From cute country villages to seaside settlements, these beautiful towns in NSW are begging to be explored. 

New South Wales is home to an abundance of vibrant and welcoming towns worth your while, and each is as unique as the next. As ranked by our expert panel in Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit, these are the 24 best towns to visit in NSW. Read on to discover what makes each special.

1. Byron Bay

Overall rank: 3/100

Bundjalung nation 

The leading destination for wellness breaks in Australia, even before it became one of the fastest growing segments in travel, Byron has long lured those in search of a restorative experience. Initially, it was all beachside yoga and crystal healing rituals, and while you can still find plenty of hinterland teepees where you can realign your chakras to the sound of a singing bowl, there’s also loads of polished, state-of-the-art bathhouses and wellness spas (such as at Elements of Byron). Plus, new openings including boutique hotel The Bonobo by Raes and luxe floating bar M.V. Jasmine continue to bring a fresh buzz.

Despite its bougie transfusion, Byron still has the power to help you locate your centre – thanks to its natural magnetic beauty from the bay to the hills behind.

Don’t miss: “Byron’s rich tapestry of culture and lifestyle that blends cuisine with overall experience," says panellist Paul Ah Chee. Do make sure to visit the famous lighthouse, too.

2. Bowral

Overall rank: 5/100

Gundungurra Country

In the heart of NSW’s Southern Highlands, Bowral offers a pocket of bucolic bliss just 90 minutes from Sydney. As the region’s largest town, it boasts an unrivalled collection of museums, galleries and vintage stores – regarded as “the place for antique shopping," according to panellist Catriona Rowntree.

Its accommodation scene has evolved with the times whilst remaining true to its roots, from luxurious new hotel Ardour Milton Park to reimagined cottage stay No 52 Bowral, the childhood home of Aussie cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman.

Don’t miss: Petting highland cows at The Swallow’s Nest is one of the best things to do in Bowral.

3. Yamba

Overall rank: 14/100 

Yaegl Country 

A long-serving town of the family break, Yamba has come of age in recent years. With pitch-perfect coastal charm, elegant stays and worthy eats, this Clarence River town lands with an easy kind of cool that places it firmly among the best towns in NSW. A stay at the cliff-snug Il Delfino meets the Pacific horizon with Portofino style, while The Surf Yamba is a boutique hotel with smooth curves and nicely honed vibes. Although the caravan parks still swell with zinc-faced kids and harassed parents come the holidays, Yamba has plenty to offer away from that scene. As panellist Rae Johnston puts it: “This place is really special – the river, the ocean, the people, even the op shopping is great." 

Don’t miss:  A pint at the Pacific Hotel Yamba; it’s mandatory after a dip in the ocean pool below. 

4. Bellingen

Overall rank: 16/100

Gumbaynggirr Country

Look at Bellingen on Google Earth and you’ll see it tucked within an emerald-green pocket of hinterland near Byron Bay. Once a dairy town, Bello now beats to the sound of its own drum, especially if that drum is a djembe being played at the River Sounds Festival in May. The calendar of events here runs from writers’ festivals to farmers’ markets and an agricultural show that reflects the area’s vibrant community.

Don’t miss: “One of the highlights is the main street – filled with stores featuring work from local artisans… knitters, leatherworkers, woodworkers," says panellist Rae Johnston.

5. Broken Hill

Overall rank: 23/100 

Wilyakali Country 

The discovery of ore on a lonely broken hill would change the landscape of this outback NSW region forever. Broken Hill is Australia’s oldest mining town and one of the most significant and best preserved examples of living heritage. It’s also the birthplace of Pro Hart, the setting for iconic Aussie movies, including The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Mad Max 2 (visit the museum in nearby Silverton) and the largest Royal Flying Doctors base in the country. Panellist Irene Jones sums it up: “Outback grit with some cool character."  

Don’t miss: Looking back before the mining boom with local Aboriginal guides who share their connection to Country at Mutawintji Historic Site. This rugged desert landscape is home to one of the best collections of Aboriginal rock art in NSW. 

6. Thredbo

Overall rank: 28/100

Ngarigo Country

The brainchild of Czech skier Tony Sponar, Thredbo was built in the 1950s for winter alpine adventures and is home to the country’s longest runs. Panellist Paul Hamra considers the Snowy Mountains village a “sophisticated Australian ski experience with some of the best lodges". While Irene Jones needed only three words: “snow and mountain magic". Indeed, the opportunity to ski-in/ski-out from a cosy mountain inn and wake to the sight of falling snow is the stuff of winter dreams, making it one of the best towns in NSW for skiing escapes. And when the blanket of white melts, a green landscape dotted with Aussie natives and wildflowers is revealed – and can be explored on some 40 kilometres of hiking and biking trails.

Don’t miss: “Thredbo is brilliant all year round, but I love its warmer months. Yoga at sunrise on a mountain, horse riding in wide open spaces and dodging wildlife on a tight bush trail. I’ve never had a bad time here," says panellist Catriona Rowntree.

