Exmouth wins Australia’s top small tourism town at national awards in Canberra

Exmouth’s status as a jewel in WA’s tourism crown has been strengthened on the national stage after it was named Australia’s top small tourism town for 2022. The Gascoyne town was rewarded for its remarkable beauty and tourism opportunities at the Australian Top Tourism Awards at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday. The coastal mecca — home to the spectacular Ningaloo Marine Park — was recognised nationally as a top destination for tourism. Mandurah and Denham were the other WA finalists. Mandurah won bronze in the top tourism town category, while Denham was a finalist in the tiny tourism town category. The WA awards have been running for more than 30 years, while the national equivalent is in its second year. All State winners progress to the national awards. Geraldton won the silver medal for top tourism town in WA earlier this year. The national awards aim to showcase the value of tourism to towns and communities across Australia and celebrate the diversity of regional destinations. Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the winners and finalists from WA had demonstrated an “exceptional commitment to delivering high-quality experiences”. “Exmouth is known as the gateway to the nearby Ningaloo Marine Park and is popular for diving and snorkelling. The town really comes together to promote its natural beauty on land and in the water as one of the world’s top destinations for marine wildlife,” he said. With its picture perfect beaches and unforgettable marine experiences such as swimming with whale sharks, Exmouth is one of WA regions featured prominently in WA’s new ‘Walking on a Dream’ tourism campaign. The Australian Top Tourism Town Awards are presented by the Australian Tourism Industry Council and supported by Tourism Australia.