These heritage towns seamlessly blend Australia’s past and present. 

To visit these towns is to step into another time. Shaped by their histories and carefully preserved over generations, they offer insight into Australia’s past in a way few places can. Recognised among Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit, they offer a deeper understanding of our country’s past while remaining vibrant places to visit today. 

1. Stanley, Tas 

Overall rank: 17/100 

Palawa/Tasmanian Aboriginal Country 

Once a base for the Van Diemen’s Land Company, the quaint fishing town of Stanley on Tasmania’s rugged north-west coast is steeped in maritime and sometimes sobering colonial history. Nowadays, visitors come to trawl its antique stores, tea houses and galleries. Well-preserved 19th-century cottages cluster around the base of The Nut – a flat-topped, ancient volcanic plug stretching 143 metres over the town – where sea air carries equal parts salt and story. “It’s well worth the detour to this corner of Tassie," says panellist Imogen Eveson.  

Don’t miss: Some of Australia’s freshest ocean fare can be found at family-run Hursey Seafoods Restaurant.   

2. Richmond, Tas 

Overall rank: 18/100 

Palawa/Tasmanian Aboriginal Country 

Just 25 minutes north-east of Hobart, Richmond is famed for its honeyed Georgian facades, many now repurposed into cafes and hotels. The picturesque town served as a police district between Port Arthur and Hobart during the early days of settlement; visit the Richmond Gaol for a goosebump-inducing glimpse into its complicated past, then soften the mood by exploring the town’s vibrant cellar doors and eccentric museums (yes, there’s even one for animal droppings). It’s panellist Katie Carlin’s top pick; from its quaint shopfronts to a pie shop to die for, “I just love everything about it," she says. “It’s like a storybook town." 

Don’t miss: Have a picnic by Richmond Bridge (1825), Australia’s oldest stone bridge, where you’ll find resident ducks and ducklings. Then enjoy a luxe country stay at Aquilo Eco Retreat. 

3. Fremantle, WA 

Overall rank: 24/100 

Whadjuk Noongar Country 

A short spin from Perth, this salt-licked, charmingly offbeat port hub whirs with lively art and musical festivals basically year-round. Its hundred-year-old markets are worth a visit, as is its spatter of craft breweries, independent boutiques and maritime heritage sites such as the WA Shipwrecks Museum. “It’s a historic location with a great emerging bohemian vibe," says panellist Paul Hamra. 

Don’t miss: New stays such as Owston Hotel and The Garde (located in the former police headquarters), which are reinventing the town’s past with local-infused creativity. 

4. Hahndorf, SA 

Overall rank: 32/100 

Kaurna Country 

Whoever said you can’t find a true taste of Germany in Australia has clearly never set foot in Hahndorf, a welcoming, Lutheran-settled artisan village perched in the Adelaide Hills. The township is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement and is dotted with homey bakeries, pubs and craft stores along High Street, as well as a collection of excellent wineries. “Sure it’s the ‘bum-burner’ salamis that may lure us here, but it’s the living history that is the glue to keep us there," adds panellist Catriona Rowntree. 

Don’t miss: Picking your own strawberries at Beerenberg Farm from November through April.   

5. Robe, SA 

Overall rank: 40/100 

Boandik Country  

“Robe has a lot to offer: coastal living, fabulous food and history," says panellist Paul Hamra. It’s a sentiment that quickly proves itself. Once one of South Australia’s busiest international ports, Robe wears its storied past gracefully, with well-preserved historic buildings meeting the rugged beauty of the Limestone Coast. In the summertime, sun-seeking holidaymakers gravitate here to enjoy sprawling beaches, sand dunes and cutesy cafes. And, of course, Robe’s crayfish – which have earnt a reputation in their own right. 

Don’t miss: The Obelisk at Cape Dombey, a 12-metre, red-and-white sentinel that once guided ships into Guichen Bay. Looming over the point and visible from 16 kilometres out at sea, it’s an unmistakable town icon. 

