Wotif reveals best finger bun, surf club and regional museum in Australia among other iconic experiences 

Leading travel app Wotif has announced the winners of its 2024 Uniquely Aussie Awards, providing a guide to Australia’s best local gems.  

  From the nostalgic finger bun to stunning surf clubs and fascinating regional museums, the awards are now in their seventh year into what makes Australian travel unique. With nearly half (47%)* of Aussies planning to travel over the spring and summer holidays this year, Wotif’s Uniquely Aussie Awards is set to inspire upcoming local getaway plans. 

Wotif Travel Expert, Rebecca Hurley says “The Uniquely Aussie Awards are about celebrating and spotlighting some of the country’s unique gems and as Aussies head into the spring and summer travel period, aims to serve as inspiration for local getaways. With thousands of entries across the six categories, the awards show Aussies are eager to share their local travel favourites, however it is the classic sausage roll which caused the most debate, earning the title of the most voted category by Aussies.” 

Wotif 2024 Uniquely Aussie Awards National Winners  

• Best Finger Bun: Humble Bakery, Sydney NSW – The classic finger bun has been transformed into a gourmet treat thanks to Humble Bakery in Sydney. Featuring dried cranberries, golden raisins, currants, baby pink cream cheese frosting — and the most important ingredient, a generous slab of butter from the local Coppertree Farm, this decadent and delicious finger bun is far from humble. 

• Best Hotel Bar: The Terrace Rooftop Bar at Emporium Hotel South Bank, Brisbane QLD – Owned and operated by a local Brisbane couple, the Terrace Rooftop Bar is an architectural wonder not to be missed. At the Terrace you won’t just be taking in the drinks but the panoramic vistas that offer a view of the city and beyond, framed by the innovative design of a retractable ceiling and expansive doors that open into the South Bank Parklands. 

• Best Surf Club: Henley Surf Life Saving Club, Henley Beach SA – As the first surf lifesaving club in South Australia, Henley Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) will celebrate 100 years in 2025. It’s no ordinary surf club, with strong family-first and community values, and a new Italian-inspired bistro Ocean Bar & Kitchen from celebrity chef Adam Swanson and his business partner Josh Harkin. Ocean Bar & Kitchen’s relaxed coastal menu showcases local ingredients and is served with spectacular 180-degree views and sunsets over the water from the club’s first floor.  

• Best Lookout Point: Wineglass Bay Lookout, Freycinet TAS – One of Tasmania’s most celebrated views overlooks the clear waters and curvaceous white beach of Wineglass Bay, which occasionally offers sightings of whales and dolphins. A beautifully constructed 1.3 km track takes you up through the coastal woodland, past striking granite boulders, to the lookout point.  

• Best Sausage Roll: Kenilworth Bakery, Kenilworth QLD – Located in a World Heritage listed building, Kenilworth Bakery is truly an Australian icon tucked away in the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The bakery offers an abundance of baked goods including its flaky and flavourful sausage roll. If you are feeling extra hungry, Aussies can partake in the 1kg Sausage Roll competition — eat it all in one sitting and receive your money back — maybe even make it on to the leaderboard.  

• Best Regional Museum: National Wool Museum, Geelong VIC – Geelong has been known as the ‘wool centre of the world’ for many years, and at the National Wool Museum, you can find out why. Previously a wool store itself, the museum is home to everything you need to know about the production, processes and manufacturing of wool. After visiting the museum, travellers can indulge in the museum’s shop, home to the highest quality woollen garments, or visit one of the many restaurants near Geelong’s waterfront.  

For those looking for the classic Aussie experience close to home, travellers can check out Wotif’s 2024 Uniquely Aussie Awards for the finalists from each state. To discover this year’s Uniquely Aussie Award winners and finalists, head to www.wotif.com/aussieawards.

*About the research: 

Wotif research commissioned in collaboration with YouGov. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,048 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 4 – 8 January 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+). 

** About the awards:  

Nominations for Wotif Uniquely Aussie Awards were open to the public via www.wotif.com between 9th of June – 3rd of July.