Your definitive list of the 100 best Aussie towns to visit right now.
From coast to outback and everywhere in between, our country is home to a vast array of vibrant destinations. At Australian Traveller, we’ve always championed these Australian towns and communities, shining a light on both the well-known and the evolving. This year, we’ve pushed things further by inviting a national panel of industry experts and much-loved Australians to help rank and shape the final rundown of our 100 best Aussie towns to visit around the country.
From the classics you’d expect to fast-emerging hidden gems and even a few wildcards, it’s a snapshot of exploring Australia today; whether you’re seeking a beachy break, a culture fix, a country escape or an outback discovery. Australia, meet your top 100 best Aussie towns to visit this year.
The top 100 Aussie towns
1. Bicheno, Tas
2. Port Douglas, Qld
3. Byron Bay, NSW
4. Port Fairy, Vic
5. Bowral, NSW
6. Broome, WA
7. Willunga, SA
8. Eagle Bay, WA
9. Noosa, Qld
10. Beechworth, Vic
11. Lorne, Vic
12. Daylesford, Vic
13. St Helens, Tas
14. Yamba, NSW
15. Yulara, NT
16. Bellingen, NSW
17. Stanley, Tas
18. Richmond, Tas
19. Kalbarri, WA
20. Margaret River, WA
21. Agnes Water & 1770, Qld
22. Longreach, Qld
23. Broken Hill, NSW
24. Fremantle, WA
25. Esperance, WA
26. Launceston, Tas
27. Meeniyan, Vic
28. Thredbo, NSW
29. Mission Beach, Qld
30. Torquay, Vic
31. Townsville, Qld
32. Hahndorf, SA
33. Orange, NSW
34. Geelong, Vic
35. Metung, Vic
36. New Norfolk, Tas
37. Katherine, NT
38. Lightning Ridge, NSW
39. Bridport, Tas
40. Robe, SA
41. Maleny, Qld
42. Tamborine Mountain, Qld
43. Cooktown, Qld
44. Denmark, WA
45. Leura, NSW
46. Mudgee, NSW
47. Albany, WA
48. Airlie Beach, Qld
49. McLaren Vale, SA
50. Ballarat, Vic
51. Clare, SA
52. Bright, Vic
53. Evandale, Tas
54. Hermannsburg, NT
55. Winton, Qld
56. Cairns, Qld
57. Healesville, Vic
58. Nhulunbuy, NT
59. Murwillumbah, NSW
60. Castlemaine, Vic
61. Mount Gambier, SA
62. Kununurra, WA
63. Griffith, NSW
64. Rutherglen, Vic
65. Echuca Moama, Vic + NSW
66. Coffin Bay, SA
67. Penneshaw, SA
68. South West Rocks, NSW
69. Pemberton, WA
70. Hervey Bay, Qld
71. Halls Gap, Vic
72. Tanunda, SA
73. Terrigal, NSW
74. Bendigo, Vic
75. Exmouth, WA
76. Kiama, NSW
77. Alice Springs, NT
78. Stanthorpe, Qld
79. Sorrento, Vic
80. Portsea, Vic
81. Kalgoorlie-Boulder, WA
82. Berry, NSW
83. Merimbula, NSW
84. Nelson Bay, NSW
85. Strahan, Tas
86. Sheffield, Tas
87. Coober Pedy, SA
88. Woolgoolga, NSW
89. Armidale, NSW
90. Inverloch, Vic
91. Batchelor, NT
92. Atherton, Qld
93. Broke, NSW
94. Quorn, SA
95. Mildura, Vic
96. Wurrumiyanga, NT
97. York, WA
98. Bathurst, NSW
99. Goulburn, NSW
100. Ballina, NSW
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
How it was decided
Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns were selected by a voting panel of much-loved Australians, industry experts and category authorities from across the country. Following a far-reaching nomination process and guided by professional instinct and personal judgement, our panel rated the shortlist on a scale of 1–10 based on how strongly they believe Australians should visit nominated towns.
They didn’t vote on places they did not feel they had sufficient knowledge of. The overall ranking reflects the towns that received the highest average score, ranging from tiny localities to buzzing regional hubs with community at heart.
Bicheno is a picturesque town on the East Coast of Tasmania. (Credit: Rhiannon Taylor)
The iconic rock formation at Twilight Beach in Esperance. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
Skillogalee Estate, a boutique winery and restaurant located in the Clare Valley. (Credit: Nadinne Grace)
The family-friendly Governörs café in the heart of Bicheno. (Credit: Rhiannon Taylor)
The only Aboriginal festival of its kind, Parrtjima. (Credit: Lisa Hatz)
Ballina is a stunning, relaxed beach haven on the North Coast. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
Meet the panellists
From TV presenters to industry experts, our panel spans the depth of Australia’s travel landscape to ensure every pillar of Aussie life is accounted for. Among some familiar faces is returning Australian Traveller panellist Catriona Rowntree, who has rightfully earnt the nickname ‘Australia’s most-travelled woman’ thanks to 30 years presenting Getaway.
