General News
17 March, 2026
After bushfires, double Gold for Grampians tourism
TOURISM in the region – specifically the Grampians – recently got an impressive boost with two accommodation businesses winning in their respective categories at the 2025 Australian Tourism Awards in Fremantle, Western Australia.
Walking away with the Self-Contained Accommodation Gold award was Nook on the Hill, a handcrafted eco-luxury tiny house just 10 minutes out from Halls Gap towards Pomonal, and further to the south, Mount William Station won Gold for Five-Star Luxury Accommodation.
Presented annually, the awards celebrate excellence across the country’s tourism industry.
For Nook on the Hill owner Benj Bailey-Webb, the national accolade was far more than a business achievement; it was personally meaningful and was also a testament to perseverance and community spirit.
Winning in tourism seems to run in his genes – many years ago, his parents built four individual cottages nearby, which went on to win the Victorian Tourism Awards in 2000.
Years later, when Benj had an idea for another house, his dad jumped into an active role, offering funding from his retirement savings.
But then the unique project – built with a lot of help from friends and family – became a race against time when his dad got a diagnosis of terminal cancer.
“I had to get it finished, and then he'd get to see it – which he did – which was awesome,” Benj said.
However, the challenges weren’t over – in its first two summers of operation, Nook On The Hill survived two devastating bushfires.
The first decimated Pomonal, wiping out 46 local homes – then only 10 months later, a second series of fires destroyed two-thirds of the Grampians National Park, crippling the region's tourism-driving force.
He said the way the local community banded together to overcome the setbacks was a critical component of the business’s success.
“I definitely don't feel like it's just a personal achievement for myself,” Benj said.
“It feels like a recognition of the community as a whole and the strong friendships and relationships that I have.”
Part of this was his decision to champion a hyper-local circular economy, heavily investing in local partners, bakers, wineries and artisans to fill guest hampers.
“When guests arrive, they're basically shown this ‘showcase’ of what's accessible within five to 10 minutes of them, and they usually end up just eating their way through all of that,” Benj said.
“Then they go down to those local stores and businesses and purchase more and take it home.”
Benj was thrilled the business wasn’t just working as ‘a place to stay’ for visitors to the Grampians; people were seeking out Nook on the Hill first and discovering the National Park was right there too.
“We definitely see a gap in the market in terms of higher-end, really unique custom accommodation in what has always been a higher-tourist-turnover destination,” he said.
For Mount William Station, considering how close it also got to recent bushfires, to walk away with the Five-Star Luxury Accommodation Gold was a similarly incredible turnaround.
Fourth-generation owner, Will Abbott, said the award represented both recognition and honour.
“This award is really a reflection of the dedication of our team and the incredible support of our guests,” he said.
“To go from being just 700 metres from losing everything during the Boxing Day bushfires in 2024, to being named Australia’s top five-star accommodation twelve months later, feels quite surreal. It’s a testament to the resilience of our region and the people who help make Mount William Station such a special place.”
Dating back to 1842, the family-owned property blends heritage architecture with contemporary hospitality.
The homestead features six luxury en-suites set among English gardens and sweeping rural landscapes.
Guests enjoy a seasonal three-course farm-to-table dinner each evening and breakfast the following morning, with communal dining that brings guests together around the table.
The estate’s restored Bluestone Stables hosts weddings, corporate retreats and private gatherings, offering a uniquely atmospheric setting for events in the Grampians region.
“Our goal has always been simple – to create a place where guests feel genuinely welcomed, slow down for a few days, and connect with the landscape,” Will said.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported Mount William Station in these early years, and we look forward to welcoming many more guests to experience it.”
Visit the respective locations online at nookonthehill.com.au and mountwilliamstation.com.