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WA’s Top Tourism Town for 2026 is a hidden Kimberley gem

Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
From country communities to coastal favourites, these destinations have been crowned WA’s top dogs.

Each year, the Top Tourism Town Awards celebrate the regional destinations striving to not only attract visitors, but to keep them coming back. And right now, the spotlight is firmly on Western Australia. This year, a bounty of remarkable destinations was whittled down to just 13 contenders across three categories.

Top Tourism Town finalists: Geraldton, Kununurra and Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Small Tourism Town finalists: York, Carnarvon, Jurien Bay and Harvey.
Tiny Tourism Town finalists: Coral Bay, Gascoyne Junction, New Norcia, Kalbarri, Pemberton and Walpole.

With such a stellar line-up of finalists, the competition was always going to be fierce. But the winners have now been revealed – and the crowns couldn’t be more fitting.

Top Tourism Town

Bungle Bungle Range, WA
Base yourself in Kununurra for easy access to the Bungle Bungle Range. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)

Taking first place as WA’s Top Tourism Town for 2026 is Kununurra, located more than 1000 kilometres inland from Broome near the Northern Territory border. Often referred to as the gateway to the Kimberley, this remote outback gem serves as the perfect base for exploring some of Australia’s most extraordinary natural wonders, including Lake Argyle and the Bungle Bungle Range.

Ord Valley Muster in KKununurra, WA
Don’t miss the Ord Valley Muster, an icon of Kununurra’s cultural calendar. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)

But it’s not just Kununurra’s spectacular landscapes that helped secure its new title. Home to a passionate and tight-knit community, the town hosts a range of locally led initiatives designed to celebrate its unique culture, history and character. Among them is the beloved Ord Valley Muster, a bucket-list festival of music, art, food, comedy and First Nations experiences.

Silver: Geraldton
Bronze: Kalgoorlie-Boulder

Small Tourism Town

Jurien Bay, WA
Find pure beachside bliss in Jurien Bay. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)

The sleepy coastal town of Jurien Bay is officially WA’s Small Tourism Town for 2026, found roughly 2.5 hours north of Perth by car. This laid-back locale in the Wheatbelt region is a mecca of marine life, offering endless opportunities for boating, diving, snorkelling and swimming amongst its crystalline waters.

Sea lion in Jurien Bay Marine Park, WA
Colonies of the rare Australian sea lion call Jurien Bay Marine Park home. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)

Situated on WA’s humpback highway, Jurien Bay is a prime spot for whale watching. From May to December, admire the majestic beasts as they migrate between Antarctica and the warm waters of the Kimberley. Visit Jurien Bay Marine Park and you’ll also encounter sea lions, dolphins, turtles and fish as they meander among vibrant reefs and seagrass meadows.

Silver: Carnarvon
Bronze: York

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Tiny Tourism Town

Kalbarri, WA
River meets reef on Kalbarri’s doorstep. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)

Taking out the title of WA’s Tiny Tourism Town for 2026 is Kalbarri, perched where the Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean along the state’s Coral Coast. The breezy town is a place of striking contrasts, where rugged gorges and winding riverways give way to soaring coastal cliffs and turquoise waters.

Kalbarri Skywalk, WA
The recently completed Skywalk overlooks Murchison River Gorge. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)

Flying under the radar for far too long, Kalbarri is now earning a reputation as one of Australia’s top emerging towns. A wave of new infrastructure is helping to support this growing popularity, including the spectacular Kalbarri Skywalk, completed in 2020. Together with Kununurra and Jurien Bay, Kalbarri highlights WA’s remarkable breadth of destinations just waiting to be discovered.

Silver: Pemberton
Bronze: Walpole

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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 check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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Off-grid stays and farm-to-plate dining: discover the ultimate guide to Denmark, WA

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    Trade early morning phone alarms and city chaos for bucolic serenity and gastronomic delights.

    Peaceful birdsong and coastal winds meet rolling green hills and turquoise waters; there’s no better place to start your day than in Western Australia’s Denmark. This picturesque coastal town, a 4.5-hour drive from Perth along the pristine Rainbow Coast, offers bucolic bliss in spades.

    A hidden retreat lies just a 10-minute drive from the town centre, inviting guests to slow down and connect with nature. At Heyscape Denmark, the ultimate refuge from the rat race and the perfect setting for a rural escape await.

    Whether it’s for a refreshing weekend away or a regenerative week-long sojourn, this idyllic pocket of the world will leave you feeling anew.

