Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has won the tourism industry’s peak award at the 2021 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, winning Best Major Attraction in Australia at a ceremony on the Sunshine Coast on Friday 18 March.
The Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) judges selected Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria from many outstanding competitors based on its achievements in the areas of tourism, business planning, marketing, customer service and sustainability.
“I am proud Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has been recognised as Australia’s premier tourist attraction,” Chris Trotman, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Chairperson said. “We will continue to lift the tourism bar by offering world-class cultural programs, while remaining a treasured and valuable Australian asset and place of continual discovery and delight.”
Tim Entwisle, Director and Chief Executive reiterated the importance of the win.
“With more people showing and interest in botanic gardens as we recover from the pandemic, we are pleased to be recognised as a premier tourist attraction for Australia, and our two sensational gardens at Melbourne and Cranbourne in Victoria are among the best in the world,” Mr Entwisle said.
“And there is more to come. We have big events planned for both Gardens, including a first for Australia, ‘Lightscape’.
“This illuminated light trail builds on the success of Fire Gardens and offers yet another incentive for Australians and tourists from around the world to visit Melbourne and experience our beautiful Melbourne Gardens.”
With Gardens in both Melbourne and Cranbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria offers a strong program of visitor experiences including guided walks, nature learning, Aboriginal Heritage Walks, and is also a leader in science, horticulture and conservation efforts.
Both Gardens attract interstate and overseas visitors, with over 1.7 million people visiting both Gardens combined last year.
‘Lightscape’ will run for six weeks over June and July 2022.
