10 August 2022
2 mins Read
What is Australia’s Best Town? This is a question that we have long wanted to get to the bottom of here at Australian Traveller. And now seems the perfect time to get a definitive answer by asking as many people as possible for their views on this hotbed topic, with Australians more focused than ever before on travelling in and around their own country.
Of course, we know that towns and tastes vary, and one person’s Byron Bay is another person’s Sorrento is another person’s Alice Springs (or Coober Pedy or Busselton or Ipswich or Bicheno), so as well as crowning the Best Town in Australia based on your feedback, we will include a list of the 50 Top Towns across the country that made the grade.
We would love for you to take the time to share your Top Town picks with us, and let us know why they resonate with you. Is it the welcoming community feel, the unique attractions, the thriving foodie scene, the laid-back lifestyle or a combination of all of these and more?
Please take a moment to tell us your top five towns in Australia and why in the survey below. Submissions close Friday 19 August so don’t delay have your say now!
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1 port fairy, 2 port douglas, 3 kiama, 4 nelson bay, 5 merimbula
Noosaville, Qld
Montville, Qld
Sasafras, Vic
Corowa, NSW
Lennox Head, NSW
Berrima, great cafes. Huskisson, great beach and cafes and pub. Berry great shopping. Coles bay for the scenery. Miena for trout fishing and the chowder at the pub
Best towns:
1 Port Fairy, Victoria
2 Forster, NSW
3 Charters Towers, Qld
4 Burleigh Heads, Qld
5 Hervey Bay, Qld
1) Forster NSW
2) Mogo NSW
3) Lightning Ridge NSW
4) Sheffield TAS
5) Mudgee NSW
Without a doubt, TEMORA NSW. Definitely the friendliest town with locals smiling at and welcoming all visitors. Lots to do. Wide streets and historic buildings. An all round great regional town
Cowra is a great place to base yourself for a tourist to explore the slopes just west of the Great Dividing Range.
Harrietville, Victoria
Bright Victoria
Myrtleford.
Hervey Bay
St George
Lightening Ridge
Best town in Victoria swifts creek has awesome bakery isn’t rushed not overcrowded and on the way to snow mountains nature
Boonah in the Scenic Rim is the most completely adorable little town. The main street runs down a hill and is one-way traffic only, so you can walk across anywhere without fear, it’s like being in a long Plaza. There are great cafes and bakeries and quite a few two storey pubs. There is no Woolworths, Coles, Maccas, Hungry Jacks or any other franchised fast food outlets. There’s a great clothing emporium which looks like it hasn’t changed since the 1950’s, a well-stocked bright independent grocer and a fruit and vege shop where most of the produce is locally grown, as well as a good display of home-made cakes, pickles etc. The Vinnies is the best one I’ve ever seen and I do like my op-shops. The mountains surrounding are an unbelievable sight. The folks walking down the street are moving slow and constantly stopping to chat. Check it out, it’s worth the drive.
Port Douglas
Yungaburra
Mission Beach
Babinda
Innisfail
Temora. Hands down.
Kiama, Jamberoo, Berry, Thirroul, Byron Bay
Geelong it has everything close to the ocean set on Corio Bay .Great health facilities large private and public hospitals. A thriving restaurant scene . High quality of education facilities from primary through to university. A multi cultural community. Excellent sporting infrastructure for a cross a range of sports . Employment opportunities.
Kiama is the quintessential small coastal town. We have it all… beaches, views, whales, fishing, walks and a big blowhole!❤️
Yamba is THE best
Castlemaine is the best Aussie town….I had a very happy childhood there.
In my opinion Yamba NSW would be the best town. Wouldn’t live anywhere else.
Fabulous one day, sensational the next
I love Yamba
We love Yamba
Beechworth in North East Victoria, one of the best preserved historic gold towns with nearly 170 years of preservation. Its wide streets, its beautifully buildings, its museums, its food and wine, its wonderful shops and restaurants, its walks, and its lake in the centre of town with the Chinese, native botanical, wood glades gardens, the Mountain to the Murray Bike trail. Close to the snow fields, national parks, mining history, and Albury/Wodonga Airport.
