The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival took out the state best festival and event at the 2022 Victorian Tourism Awards.
The awards, showcasing the state’s leaders in tourism excellence, were annnounced at a dinner in Melbourne on December 1.
The autumn festival, which attracted close to 15,000 visitors this year, won the award over Adventure Park Geelong Winter Glow Festival and Ballarat Heritage Festival.
As a category winner, the Macedon Ranges Shire event will go on to represent Victoria at the Australian Tourism Awards in Sydney in March, 2023.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Annette Death said she was honoured to see council and local businesses acknowledged for their hard work, which put the festival on the economy map.
“The last couple of years have presented significant challenges for tourism,” she said.
“We have worked really hard to get tourists back to the region to visit our amazing attractions and support our local businesses.
“I’d like to congratulate our team on an incredible effort and thank all of our local businesses and everybody who supported our autumn festival program.”
Judged by a panel of industry leaders appointed by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council, Macedon Ranges Shire Council also won bronze in the Local Government Award for Tourism category, recognising excellence in tourism planning.
Seymour’s Rambling Wine Tours also received bronze at the awards in the new tourism buisness category.
Planning is underway for the next autumn festival throughout April 2023, taking place across nine historic villages to promote the region’s makers, producers, artisans, and attractions.
Macedon Ranges is encouraging businesses, community groups and creatives to submit their autumn-themed event for the 2023 festival program.
Bakeries, cellar doors, pubs, cafes and restaurants are also encouraged to submit a pie or tart for the Autumn Pie and Tart Trail, a popular event launched at this year’s festival.
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For information on the Victorian Tourism Awards, visit vtic.com.au/victoriantourismawards.