Best Regional Towns To Visit In Summer

There is more to an Aussie summer than just the coast. Discover a different kind of summer holiday by heading inland to our regional towns for a whole host of experiences that you won’t find anywhere else.

As the days heat up and planning for the summer holiday begins, it’s tempting to just make a beeline for one of Australia’s tried-and-tested coastal towns. But resist the automatic beachside booking in favour of a trip to one of these inland hamlets, and be rewarded with cooler temperatures, scenic beauty, gourmet offerings and outdoor adventures – all minus the crowds.

NT | SA | Qld | NSW | Vic | WA

Katherine, NT

With its outback temperatures and vast blankets of red earth, the Northern Territory might not be the first place that comes to mind for a summer escape. But drive three scenic hours south of Darwin along the Nature’s Way to Katherine, and you’ll be in the jumping-off spot to some of the most memorable summer experiences in the country.

Man hiking in Nitmiluk National Park — Katherine is a great place to base yourself to explore Nitmiluk National Park. (Image: Tourism NT)

Uniquely positioned where the Top End’s tropics meet Central Australia’s outback, Katherine is located on the edge of the Nitmiluk National Park with its multitude of waterfalls, walking trails and pristine outback swimming holes (oh hey Edith Falls, we’re looking at you).

Australia’s only tropical limestone cave system, Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, is 30 kilometres south of the township (and 15 metres underground). The Top End park offers a respite from the heat and a fascinating insight into the local Jawoyn people.

But if you opt for just one summer experience while in Katherine, make it the famous Nitmiluk Gorge (or Katherine Gorge), one of the region’s most spectacular sights to behold. Hire a canoe and paddle underneath majestic sandstone cliffs and past waterfalls, ancient Aboriginal rock art and local wildlife, or take a sunrise or sunset boat cruise for moments that will linger in the mind long after you leave.

People on a group tour cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge in Katherine — Join a group boat tour through Nitmiluk Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/Tess Leopold)

Hahndorf, SA

Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, Hahndorf , should do the trick if your taste is a little less focused on nature and a little more focused on your stomach. This historic town is just 30 minutes from Adelaide, making it conveniently located for a day trip or weekender. Expect serious family fun in summer, too, with plenty to appeal beyond German sausages and sauerkraut. Take the kids on a strawberry- and cherry-picking adventure at Beerenberg Farm , or if you’re in town as summer comes to a close, head to Glen Twin Estate in Houghton to pick your figs. Scrub up on Australian history and German folklore, have a putt at mini golf, and meet some friendly animals at Hahndorf Farm Barn .

As if all of this wasn’t quirky enough, Hahndorf’s main street is a fairytale display of 19th-century German architecture with artisanal food stores, galleries showcasing cuckoo clocks and wooden folk art, boutiques, a craft brewery, winery cellar doors, a gin distillery and German-style pubs. And then there’s the sniffing, swirling and sipping to be had at over 50 cellar doors on offer in the Adelaide Hills, just 20 minutes away. Time your stay in Hahndorf for late January, and make the most of the high altitude and cool temperatures in the lush vineyards.

Crush Festival at Pike and Joyce Wines — Visit in late January to participate in the Crush Wine Festival. (Image: Adelaide Hills Wine Region/SA Tourism)

Stanthorpe, Qld

Summer’s scorching days might send most to the beach, but others will prefer to head to higher ground – 1000 metres above sea level, to be precise. Two-and-a-half hours southwest of Brisbane lies the charming town of Stanthorpe, with its perfect 27°C mid-summer days and bucolic setting of cow-grazing farmlands, fruit orchards and vineyards (Australia’s highest).

In winter, Stanthorpe is Queensland’s coldest town; in summer it takes on new life as a food bowl with its verdant hills producing colourful fruits and vegetables and vines bursting with grapes destined for some of the country’s most interesting wine varietals. Known as ‘the apple capital of Queensland’, Stanthorpe is a gourmand’s delight. A summer holiday here warrants plenty of tasting – of the cheese and truffle variety – at providores such as Stanthorpe Cheese and the Truffle Discovery Centre.

