Shepparton is one of eight finalists in the Top Tourism Town category, open to towns of a population more than 5,000 people.
The award acknowledges the diversity, high level visitor experiences, and community collaboration of outstanding regional destinations. Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre collaborated with a range of local operators to highlight the region’s strong cultural offerings and were successful in progressing to the finalist round, now open for public voting.
The submission was based around a four day, three night itinerary encouraging visitors to immerse themselves in the rich diversity of local culture.
The full itinerary experience can be found on the Visit Shepparton website and details the journey. On arriving in town, listening to the ‘Tunes of 3630’, visitors are on a journey of discovery, through the flourishing Botanic Gardens, MOVE and SAM, to Kaiela Arts and taking in the vibrant Street Art. Visitors are encouraged to walk in the footsteps of Yorta Yorta ancestors on The Flats and fish with the Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club. Our vibrant small towns are explored on a day trip to Dookie, and the experience is tied together by the rich diversity of cuisines and cultures our city boasts. New and returning visitors will be surprised and delighted when they next visit Shepparton.
Greater Shepparton Mayor Councillor Kim O’Keeffe said the state-wide recognition was a great accomplishment for the region.
‘We are incredibly proud of the recognition of Shepparton as a Top Tourism Town. Our local businesses and community groups have worked especially hard to grow the tourism offering for our region and this award celebrates their dedication. I encourage our local community to support this great achievement and place a vote for Shepparton and show the rest of the state how great our city is,” Cr O’Keeffe said.
“Shepparton is home to a number of unique and expanding tourism offerings such as the new Shepparton Art Museum, Museum of Vehicle Evolution, Australian Botanic Gardens and Kaiela Arts which have all contributed to positioning Shepparton as a desirable visitor destination at a state and national level.
“Expanding the region’s core tourism offering to complement our strong major events calendar has been a priority in growing our visitor economy, with increased tourism visitation providing benefits to a wide diversity of local business.”
From today members of the public can now vote for Shepparton as the Top Tourism Town with polls open until Tuesday 31 May.
Victorian winners will be announced in July, and if successful will then be judged for the National Top Tourism Town Awards.
Head online now and share your vote for Shepparton. www.vtic.com.au/toptourismtown
