The ultimate pub debate has finally been settled, but it took an unprecedented three-way tie to crown Victoria’s best parma — and you’ll have to hit the road to regional Victoria to try them.
Victoria’s hospitality sector was honoured at the Australian Hotels Association Victoria State Awards for Excellence on Monday night, revealing the best pubs and hotels in 2026.
The ‘Parma of the Year’ category produced an unprecedented result with three regional heavyweights achieving a flawless score of 100 to share the crown in the fiercely contested category.
The Creekside Hotel in Warracknabeal, the Lindenow Farmers Home Hotel, and the Newborough Hotel simply could not be split by judges, proving country pubs still rule when it comes to the crumbed classic.
About 150 pubs went neck-to-neck for the coveted People’s Choice Award — voted by the general public — with The Oxford Scholar in Melbourne emerging as the fan-favourite winner.
The Oxford Scholar won punters’ hearts for its vibrant atmosphere, diverse entertainment schedule and unwavering focus on delivering a stellar pub experience in the heart of the city.
The intensely contested Chef of the Year title was awarded to Tony Twitchett of Taxi Kitchen in Melbourne for his commitment to celebrating seasonal produce, bold flavours
and contemporary pub dining.
The Yackandandah Hotel won the Cocktail Menu of the Year award for its “thoughtful, well-balanced list that champions quality ingredients, creativity and an elevated drinking experience” while remaining true to the character of a country pub.
The coveted Bush Pub of the Year title was awarded to Victoria Hotel in Dimboola.
Macedon Village Hotel was named Overall Hotel of the Year Regional and The Grand Warrandyte Hotel won the Overall Hotel of the Year in metropolitan.
Best Live Entertainment Venue went to Fifth Province in St Kilda and Best Rooftop Experience was awarded to Corner Hotel Richmond.
The Heart of the Community award was jointly awarded to Dargo Hotel and Grand
Warrandyte Hotel, in recognition of “their deep and genuine commitment to the people they
serve”.
Rob Pitt from Hotel Sorrento took home the Nikakis Benchmark Award, named in memory of industry icon Nick Nikakis, while the Emerging Leader of the Year award went to Ellie Searle from Cherry Hill Hotel in Doncaster.
AHA Victoria’s chief executive Paddy O’Sullivan said the hotels and pub industry “simply could not be successful without the significant contributions of our people”.
“Young professionals are evolving their careers in hospitality, building skills and
stepping into leadership roles, and it is their passion, professionalism and dedication that
creates the best possible customer experience in pubs and hotels right across Victoria
every day,” he said.
“A night like the State Awards for Excellence showcases the full spectrum of what makes
Victoria’s pubs and hotels so special.
“From inspiring leaders and innovative chefs to community champions and destination venues that locals are proud to call their own.”
See the full list of winning pubs (and runners up) below.
FULL LIST OF WINNERSThe 2026 Nikakis Benchmark Award — Rob Pitt
Rob Pitt from Hotel Sorrento has won the coveted Nikakis Benchmark Award.
People’s Choice Award — The Oxford Scholar
The Oxford Scholar in Melbourne took out the People’s Choice Award for 2026.
Overall Hotel of the Year (Metro) — The Grand Hotel Warrandyte
The Grand Hotel Warrandyte has won 2026 Overall Hotel of the Year in the metropolitan category.
2026 Finalists
Cherry Hill Hotel, Doncaster
The Clifton Hill Hotel, Clifton Hill
The Continental Sorrento, Sorrento
The Doutta Galla Hotel, Kensington
The Fifth Province, St Kilda
Hotel Sorrento, Sorrento
London Tavern Hotel, Richmond
All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo, Strathdale
Grovedale Hotel, Grovedale
Hogans Hotel, Wallan
Macedon Village Hotel, Macedon
The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
Lower Plenty Hotel, Lower Plenty
Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Rosstown Hotel, Carnegie
Taxi Kitchen, Melbourne
The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
The Waterside Hotel, Melbourne
WestWaters Hotel & Entertainment Complex, Caroline Springs
Overall Hotel of the Year (Regional) — Macedon Village Hotel
Macedon Village Hotel has been named the best Overall Hotel of the Year in the regional category.
