead.
The 2023 Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Award winners are:
- Albury, NSW
- Bundaberg, QLD
- New Norfolk, TAS
- Port Lincoln, SA
- Ballarat, VIC
- Merimbula, NSW
- Toowoomba, QLD
- Dunsborough, WA
- Orange, NSW
- Echuca, VIC
Wotif notes that New Norfolk is the third oldest settlement in Tasmania. “New Norfolk is a charming township with a rich heritage, dotted with eclectic antique stores, historic buildings and green hops fields. Just a short drive from Hobart, it’s the perfect destination for a short getaway.”
The results are based on a Wotif data index that looks at accommodation affordability quality, and traveller satisfaction. Wotif says 46% of Australians plan to travel in April to take advantage of the public and school holidays. “Three-day-stays prove to be the new sweet spot for domestic holidays, with demand on Wotif growing by more than 30% in 2022, compared to 2021,” Wotif spokesperson Daniel Finch said.
“Looking to the year ahead, almost half of Aussies (49%) plan to take short trips of up to three nights, with many wanting to explore their own state. 44% of Aussies simply prefer short weekend trips, while another 44% are making this decision for financial reasons, as the rising cost of living impedes household budgets,” Mr Finch said.
“By all accounts, Aussies remain committed to travelling locally in 2023. While cost considerations are top of mind for everyone this year, it’s clear travellers are not deterred and instead are prioritising accessible, experience-rich getaways. We know 29% of Aussies are open to travelling to new destinations this year to keep costs down, and we hope by spotlighting these deserving destinations, all of which are extremely accessible, the awards inspire Aussies to explore and connect with regional destinations beyond the typical tried and tested.”
