Australia is home to some seriously unique foods, places and experiences. And each year we ask you to tell us some of the best of the best for our annual Wotif Uniquely Aussie Awards. We’ve done the math and today we’re excited to announce the winners and finalists for 2023. From the best hotel room service to the most delicious sanga, here are some of your fave Aussie must-sees, must-visits and must-eats.
Best Botanic Garden
Winner: Western Australian Botanic Garden, WA
This incredible botanic garden hosts beautiful displays of more than 3,000 of Western Australia’s 12,000 species of native flora, with a stunning outlook of Perth and the Swan River. With a number of different gardens, walkways and terraces to explore, it’s the perfect place to start a Perth getaway.
Finalists:
Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, NSW; Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, VIC; Cairns Botanic Gardens, QLD; George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, NT; Australian National Botanic Gardens, ACT; Adelaide Botanic Garden, SA; Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, TAS.
Best Flat White
Winner: The Cupping Room, ACT
Melbourne might be known as the unofficial coffee capital of the WORLD, but it’s The Cupping Room in Canberra that claims the title for Best Flat White in Australia. Brewed by award-winning roasters from the highest quality and sustainable green coffee beans, this is the perfect place for a pitstop on your next Aussie road trip.
Finalists:
Single O Surry Hills, NSW; Proud Mary Coffee, Collingwood, VIC; Fonzie Abbott, Albion, QLD; Pop Rocket Cafe, Katherine, NT; Haz Beanz Finestkind Coffee, Albany, WA; My Kingdom for a Horse, Adelaide, SA; Bury Me Standing, Hobart, TAS.
Best Hotel Room Service
Winner: Eos by Skycity, SA
Some things are just better when they’re delivered to your door, especially when it’s an on-call mixologist, ready to create your favourite cocktail (or mocktail). Eos by Skycity‘s in-room hair and make-up services are also the perfect addition to a luxe stay at this inner-city spot.
Finalists:
The Langham, Sydney, NSW; The Hotel Windsor, VIC; Emporium Hotel South Bank, QLD, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs, NT; Warders Hotel Fremantle, WA; East Hotel, ACT; Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, TAS.
Best Sanga
Winner: South Dowling Sandwiches, NSW
When a place has been crafting humble sangas for more than 15 years, you just know they’re going to be good! And at South Dowling Sandwiches, they’re so good they were nominated the No 1. sanga in the country! Made with fresh ingredients and prepared right in front of you, the sangas are overloaded with fillings at the generous starting price of $11 – making them fan favourites.
Finalists:
Hector’s Deli, Richmond, VIC; Melt Brothers, Brisbane, QLD; The Black Russian Caravan Bar, Katherine, NT; The Re Store, WA; Little Luxton, Gordon, ACT; Bottega Bandito, Prospect, SA; Pigeon Whole Bakers, Hobart, TAS.
Best Hot Spring
Winner: Mataranka Thermal Pool, NT
Hidden in the thick bushlands of Mataranka is this stunning natural hot spring with crystal–blue waters that stay at a comfortable 34 degrees Celsius all-year-round. For the health buffs, it’s also believed that a dip in this pristine spring will help relieve aches and pains.
Finalists:
Lightning Ridge Bore Baths, NSW; Peninsula Hot Springs, VIC; Innot Hot Springs, QLD; Zebedee Springs, WA; Dalhousie Springs, SA; Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs, TAS.
Best Brewery
Winner: Felons Brewing Co, QLD
According to Aussies, it’s all about the atmosphere when it comes to a good brewery, and you don’t get much better than Brisbane’s Felons. Passionate about offering more than just a wide range of quality beer, it even has an epic pirate playground for your mini adventurers, set up within easy eyeshot of the outdoor tables — dogs are welcome, too.
Finalists:
Modus Brewing Mereweather, NSW; Bright Brewery, VIC; Six Tanks Brew Pub, Darwin, NT; Gage Roads Freo Brewery, WA; Capital Brewery Co, Fyshwick, ACT; Prancing Pony Brewery, Totness, SA; Du Cane Brewing, Launceston, TAS.
Behind the data: The 2023 Wotif Uniquely Aussie Awards are based on public nominations made via www.wotif.com from 12 to 28 July 2023.
