It turns out the best flat white isn’t in Melbourne.

Wotif.com has announced the winners of the Uniquely Aussie Awards, which serves as an annual guide to the best local spots, as voted by locals.

“This year’s awards highlight classic experiences where Australia punches well above its weight, but that are often taken for granted,” the travel app said in a statement.

“Whether it’s a smooth Aussie flat white, artisan sanga [sandwich] or finely brewed beer, there are just some things that nowhere else does quite like Australia.”

There are a few surprises among the national winners this year.

Although Melbourne is renowned for its coffee, it was a cafe in the ACT that was voted to have the best flat white.

The best botanic gardens in Australia are a fair way from the east coast and the best hotel room service can be found in South Australia.

Wotif 2023 Uniquely Aussie Awards national winners:

• Best Flat White: The Cupping Room, ACT: Wotif says The Cupping Room is the perfect place for a pit stop of a road trip “The Cupping Room, ACT is home to the best aromatic flat white, brewed by award-winning roasters from the highest quality and sustainable green coffee beans,” it said.
• Best Brewery: Felons Brewing Co, Qld: Australians want a good atmosphere when it comes to breweries and Felons delivers. In addition to the good vibes, Felons promises to have a wide range of quality beers, a pirate playground and it’s dog friendly.
  
• Best Hotel Room Service: EOS by SkyCity, SA: Not only can food be delivered to your door, but also an on-call mixologist is ready to quench guests’ thirst. Plus, EOS also offers in-room hair and make-up services.
  
• Best Sanga: South Dowling Sandwiches, NSW: South Dowling boasts more than 15 years of experience in crafting the perfect Australia sandwich. Each uses fresh ingredients and it’s all put between bread right in front of your eyes. 
  
• Best Botanic Gardens: Western Australian Botanic Gardens, WA: The Western Australian Botanic Gardens are a must when visiting Perth. With more than 1700 native species and outlooks to the city and Swan River, there’s a lot to explore.
• Best Hot Springs: Mataranka Thermal Pool, NT: This thermal pool is sure to relieve any aches and pains with a year-round temperature of 34 degrees. Mataranka is hidden among bush giving people a beautiful outlook as they soak in the crystal-blue waters.

You’ll need to head to the Northern Territory to experience the best hot springs.

The 2023 state and territory finalists

Of course, every state and territory in Australia has plenty to boast about, so Wotiff has also unveiled the state finalists.

NSW

• Best Hot Springs: Lightning Ridge Bore Baths
• Best Sandwich: South Dowling Sandwiches, Darlinghurst
• Best Botanic Gardens: Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
• Best Flat White: Single O, Surry Hills
• Best Hotel Room Service: The Langham, Sydney
• Best Brewery: Modus Brewing, Merewether.

Victoria

• Best Hot Springs: Peninsula Hot Springs
• Best Sandwich: Hector’s Deli, Richmond
• Best Botanic Gardens: Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
• Best Flat White: Proud Mary Coffee, Collingwood
• Best Hotel Room Service: The Hotel Windsor
• Best Brewery: Bright Brewery.

Queensland

• Best Hot Springs: Innot Hot Springs
• Best Sandwich: Melt Brothers, Brisbane
• Best Botanic Gardens: Cairns Botanic Gardens
• Best Flat White: Fonzie Abbott, Albion
• Best Hotel Room Service: Emporium Hotel, South Bank
• Best Brewery: Felons Brewing Co, Brisbane.

South Australia

• Best Hot Springs: Dalhousie Springs
• Best Sandwich: Bottega Bandito, Prospect
• Best Botanic Gardens: Adelaide Botanic Gardens
• Best Flat White: My Kingdom for a Horse, Adelaide
• Best Hotel Room Service: EOS by SkyCity
• Best Brewery: Prancing Pony Brewery, Totness.

Western Australia

• Best Hot Springs: Zebedee Springs
• Best Sandwich: The Re Store
• Best Botanic Gardens: Western Australia Botanic Garden, Perth
• Best Flat White: Haz Beanz Finestkind Coffee, Albany
• Best Hotel Room Service: Warders Hotel, Fremantle
• Best Brewery: Gage Roads Freo Brewery.

Perth boasts the best botanic garden in Australia.

ACT

• Best Hot Springs: n/a
• Best Sandwich: Little Luxton, Gordon
• Best Botanic Gardens: Australian National Botanic Gardens
• Best Flat White: The Cupping Room, Canberra
• Best Hotel Room Service: East Hotel, Kingston
• Best Brewery: Capital Brewing Co, Fyshwick.

Northern Territory

• Best Hot Springs: Mataranka Thermal Pool
• Best Sandwich: The Black Russian Caravan Bar, Katherine
• Best Botanic Gardens: George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
• Best Flat White: Pop Rocket Cafe, Katherine
• Best Hotel Room Service: DoubleTree by Hilton, Alice Springs
• Best Brewery: Six Tanks Brew Pub, Darwin.

Tasmania

• Best Hot Springs: Hastings Cave and Thermal Springs
• Best Sandwich: Pigeon Whole Bakers, Hobart
• Best Botanic Gardens: Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
• Best Flat White: Bury Me Standing, Hobart
• Best Hotel Room Service: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart
• Best Brewery: Du Cane Brewing, Launceston.