7. Orange

Overall rank: 33/100 

Wiradjuri Country 

A 3.5-hour drive from Sydney, the Central West town of Orange has become a benchmark for regional dining, produce markets, with hatted restaurants, cellar doors and farm gates all in easy reach. “I never get tired of visiting Orange for the fresh air, great wine and excellent food," says panellist Katie Carlin, who makes a case for visiting in the cooler months when the air is crisp and a glass of red wine around an open fire feels just right. Discover all the best things to do in Orange, along with its best restaurants. 

Don’t miss: Orange FOOD Week, which runs each autumn. 

8. Lightning Ridge

Overall rank: 38/100 

Yuwaalaraay Country 

The weathered Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of The Great Artesian Basin have created two subterranean treasures here in Lightning Ridge. The first caused pandemonium in the 1880s – the rare and precious black opal, while the other induces calm – mineral-rich hot springs that are naturally heated to 41.5°C year-round. “It’s the quirkiest place I’ve ever been," says panellist Katie Carlin. “The town is filled with art, underground galleries, mine tunnels and a cactus nursery."  

Don’t miss: Panellist Rae Johnston’s experience, who had an unexpected stop here while on a road trip and says it’s one of the darkest skies she has ever seen. Get two-for-one with a nighttime soak in the hot Artesian Bore Baths under the stars. Or make a road trip out of it by following the Great Artesian Drive, which includes a series of unique spa stops; the nearby Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre has just reopened after extensive upgrades. 

9. Leura

Overall rank: 45/100

Gundungurra & Dharug Country

The NSW town of Leura may be small, but it sure packs a punch. Veer off the Great Western Highway as it snakes itself through the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains and you’ll find it: “A beautiful town only topped by its stunning setting," says panellist Brett Godfrey. Leura is also known as the Garden Village, and for good reason. Wander just beyond its heritage homes and bustling main strip – lined with boutique retailers, independent bookstores and locally run restaurants – and you enter another world entirely. Here, native and exotic species grow wild and free, from towering oaks and ancient gums to tulip bulbs and banksias in full bloom.

Don’t miss: “The sweeping valley views from easily accessible lookouts and unforgettable bushwalks," says panellist and Blue Mountains local Rae Johnston.

10. Mudgee

Overall rank: 46/100

Wiradjuri Country

While well-loved for its quality cool-climate wines, Mudgee in NSW’s Central West has far more to offer than its top drops. Yes, it’s home to more than 50 boutique cellar doors, breweries and distilleries, but linger a little longer and you’ll find flavour comes in many other forms.

A paddock-to-plate philosophy underpins the dining scene here, where local chefs champion seasonal produce sourced from neighbouring farms. Around a four-hour drive from the state’s capital, it makes for “the perfect mini-break weekend from Sydney," notes panellist Sally Cope – especially if great food and wine are high on your hit list.

Don’t miss: A table at Zin House to sample some of the region’s best. The nose-to-tail restaurant is run by the Lowe family, who also operate an organic winery on the same sprawling property.

11. Murwillumbah

Overall rank: 59/100 

Bundjalung Country 

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. 

12. Griffith

Overall: 63/100 

Wiradjuri Country  

While sometimes overlooked, this regional hub is one of the top towns to visit in NSW for good reason. “Griffith is all food, wine and Italian heritage vibes," says Irene Jones. The town is in the fertile Riverina region – one of Australia’s most bountiful food bowls – where generations of Italian families continue to influence how the town eats and drinks. Bakeries turn out biscotti by the tray, restaurants roll pasta by hand and cellar doors pour Italian varietals with confidence. Forget trends; it’s all about tradition with exceptional produce underpinning it all. 

Don’t miss: A Taste of Italy Griffith, where the town’s Italian heritage comes to life through food, wine and a fiercely contested salami-making competition. 

13. South West Rocks

Overall rank: 68/100 

Dunghutti Country 

Five hours north of Sydney, this mid-north coastal town at the mouth of the Macleay River does a lot of heavy lifting for minibreak coastal stays. It’s a repeat favourite for its array of beaches, some offering gentle surf breaks for beginners, such as Trial Bay Main Beach and Horseshoe Bay, and others wonderfully secluded and accessed only by 4WD. “Highly desirable for holidays and stop-offs," as panellist Brad Farmer puts it. Away from the waves, Yarriabini National Park is a cool sanctuary of lush rainforest trails and mellifluously flowing creeks. 

Don’t miss: “Surfers have hogged this town for so long and rightly so. It’s shamelessly stunning!" says panellist Catriona Rowntree. If you are an experienced surfer, leave the smaller breaks to the beginners and paddle out at Back Beach or Gap Beach. 

14. Terrigal

Overall rank: 73/100

Darkinjung Country

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 2025, 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.

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

15. Kiama

Overall rank: 76/100 

Dharawal Country 

Kiama is an easy and well-worn city escape route, giving it classic beach town status. Less than two hours from Sydney, it’s surely been the catalyst for many sea-changers during the remote work era. While the famous blowhole has an undeniable eruptive allure (when it feels like performing, that is), it’s really more of a sideshow to the beautiful beaches, quaint township and 20-kilometre clifftop Kiama Coast Walk – all enjoyed with a cup of coffee from one of the many barista-level cafes in town. 

