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The 10 Aussie towns shaping Australia’s arts and culture scene

Credit: Tourism NT/Garma Festival/Shaana Mcnaught

Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
 From bold art to big ideas, these creative communities inspire at every turn. 

These Australian towns have built identities shaped by art and expression. Here, creativity isn’t confined to galleries, but instead spills into streets, parks, shops, homes and everyday life. For our industry panel, it’s places like these that deserve a spot among Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit for the way they celebrate artistic and cultural expression. 

1. Townsville, Qld 

Overall rank: 31/100 

Thul Garrie Waja & Gurambilbarra Country 

street art in Townsville
Skilful street art and sunny city vibes in Townsville. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland/Mark Fitz)

While travellers don’t typically think ‘art’ when considering Townsville, this coastal hub in North Queensland – known as the gateway to Magnetic Island – is flexing a world-class creative scene. Think premier exhibition spaces, such as the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery; Aboriginal-led rock art tours where ancient stories are etched into stone – seek out the Gudjuda Reference Group for its cultural tours in the region; and skilful street art, often playful or political (for the best murals, wander Flinders Street, City Lane and Denham Lane). Add to that the “fantastic foreshore parklands," as praised by panellist Brad Farmer, and it becomes clear why this sunny city is no longer just a stopover. 

Don’t miss: Settling in with a bevvie at the newly opened floating pontoon bar, The Docks, at Flinders Street Wharves – because nothing complements culture quite like a drink on the water. 

2. Ballarat, Vic 

Overall: 50/100 

Wadawurrung Country  

art museum in Ballarat
Victorian charm and creative gold in historic Ballarat. (Credit: Matt Dune)

Tucked into Victoria’s gold-rush heartlands, heritage streetscapes meet a rebellious arts streak in Ballarat, a regional city shaped by its history of political defiance during the 1854 Eureka Stockade. This UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art is home to the country’s oldest regional gallery. Victorian-era homes dot the boulevards, maintaining a charm you won’t find in many other Aussie towns. “All praise to the locals who fought to retain the heritage features of this town – now they’re hauling in hospitality gold," notes panellist Catriona Rowntree. While the Art Gallery of Ballarat is currently undergoing a renovation, the team has cleverly decamped to a pop-up on Mair Street, keeping the creative pulse alive.  

Don’t miss: Panning for gold at nearby Sovereign Hill, stargazing at the Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum, and a gin masterclass at Kilderkin Distillery. 

3. Albany, WA 

Overall rank: 47/100 

Menang Noongar Country 

ultural dancer in Balgang, Albany
Experience the vibrant Noongar culture during Balgang Albany. (Credit: Astrid Volzke)

A year-long party is marking the 200-year milestone of Albany, Western Australia’s first European settlement. Balgang Albany anchors the city’s bicentenary with a landmark series of events running across 2026. Balgang, meaning ‘together’ in Noongar culture, grounds the program, which features immersive soundscapes and community-led events, in connection. Expect bold ideas, dual cultural histories and a city – traditionally celebrated for surfing and whale-watching – rewriting its own story. 

Don’t miss: “Those sheer cliffs and pounding Southern Ocean swell are proper dramatic! Great walking tracks, powerful history and a genuinely excellent kebab in town seal the deal for me," says panellist Rae Johnston. 

4. Nhulunbuy, NT  

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Overall rank: 58/100 

Yolŋu Country 

Indigenous art in the coastal town of Nhulunbuy
Indigenous art in the coastal town of Nhulunbuy. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland/Garma Festival/Shaana McNaught)

Where the road eases its grip on the bitumen, East Arnhem begins – all salt-edged and rich in story. The coastal town of Nhulunbuy is the front door to the Garma Festival each August, drawing Indigenous leaders, policymakers and artists to a four-day program of song, ceremony and debate. It’s also an introduction to Yolŋu culture, with nearby Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre in Yirrkala offering authoritative art: bark, print and film grounded in Yolŋu law.  

Don’t miss: This slow-paced spot delivers nature in spades: world-class fishing, deserted beaches, striking red cliffs and show-off sunsets. “I spent the better part of a month in Nhulunbuy while filming for Back Roads, and spent hours walking there every day," says panellist Rae Johnston. “It’s probably the most relaxed I’ve ever felt."

5. Murwillumbah, NSW 

Overall rank: 59/100 

Bundjalung Country 

Murwillumbah
Tweed River charm in Murwillumbah. (Credit: Destination NSW/Gregory Lording)

Murwillumbah’s arts scene has well and truly arrived. The Tweed town’s creatives are reshaping the region into something formidable. Galleries are prominent, studios open by appointment, cafes host community arts events and the economy hums with artisan intent. Weekend farmers’ markets burst with colour, their homegrown produce and handcrafted wares forming part of a thriving localisation movement that keeps creativity – and commerce – rooted in place. Nearby, Mt Warning/Wollumbin looms majestically in the distance, while the shimmering Tweed River skirts around the town; a reminder that creativity here grows as naturally as the macadamias and mangoes. 