6. Cooktown, Qld 

Overall rank: 43/100 

Guugu Yimithirr Country 

A colonial history has long shaped this remote northern town in Tropical North Queensland, where Captain Cook’s Endeavour ship ran ashore in 1770. But its stories trace back far longer. The town’s traditional name, Gungardie, means ‘place of the rock crystals’ due to its abundance of quartz, which is an important aspect of ceremonies for Traditional Owners, the Guugu Yimithirr people. The town today is a vibrant blend of nature and community, from postcard-worthy Finch Bay to quintessential Aussie pubs. Panellist Sally Cope recommends 4WDing through the stunning surrounding rainforest and stopping in for lunch at the Lion’s Den Hotel. 

Don’t miss: Walk or drive up to Grassy Hill lookout at sunset for stunning views over the tidal waters and distant ranges. Or listen to the region’s stories – from cyclones to the days of pearling luggers – on a sunset cruise along the Endeavour River with Riverbend Tours. 

7. Hermannsburg, NT 

Overall rank: 54/100 

Western Arrarnta Country 

Lying in the remote, red-dirt folds of the outback west of Alice Springs/Mparntwe, Hermannsburg is a tiny but vibrant settlement whose artistic legacy has long helped put it on the map. Established as a Lutheran mission in the 1880s, the town carries a layered history of hardship and resilience, and is famously the birthplace of iconic Arrernte painter Albert Namatjira, whose luminous landscapes reshaped how Australia saw its interior. Panellist Paul Ah Chee describes it as “a wonderful precinct where the heritage of the Lutheran theology and the Arrernte culture are reflected in the township."  

Don’t miss: A visit to (or tour of) the Hermannsburg Potters art centre, where Western Arrarnta artists shape ceramics that speak to stories of Country, cultural values and lived histories. 

8. Rutherglen, Vic 

Overall rank: 64/100 

Yorta Yorta Country 

Founded in the gold-rush era but best recognised as one of Australia’s oldest wine regions, Rutherglen is a treasure trove for vino lovers and history hunters alike. The region abounds in kitchens turning local produce into top-notch tucker, along with family wineries (such as Campbells Wines) that have been pouring fortified drops and robust reds for generations. Meanwhile, the Murray River and leafy surrounds invite outdoor exploration – from cycling, kayaking and birdwatching to ambling past rolling vineyards. 

Don’t miss: The Rutherglen leg of Victoria’s Pedal to Produce Cycle Trail for a gourmet journey sampling wine, fruit and produce at picture-perfect orchards and cellar doors. 

9. Echuca Moama, Vic & NSW 

Overall rank: 65/100 

Yorta Yorta Country 

Straddling Victoria and NSW on the Murray River, this sleepy twin-town destination packs a punch for foodie travellers lured by quality produce. Once a key trade route and bustling paddlesteamer hub, it now delights with local eateries, boutique shops, farmers’ markets and river experiences that panellist Irene Jones sums up as “paddlesteamer nostalgia done right." It will soon be home to Australia’s first five-star overnight paddlesteamer, PS Australian Star, set to add a splash of luxury to this family-friendly hideaway.  

Don’t miss: Strolling the historic wharf precinct and taking to the water – kayak, waterski, board an authentic heritage paddlesteamer or extend the magic with a Murray River houseboat holiday. 

10. York, WA 

Overall rank: 97/100 

Ballardong Noongar Country 

Sitting pretty on the Avon River, York is a tried-and-trusted country escape for Perth weekenders thanks to its bucolic pastoral scenes and low-key energy. The town itself, WA’s first European inland settlement, is a flâneur’s dream with its Victorian and Federation-era architecture, while the surrounding countryside lends itself effortlessly to outdoor adventures – from horseback riding to skydiving. 

Don’t miss: A barbecue while taking in 360-degree views over York and rolling countryside from Mount Brown Lookout, a 342-metre-high viewpoint accessible by foot or car. 

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.