Don’t miss: “Everyone goes to Kiama for the blowhole, but I have another suggestion," says panellist Rae Johnston. “The Pines is a local dairy that runs an exceptional gelato bar, filled with incredible art and other local produce. Try the elderflower – you won’t regret it." 

16. Berry

Overall rank: 82/100

Wodi Wodi & Jerrinja Country 

For panellist Katie Carlin, a jaunt to Berry brings a welcome hit of nostalgia. “I grew up visiting Berry on day trips," she says. “We’d take the winding backroads, always stop for iced tea and scones at The Berry Tea Shop, and poke around the homewares stores that line the streets." This storybook town, just two hours south of Sydney, is a regular stop on journeys onward, but it invites lingering. Pause for a night or two at the impeccably elegant Linnaeus Farm Berry and revive slowly as you explore the grounds, enjoying orchard walks, saunas, a cold plunge, yoga and massage.

Don’t miss: “No drive down the South Coast from Sydney is complete without stopping at the Berry Donut Van. A very cute town for a mooch," says panellist Sally Cope, affirming its spot among the best NSW towns.

17. Merimbula

Overall rank: 83/100 

Djiringanj Country 

Panellist Irene Jones describes Merimbula as “blue water and holiday ease." Who really needs more than that in their beach town escape? It’s certainly enough, but in this Sapphire Coast pin-up just three hours from Canberra, you’ll also find plump, salt-laced oysters slurped on a jetty by a ramshackle boatshed, truly gobsmacking whale watching, and serene kayaking on not one, but two glassy-topped lakes – Merimbula Lake and the northside Back Lake.  

Don’t miss: Avid eaters of briny bivalves, be sure to join Merimbula Oyster Tours, where you’ll wade out into the shallows to shuck Sydney Rocks. And stop by Mitchies Jetty for an espresso. 

18. Nelson Bay

Overall rank: 84/100

Worimi Country

At the heart of Port Stephens, Nelson Bay is a buzzy seaside town with a yacht-packed harbour, cruisers ferrying people in and out for the epic whale and dolphin-watching, and local restaurants serving trawler-fresh seafood. Gentle beaches including Little Beach and Shoal Bay lure in families, while nearby Stockton Beach is a playground for sand dune adventures. With a bounty of nature-based fun, as panellist Brad Farmer says, Nelson Bay is “fantastic for holidays."

Don’t miss: Late last year, Marina Resort upped the ante in the local boutique accommodation offering, with 48 luxe rooms and a chic pool bar and private cabanas. It’s proving Nelson Bay is not only one of the best towns in NSW for coastal active adventures, but also for unwinding in style.

19. Woolgoolga

Overall rank: 88/100

Gumbaynggirr Country

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.

20. Armidale

Overall rank: 89/100

Gumbaynggirr & Anaiwan Country

Roughly halfway between Sydney and Brisbane in the New England High Country, Armidale is a rural university town that keeps up with the times. Its foundational fabric is tightly woven with a storied history, enriched over time by threads of culture, community and creativity. This patchwork of past and present unfolds across the local scene, seen in everything from classic country pubs such as the Tattersalls Hotel to venerable institutions like the New England Regional Art Museum. Home to the second largest and most valuable regional public collection in NSW, the gallery is a must for creatives of all kinds.

Don’t miss: Nearby Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. “Armidale is surrounded by incredible gorges and waterfalls that are stunning on foot," says panellist Rae Johnston.

21. Broke

Overall rank: 93/100

Wonnarua Country

Framed by the wineries and restaurants that call it home, Broke is best summed up by panellist Irene Jones as a “tiny wine-region stop that’s surprisingly peaceful". In the heart of the Hunter Valley, it’s only a two-hour drive from Sydney; although you wouldn’t guess it. Aside from a smattering of general stores and weatherboard churches, Broke is defined by its rolling farmland and old vines. Winemakers have harnessed this landscape and oenophiles have followed, happily hopping between more than 15 local cellar doors.

Don’t miss: Krinklewood Estate’s minimal intervention wines, all certified organic and biodynamic, and Med-inspired plates.

22. Bathurst

Overall rank: 98/100

Wiradjuri Country

“More than just a racetrack, but a pretty impressive racetrack nonetheless," says panellist Adrian Williams. Bathurst may be synonymous with the Bathurst 1000, but it’s worth doing a few laps of the town beyond the Mount Panorama circuit. The main street keeps things modest – bakeries, pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants pulling in the region’s best – while spots such as Bootleg Dining and Norma Joan offer a window into a burgeoning culinary scene. Come winter, the surrounding countryside shifts into crisp Fuji tones.

Don’t miss:  A stay at Littlebourne Guesthouse and a day trip to The Rockley Pub, owned by chef Matt Moran.

23. Goulburn

Overall rank: 99/100

Gundungurra & Ngunnawal Country

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.

24. Ballina

Overall rank: 100/100

Bundjalung Country

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 will show you exactly why Ballina has earnt its spot as one of NSW’s top towns.

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.