Don’t miss: “A rare glimpse into the world of one of Australia’s most loved painters at the Margaret Olley Art Centre, which recreates areas of her home studio in all their creative, visceral, messy glory," suggests panellist Imogen Eveson. 

6. Mount Gambier, SA 

Overall rank: 61/100 

Boandik Country  

Umpherston Sinkhole
Famous for its underground surprises, like the stunning Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone)

This Limestone Coast hub is famous for its sinkholes and volcanic craters. “Blue lakes and underground surprises," rhapsodises panellist Irene Jones. But Mount Gambier’s arts scene is a worthy understudy. The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre is South Australia’s largest regional gallery, with an ever-evolving roster of national, regional and local exhibitions. Its permanent collection celebrates the culture of the region that is lived every day: stretching out beyond town to vineyards planted in rich terra rossa soil and rolling beaches. 

Don’t miss: Tide be runnin’… a solo exhibition of painting, drawing and sculptures by multi-award-winning artist Dagny Strand, running from 29 August to 8 November at The Riddoch.    

7. Bendigo, Vic 

Overall rank: 74/100 

Dja Dja Wurrung Country 

Bendigo Tramways
Gold-rush heritage and cultural charm on the Bendigo Tramways. (Credit: Tourism Australia)

Recognised as a City of Gastronomy, Bendigo is a full-bodied cultural experience. You’ll find plenty to sink your teeth into, literally, but also first-rate galleries, such as the Bendigo Art Gallery and Post Office Gallery; architecture from the gold-rush era; and a thriving festival calendar. “Bendigo is becoming cool," affirms panellist Paul Hamra. “It’s also a great base to visit smaller local tourist towns like Kyneton, Castlemaine and Heathcote." Then there’s Dumawul Tours, which explores the city through the lens of First Nations storytelling. Bendigo is both composed and – thanks in part to La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus – unexpectedly lively; come for the food, stay for the art, and plot your return. 

Don’t miss: DJs at the Babylon Lounge & Garden Bar, which keep the tunes spinning until 3am. 

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8. Sheffield, Tas 

Overall rank: 86/100 

Palawa/Tasmanian Aboriginal Country 

Sheffield streets
The colourful, curated streetscapes of Tasmania’s iconic Town of Murals. (Credit: Tourism Tasmania/Kelly Slater)

Dubbed the Town of Murals, the once-workaday hydro hub of Sheffield now trades turbines for artistic talent, its streets a curated collision of pastoral nostalgia and contemporary narratives. Set in Tasmania’s west-by-north-west, the town has reinvented itself with street art, galleries that attract blockbuster exhibitions, including the annual Mount Roland Art Prize, and cafes that take their coffee seriously. Nearby mountains, Roland and Cradle, keep a steady watch over it all. “I based myself in Sheffield to explore Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and I was so glad I did," says panellist Katie Carlin. “Loop Dove Lake for an easy option – it’s up there as one of the prettiest hikes I’ve ever done."  

Don’t miss: The town’s mural trail, then detour to lakes, trails and farm gates that prove Sheffield’s renaissance extends well beyond its walls. 

9. Mildura, Vic 

Overall rank: 95/100 

Latji Latji, Ngintait & Nyeri Nyeri Country 

Bruce Munro’s mesmerising Trail of Lights
Bruce Munro’s mesmerising Trail of Lights illuminates Lock Island. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Along the banks of the Murray, Mildura brims with creative energy. This “cute rural town with plentiful orange groves and strawberry picking," according to panellist Anna Polyviou, leans into its cultural mix: part orchard pantry, part regional gallery circuit, part festival hotspot. Renowned artist Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights on Lock Island threads 12,500 firefly lights and Gone Fishing sculptures along the riverfront, blending art with landscape. Across the water in Wentworth, his Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO) installation adds immersive sound and light spheres. 

Don’t miss: A visit to Mildura Arts Centre for both its dynamic contemporary galleries and Rio Vista Historic House to inspect the glorious period details of its interiors. 

10. Wurrumiyanga, NT 

Overall rank: 96/100 

Tiwi Country 

Wurrumiyanga
Wurrumiyanga is a vibrant masterpiece of Tiwi culture and community. (Credit: Tourism NT/Helen Orr)

Art, craft and culture flourishes in Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island, the largest Tiwi Islands community. You’ll find it in lacquered bowls, carved masks and printed fabrics, as well as the laughter spilling from community life where AFL reigns supreme. Panellist Ben Hall describes a visit as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit a modern-day Aboriginal community." Beyond the village, the sea and sky stage exhibitions of their own: mangroves frame the tide, beaches double as Mother Nature’s art and electric sunsets demand applause. 