2026 Finalists
All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo, Strathdale
Grovedale Hotel, Grovedale
Hogans Hotel, Wallan
The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
Lower Plenty Hotel, Lower Plenty
Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Rosstown Hotel, Carnegie
Taxi Kitchen, Melbourne
The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
The Waterside Hotel, Melbourne
WestWaters Hotel & Entertainment Complex, Caroline Springs
Old Faithfulls Brew Bar, Wangaratta
San Remo Hotel, San Remo
Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool
The Yackandandah Hotel, Yackandandah
Best Casual Dining (Metro) — Alpine Hotel, Warburton
Alpine Hotel in Warburton has won Best Casual Dining title in the metropolitan category.
2026 Finalists
The Clifton Hill Hotel, Clifton Hill
The Continental Sorrento, Sorrento
Epping Plaza Hotel, Epping
The Fox Hotel, Collingwood
The Heritage Balnarring, Balnarring
Launching Place Home Hotel, Launching Place
London Tavern Hotel, Richmond
Malvern Hotel, Toorak
Nixon Hotel, Docklands
Palace Hotel, Camberwell
Rosstown Hotel, Carnegie
Sir Henry Barkly Hotel, Heidelberg
St Andrews Hotel, Fitzroy
Teller, Brunswick East
The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
The Wild Geese Hotel, Brunswick
WestWaters Hotel & Entertainment Complex, Caroline Springs
Best Casual Dining (Regional) — Western Hotel (Ballarat) and Five Flags Hotel (Campbells Creek)
Best Casual Dining award in the regional category has been tied between Western Hotel in Ballarat and Five Flags Hotel in Campbells Creek.
2026 Finalists
Barmah Hotel, Barmah
The Buninyong Hotel, Buninyong
Erica Hotel Motel, Erica
Esplanade Hotel – Inverloch, Inverloch
Five Flags Hotel, Campbells Creek
Grovedale Hotel, Grovedale
Hogans Hotel, Wallan
Lockington Community Hotel, Lockington
The Mansfield Hotel, Mansfield
The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
Poowong Hotel, Poowong
The Social Bar & Eating House, Bendigo
The Star Hotel Bright, Bright
Western Hotel, Ballarat
Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool
Best Family Dining — Castello’s Victorian Tavern, Gisborne
Castello’s Victorian Tavern in Gisborne has been named Best Family Dining.
2026 Finalists
Castello’s Croydon Hotel, Croydon
Castello’s Victorian Tavern, Gisborne
The Drouin Family Hotel, Drouin
Lower Plenty Hotel, Lower Plenty
Orbost Club Hotel, Orbost
Panton Hill Hotel, Panton Hill
The Sphinx Hotel, North Geelong
The Star Hotel Sale, Sale
Sugar Gum Hotel, Hillside
The Old Town ‘N’ Country Tavern, Wangaratta
WestWaters Hotel & Entertainment Complex, Caroline Springs
Best Pub Restaurant (METRO) — St Andrews Hotel, Fitzroy
St Andrews Hotel in Fitzroy has been named the Best Pub Restaurant in the metropolitan category.
2026 Finalists
Signor Fox, Boundary Hotel, Bentleigh East
The Camden Hotel, Caulfield South
Ember, The Continental Sorrento, Sorrento
Hofbräuhaus Melbourne, Melbourne
Hotel Sorrento, Sorrento
London Tavern Hotel, Richmond
Mr McCracken, Essendon Fields
Steakhouse, Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
St Andrews Hotel, Fitzroy
Cinder, The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
True South, Black Rock
The Wild Geese Hotel, Brunswick
Best Pub Restaurant (Regional) — The Victoria Rutherglen
The Victoria Rutherglen has been named Best Pub Restaurant in the regional category.
2026 Finalists
Two Noble, Sawyers Arms Tavern, Newtown
The Yackandandah Hotel, Yackandandah
Bush Pub of the Year — Victoria Hotel, Dimboola
Victoria Hotel in Dimboola has won the coveted Bush Pub of the Year award.
