Slow down in Australia’s most charming little towns

New research reveals Aussies are swapping packed itineraries for peaceful small-town escapes.

Australians are officially slowing down. According to new research from Wotif, half of Aussies (50 per cent) say they’ll trade the stress of over-planned getaways for a gentler pace in 2026, where small towns, fewer crowds and easy access to life’s simple pleasures reign supreme.

The travel site’s latest Unpack ‘26 report has revealed this year’s five official Slow Down Towns. Each spot offering the perfect mix of calm, charm and community, inviting travellers to hit pause and soak it all in.

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People enjoying a sunset surf at Mollymook, South Coast, NSW — Aussies are craving slow mornings by the beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Forget the jam-packed city break. Aussies are craving slow mornings by the beach, easy afternoons wandering local shops and evenings spent dining somewhere that knows your name. Wotif found that 80 per cent of travellers value smaller crowds, while 78 per cent appreciate when everything they need is close by.

It’s not just about slowing down; it’s about feeling better for it. The report revealed that visiting a slower-paced destination leaves most Aussies relaxed (67 per cent), less stressed (54 per cent) and genuinely recharged (52 per cent).

Where to slow down in 2026

The charm of these destinations isn’t just in what you can do, but what you don’t have to. Each of the Slow Down Towns offers the kind of setting that encourages a deep exhale, whether that’s a quiet morning coffee with the locals, an unhurried afternoon exploring boutique shops or golden-hour moments by the water with nowhere else to be.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

1. Nagambie, Victoria

Nagambie Lake in Victoria — The pace in Nagambie is dictated by the sun and the scent of shiraz.

Just 90 minutes north of Melbourne, Nagambie is a peaceful lakeside escape in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley region. The pace here is dictated by the sun and the scent of shiraz, with scenic drives and boutique stays rounding out the experience.

2. Trinity Beach, Queensland

Woman walking on Trinity Beach in Tropical North Queensland — The vibe is laid-back in Trinity Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland / Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Fringed by palm trees and hugged by rainforest, this laid-back beach village north of Cairns is the kind of place that makes time slow down naturally. With the Great Barrier Reef offshore and the Daintree Rainforest nearby, it’s a perfect base for relaxed adventure, or doing absolutely nothing at all.

3. Huskisson, NSW

Boats moored in Currambene Creek, Huskisson in Jervis Bay on NSW South Coast — Huskisson is where the South Coast’s easy rhythm comes to life. (Image: Dee Kramer)

Set on the shores of Jervis Bay, Huskisson is where the South Coast’s easy rhythm comes to life. Days melt into one another with dolphin cruises, snorkelling in turquoise waters and lazy afternoons wandering the main street’s cafes and boutiques. It’s a town where sandy feet are the norm and sunset dinners by the bay feel like a nightly ritual.

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4. Robe, SA

Two women on Robe Beach in South Australia — Robe perfectly captures the essence of coastal SA. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

With its pastel heritage cottages, limestone cliffs and relaxed seaside air, Robe perfectly captures the essence of coastal South Australia. Visitors linger over fresh lobster and local wines before wandering down to Long Beach, where you can drive right onto the sand. It’s no wonder Robe is beloved by those in the know.

5. Mollymook, NSW

Mollymook’s coastal charm is complemented by a strong culinary scene, think Rick Stein at Bannisters and beachside cafes serving up fresh local produce. Between ocean swims and coastal walks, the town’s rhythm invites you to linger. To sip, savour and soak in South Coast sunshine at its most effortless.

Whether it’s a weekend by the coast or a few days lakeside, these towns prove that sometimes the best trips aren’t about doing more, they’re about slowing down.

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.

Slow down in Australia’s most charming little towns

New research reveals Aussies are swapping packed itineraries for peaceful small-town escapes.

Trading hustle for harmony