Don’t miss: The unique Ngaruwanajirri Art Centre. Known as the Keeping Place, or the Tiwi Sistine Chapel for its remarkable ceiling panels, this unique art centre provides a daily workspace for a small group of artists. 

This article is part of Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit, as chosen by a panel of industry experts, well-known Aussies and travel insiders. See our full list of 100 best Aussie towns here and visit the special 100 best Aussie towns hub here.
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Meet the makers shaping Ballarat’s new era of creativity

    Margaret Barca Margaret Barca
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    Makers, bakers, artists, chefs, crafters – Ballarat and its surrounds are overflowing with creative spirits. All dedicated to keeping traditional skills alive for a city that is humming with artful energy.

    Modern makers: a new generation of artists and artisans

    “Keeping craft alive is a noble cause,” says Jess Cameron-Wootten, a charming and passionate master leathercrafter and cordwainer, who handmakes traditional leather boots and shoes in Ballarat’s old Gun Cotton Goods Store.

    Ballarat was recognised in 2019 as a UNESCO Creative City of Craft and Folk Art, and today it’s a place where craft traditions converge with contemporary needs. Nothing quite captures this convergence as a visit to Wootten, the workshop and store of Jess Cameron-Wootten and his partner Krystina Menegazzo.

    heritage buildings in Ballarat
    Ballarat’s streets are lined with heritage buildings. (Image: Matt Dunne)

    Jess’s father was an artisan bootmaker, or cordwainer. Now Jess and Krys and their small team of artisans continue the tradition, but with a modern spin. The company’s boots and shoes, made completely from scratch, are renowned for their quality and longevity. Wootten also craft shoes, bags, belts, leather aprons, wallets and more.

    Cosy beanies, gloves, alpaca socks, “unbreakable” shoelaces and various other goods – many from local craftspeople and small-scale makers – fill the shop’s shelves. “We’re always happy to support a mate,” says Jess. “People love to see the workshop and where things are made. Our clients care about quality and sustainability,” Krys comments. The company slogan ‘Made for generations’ says it all.

    Ruby Pilven’s ceramics at Ross Creek Gallery
    Ruby Pilven’s ceramics at Ross Creek Gallery. (Image: Tara Moore)

    For Ruby Pilven, craft is also in the DNA – both her parents were potters and with her latest porcelain ceramics, Ruby’s young daughter has been helping add colour to the glazes. “I grew up watching my parents in the workshop – I’ve always been doing ceramics,” she says, although her Visual Arts degree was in printmaking. That printmaking training comes through particularly in the rich layering of pattern. Her audacious colour, unexpected shapes and sudden pops of 12-carat gold are contemporary, quirky – and joyful.

    You can see Ruby’s handcrafted ceramics, and work by other local and regional artists, at Ross Creek Gallery, a light-filled space surrounded by serene bushland, across from the mudbrick house her parents built in the 1980s. A 10-minute drive from Ballarat, it’s a tangible link to the region’s well-established craft traditions.

    How Ballarat is preserving the past

    artisans making crafts at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat
    The Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades holds workshops to preserve crafts and skills.

    While tradition is ongoing, there’s a danger that many of these specific type of skills and knowledge are fading as an older generation passes on. Step forward the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades.

    The seven purpose-built studios occupy a fabulous modern building adjacent to Sovereign Hill, with state-of-the-art facilities, enormous windows and landscape views across to Warrenheip and Wadawurrung Country.

    artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat
    Check out artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades.

    Practising artisans run hands-on workshops. Fancy making your own medieval armour? Or trying your hand at blacksmithing, spinning wool, plaiting leather, weaving cane or craft a knife? Book a class and learn how. “It’s about creating awareness and also sharing knowledge and skills before they are lost,” explains Deborah Klein, the centre manager.

    A city steeped in food and flavours

    Chef José Fernandez preparing American streetfood at Pancho
    Chef José Fernandez creates vibrant South American street food at Pancho. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

    One skill that hasn’t been lost is that of cooking. Ballarat’s burgeoning gastronomy scene runs the gamut from an artisan bakery (the atmospheric 1816 Bakehouse) to cool coffee shops, speakeasy cocktail bars and distilleries to fine-dining venues. But I’m still surprised to find Pancho, José Fernandez’s South American street food restaurant, serving fried cheese tequeños, fiery fish tacos, Argentinian grilled chicken.

