Mandurah, Dwellingup win national awards

Mandurah and Dwellingup have been nationally recognised as leading tourism towns, winning first place at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards 2023.

Mandurah was named Australia’s Top Tourism Town and Dwellingup took home gold for the Tiny Tourism Town category at an event in Canberra on Thursday.

Australia’s Top Tour Guide award was presented to Rosanna Angus who operates Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours in Broome and serves on the board of the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Council.

Ms Angus is a Jawi woman facilitating guided tours to Sunday Island and other locations off the coast of Dampier Peninsula, while sharing stories from her family and ancestors who lived there.

The Australian Top Tourism Town Awards are presented by Australian Tourism Industry Council and are supported by Tourism Australia and Qantas.

Tourism Council Western Australia chief executive Evan Hall said Western Australia’s recognition in the national awards elevated the state’s top-tier nature-based destinations and experiences.

“Dwellingup, nestled among old-growth forests in the Darling Range, offers nature-based and adventure experiences including bushwalking, river activities and mountain bike trails,” Mr Hall said.

“Mandurah, known for its waterways and coastline, gives visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature with boating, fishing and wildlife watching, and is home to the outdoor exhibition The Giants by internationally renowned artist Thomas Dambo.”

Mr Hall also commended Ms Angus for winning Australia’s Top Tour Guide and recognised her contribution to the tourism sector.

“Rosanna has made a significant contribution to the public’s understanding of Aboriginal culture through her guiding, alongside work supporting and inspiring Aboriginal women in her local community,” Mr Hall said.

Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said it was valuable for towns in WA to be promoted through the awards, raising the profile of the state as a tourism destination.

"From north to south and inland, it is wonderful to see the likes of Mandurah and Dwellingup being recognised on a national scale in these industry awards," she said.

"I'd also like to congratulate Rosanna Angus, for taking out an award in the Top Tour Guide category, it's great to see local tourism operators recognised for their hard work in the field."