If you’re looking for a charming small town to visit in Australia, there are plenty to choose from. Many small towns offer a sense of history and nostalgia, as well as a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, making them a beacon for explorers and holidaymakers.
Many of these towns are surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings, offering up delights from country boroughs to mountaintop hamlets to coastal idylls. Australian Traveller put out a call to find out the best Aussie towns, and this was the response.
Number 1: Broome
Broome (Rubibi), the western gateway to the Kimberley wilderness where the turquoise ocean and red ochre rock meet, topped the list of 50 Australian towns. A two-and-a-half-hour flight north from Perth, this relaxed town has attracted people from around the globe for centuries, thanks to the stunning pearls of the south sea.
It’s one of the best places to visit in Western Australia for a unique and relaxed holiday. The beautiful town is where the outback meets the sea and has a variety of attractions to suit everyone.
Broome provides breathtaking beaches, such as the famous Cable Beach with spectacular views of the ocean. And with warm weather all year round, any month is the perfect time to visit.
Read: Travel SOS: Broome on a budget
2. Port Douglas
With its luxe resorts and dining scene, Port Douglas is the ideal base for exploring pristine rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef. The laid-back tropical town of Port Douglas is the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef and the expanses of the Daintree Rainforest.
If you like swaying palm trees, easy access to the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Daintree Rainforest, as well as a plethora of tropical food options then this is the option for you.
3. Noosa
Friendly locals, slow beach days and unique adventure activities make Noosa one of Australia’s most popular beachside destinations. It’s surrounded by stunning beaches, lakes, and the lush hinterland of Noosa National Park. It’s also home to one of only two everglades’ systems in the world.
Enjoy the balmy sunshine, slow beach days and bright blue skies and local, seasonal food dished up all over town by world-class chefs. Top it all off by beautiful summery nights spent wandering Hastings Street or relaxing evenings in Noosa boutique accommodation.
4. Cairns
Cairns has been revitalised in recent years thanks, in part, to Crystalbrook Collection’s addition of three five-star sustainable hotels, each one catering to a different demographic.
The region of Cairns is home to the iconic Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest reef system comprised of more than 2900 individual reefs. Each year, people from all over the world flock to the reef to swim, snorkel, and dive with the more than 1500 marine species.. The city of Cairns itself is also a must-visit. You’ll find brilliant cafés, bustling markets and plenty of beaches nearby.
Read: New and notable in Cairns and Great Barrier Reef
5. Mudgee
With more 35 wineries, Mudgee is one of the country’s great wine towns. Wineries set on rolling hills serve award-winning drops and epicurean fare. Set on the banks of the pretty Cudgegong River, the town still possesses all the character of its 19th century past.
6. Port Fairy
An intact historical centre, preserved bluestone cottages, a wide and shady streetscape perfect for cycling, wild and stunning coastline, a variety of birdlife, walking tracks and great cafes and restaurants make Port Fairy a must-visit.
7. Bright
Base yourself in Bright for winter snow activities, and return in spring and summer for hiking, kayaking, and even ballooning over the Alpine National Park. View Bright’s picturesque setting on the Ovens River from lookouts at Mount Buffalo.
The tree-lined streets, microbreweries, wineries, farmers’ market, hiking tracks and biking trails are a big draw for visitors.
8. Orange
Orange is a thriving country town as rich in heritage as it is in award-winning restaurants, boutique shops, magnificent gardens and bustling markets.
With hundreds of historical sites, wine trails, dining experiences and natural wonders you can eat, drink, explore and shop to your heart’s content. A visit to Orange is perfect at any time of the year.
9. Margaret River
The Margaret River Region is an enticing mosaic of pristine natural wonders, undulating vineyards, premium wineries and world-class restaurants, towering forests and incredible coastal panoramas
10. Echuca
Anglers, campers, water skiers, houseboating holidaymakers, canoeists, power boat enthusiasts, and nature-lovers are gravitating to Echuca-Moama as the preferred aquatic playground along the Murray River.
Echuca, meaning ‘meeting of the waters’ in the local Indigenous language, offers nature walks along the rivers, creeks and lagoon amongst the red gum forests and spot all kinds of wildlife.
Read: Aussie destinations to thrive, or die
11. Beechworth
12. Yamba
13. Esperance
14. Broken Hill
15. Byron Bay
16. Daylesford
17. Alice Springs
18. Bowral
19. Port Macquarie
20. Airlie Beach
21. Kiama
22. Albany
23. Bendigo
24. Ballarat
25. Berry
26. Palm Cove
27. Launceston
28. Busselton
29. Merimbula
30. Lorne
31. Denmark
32. Hahndorf
33. Coffs Harbour
34. Kununurra
35. Exmouth
36. Robe
37. Longreach
38. Sorrento
39. Bathurst
40. Forster
41. Mooloolaba
42. Narooma
43. Warrnambool
44. Bellingen
45. Yeppoon
46. Dubbo
47. Gerringong
48. Kalbarri
49. Leura
50. Stanley
Do you agree with this list? Is there a town you would like to see as number one? Let us know in the comments section below.
You left out some very nice but lesser known ones in FNQ such as Mission Beach and the historic area and beaches around Lucinda where some places have not changed in a hundred years.