2026 Finalists
Barmah Hotel, Barmah
Commercial Hotel Woods Point, Woods Point
The Dederang Hotel, Dederang
Lindenow Farmers Home Hotel, Lindenow
Lockington Community Hotel, Lockington
Noojee Toolshed Bar, Bistro & Cabins, Noojee
Victoria Hotel, Dimboola
Cocktail Menu of the Year — The Yackandandah Hotel
The Yackandandah Hotel has won Cocktail Menu of the Year.
2026 Finalists
3 Social, Sunbury
American Hotel Echuca, Echuca
Central Hotel Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield
The Continental Sorrento, Sorrento
Cookie, Melbourne
The Grand Hotel Warrandyte, Warrandyte
Hogans Hotel, Wallan
Macedon Village Hotel, Macedon
The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
Old Faithfulls Brew Bar, Wangaratta
Panton Hill Hotel, Panton Hill
The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
The Waterside Hotel, Melbourne
The Yackandandah Hotel, Yackandandah
Best Function and Event Space (Metro) — The Continental Sorrento
The Continental Sorrento has won Best Function and Event Space in metro.
2026 Finalists
The Continental Sorrento, Sorrento
The Doutta Galla Hotel, Kensington
The Grand Hotel Warrandyte, Warrandyte
Hotel Sorrento, Sorrento
Ludlow Bar, Southbank
Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Panton Hill Hotel, Panton Hill
Republica St Kilda, St Kilda
Taxi Kitchen, Melbourne
The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
Transit Rooftop Bar, Melbourne
The Waterside Hotel, Melbourne
Best Function and Event Space (Regional) — The Middle Hotel Korumburra
The Middle Hotel in Korumburra has been named the Best Function and Event Space in the regional category.
2026 Finalists
1915 Restaurant and Bar, North Geelong
All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo, Strathdale
Alpine Hotel Bright, Bright
The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
The Victoria Hotel, Woodend
Best Live Entertainment Venue — THe Fifth Province, St Kilda
St Kilda’s The Fifth Province has been named Best Live Entertainment Venue of 2026.
2026 Finalists
Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads
The Continental Sorrento, Sorrento
Corner Hotel, Richmond
Croxton Park Hotel, Thornbury
The Doutta Galla Hotel, Kensington
Elephant and Wheelbarrow, Melbourne
The Fifth Province, St Kilda
Republica St Kilda, St Kilda
Riverview Hotel, Tarwin Lower
Torquay Hotel, Torquay
Transport Hotel, Melbourne
Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool
Best Outdoor Experience (Metro) — Notting Hill Hotel
Notting Hill Hotel has won Best Outdoor Experience in the metropolitan category.
2026 Finalists
Alpine Hotel Warburton, Warburton
Bridie O’Reilly’s, South Yarra
The Grand Hotel Warrandyte, Warrandyte
The Heritage Balnarring, Balnarring
London Tavern Hotel, Richmond
Lower Plenty Hotel, Lower Plenty
Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Panton Hill Hotel, Panton Hill
Platform 28, Docklands
Railway Hotel Pakenham, Pakenham
Republica St Kilda, St Kilda
Rosstown Hotel, Carnegie
Best Outdoor Experience (Regional) — San Remo Hotel
San Remo Hotel has won the Best Outdoor Experience in the regional category.
2026 Finalists
The 1860 Hotel, Romsey
American Hotel Echuca, Echuca
Botanical Hotel Bendigo, White Hills
The Caledonian Inn, Port Fairy
The Commercial Hotel – Glengarry, Glengarry
Grand Pacific Hotel, Lorne
Macedon Village Hotel, Macedon
The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
The One Tree Hill Hotel, Spring Gully
San Remo Hotel, San Remo
Western Hotel, Ballarat
Best Presented Beer — The Terminus North Fitzroy
The Terminus North Fitzroy has won the award for Best Presented Beer.