    Where to stay

    women on front deck at inside a cabin at heyscape denmar Western australia
    Make the most of outdoor baths. (Credit: Jarrad Seng)

    Located on the 880-acre Raintree Estate, Heyscape Denmark is an award-winning, off-grid cabin retreat ideal for anyone craving time in nature while also enjoying sustainable, luxury comfort. Just 15 are sensitively embedded in the rural environment, ensuring privacy and the perfect setting to switch off. Choose from one-bedroom, two-bedroom or 4-person cabins. Four-legged friends can also join in on the fun with pet-friendly cabins available.

    inside a cabin at heyscape denmar Western australia
    Check in, to check out.

    The modern accommodations are well-appointed with queen beds dressed in lush linen and pillows; a bathroom with a warm shower, flushable toilet and botanical shampoo and conditioner; and an indoor kitchenette with a Nespresso coffee maker. Outside, find timber decks with seating to spot resident kangaroos from, Heston Blumenthal barbecues for whipping up delicious meals using local produce, and outdoor baths to soak up incredible nighttime skies – Denmark’s lack of light pollution makes it an exceptional spot for stargazing and viewing the Milky Way. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping Great Southern Ocean, William Bay National Park and Karri tree views.

    Wellness is at the forefront of Heyscape Denmark with thoughtful touches including Note to Self prompts, gratitude cards and a botanical sleep spray ready to help you unwind. And for the ultimate weekend of R&R, two-bedroom cabins are fitted with saunas.

    Where to eat

    Heyscape’s Marron Catch & Cook Experience
    Catch your own freshwater crayfish, then have a chef prepare it for you.

    The Great Southern region’s Mediterranean climate and nutrient-rich soils make for some of the most incredible produce in the world – and a stay at Heyscape Denmark lets you sample the very best of it. The estate farms over 200 black Angus cattle, marron – a freshwater crayfish endemic to the South-West of Western Australia –, hemp and French black truffle.

    Just steps from these cabins sits the estate’s paddock-to-plate restaurant, The Dam. Featuring lofty jarrah ceilings, polished concrete and expansive windows revealing calming dam views, it’s a stunning spot for lunch or dinner, alongside an outdoor playground to keep little ones happy and busy.

    Acclaimed chef Jason Jujnovich utilises ingredients from Raintree Estate’s regenerative farm in his hyper-local, Modern Australian menu. Seasonally changing dishes include the likes of wagyu beef lasagna and pistachio crumbed chicken cotoletta. Or join in for pizza night on a Friday, where the mushroom and truffle pizza is an easy winner.

    Meals are designed to be paired with sips from the property’s innovative Cannabis Botanical Distillery, which concocts house-made hemp spirits and seltzers using ingredients grown onsite. Taste unique drops such as the Sativa Gin with warm citrus and pepper notes and the Pineapple Passion seltzer.

    Another stand-out gastronomic offering is Heyscape’s Marron Catch & Cook Experience, which lets you hand-catch freshwater crayfish from the property’s pristine dams and have them prepared and cooked to perfection for you by chefs. Those wanting to enjoy a meal from the comfort of their cabin can fire up the barbecue and grill their fresh catch or order a gourmet dinner box with mouthwatering wagyu steak and antipasti against golden peaceful sunset views.

    Things to do

    Lights Beach denmark western australia
    Spend a day enjoying the idyllic Lights Beach. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    There’s no shortage of things to do in Denmark, and basing yourself at Heyscape Denmark puts you within easy access to it all. Nature lovers are spoiled with unbeatable spots for swimming and snorkelling, plus coastal hiking trails at William Bay National Park – a protected coastal reserve with approximately 1734 hectares of stunning landscapes ready to be explored.

    Hire an e-bike from the property and cycle just 15 minutes to the unbelievably clear waters and white sands of Greens Pools, a naturally sheltered beach. Or the idyllic Lights Beach, which features three beaches, dunes, natural wading pool and scenic walking trails. Keen surfers should turn their attention to Ocean Beach with its world-class surf breaks.

    aerial Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk
    Wander the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Stroll past towering Karri and giant Red Tingle trees on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. The 600-metre walkway rises 40 metres above the ancient forest floor and meanders through the hardwood trees, endemic exclusively to the Great Southern region.

    Denmark is also a haven for creatives, and Butter Factory Studios is a must-stop on any itinerary. The contemporary art gallery, working artist studio and gift shop are housed within a historic building where workshops and exhibitions support and showcase creators from the region.

    With the winning trifecta of delicious food, a pristine environment, and secluded accommodation, Denmark proves to be the ultimate destination for relaxation.

    Book your Denmark adventure today at heyscape.com.au.