Marlo has been named the sole East Gippsland finalist in this year’s Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards, recognised in the Top Tiny Tourism Town category (population under 1,500), with Portsea taking home the title.
The awards, presented by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), recognise towns that deliver outstanding visitor experiences and champion collaboration between tourism operators and local businesses. This year’s ceremony was held on Wednesday evening at the Morwell Convention and Reception Centre.
Marlo was also a finalist in last year’s awards and, rather than see it as the end of the story, a small but passionate team took the judges’ feedback on board and set out to tell Marlo’s full story for this year’s entry. The entry was a true community effort, created by the community, for the community, and proudly supported by East Gippsland Shire Council.
Nestled where the Snowy River meets the sea and serving as the gateway to Cape Conran Coastal Park, Marlo isn’t defined by one landmark or one bucket-list experience. Its drawcard is its authenticity – quiet beaches, pristine waterways, rich marine life and a pace of life that invites visitors to slow down and stay a while.
Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth congratulated the Marlo community on the finalist recognition.
“Marlo has always had a special place in the hearts of East Gippsland locals, and it’s wonderful to see that recognised on a state-wide stage. What stood out about this year’s entry was that it came from the community itself and it captured the heart and soul of the place. That’s a hard thing to do, and this community found a way to do it while taking the feedback from last year on board.
“I’d also like to thank everyone who voted for Marlo and supported the entry. It was wonderful to see people get behind the community and help share Marlo’s story with a state-wide audience.
“Marlo has done itself proud on the state-wide stage, and this entry has given people across Victoria a glimpse of what makes the community so special.”
We congratulate all this year’s finalists and winners and thank everyone across the tourism sector who continues to showcase the best of our great state. A full list of winners is available at: https://www.vtic.com.au/toptourismtown/winners
East Gippsland invites visitors to come and discover Marlo for themselves – a place that doesn’t need one big attraction to leave a lasting impression.
