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This coastal town just beat Byron Bay as Australia’s favourite

Taylah DarnellBy Taylah Darnell
The votes are in –there’s a new favourite town on top.

For Australian Traveller’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, we asked you to vote for your Aussie favourites, from the country’s top road trip to our most-loved wine region. But one of the most contested categories? The best town in Australia. And this year, an exciting newcomer has stolen hearts nationwide, beating another oft-lauded coastal town for the title.

Australia’s best town is…

Noosa, Queensland
Noosa is officially the best town to visit in Australia, as voted by you. (Image: David Wilcock)

Aussies, you’ve made your choice loud and clear. Leaving perennial favourites like Byron Bay and Margaret River in its wake, the sun-soaked haven of Noosa has officially taken the crown for best town in Australia this year – and it’s not hard to see why. Situated on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, around a two-hour drive from Brisbane, Noosa has it all.

Keen for a seaside summer escape? Its golden stretch of coastline boasts some of the best beaches in the world. After something slower? Noosa’s hinterland offers lush forests, wild swimming holes and cosy off-grid stays for lazy, unhurried days. Whatever part you choose to explore, you’ll find endless ways to relax, reset and recharge.

Your guide to the best of Noosa

Noosa, Queensland
The Sunshine Coast gem is a haven for holidaymakers. (Image: Jesse Lindemann)

Whether you’re a long-time fan or its new title has finally convinced you to go, there’s no denying Noosa deserves a spot on your holiday list. The coastal town is practically brimming with things to see and do, but if you’re limited on time, there are a few experiences you won’t want to miss. Lucky for you, we’ve got the itinerary sorted.

Start with a trip to the Noosa Everglades, about 30 minutes north of town. Alongside the USA’s Florida Everglades, it’s one of just two everglade systems in the world and among the oldest waterways on the planet. It also spans two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, the Noosa and Great Sandy.

Canoeing through the Noosa Everglades in Queensland
Join a canoe tour to see the Noosa Everglades up close. (Image: Tourism Australia)

A tour with Everglades Eco Safaris will take you deep into the heart of this natural wonder, where expert guides navigate the waterways and share fascinating insights into the flora and fauna that call it home.

Guests can choose between a tranquil river cruise and an immersive canoe adventure, both running for 4.5 hours. There are plenty of other outdoor nature experiences on offer, too – think whale-watching, hiking, surf lessons and even skydiving.

Noosaville Brewery in Noosa, Queensland
The coastal town is dotted with local breweries serving craft beer. (Image: Tourism Noosa/Amy Higg Photo)

Rather just sit back and relax? Noosa’s got you covered. Home to dreamy day spas designed to soothe even the most stressed-out souls, relaxation here is a non-negotiable. With the knots in your back a distant memory, you’re free to wander local markets touting handmade wares, dine at restaurants heroing fresh seafood and sip your way through Noosa’s hitlist of breweries and distilleries.

Seahaven Noosa in Noosa, Queensland
Soak up the sunshine during a stay at Seahaven Noosa.

You’ll find a range of accommodation options, too. Noosa welcomes everyone – families with little ones, couples on honeymoon and travellers going solo are all catered to.

If you’re travelling on a budget, book into one of Noosa’s comfy caravan parks. Nestled among the paperbarks, Habitat Noosa is a great option, offering both camping and glamping sites. Got holiday cash to splash? Seahaven Noosa is among the town’s hottest stays with its spacious suites, beachfront pool and proximity to Hastings Street.

The runners-up for Australia’s best town

Noosa, Queensland
Noosa beat towns like Byron Bay, Mudgee and Margaret River. (Image: Tourism Australia)

While Noosa took out the top spot in 2025, it faced some fierce competition along the way. Consistent favourite, Byron Bay missed out on the top spot but still made it into the list as a runner-up, as well as claiming the title of best wellness destination in Australia.

Other contenders included Port Douglas in Queensland and WA’s Margaret River. Mudgee in NSW was also close behind, instead taking out best country escape thanks to its world-class wineries, destination diners and charming regional stays.

Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

    The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

    But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

    Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

    Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

    Exploring K’gari

    ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
    Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

    This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

    If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

    The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

    kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
    Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

    If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

    While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

    The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

    Unwind at sunset

    two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
    Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

    As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

    The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

    When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

    Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

    Indulge and disconnect

    woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
    Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

    The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

    Getting there

    kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
    The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.