This Aussie town just beat Byron Bay as 'Town of the Year'...

With more than 15,000 towns in our vast country, naming Australia’s Town of the Year is a difficult task. But we took on the challenge and found the towns that offer everything great holidays are made of, here we have Australia’s town of the year.

The winner: Mackay, Queensland

Named after a 20-year-old Scot who led an expedition through the now-named Pioneer Valley in 1860, the Queensland town of Mackay (pronounced ‘Mack-eye’) produces more than a third of the country’s cane sugar, earning it the title of ‘Australia’s Sugar Capital’. But now it’s assumed another title – and a pretty praiseworthy one at that – when Wotif.com named it the 2018 Australian Town of the Year, describing it as a destination that “delivers the charm of a country town with the adventure of a tropical paradise".

Positioned on Queensland’s Tropical Coast, Mackay has the pristine waters of the Coral Sea lapping at its east, the blue Pioneer River to its north, and a tapestry of cane fields, lush rainforest, mountains and valleys to its west.

The town is an historic delight with most buildings dating back to the 1920s and ’30s rendered in a gorgeous Art Deco style, the result of a catastrophic cyclone that destroyed most of the original town in 1918. The Town Hall, built in 1912, was one of the only structures to remain intact.

It also boasts a modern marina with a palm-lined promenade, home to a host of restaurants; family-friendly Harbour Beach, just one of 31 beaches in the area; and the Pioneer River, which has several riverside cafes. There’s also a spectacular bank-side trail that takes you past the Botanic Gardens and Bluewater Lagoon, a three-tiered man-made pool that overlooks the river.

The runners-up…

1. Shepparton, Vic

Located on the Goulburn River, this culturally diverse town is an incredible arts centre, with a focus on Indigenous works, and also boasts vineyards, dairies and orchards.

2. Mildura, Vic

Located on the edge of the Australian outback, this peaceful river oasis has a fabulous wine region and the Murray River on its doorstep; the perfect place to hop on board a houseboat.

3. Bunbury, WA

Well-known for its bottlenose dolphins, Bunbury is a stunning water-world surrounded by the calm waters of Koombana Bay, the great surf of the Indian Ocean, and the mangroves of Leschenault Inlet.

4. Bundaberg, Qld

Famous for its rum, but with so much more to offer, Bundaberg is home to a colony of rare sea turtles, a southern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and a sugar region.

5. Lakes Entrance, Vic

Australia’s largest inland network of waterways, on the edge of Ninety Mile Beach, Lakes Entrance is a favourite aquatic getaway with amazing seafood.

6. Townsville, Qld

Sitting pretty between the Great Barrier Reef, the outback, and the Wet Tropics, Townsville has more than 320 days of sunshine each year, beautiful heritage buildings, great cafes and shopping.

7. Port Macquarie, NSW

‘Port Mac’ is a classic Australian holiday destination with 17 beaches and a heap of family-friendly attractions: camel rides on the beach, jet boating, a koala hospital, and easy bike trails to name a few.

8. Byron Bay, NSW

This northern NSW coastal town has long been a favourite for its boho-chic vibe, epic surf beaches, a host of hip eateries and bars, and gorgeous hinterland.

9. Batemans Bay, NSW

Sitting on the Clyde River, sleepy Batemans Bay is famous for its oysters, snorkelling trails, and waterfront dining.

10. Echuca, Vic

On the banks of the Murray, Echuca is a charming town rich in riverboat history with the largest paddlesteamer fleet in the country.

The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon. — Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

Aerial view of Wilderluxe. — Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe. — Sleep beneath the stars.

Style and character

When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe. — Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake. — Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

A person kayaking through serene waters. — Paddle into peace.

The details

A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

The interiors of the glamping tent. — Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.

This Aussie town just beat Byron Bay as ‘Town of the Year’