    The room is as lively as the food – a whirl of colour filled with gifted and thrifted paintings, photos, tchotchkes (trinkets), plants. There’s a Mexican abuela aesthetic going on here. Even before the music and mezcal kick in, it’s fun. Heads up on the drinks menu – an authentic selection of mezcal, tequila, South American wines and Mexican cerveza.

    a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits, Ballarat
    Enjoy a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

    The spirit is willing, so after lunch we head towards the gold rush-era Ballarat train station and across the line to the old 1860s Goods Shed for Itinerant Spirits. At one end, a massive German copper still looms behind a wall of glass. The fit-out embraces deep olive-green tones, original bluestone walls, steamer trunks as coffee tables, heritage timber floors, oversized lamp shades and cognac-hued modernist leather seating.

    the Itinerant Spirits Distillery & Cocktail Bar, Ballarat
    The distillery operates from an old goods shed. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

    Gallivanter Gin, Vansetter Vodka and Wayfarer Whiskey – the key spirits distilled – star at the bar. The spirits are crafted using grains from the Wimmera Mallee region, and native botanicals foraged in the Grampians. Seasonal cocktails are inspired by local people and places (I loved The Headland, inspired by Sovereign Hill and flavoured with old-fashioned raspberry drops). Sample the spirits, and join a cocktail masterclass or a distillery tour. It’s a seductive setting – you’ll likely find yourself ordering a charcuterie platter or pizza as the evening progresses.

    The Ballarat stay combining history and luxury

    one of the rooms at Hotel Vera, Ballarat
    The rooms at Hotel Vera have a contemporary style. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

    New lives for old buildings keeps history alive. Vera, Ballarat’s boutique five-star hotel, has taken it to the next level: it’s a palimpsest, a subtle layering of early 1900s and 1930s Art Deco architecture with a sleek new wing. There are seven spacious suites, each a dramatically different colour, with designer chairs, blissful bathrooms. High-end pottery and hand-picked artworks imbue the spaces with personality.

    Vera’s intimate, award-winning restaurant, Babae, is subtly theatrical with sheer drapes and gallery lighting, its bespoke timber furniture and brass-edged marble bench setting the stage for food with a sharp regional focus. “We have goat’s cheese from a local supplier, handmade granola from local Vegas & Rose, truffles from nearby Black Cat Truffles, fresh food from our garden, and regional wines,” says joint owner David Cook-Doulton.

    Celebrating the local makers, bakers, growers and producers, and the master chefs who work their magic is all part of the rich tapestry that links Ballarat’s history to its vibrant present.

    A traveller’s checklist

    Getting there

    It’s 90 minutes from Melbourne, either on the Western Freeway, or hop on a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station.

    Staying there

    Hotel Vera is a centrally located Art Deco boutique hotel. Consider Hotel Provincial, which feels like a sleek country house, but with its own restaurant, Lola.

    a contemporary room at Hotel Provincial, Ballarat
    Hotel Provincial has country house vibes.

    Eating there

    dining at Mr Jones, Ballarat
    The table is set at Mr Jones. (Image: Tony Evans/ Visit Victoria)

    Culinary whiz Damien Jones helms Chef’s Hat winner Mr Jones Dining with quiet assurance. His modern Asian food is deceptively simple with deep, intense flavours. Low-key, laid-back ambience, lovely staff, thoughtful wine list.

    Cocktails are definitely a thing in Ballarat. Reynard (fox in French) is foxy indeed, a clubby space with top-notch cocktails and small bites. Grainery Lane is extravagantly OTT with its massive 1880s bar, myriad chandeliers, brass gin still, Asian-inspired food and lavish cocktails.

    dining at Grainery Lane, Ballarat
    Dining at Grainery Lane.

    Playing there

    a laneway filled with artworks in Ballarat
    An artful laneway in the city. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

    Check out local design legend Travis Price’s wall murals in Hop Lane with its colourful canopy of brollies, or in Main Street. The Art Gallery of Ballarat’s off-site Backspace Gallery showcases early-career artists in a stylish, contemporary space. First Nations-owned and run Perridak Arts connects people to place, bringing together art and crafts in this gallery/shop.

    a woman admiring artworks at Perridak Arts Gallery
    Perridak Arts is a First Nations-run gallery. (Image: Tony Evans)

    The wineries of the Pyrenees are close at hand with their welcoming cellar doors and robust reds. Join a behind-the-scenes tour at the Centre for Gold Rush Collections.

    Dalwhinnie Wines in the Pyrenees
    Dalwhinnie Wines in the Pyrenees.

    Don’t forget the giant bluestone Kryal Castle, ‘the land of adventure’, for a little medieval magic, and not just for the kids: get ready for Highland-style feasting, jousting, even overnight stays.