7 Of Australia's Quirkiest Towns

From underground houses to UFO hotspots, here are Australia’s quirkiest towns.

1. Coober Pedy, SA

Laying its claim to being the Opal Capital of the World, the Hollywood of the Outback and a place of extreme temperatures, the reason for which most of its locals live underground, the tiny outback town of Coober Pedy is indeed one of the country’s most unusual places.

The reason behind the town’s moniker – an Aboriginal term for ‘white man in a hole’ – the famous Coober Pedy dugouts were introduced by opal mining pioneers in the early 20^th century to escape the heat. More than half of the town’s homes are found underground, as well as the four-star Desert Cave Hotel , a campsite and a Siberian Orthodox church.

With the majority of the world’s opals found in Coober Pedy’s 70 opal fields, visitors can try their hand at ‘noodling’ – digging for opal by hand – or tour a working mine. The town is also home to a desert golf course that is open at night, one of the country’s last surviving drive-in movie theatres , and has been the setting for many a movie including Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Coober Pedy is indeed one of the country’s most unusual places

2. Nimbin, NSW

This sleepy village 70 kilometres west of Byron Bay is infamous for its, er, liberal lifestyle. The psychedelic town was thrown into the spotlight when it hosted the 1973 Aquarius Festival, Australia’s version of Woodstock, and it hasn’t shaken this carefree, counter-culture, peace-loving guise ever since.

A wander down the main street is like stepping into an alternate universe. You’ll find myriad wellbeing services from yoga and acupuncture to shamans and psychics ; a thriving arts and culture scene of art galleries, street art and buskers; a host of organic/vegan/vegetarian/sustainable food options; and some businesses that specialise in… let’s just say alternative medicinal products.

3. Wycliffe Well, NT

Who knew a remote town located 380 kilometres north of Alice Springs was considered the UFO Capital of Australia? After reading about sightings during World War 2, one man by the name of Lew Farkas purchased the local roadhouse and, after dropping a cool $4 million, created a gimmicky tourist attraction complete with kitsch UFO murals, spaceships, plastic green aliens and even (a now defunct) toy train.

There is a journal on display where visitors have recorded sightings such as colourful lights that move and change shape, descend behind trees and quickly disappear; even some of which have followed cars.

Sceptics put it all down to aircraft and weather phenomena (or a few too many schooners at the pub), while believers think it’s Wycliffe Well’s geographical location and intense energy that draws these unique visitors in. Others think there’s a link to the nearby US military intelligence base Pine Gap. Whatever the reason, there have been no abductions… as yet.

Have you considered the UFO capital of Australia?

4. Grindelwald, Tas

The locals in this Swiss-style settlement, 15 minutes north of Launceston, do not speak any Swiss-German nor do they have any Swiss heritage. In fact, this unique little town has no ties to Switzerland at all. The man who built it in 1989 simply did so for his wife who enjoyed a recent holiday to the scenic European country so much she wanted to relocate there. Next best thing? Build her a mini Switzerland closer to home… naturally.

The town possesses Swiss chalets and wooden farmhouses, and is surrounded by a lake and the rolling green hillsides of the Tamar Valley. There’s also the Tamar Valley Resort for those who want to stay in this little slice of Switzerland a little longer.

5. Birdsville, Queensland

Located more than 1500 kilometres west of Brisbane, the tiny town of Birdsville (Population: 115) bursts at the seams with visitors twice a year during two of the country’s most iconic events: The Birdsville Races and The Big Red Bash. Dubbed as the Melbourne Cup of the outback, the Birdsville Races is the second race meet of the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival, while the Big Red Bash is one of the world’s most remote music festivals.

While these extraordinary events have put Birdsville on the map, the red, dusty township has been a welcome respite for intrepid outback travellers for decades, many of whom stop in at the charming 1884-built Birdsville Hotel for an ice-cold beer and some pub grub. The pub’s sandstone walls are graced with memorabilia including the hats of locals, cloth insignia, stickers, road signs and flags. Visitors can also try a camel pie at the bakery and tackle the 40-metre Big Red Dune in the Simpson Desert while passing through.

A birds eye view of the Big Red Bash Festival, Birdsville

6. Hahndorf, SA

Tucked in the Adelaide Hills, just a 30-minute drive from the city, Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. Its German history dates back to 1838, when 187 German Lutheran immigrants arrived after escaping persecution by the King of Prussia. Many of the 19^th-century German farmhouses and timber frame buildings they constructed still stand today.

The charming European-style village boasts a number of specialty shops, including a leathersmith, knife shop, confectionary, cheese cellar, butcher, baker, and candlestick maker (for real). There are also many eateries where you can sample traditional German fare, including the German Arms Hotel : order a stein of German beer to enjoy with a schnitzel or trio of German wursts.

7. Nain, WA

Located in Western Australia, 516 kilometres north of Perth, relatively unknown Nain is not actually an Australian town – it’s the capital of the Principality of Hutt River , Australia’s only Independent Sovereign State.

In 1970, the 7500-hectare wheat farm was seceded from Australia after its owner, the late Leonard George Casley (AKA His Royal Highness Prince Leonard the First), had disputes with the then state government over wheat quotas.

The Principality of Hutt River has its own currency, postage stamps and national anthem, and was – until January 2020 – open to tourists who would come to visit the museum, see the ‘royal art collection’, have their passport stamped, and to meet members of the royal family. The current monarch and son of Leonard, Prince Graeme Casley, made the decision to temporarily close its borders for financial reasons. Watch this space.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

7 of Australia’s quirkiest towns