The Tramways were given the honour at Thursday night’s RACV Victorian Tourism Awards after winning the cultural tourism category for the third year in a row..

The hall of fame induction reinforces the Bendigo Heritage Attractions’s work to preserve the city’s heritage while make it accessible to the community and tourists.

"Over the years there have been many people involved in preserving Bendigo's heritage trams,” Bendigo Heritage Attractions chief executive Peter Abbott said.

"This is a fantastic acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of all the staff and volunteers at the Bendigo Tramways who are sincerely passionate about the contribution our unique heritage tram network makes to our city." 

The City of Greater Bendigo took out the destination marketing category for the Bendigo Art Gallery’s Marilyn Monroe exhibition while Masons of Bendigo won the restaurant and catering category.

“The exhibition and the Forever Marilyn sculpture received outstanding national coverage and resulted in many thousands of visitors to Bendigo. It put Bendigo firmly on the map as a major regional tourist destination,” CoGB chief executive Craig Niemann said.

“I would also like to congratulate Masons Restaurant and Bendigo Tramways. It’s a great achievement.”

Bendigo Art Gallery director Karen Quinlan said the award reinforced why the gallery should work to keep attracting international exhibitions.

"This award again reinforces why it is so important for Bendigo Art Gallery to continue to create and bring international exhibitions to the area,” she said.

“We are a small team with big ambitions, and it is really satisfying to see our work – not only in creating exhibitions but in promotion and marketing – recognised at this level."