The Southern Queensland countryside is home to more than 50 vineyards. And if you need to work off some of that earlier indulgence, you can pedal your way from cellar door to cellar door on a cycle-and-sip wine tour. The more adventurous can venture 30 minutes south of Stanthorpe to Girraween National Park with its granite outcrops, natural pools and hiking trails offering dramatic panoramas.

Montville, Qld

The cute-as-a-button hinterland town of Montville, just 90 minutes north of Brisbane on the Blackall Range, will appeal to nature lovers and art aficionados alike. Considered by many to be the creative heart of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the town, more of a village thanks to its population of less than 1000, is teeming with charming boutiques, studios and art galleries boasting work by both up-and-coming and established local artists.

View of the main street in Montville in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland — The main street of Montville is as cute as a button. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

Montrose Water Wheel in main street of Montville — The Montrose Water Wheel is one of the many charming features of Montville’s main street, (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

Beyond the township lies the lush eucalyptus forests of the Kondalilla National Park with its ample hiking trails and myriad places to cool off including rockpools, bubbling brooks, and a majestic 90-metre-high waterfall. At the end of a day’s exploring, check in to one of the many rainforest retreats, cabins and cottages to rest among the trees and breathe in that fresh mountain air.

Sunshine Coast Hinterland from above — Head inland to explore the Sunshine Coast’s hinterland. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Wisemans Ferry, NSW

The beauty of Wisemans Ferry lies in its unique location: perched on the banks of NSW’s beautiful Hawkesbury River, surrounded by no less than four national parks. Less than 90 minutes north of Sydney, this town has long been a weekend getaway favourite among Sydneysiders with its charming houseboats, waterfront holiday homes, excellent restaurants and outdoor activities all up for grabs in the summer.

Sun setting over Hawkesbury River in Wisemans Ferry — Enjoy the sun setting over the Hawkesbury River. (Image: Destination NSW)

There are ample opportunities for family picnics on the riverbanks, hikes in the national parks, mountain biking, camping, fishing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and tubing. Hire kayaks, a half-cabin boat or runabout for the day, board the 1800s-inspired Hawkesbury Paddlewheeler or go all out and book a houseboat for a unique overwater holiday experience that doesn’t require a boat license.

Friends enjoying a barbecue on an Able Hawkesbury River houseboat — Experience Wisemans Ferry from your floating accommodation. (Image: Destination NSW)

Those seeking luxury may want to glide downstream to the lauded riverfront restaurant, Berowra Waters Inn, while history buffs, on the other hand, can delight in learning about the area’s Aboriginal and European history, with the area dotted with heritage shops and sandstone escarpments that are quintessentially Australian.

Bellingen, NSW

If self-drive holidays are your thing, may we recommend the riverside town of Bellingen for its hikes and swimming holes. It’s located exactly halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, on the doorstep of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest . The Waterfall Way, beginning in Coffs Harbour, is one of the best scenic drives in NSW. And if you base yourself in Bellingen, where the drive passes through, you’ll be perfectly positioned to speed off on a summertime road trip that snakes through four national parks, country farmland and – you guessed it, stunning waterfalls.

The drive extends all the way to Armidale, two hours away, with spectacular views and countless nature experiences along the way, including the 220-metre-high Wollomombi Falls and gorge, one of NSW’s highest drops. Back in town, embrace the markets, festivals and live music Bellingen is known for, and make the most of the river by hiring a kayak or canoe, or booking a whitewater rafting experience.

Aerial View of the Bellingen River — Bellingen is the perfect place to base yourself to explore nature. (Image: Destination NSW)

Paynesville, Vic

Paynesville, in the East Gippsland region , is known as the boating capital of Victoria, and for good reason. With direct access to Lake King and Lake Victoria and canals that wind through town, Paynesville makes an ideal summer destination, offering opportunities to water-ski, jet-ski, windsurf, kayak, hire a boat or join a river cruise. A walking track from Sunset Cove takes you along the water’s edge, and Eagle Point and the world-renowned Mitchell River Silt Jetties – the longest in the world – are a short drive away.