2026 Finalists
All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo, Strathdale
American Hotel Echuca, Echuca
The Bay Hotel Mornington, Mornington
Belgian Beer Café Melbourne, Southbank
Botanical Hotel Bendigo, White Hills
Bridie O’Reilly’s, South Yarra
Central Hotel Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield
The Clifton Hill Hotel, Clifton Hill
Cookie, Melbourne
The Doutta Galla Hotel, Kensington
The Fifth Province, St Kilda
Five Flags Hotel, Campbells Creek
Macedon Village Hotel, Macedon
Mail Exchange Hotel, Melbourne
The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
Railway Hotel Pakenham, Pakenham
The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
Best Pub Bar (Metro) — The Clifton Hill Hotel
The Cliffton Hill Hotel has won the Best Pub Bar in the metropolitan category.
2026 Finalists
Central Hotel Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield
The Clifton Hill Hotel, Clifton Hill
The Doutta Galla Hotel, Kensington
The Fifth Province, St Kilda
The Fox Hotel, Collingwood
Lower Plenty Hotel, Lower Plenty
Mail Exchange Hotel, Melbourne
Network Sports Bar, Docklands
Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Platform 28, Docklands
Railway Hotel Pakenham, Pakenham
St Andrews Hotel, Fitzroy
Temperance Hotel, South Yarra
Transport Hotel, Melbourne
Best Pub Bar (Regional) — Old Faithfulls Brew Bar (Wangaratta)
Old Faitfulls Brew Bar in Wangaratta has taken out Best Pub Bar (regional) award.
2026 Finalists
Barmah Hotel, Barmah
Brougham Arms Hotel, Bendigo
Crown Hotel, Traralgon
Esplanade Hotel – Inverloch, Inverloch
Old Faithfulls Brew Bar, Wangaratta
Poowong Hotel, Poowong
Royal Hotel Drouin, Drouin
Royal Oak Hotel, Ballarat Central
The Rosey Pub, Rosedale
The Star Hotel Bright, Bright
Tinamba Hotel, Tinamba
The Yackandandah Hotel, Yackandandah
Best Retail Liquor Outlet — Notting Hill Hotel
Notting Hill Hotel has been named Best Retail Liqour Outlet.
2026 Finalists
Central Hotel Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield
Lower Plenty Hotel, Lower Plenty
Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Old England Hotel, Heidelberg
Roxburgh Park Hotel, Coolaroo
Best Rooftop Experience — Corner Hotel, Richmond
Corner Hotel in Richmond has won Best Rooftop Experience award.
2026 Finalists
American Hotel Echuca, Echuca
Corner Hotel, Richmond
Hotel Sorrento, Sorrento
Best Specialty Bar — The Social Bar & Eating House (Bendigo)
The Social Bar and Eating House in Bendigo has won Best Specialty Bar.
2026 Finalists
Belgian Beer Café Melbourne, Southbank
Bridie O’Reilly’s, South Yarra
The Cross, St Kilda
Elephant and Wheelbarrow, Melbourne
The Fifth Province, St Kilda
Hofbräuhaus Melbourne, Melbourne
Hogans Hotel, Wallan
Mexicams Restaurant and Fiesta, North Geelong
P. J. O’Brien’s Irish Pub, Southbank
The Social Bar & Eating House, Bendigo
The Wild Geese Hotel, Brunswick
Best Sports Bar (Metro) — Rosstown Hotel, Carnegie
Rosstown Hotel in Carnegie has won Best Sports Bar (Metro).
2026 Finalists
Berwick Springs Hotel, Berwick
Bridge Inn Hotel, Mernda
Caulfield Glasshouse, Caulfield East
Harvey’s Sports Bar & Grill, St Kilda
The King Hotel, Melbourne
Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Rosstown Hotel, Carnegie
Best Sports Bar (Regional) — Grovedale Hotel
Grovedale Hotel has won Best Sports Bar in the regional category.
