Roslyn and Daryl Hill own Golton in the Gap, which received a silver award in the New Tourism Business category. 

The awards were handed out at a ceremony in Melbourne last month. 

Mrs Hill said the award was unexpected. 

“We were very surprised,” she said. “We were obviously very, very pleased with the recognition of the efforts that had gone into the building and the setting up of the business.”

Mrs Hill describes the property as “luxury self-contained accomodation”. 

It has three bedrooms and is close to the centre of the town. It opened almost 12 months ago and is the first time the couple has owned a tourism business. 

“The business has been going really well and exceeded all of our expectations,” Mrs Hill said. 

“We have never done anything in the tourism industry prior to this. We have our own farming business at St Helens Plains. 

“It was a dream of Daryl’s for well over 20 years to have a holiday house in Halls Gap.”

Chanel Nine travel program Postcards has recently visited the property to film a segment for its show.

Other businesses in the region were also recognised at the event. 

The Royal Mail Hotel at Dunkeld won a gold award in both the Tourism Restaurant and Catering Services and Deluxe Accommodation categories. 

Mrs Hill said tourism in Halls Gap and the surrounding areas was thriving. 

“At the moment it seems to be going very well in Halls Gap,” she said. 

“As far as our business goes, we have very good occupancy. We are welcoming predominantly Victorians and a lot of South Australians, but also a lot of international visitors as well.”

Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman also praised the high-quality tourism on offer to visitors in the region.

“The quality of entrants to the Victorian Tourism Awards this year has been outstanding and proves the attractions and experiences in the Grampians region continues to expand,” he said. “Tourism businesses based in the Grampians Tourism region are encouraged to enter the annual awards which recognise business excellence.”