Also joining us is legendary Wadjarri/Yamatji actor, comedian and television host Ernie Dingo, fresh from shooting a new season of Going Places. We’ve called upon industry experts representing brands – such as AAT Kings and Accor – whose bread and butter is to help you have the best travel experiences wherever you go.
We’ve also got the scoop from category experts such as powerhouse pastry chef Anna Polyviou and Australia’s official beach ambassador Brad Farmer – who know a good bakery or top surf break when they see one. The one thing they have in common? They are all passionate about exploring our own backyard.
Adrian Williams, CEO at Accor.
Accor’s chief operating officer across the Pacific region – which spans nearly 400 hotels and ancillary businesses – Adrian Williams brings more than 30 years of experience in hotel operations to the table. He is a board member of the Australian Accommodation Association, Visit Victoria and the Melbourne Convention Bureau.
(Credit: Asher Milgate)
Powerhouse pastry chef, television personality and cookbook author Anna Polyviou is known for her quirky urban style. From 7.5 years as creative director of pastry at Shangri-La Hotel Sydney to serving as a repeat guest judge on MasterChef Australia, her experience has seen her zigzag all over Australia to tick off its top foodie spots.
CEO of AAT Kings Group, one of Australia’s most trusted guided tour operators, Ben Hall has worked in more than 90 countries. For 10 years, he was a travel director for Contiki, Insight and Trafalgar across EMEA and Grand Circle in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. A long-time advocate for exploring closer to home, Ben has a deep appreciation for Australia’s diverse landscapes and the unique stories found across its regions.
Often described as having ‘the best job in the world’, Brad Farmer’s office is always at the beach. After spearheading multiple coastal conservation not-for-profits, he is now Australia’s official Beach Ambassador – heading the annual study of Best Australian Beaches with Tourism Australia and clocking up extensive travel researching fresh destinations. He has written bestselling books and pioneered award-winning campaigns.
(Credit: Best Australian Beaches)
Brett Godfrey co-founded Virgin Australia, launching it from scratch in 2000 and growing it into Australia’s second largest carrier. In 2013, he traded airplane runways for hiking trails with the purchase of the Tasmanian Walking Company, a leader in environmental tourism that specialises in luxury guided hikes.
(Credit: Tasmanian Walking Company)
Author and television presenter Catriona Rowntree has been dubbed ‘Australia’s Most Travelled Woman’, hosting our longest-running travel program, Getaway, for 30 years – while also becoming one of the country’s longest-running presenters for a single program. She lives with her husband and two sons on a historic homestead atop a sheep station in rural Victoria.
Born on Bullardoo Station in Western Australia, Ernie Dingo is a Wadjarri/Yamatji actor, comedian and TV host – and one of Australia’s most iconic television personas. In 1990, Ernie was awarded the Order of Australia and in 1997 was voted a National Living Treasure in a poll conducted by The National Trust in conjunction with respected media bodies. The seventh season of his television show Going Places with Ernie Dingo premiered on both SBS and NITV in February.
Print editor Imogen Eveson has been part of the Australian Traveller team for almost a decade. In that time, she has been lucky enough to travel to all corners of the country, across every state and territory. From Bellingen and the Barossa to Kununurra and Castlemaine, she enjoys understanding the pulse of the places she visits.
Irene Jones is an Australian TV presenter, entrepreneur and founder of Travelglobe Group – a growing travel business and media platform. She is particularly known for her work on Travel Oz by Grainger TV, one of Australia’s longest-running travel series. Irene is also the co-creator and host of The Hungry Passport, an all-female travel series blending culture, connection and cuisine.
Katie Carlin is head of content at Australian Traveller Media, leading the editorial team across print, digital and video. In the past seven years she’s seen more of Australia than she could have dreamed – from swimming with whale sharks near Exmouth and dining under the Milky Way at Uluru to seeing the sun rise over Waubs Beach in Bicheno. Crafting compelling stories about Australia’s vast and varied places, people and experiences is what she loves to do most.
Paul Ah Chee is a widely respected Aboriginal leader, Arrernte Traditional Owner and Elder from Mparntwe (Alice Springs), recognised for his enduring contribution to culture, community leadership and Indigenous-led engagement across the Northern Territory. Paul plays a central role in Parrtjima – A Festival In Light, serving as cultural advisor to ensure the festival remains grounded in culture and Country. Paul is also chair of Tourism and Events NT, and a musician and storyteller.