2026 Finalists
All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo, Strathdale
Esplanade Hotel – Inverloch, Inverloch
Grand Junction Hotel, Traralgon
Grovedale Hotel, Grovedale
The One Tree Hill Hotel, Spring Gully
San Remo Hotel, San Remo
Western Hotel, Ballarat
Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool
Parma of the Year — Lindenow Farmers Home Hotel, Newborough Hotel & The Creekside Hotel, Warracknabeal
The coveted Parma of the Year has been awarded to three hotels; Lindenow Farmers Home Hotel, Newborough Hotel and The Creekside Hotel in Warracknabeal.
2026 Finalists
The Albion Hotel, Kyneton
All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo, Strathdale
Bank Hotel Warragul, Warragul
Barmah Hotel, Barmah
The Bay Hotel Mornington, Mornington
Botanical Hotel Bendigo, White Hills
The Buninyong Hotel, Buninyong
The Creekside Hotel, Warracknabeal
Hogans Hotel, Wallan
Lindenow Farmers Home Hotel, Lindenow
Newborough Hotel, Newborough
The One Tree Hill Hotel, Spring Gully
The Oxford Scholar, Melbourne
Poowong Hotel, Poowong
Railway Hotel Pakenham, Pakenham
San Remo Hotel, San Remo
Sawyers Arms Tavern, Newtown
The Star Hotel Bright, Bright
The Star Hotel Sale, Sale
The Windsor Alehouse, Windsor
Best Hotel Accommodation — Hotel Sorrento
Hotel Sorrento has been named Best Hotel Accomodation of 2026.
2026 Finalists
All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo, Strathdale
Glenferrie Hotel, Hawthorn
Hotel Sorrento, Sorrento
Royal Oak Hotel, Ballarat Central
The Victoria Rutherglen, Rutherglen
Best Gaming Venue (Metro) — Lower Plenty Hotel
Lower Plenty Hotel has won Best Gaming Venue (metro).
2026 Finalists
The Camden Hotel, Caulfield South
Caulfield Hotel, Caulfield East
Cherry Hill Hotel, Doncaster
The Cove, Pattersons Lakes
Epping Plaza Hotel, Epping
Grosvenor Hotel, St Kilda East
Lower Plenty Hotel, Lower Plenty
Mail Exchange Hotel, Melbourne
Old England Hotel, Heidelberg
Plough Hotel, Mill Park
Rosstown Hotel, Carnegie
Sir Henry Barkly Hotel, Heidelberg
Skyways Hotel, Airport West
Welcome Stranger Hotel, Melbourne
WestWaters Hotel & Entertainment Complex, Caroline Springs
Best Gaming Venue (Regional) — Hogans Hotel, Wallan
Hogans Hotel in Wallan has been named Best Gaming Venue in the regional category.
2026 Finalists
All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo, Strathdale
The Drouin Family Hotel, Drouin
Grand Junction Hotel, Traralgon
Grovedale Hotel, Grovedale
Hogans Hotel, Wallan
The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
Torquay Hotel, Torquay
Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool
Best Pubtab (Metro) — Kealba Hotel
Kealba Hotel has won Best PUBTAB in the metropolitan category.
2026 Finalists
Berwick Springs Hotel, Berwick
Caulfield Hotel, Caulfield East
Kealba Hotel, Kealba
The King Hotel, Melbourne
Mail Exchange Hotel, Melbourne
Nixon Hotel, Docklands
Rosstown Hotel, Carnegie
WestWaters Hotel & Entertainment Complex, Caroline Springs
Best Pubtab (Regional) — All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo
All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo has been named Best PUBTAB in the regional category.
2026 Finalists
All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo, Strathdale
Grand Junction Hotel, Traralgon
Grovedale Hotel, Grovedale
The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
The Sphinx Hotel, North Geelong
Apprentice of the Year — Olivia Hansen, The Victoria Hotel, (Woodend)
Olivia Hansen from The Victoria Hotel in Woodend has been named the Apprentice of the Year.
2026 Finalists
Alexander D’Amelio, A Cut Above – Bar & Grill, Berwick
Anthony Pappas, Taxi Kitchen, Melbourne
Chef of the Year — Tony Twitchett, Taxi Kitchen
Tony Twitchett from Taxi Kitchen in Melbourne has been named Chef of the Year.