Beechworth is number 1 for its history, heritage, many walking and cycling tracks, dining and many tourist attractions
Beechworth interesting beautiful friendly unique. Historicical
Esperance, Coral Bay, Broome
I was born and bred in a small town in far North Queensland called Tully.
Tully is known for its high rain fall and it’s Golden Gumboot. It’s a small town surrounded by mountains. Every shade of green you can possibly imagine radiates from the lush surround.
The home of some great swimming holes, 25 minutes from the coast, the Great Barrier Reef on its door step.
Friendly locals up for a chat at the numerous watering holes in the Main Street.
A must for your bucket list!
My very first time I visited Beechworth Victoria was when I was going through some emotional stuff in my life. I remember making a photo album on Beechworth and the title was My Happy place. Today I still visit this happy place, Beechworth. Just walking around some of the streets de- stresses my body & the actual smell of crisp fresh air enlightens my way of thinking. The prettiest time is all year. Because every season is so pretty here. Mind you some don’t like the winter. The summer can be really hot, but for me and most that do live here life seems slower. Making it easier to live. Some residents go away for three months in winter where it is warmer. But that three months probably feels like six or more. Because honestly when you see & visit Beechworth it’s a place that just gives you warmth and that feeling of happiness. My Happy Place- Beechworth Victoria
Ulmarra – riverside, small village feel with creative industry shops and the best pub beer garden
Broken Hill – embraces the arts, great architecture
I think Portland in Victoria is my favourite town/city in Australia, but i’m very biased. It’s a popular coastal region and the population swells to double in Summer. It’s photogenic and even the Whales love passing through that way.
Terrigal
Ettalong Beach is nestled between 2 stunning national parks and there is amazing waterways fantastic restaurants, and there are so much more to see you and do you will leave visiting Ettalng wanting not to leave
Long Jetty, NSW
Ettalong, NSW
Terrigal, NSW
Toowoon Bay, NSW
Palm Cove, QLD
Central coast
Terrigal
Port Fairy – small but puches way above its’ weight. Bowls Club, Swimming Pool, Gym, Library, Hospital, Movie Theatre, pubs, restaurants, supermarket, Football, Netball, Cricket Clubs, Bridge Club, Table Tennis Club, History, Old buildings, Surf and non surf beaches, Norfolk Pines, Flat and wide streets, dog friendly……
Bendigo
Australia’s Best towns: The towns I have nominated have history (Bathurst, Orange, Broken Hill for example). Yamba, in the Northern Rivers of NSW is a lovely seaside village where you can relax. The Northern Rivers in NSW is a spectacular area to explore, as is Jervis Bay for the lovely little towns (so many – hard to pick a favourite so will nominate Huskisson, one my favourites) and beaches. Broken Hill has come along way and is a the perfect gateway to the Australian Outback. Orange has come along way too, with lovely wineries and the foodie scene.
1. Jamberoo
2. Kiama
3. Gerringong
4. Minnamurra
5. Old Bar Beach
My wife and I travelled around Australia for 12 months in 2013-14 covering some 46,000 Kms and we found the best place in Australia to live and came back to it-BUSSELTON. With its pristine environment ,close proximity to some of the best Wineries and Breweries,along with Fishing Surfing and Swimming beaches facing every direction -North/South/East & West ,along with majestic Forests
BUSSELTON is a community of friendly and community minded people who enjoy some of the best facilities of any country town in Australia and a Jetty and Foreshore tourist attraction second to none.
It is fast becoming an “Escape to the Country” destination for many Australians who see a wealth of opportunities in its Landscape of Natural beauty. It is also a Photographers paradise to capture an array images that are the envy of every Australian.