Starting his career in journalism and public relations, Paul Hamra is the founder and managing director of Australian publishing company Solstice Media, responsible for numerous Australian news and lifestyle publications including The New Daily, 7AM podcast, The Weekend Edition, Australian Traveller and International Traveller. He served as deputy chair of the Australian Film Commission (now Screen Australia) for six years and is currently the chair of Adelaide Fringe.
Quentin Long is the co-founder of Australian Traveller Media. Today a sought-after travel media commentator, Quentin first conceived of the idea for Australian Traveller as he flew over Broome’s Roebuck Bay more than 20 years ago and wondered why people weren’t talking about how amazing it is to explore our own backyards
Rae Johnston has spent years travelling every corner of this country as a TV host on Going Places with Ernie Dingo, Back Roads and The Secret DNA of Us. Born and raised in the Blue Mountains, she’s also the voice keeping NSW company every Saturday morning on ABC Radio, as well as Radio National’s Download This Show.
Sally Cope leads the Tourism Australia Industry & Business Events teams, responsible for driving strategic initiatives that foster growth, innovation and competitiveness within Australian tourism. Boasting a 35-year-long career, Sally was previously executive officer of Ultimate Winery Experiences of Australia, part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences collection. She has also held leadership positions at Anthology, Voyages Hotels and Resorts, and Qantas Holidays.
From poolside bites and tasting flights to seafood plates and dry-aged steaks, a foodie adventure on Hamilton Island is worth every bite.
Hamilton Island’s sun-lacquered shores have long magnetised travellers craving an escape from reality. But what’s less expected – and more interesting – is just how assuredly this Whitsundays idyll delivers on the culinary front. Dialling up the flavour as much as the barefoot allure, the Hamilton Island food scene offers world-class dining and drinking options, spanning slick fine-dining moments to just-caught seafood served within sight of the sea. Let’s dig in.
Catseye Pool Club
Catseye Pool Club offers stunning beach views. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)
Framing the electric blues of Catseye Beach from The Sundays hotel, Catseye Pool Club is Hamilton Island’s latest culinary prodigy. Shown to our table, we thread through rattan chairs, Zellige tiles and tumbling greenery that opens up to Coral Sea shimmer.
The poolside restaurant is the brainchild of Sydney-based chef duo Josh and Julie Niland, who have brought their relaxed yet elevated dining ethos north. The menu – designed to bring people together – is made for sharing, each hero ingredient orbited by a palette of sides to mix, match and layer as you please.
My thyme cocktail – woody with scotch, lifted by lime leaf – pairs perfectly with the charcoal grilled prawns entree, which is served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Each forkful lands differently, but all are a delight. Then comes the coral trout. True to Josh Niland’s ‘scale-to-tail’ philosophy, the fish is presented whole in a theatrical crescent, a tiny fork stuck into its cheek in a nod to Niland’s declared prize cut. Ribbons of zucchini resembling gauzy curtains bring brightness and snap, while kasundi lends depth and warmth. It’s tongue-tantalising, special occasion dining with humanity.
Sails Restaurant
Settle into casual poolside dining. (Credit: Nikki To)
A more casual poolside dining scene awaits at nearby Sails Restaurant, where Eastern Mediterranean flavours are dished up with an island twist. Chermoula chicken skewers and barramundi souvlaki lie on the more filling side of the menu, while the sumac squid and stone-bread flatbread with za’atar – arriving alongside pomegranate molasses, beetroot hummus and crushed macadamias – are perfect light bites after a dip in the pool. And don’t miss the garlic lemon scallops.
The setting is equally part of the draw. Sunlight floods the high-ceilinged dining room, while outdoor tables look out across the glittering expanse of Catseye Beach. Holidaymakers in oversized sunglasses sip spritzes beneath umbrellas, the gentle clink of plates mixing with splashes from the adjacent pool. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger long after lunch.
Bommie
Head to the Hamilton Island Yacht Club for a taste of Bommie. (Credit: Nikki To)
Tucked into a sleek curved wing of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Bommie delivers experiential fine dining with a sense of occasion. Led by award-winning Executive Chef Ryan Locke, the seasonal menu champions local and native Australian ingredients whipped up into a modern display of creative precision.
Inside the dim-lit dining room, guests can choose between the Tasting Menu or Chef’s Signature Degustation. Sourdough with pine oil sets the tone for the six-course tasting menu, beautifully presented in a bed of pine needles alongside smoked paperbark butter. I love how the squid ink choux pastry is served with flavour-popping native finger lime, which our waiter encourages us to eat caviar-style. Standout moments continue with the wattle-seed-crusted venison elevated by red fruit and pickled beetroot swirls; the meat is perfectly pink in the middle and an homage to the island’s history as a deer farm.