2026 Finalists
Dulan Mudalige, The 1860 Hotel, Romsey
Con Derlis, The Camden Hotel, Caulfield South
Benjiman Lewis, A Cut Above – Bar & Grill, Berwick
Sunny Ghotra, The Doutta Galla Hotel, Kensington
Rory Brown, Five Flags Hotel, Campbells Creek
Sudeep Khanal, Glenferrie Hotel, Hawthorn
David Maclean, Kilcunda Ocean View Hotel, Kilcunda
Simon Poynting, Lockington Community Hotel, Lockington
Mark Smith, The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
Andy Tsai, Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Damien Jayasuriya, Roxburgh Park Hotel, Coolaroo
Nick Anthony, The Social Bar & Eating House, Bendigo
Adam Jackson, The Star Hotel Sale, Sale
Tony Twitchett, Taxi Kitchen, Melbourne
Marius Daniulaitis, The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
Sarah Chan, The Waterside Hotel, Melbourne
Jonathan Laureyssens,
WestWaters Hotel & Entertainment Complex, Caroline Springs
Cameron O’Flaherty, Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool
Chris Hudich, Wharf Shed, Geelong
Ryan Philippe, The Wooli Tavern, Cape Woolamai
Emerging Leader of the Year — Ellie Searle, Cherry Hill Hotel (Doncaster)
Ellie Searle from Cherry Hill Hotel in Doncaster has won Emerging Leader of the Year.
2026 Finalists
Brayden Davis, The 1860 Hotel, Romsey
Shelby Clarkson, Berwick Springs Hotel, Berwick
Ellie Searle, Cherry Hill Hotel, Doncaster
Kari Brown, The Club Hotel, Ferntree Gully
Zenna Mann, Esplanade Hotel – Inverloch, Inverloch
Tom Rolton, London Tavern Hotel, Richmond
Cody Gebert, Macedon Village Hotel, Macedon
Charlie Hall, Poowong Hotel, Poowong
Lauren Ward, Royal Hotel Koo Wee Rup, Koo Wee Rup
Erin Ladson, The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
Jesse Lloyd, Western Hotel, Ballarat
Excellence in Service — Gina Cimarosti, London Tavern Hotel (Richmond)
Gina Cimarosti from London Tavern Hotel in Richmond has won the 2026 Excellence in Service award.
2026 Finalists
Alexis Melissa, Cherry Hill Hotel, Doncaster
Gina Cimarosti, London Tavern Hotel, Richmond
Debbie Etheve, Macedon Village Hotel, Macedon
Paras Chopra, The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
Runcha Jivaanan, Mail Exchange Hotel, Melbourne
Danielle Du Bois, Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Shae Wells, Royal Hotel Koo Wee Rup, Koo Wee Rup
Ines Stuer, Taxi Kitchen, Melbourne
Lauren Webster, The Waterside Hotel, Melbourne
Skye Dubignon, Welshpool Hotel, Welshpoo
Local Legends Award — Jim & Anne McIlroy, The Caledonian Inn (Port Fairy)
Jim and Annie Mcilroy from The Caledonian Inn, Port Fairy have been awarded the Local Legends title.
2026 Finalists
Jim & Anne McIIroy, The Caledonian Inn, Port Fairy
Beverly Joy Hurley, Dargo Hotel, Dargo
Dean Belle, The Delatite Hotel, Mansfield
Tanya McAlpin, Old Faithfulls Brew Bar, Wangaratta
Barry & Veronica Williams, San Remo Hotel, San Remo
Venue Manager of the Year — Rachael Grisold, Sir Henry Barkly Hotel (Heidelberg)
Rachael Grisold from Sir Henry Barkly Hotel in Heidelberg has won Venue Manager of the Year.