View of Paynesville from Raymond Island in Victoria — Take a ferry across from Paynesville to Raymond Island to see the resident koalas.

One of Paynesville’s most popular summer activities, however, is taking the ferry across the water to Raymond Island – known for its sizeable koala population. Expect plenty of koala sightings high up in the trees as you take the 20-minute walk or cycle around the island’s ‘Koala Trail’, and then relax with a tasty spread at one of the island’s many picnic sites.

Bright, Vic

As the summer days roll into the picturesque village of Bright in Victoria’s Alpine Valleys, so, too do those with an appetite for outdoor activities and adventure. Perched 319 metres above sea level, the summertime visitors who venture along the four-hour drive north-east of Melbourne to Bright are spoiled for choice in this verdant spot, where river activities, mountain hikes, cycling and birdwatching are on the daily agenda.

Cycle Victoria's High Country — Travel to Bright and Victoria’s High Country for outdoor activities and adventure.

Bright is known for its beautiful streetscapes and foliage.

A popular escape from Victoria’s scorching mid-summer temperatures, Bright’s subtropical highland climate paints a picture-perfect backdrop of consistently mild, cool nights and warm, dry and sunny days ideal for climbing, canoeing, cycling and camping in the wildly beautiful Mount Buffalo, one of Australia’s oldest national parks. The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail can be walked or cycled, and the mountain bike tracks at Mystic Mountain rival some of the best in Australia. Splash Park is a favourite for families and don’t forget to look up: paragliders are a regular sight in these parts.

Try Elm Dining in Bright Victoria — Bright is home to a vibrant food and drink scene. (Image: Elm Dining)

Bright is also known for its vibrant food and wine scene, and the Pedal to Produce cycling route takes you past lush countryside as you pedal from farm gates to cellar doors. Feathertop Winery is a must-visit, but if you fancy a day without driving, Billy Button Wine is conveniently located in the heart of the township.

Pemberton, WA

Instead of heading to the busy beaches of Yallingup, Rottnest Island or Esperance, why not head to the Southern Forests and Valleys region, to pretty-as-a-picture Pemberton? In under a four-hour drive southwest of Perth, you could find yourself in one of the state’s most beautiful self-drive regions. From the Aboriginal word meaning ‘plenty of water’, Pemberton is a fisherman’s dream, and Pemberton Pool and the Big Brook Dam, a freshwater lake surrounded by towering karri forest, are popular swimming spots.

Take a road trip through Pemberton and surrounds this summer — Pemberton is one of the most beautiful self-drive regions in Western Australia. (image: Frances Andrijich)

The Gloucester National Park is home to The Cascades and Lefroy Brook’s rocky rapids, but it’s the park’s magnificent giant karri trees that take the cake in this part of the world. Hop in the 4WD and take the famous Karri Forest Explorer Drive , winding through a seemingly endless land of towering timbers that can grow as high as 90 metres. If your nerves can handle it, climb the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree – the taller of two fire lookout trees that can be climbed in the area – by scaling the trunk’s ladder 65 metres high to the lookout, where 360-degree views of the forest canopy and glimpses of the Yeagarup Dunes and coast beyond await.

Drive the snow-shite dunes of Yeagarup — Embrace an off-road adventure driving the dunes of Yeagarup.

If you take your self-drive adventures seriously, don’t skip going off-road at the epic snow-white dunes of Yeagarup – the largest inland dune system in the southern hemisphere. Reward yourself at the end of the day by sipping stellar wines and dining on local produce (such as WA marron and local truffles) at one of the town’s eateries.

Dine at Jarrah Jacks Brewery or one of the many other town eateries while in Pemberton. (Image: Frances Andrijich)

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Best regional towns to visit in Australia this summer