Pebble Beach
qualia Resort guests can dine at Pebble Beach. (Credit: Lean Timms)
Exclusive to qualia Resort guests for lunch and dinner, Pebble Beach is Hamilton Island’s most serene expression of seasonal island dining. Ocean-facing chairs dot a timber deck that spills straight onto the resort’s private beach, while crystalline turquoise waters stretch to meet distant islands – a scene far prettier than any postcard could capture.
The recently refreshed menu doubles down on seasonality and bright, layered flavours. While the more substantial T-bone steak with hazelnut honey carrots tempts, we go lighter: Coffin Bay oysters with Champagne foam and keffir lime dust kick us off splendidly, followed by Byron Bay burrata served with balsamic and caramelised figs. The fennel and orange salad topped with succulent grilled chicken is utterly delectable, but it’s the zingy, oh-so-fresh soft shell fish tacos that I can’t stop thinking about. It all goes down a treat with a glass of delicate Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne.
Beach Club Restaurant
Book in advance for Beach Club Restaurant. (Credit: Nikki To)
A lunch or dinner table at Beach Club Restaurant is best booked in advance – and it’s easy to see why. Looking out over the hotel’s palm-fringed infinity pool, the restaurant spotlights elegant contemporary Australian cuisine with a stellar (also Aussie-leaning) wine list to match.
I am completely enamoured by the grilled Queensland prawns, which are brought to life with a smoked compound, local fried curry leaves and lime. Digging into the butter-soft lamb rump served atop pea ragout and parsley Paris mash feels like a warm, nostalgic hug. And dessert – vanilla bean ice cream drizzled with hot salted honey and apple gel – ends the night on a high note.
Expect warm and discreet service; our waiter Marco tells us that the tiny decorative starfish on our table are there to help the staff remember whether we prefer sparkling or still water, so they don’t need to bother us by asking multiple times.
Talk & Taste with Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher
Join this immersive wine experience. (Credit Eleanor Edström)
There’s more to Hamilton Island’s foodie scene than restaurant reservations alone. For wine-curious travellers seeking something a little more immersive, Beach Club has recently introduced Talk & Taste – a tutored tasting hosted by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher. Held twice weekly for a maximum of eight guests, the experience explores Australian wine culture through four thoughtfully selected drops paired with native-inspired bites.
We opt for the white wine and seafood option. Alongside pours from Eden Valley and Launceston, a nibbling platter arrives featuring sashimi, salmon roe, Mooloolaba prawn ceviche and palate-cleansing ginger. The seafood is pristine and pared back, allowing the wines to take centre stage.
The real highlight, however, is discovering just how nuanced winemaking can be. Courtenay speaks of viticulture as both art and science: harvest grapes a week too late and ripeness tips into ruin; plant the same varietal on different elevations and the sun, slope and water flow will shape entirely different expressions. Pinot noir, she explains, with its delicate skin and high water content, yields lighter fruit-forward wines, while thicker-skinned shiraz delivers depth and structure. I leave feeling fascinated and inspired by Courtenay’s evident passion.
coca chu
Get a taste of Southeast Asian flavours. (Credit: Nikki To)
Sweet and hot. Sour and salty. Dining at ever-popular coca chu is a sensation-swirling experience that’s not to be missed if you’re a sucker for punchy Southeast Asian flavours. Located at the Main Pool end of Catseye Beach, this lively hangout is all swaying lanterns, driftwood, high beamed ceilings and giant open windows that let in the balmy ocean breeze.
Drawing from hawker traditions, the grilled betel leaf is a neat, vibrant mouthful of chilli fried cashews and spiced beef. The tofu surprises – soft beneath a tumble of dill, mint and coriander, and glossed in moreish peanut sauce. The massaman curry is pure comfort: creamy, fragrant, fall-apart meat. It’s generous and expressive cooking that I, for one, cannot get enough of.
Marina Cafe
Take in harbour views and comfort food.
Sometimes, all you crave on holidays is a bacon and egg roll done properly and a creamy fruit smoothie. Boasting harbour views, an easygoing atmosphere and clean modern interiors, Marina Cafe is a popular local haunt for a reason. The casual menu lures families and couples alike with its all-day brekky, seasonal salads and sandwiches – from a roasted pumpkin bowl to prosciutto and rocket on herby focaccia.
The acai bowl, topped with toasted nuts and berries, is a refreshing start to my day. Whether you sit in or takeaway, it’s a good-vibes-guaranteed place to refuel before or after your Whitsundays adventures.