Port Fairy
The town is community loved, friendly and welcoming
Beautiful shops and cafes, to beaches and island walk to the light house, and seeing plenty of baby kangaroos on the way
East Beach is safe for all ages and at times the surf is up
Highly recommend Port Fairy, friendly, clean, awesome shopping and cafes to local pubs !
Port Fairy. Best town ever.
Albany – amazing military and maritime heritage; rugged coastline; pristine beaches and environment’; last letterbox in WA before Antarctic
1. Kiama – great cafes, endless pristine beaches to explore, gorgeous coastal walks, fantastic surf spots and parks galore for your toddlers. My home town wins because it feels like I’m on holidays everyday of the year.
2. Gerringong – where the green rolling hills touch the sea. Absolutely spectacular.
3. Berry – Foodie heaven.
4. Tilba Tilba – beautiful village surrounded by wineries and great cafes. Narooma is just down the road too.
5. Huskisson – stunning sandy white beaches to relax on. Great place for those that love their water sports.
Olinda VIC and the other villages of the Dandenong Ranges. Rhododendron, camellia and azalea filled gardens put on a dazzling show in Spring. Cosy cafes with open fires in and the odd flurry of snow in winter. Many artists and makers reside in the area and sell their wares in local stores and collectives.
Metung, a hidden gem by the lakes and sea. Beautiful, classy and sleepy-what more could you want? Ski fields, tick. Boating, tick. Amazing scenery, tick. Wildlife, tick. Golf, tick. Hot Springs, tick. Great Pub on the water, tick. Fishing, tick. Warm welcoming community, tick.
Perfect? You decide
I love Airlie beach. Warm, relaxed, stunning views and lots of restaurants and things to do.
Nick
Port Fairy
best town Port Fairy Victoria
Airlie Beach
Minnie Water has an amazeing wild life in rock pools .Many walking trails and beaches and headlands with amazeing veiws also shop with food and gifts for everyone not to forget surfing and fishing
Yamba is my favourite town. Great relaxed atmosphere, everyone is so friendly, there are a great choice of eateries & restaurants. The Pacific Hotel in Yamba has 180 degree views, fantastic at any time but during the whale migration both north & south it is just awesome to see while eating, drinking, laughing with family & friends. There are quite a few beaches for choice for ocean & nearby Angourie has the blue pools to swim in as well. Fishing, swimming, surfboard, boogie board, diving, snorkeling, charter boats, golf course, bowls, Clubs & Pubs plus the local Seafood Co-op for absolutely fresh prawns, fish, whatever to have sitting up near the lighthouse on the hill at Yamba. A jewel in the crown. Accommodation in caravan parks, camping, vans, hotels, resorts, b&b’s, it’s all there. 10/10 for Yamba. ❤️❤️
After moving here 39 years ago Grafton has won my heart for its sense of Community
Norfolk Island
The people are friendly,helpful and love showing their island. There is so much history and culture there to see and learn about.
The food is wonderful,the island is a paradise and so clean.
If I could move there I would in a heartbeat
Milthorpe nsw
Carcoar nsw
Bellingen nsw
Federal nsw
Hill end nsw
Kangaroo Valley – NSW – for beautiful, unspoilt scenic views
Berrima – NSW – for the history, beautiful artisan shops
Margaret River – WA – where the wineyards meet the ocean
Kiama – NSW – this place has a great vibe, not far from Sydney or Canberra
Merimbula – NSW – the NSW south coast is underrated, beautiful when driving from Victoria
Mollymook
got to be point lookout beautiful
Daylesford is a beautiful authentic place with a mix of new and old architecture, with a beautiful vibe for all ages and people to enjoy. The scenery, trees and wild life especially bird life are just so enjoyable
The shops are so interesting, offering a mix of eateries, galleries, and antique memorabilia, for all ages to enjoy. The location offers a variety of short trip options to add to Daylesford as a ideal Aussie locale
The locals are friendly, helpful and welcoming. This is a great place to visit, only a short drive from Melbourne, and also one to come back to re explore and enjoy.