2026 Finalists
Shannon Winbank, Boronia Hotel, Boronia
Christopher O’Brien, Botanical Hotel Bendigo, White Hills
Ben Lougoon, The Doutta Galla Hotel, Kensington
Darren Freestone, Hogans Hotel, Wallan
Gina Cimarosti, London Tavern Hotel, Richmond
Kris Chapman, Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Neil O’Connor, Palace Hotel, Camberwell
Rachael Grisold, Sir Henry Barkly Hotel, Heidelberg
Nic Rhodes, The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
Brett Thompson, The Wooli Tavern, Cape Woolamai
Imran Nicholls, Transport Hotel, Melbourne
Best Hotel Group Operator — Kickon Group
Kickon Group has won Best Hotel Group Operator 2026.
2026 Finalists
ALH Hotels
Deegan Hotel Group
Francis Venues
JBS Hospitality Group
Kickon Group
Pegasus Leisure Group
Best Marketed Hotel — Transport Hotel, Melbourne
Transport Hotel in Melbourne has won the 2026 award for Best Marketed Hotel.
2026 Finalists
The Albion Hotel, Kyneton
Alpine Hotel Warburton, Warburton
Central Hotel Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield
The Clifton Hill Hotel, Clifton Hill
The Continental Sorrento, Sorrento
The Doutta Galla Hotel, Kensington
The Grand Hotel Warrandyte, Warrandyte
Harvey’s Sports Bar & Grill, St Kilda
London Tavern Hotel, Richmond
Macedon Village Hotel, Macedon
Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
The Old Town ‘N’ Country Tavern, Wangaratta
The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
Transport Hotel, Melbourne
WestWaters Hotel & Entertainment Complex, Caroline Springs
Outstanding Achievement in Training — The Old Town ‘n’ Country Tavern (Wangaratta)
The Old Town ‘N’ Country Tavern in Wangaratta has been awarded Outstanding Achievement in Training.
2026 Finalists
The Grand Hotel Warrandyte, Warrandyte
Junction Hotel, Newport
The Old Town ‘N’ Country Tavern, Wangaratta
The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
Best Redeveloped Hotel — The Waterside Hotel and Macedon Village Hotel
The Waterside Hotel in Melbourne wins Best Redeveloped Hotel (Metro) and Macedon Village Hotel wins the regional category.
2026 Finalists
The Buninyong Hotel, Buninyong
Cherry Hill Hotel, Doncaster
The Dederang Hotel, Dederang
The Doutta Galla Hotel, Kensington
Grand Pacific Hotel, Lorne
Hotel Sorrento, Sorrento
Macedon Village Hotel, Macedon
Palace Hotel, Camberwell
Royal FTG Hotel, Ferntree Gully
The Waterside Hotel, Melbourne
The Yackandandah Hotel, Yackandandah
Best Refurbished Venue Space — The Terminus North Fitzroy
The Terminus North Fitzroy has won Best Refurbished Venue Space.
2026 Finalists
Boundary Hotel, Bentleigh East
London Tavern Hotel, Richmond
Mexicams Restaurant and Fiesta, North Geelong
Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Old England Hotel, Heidelberg
Skyways Hotel, Airport West
The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
Transport Hotel, Melbourne
Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool
Heart of the Community — The Grand Hotel Warrandyte (Metro) and Dargo Hotel (Regional)
Heart of the Community award 2026 has gone to The Grand Hotel Warrandyte in the metro category and Dargo Hotel in the regional category.
2026 Finalists
Barmah Hotel, Barmah
The Caledonian Inn, Port Fairy
The Commercial Hotel – Glengarry, Glengarry
The Continental Sorrento, Sorrento
Dargo Hotel, Dargo
The Delatite Hotel, Mansfield
The Grand Hotel Warrandyte, Warrandyte
The Lancefield Hotel, Lancefield
Launching Place Home Hotel, Launching Place
Lindenow Farmers Home Hotel, Lindenow
The Middle Hotel Korumburra, Korumburra
Notting Hill Hotel, Notting Hill
Old Faithfulls Brew Bar, Wangaratta
San Remo Hotel, San Remo
The Terminus North Fitzroy, North Fitzroy
Victoria Hotel, Dimboola
Welshpool Hotel, Welshpool