Central Victoria has been a stand-out destination at this year's Top Tourism Town Awards.

Bendigo took out gold in the Top Tourism Town category, Echuca won silver in the Top Small Tourism Town Award (for populations between 1,500 and 5,000) and Heathcote won bronze in the same category.

The village of Mount Macedon was crowned Victoria's Top Tiny Town (population less than 1,500).

"At the rate we're going we're going to have to build a bigger trophy cabinet," City of Greater Bendigo tourism and major events manager Terry Karamaloudis said.

"I think it's all about the visitor experience, and we know because the feedback is tracked by the state and federal government.

"Everything from attractions to galleries to theatres to hospitality venues, accommodation standards, how people are welcomed into our city are what these awards celebrate."

Victoria's Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani said it was a thorough process to pick the winners.

"We had nearly 20,000 consumers across the state who voted and we ended up with 18 finalists," she said.

"There's great diversity, depth of product — the cultural product in Bendigo is just incredible.

Bendigo and Mount Macedon will now go onto compete at the national Tourism Town Awards, which will be announced in the coming months.