NAGAMBIE has been nominated as the best Victorian tourist town among 11 other finalists.

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) award nominations were announced last week and for local community member, Janine Swieboda, it was no surprise that Nagambie was among the finalists.

“We have magnificent wineries, magnificent race horse studs, the most beautiful countryside around a lake and a river," Ms Swieboda said.

“Also, our water sports and fishing are very accessible and competitive.

“Nagambie has also great restaurants such as the Nagambie Entertainment Pub on the lake, the Eighty Sixty, plus the brewery.

“We also have the statue of racing champion Black Caviar.

“Where would you start to list everything Nagambie has?”

The 22 winning towns across the state are vying for the prestigious accolade.

The awards are a new addition to the Victorian Tourism Awards program, hosted by VTIC, recognising regional towns and centres that offer amazing visitor experiences.

VTIC chief executive, Felicia Mariani, said the awards would showcase Victoria’s most compelling destinations.

“After a year of being in and out of lockdown in Victoria, Victorians have developed a real love affair with the beautiful destinations in their own backyard,” Ms Mariani said.

“It is the perfect time to introduce an element to the Victorian Tourism Awards that celebrates our regional areas and allows us to nominate our favourite part of this great state as a Top Tourism Town.”

Finalists will now proceed to the consumer voting element of the awards for the public to decide who will receive the title of Victoria’s top tourism town.

Voting will be open for three weeks from May 6 to 27.

The public can view all the submissions from the Top Tourism Town finalists and register their vote at https://www.vtic.com.au/toptourismtown/.

Individuals who cast a vote for their favourite Victorian tourism town will go into the draw to win a Melbourne Getaway for two, which includes a one-night stay at the new luxury W Melbourne Hotel and passes to the NGV’s Winter Masterpieces Series, as well as a delicious afternoon high tea at The Windsor Hotel.

The winner of the Top Tourism Town Award (population over 5000) will receive $15,000 of airtime with Prime 7 and the winner of the Top Small Tourism Town Award (population below 5000) will receive $10,000 of airtime with Prime 7.

Both winners will then progress on to the nationals for a chance to be named Australia’s Top Tourism Town.