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Australia’s top 10 emerging towns to visit before everyone else

Credit: Rhiannon Taylor

Imogen Eveson Imogen Eveson
You heard it here first – these under-the-radar towns are officially on the rise.

Not every great destination is a household name – yet. Across Australia, a new set of holiday hotspots is making waves, drawing travellers with their fresh energy, unique charm and evolving local scene. Voted by a panel of industry experts and well-travelled Aussies for Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit list, these destinations are tipped as the next big thing.

1. Bicheno, Tas

Overall rank: 1/100

Palawa/Tasmanian Aboriginal Country

Sea Stacks in Bicheno, Tas
Sea Stacks Bicheno are inspired by the natural surroundings of Tasmania’s east coast. (Credit: Rhiannon Taylor)

Anyone who has ever driven Tasmania’s east coast can attest to the magnetic pull of its natural beauty and relaxed seaside towns found en route. If you’ve stopped off in Bicheno in recent years, you’ll still find the little penguins on their nightly parade, the blowhole spouting, seafood served in abundance and prime whale-spotting – located as it is along the East Coast Whale Trail.

coastal views in Bicheno, Tas
Bicheno is a prime location for whale-spotting.

“A Tasmanian hidden gem, very much worth the drive from either Hobart or Launceston," says panellist Brett Godfrey of this old fishing port just north of the Freycinet Peninsula. But you’ll find it has a fresh buzz, too: making it worthy of its top spot on our list of 100 Best Aussie Towns to visit.

Le Gulch wine bar in Bicheno, Tas
Sample Tasmanian wines at the newly opened wine bar, Le Gulch.

From Waubs Harbour Distillery crafting whisky out of an old oyster hatchery to new wine bar Le Gulch, set in an old fishing factory, a fresh batch of businesses is bottling its spirit. And Sea Stacks Bicheno is about to swing open its doors (with bookings due to open from June 2026), bringing design-forward accommodation to town.

Don’t miss: “I get hungry just thinking about this town," says panellist Catriona Rowntree. “Head to Lobster Shack Tasmania and thank me later!"

2. Kalbarri, WA

Overall rank: 19/100

Nanda Country

the Kalbarri Skywalk from above
Admire the expansive views from the vertiginous platforms at Kalbarri Skywalk. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)

“Epic cliffs and stunning gorges," is how panellist Irene Jones describes the appeal of Kalbarri/Wurdimarlu. This Coral Coast town is on the map for its dramatic convergence of ocean and outback. New tourism infrastructure, including the spectacular Kalbarri Skywalk (completed 2020) suspended over the Murchison River Gorge and an ongoing Foreshore Revitalisation Project, which will include the restoration of Nanda cultural site Gidamarra Spring, is securing Kalbarri as one of Australia’s premier tourism towns.

Don’t miss: Wildflower season, from late winter through to spring.

3. New Norfolk, Tas

Overall rank: 36/100

Palawa/Tasmanian Aboriginal Country

The Agrarian Kitchen in New Norfolk, Tas
The award-winning Agrarian Kitchen is a beloved temple to Tasmanian produce. (Credit: Luke Burgess)

Over the years, this historic riverside town in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley has reinvented itself through its food, drink and antiques scenes. Award-winning dining destination and cooking school The Agrarian Kitchen continues to push New Norfolk’s narrative from its home within the ever-evolving Willow Court precinct, a former asylum that connects past to present.

Don’t miss: Your chance for a spot of vintage shopping. If you love contributing to the circular economy, this is your kind of town, says Catriona Rowntree. “Just keep plenty of space in your luggage, and yes, they do ship!"

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4. Katherine, NT

Overall rank: 37/100

Jawoyn, Dagoman & Wardaman Country

Baruwei Lookout at Nitmiluk Gorge
Take in jaw-dropping views from Baruwei Lookout at Nitmiluk Gorge. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/Safari Global)

Known for its intersection of Aboriginal cultures and pastoral history, this Top End town delivers a double drawcard of muscle-soothing hot springs and the breathtaking Nitmiluk Gorge right on its doorstep, as highlighted by panellist Paul Ah Chee. But Katherine is also emerging as a hotspot for coffee snobs. A growing collection of cafes – such as Finch Cafe, Maidens Lane and The Black Russian Caravan Bar – is punching well above its weight in the flat white stakes.

Don’t miss: Many Aussies will drive hundreds of kilometres for a decent coffee, but the reason you’re really here is Nitmiluk Gorge. For this alone, panellist Adrian Williams rates Katherine 11/10.

5. Healesville, Vic

Overall rank: 57/100

Wurundjeri Country

Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, Healesville, Vic
Panoramic views from every vantage point at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat. (Credit: Dominey Flores)

“Once famous for its wildlife sanctuary, the ripple effect now offers brilliant food and wine alongside a calmer pace of life," says panellist Catriona Rowntree of this charming Yarra Valley town that has all the ingredients for the perfect weekend getaway. Dine in a converted cabinet makers factory at No.7 Healesville and stop in for a limoncello spritz at recently opened Zoncello Yarra Valley. Check into Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, where each mudbrick cabin features its own all-local wine bar and larder.

Don’t miss: Panellist Adrian Williams recommends checking out the platypus at Healesville Sanctuary, which he describes as one of Australia’s great zoos. While for panellist Paul Hamra, the Four Pillars Gin distillery is a standout experience.

6. Terrigal, NSW

Overall rank: 73/100

Darkinjung Country

the Terrigal Boardwalk
Waves break against Terrigal Boardwalk. (Credit: Megann Evens)

The Central Coast’s glow-up is continuing apace and nowhere is it more evident than in Terrigal: a sea-changer’s dream of golden sands paired with an increasingly buzzy social scene centred on its Norfolk pine-lined esplanade. “It’s the perfect mix of beach, cafes, boutique shops, wine bars and restaurants," says panellist Katie Carlin. Opened late last year, the Terrigal Pavilion (known as the Pav) is a multi-level dining destination right on the beachfront that cements its status as a place on the ascendant.

beachside dining tables at the Terrigal Pavilion, NSW
Dine al fresco with unbeatable beachside views. (Credit: Kitti Gould)

Don’t miss: Golden hour at The Tropic – the Pav’s must-try Mediterranean-influenced restaurant.

7. Stanthorpe, Qld

Overall rank: 78/100

Kambuwal Country

hiking near Stanthorpe
Get a bird’s-eye view of the Granite Belt. (Credit: Tourism Australia)

When we think wine in Australia, we don’t often think Queensland. Stanthorpe lies at the heart of the Granite Belt, which – under three hours west of Brisbane – is not only the country’s highest wine region, atop the Great Dividing Range, but also among its most under-the-radar. This cool-climate enclave is winning accolades for its rare, alternative varietals. Add to that abundant fresh produce to enjoy at farm-to-table or pick-your-own experiences, plus eclectic accommodations, and it makes for one of Australia’s most unique country getaways.

Don’t miss: The chance to stay in Australia’s first luxury wine barrel accommodation – Barrel View Luxury Cabins – in nearby Ballandean.

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8. Woolgoolga, NSW

Overall rank: 88/100

Gumbaynggirr Country

the Woolgoolga Beach, NSW
Woolgoolga Beach is one of the region’s most quintessential Aussie beaches.

This Coffs Coast gem offers everything you could want from a beachy getaway: unspoilt sands framed by a dramatic headland, and activities – from swimming, surfing, fishing and snorkelling to walking, cycling and whale-watching – in and out of the water. Plus a village of cafes, bakeries and even a distillery. Panellist Brad Farmer let the cat out of the bag when he crowned Woolgoolga the best mainland beach in the official list of Best Australian Beaches for 2025.

Don’t miss: Underpinning life in Woopi, as it’s known locally, is its multicultural community – the town is home to Australia’s largest regional Sikh/Punjabi population. Visit the Sikh Heritage Museum of Australia or time your visit for the annual Curryfest in September.

9. Goulburn, NSW

Overall rank: 99/100

Gundungurra & Ngunnawal Country

an outdoor setup at the Goulburn Brewery
The Goulburn Brewery is known as the home of Wayback beer.

While history is built into the foundations of Goulburn, Australia’s first inland city is evolving. Two hours from Sydney and an hour from Canberra, it has long been known as a stopover, with the landmark Big Merino symbolising its status as a major wool centre. But planned CBD upgrades and renewed heritage buildings – including the Goulburn Brewery, one of the mainland’s oldest, which reopened in 2025 after a two-year restoration – are giving visitors more reason to make it their destination.

Don’t miss: Goulburn is an essential pit stop on any NSW road trip, says panellist Rae Johnston. She recommends hitting up The Big Merino for wool supplies and Trappers Bakery for the veggie pie.

10. Ballina, NSW

Overall rank: 100/100

Bundjalung Country

surfers in Ballina, NSW
Ballina is a surf haven. (Credit: Elise Hassey)

Long considered the gateway town to its famous neighbour, Ballina has always had the beaches to rival Byron Bay. And now it’s got some of the coastal-cool lifestyle to match with businesses serving fresh energy – see the newly renovated Shaws Bay Hotel and oceanside Italian diner Capiche. “Underrated, as it is often thought of as the transit centre for the Northern Rivers region," panellist Paul Hamra says of Ballina. “A quieter version of Byron Bay with a beautiful coast and vibrant, artistic community."

Don’t miss: Getting out on the water with Out of the Blue Adventures for whale-watching and dolphin-spotting.

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.
Imogen Eveson
Imogen Eveson is Australian Traveller’s Print Editor. She was named Editor of the Year at the 2024 Mumbrella Publish Awards and in 2023, was awarded the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) Australia’s Media Award. Before joining Australian Traveller Media as sub-editor in 2017, Imogen wrote for publications including Broadsheet, Russh and SilverKris. She launched her career in London, where she graduated with a BA Hons degree in fashion communication from world-renowned arts and design college Central Saint Martins. She is the author/designer of The Wapping Project on Paper, published by Black Dog Publishing in 2014. Growing up in Glastonbury, home to the largest music and performing arts festival in the world, instilled in Imogen a passion for cultural cross-pollination that finds perfect expression today in shaping Australia’s leading travel titles. Imogen regularly appears as a guest on radio travel segments, including ABC National Nightlife, and is invited to attend global travel expos such as IMM, ILTM, Further East and We Are Africa.
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Taking the route less travelled along the Great Ocean Road

    Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
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    The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns. 

    It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach, the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.  

    Bells Beach
    Bells Beach is known for its epic surf break and is at the start of the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet 

    Split Point Lighthouse
    The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road. Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.  

    Split point lookout
    The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.  

    This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities. 

    Lorne to Birregurra 

    Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park, which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.  

    Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.  

    From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.  

    Erskine Falls
    Erskine Falls is one of many falls within a day trip of Lorne. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae, helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.  

    Brae restaurant
    Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Apollo Bay to The Otways 

    Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.  

    A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.  

    Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles 

    Twelve Apostles
    One of the famous Twelve Apostles, limestone sea stacks that rise from the Southern Ocean. (Image: Ben Savage)

    The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.    

    It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.  

    The Grotto
    The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

    Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.  

    Port Campbell to Timboon 

    Timboon Fine Ice Cream
    Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

    Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream, Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.  

    Warrnambool to Port Fairy 

    Warrnambool building
    A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

    In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.  

    Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.  

    The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.    

    A traveller’s checklist 

    Staying there

    Oak & Anchor
    The Oak & Anchor in Port Fairy.

    The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit. 

    The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip. 

    Eating there

    The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.  

    Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.