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Revealed: This coastal Qld town is one of the most welcoming on Earth

Credit: Mark Fitz

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
Australians pride themselves on being an easy-going bunch. But there are some places where the locals just welcome you with open arms.

It’s hard to be grumpy when the sun is shining and the soporific sound of waves can lull you into a snooze at any time of day – it’s why so many family holidays or solo getaways involve the beach. So it shouldn’t be a shock, then, that a coastal Queensland town has made Booking.com’s 14th annual Traveller Review Awards , coming in the top 10 Most Welcoming Towns/Cities list.

And the Most Welcoming Town is…

welcoming towns booking.com
It’s hard not to be friendly with views like this. (Credit: Mark Fitz)

Decided by more than 370 million verified reviews from travellers globally, the awards celebrate the partners who consistently deliver standout hospitality. Most Welcoming Places on Earth categories highlight destinations where the guest experience feels personal, authentic and genuine. And those millions of reviewers place Noosa Heads in the Top 10 Most Welcoming Cities on Earth.

We’ll admit, it’s a little confusing, considering Noosa Heads is generally considered a town. But it has the big punch of a city and sits on the Top 10 list with the likes of Montepulciano in Italy and Takayama in Japan – so we know it deserves its place.

“Being named one of the World’s 10 Most Welcoming Towns is a proud moment for Noosa and a reflection of the values we hold as a community," said Tourism Noosa CEO, Sharon Raguse.

“Noosa has long been known for its openness, warmth and respect for visitors, and this recognition acknowledges the effort our industry makes to ensure every guest feels welcome, valued and connected to place. It’s a meaningful endorsement of a destination that leads with care, community and a genuine love of hosting people from around the world."

Alongside the Most Welcoming Cities on Earth list came the announcement of this year’s Most Welcoming Places in Australia. Margaret River Town in Western Australia made the top 10, as did Daylesford in Victoria and St Helens in Tasmania.

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What we love about Noosa Heads

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Kayak the Noosa Everglades. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

What’s not to love about Noosa Heads? We’ve already ticked off the unbeatable hospitality of locals, and there are plenty more reasons. Hikers and nature lovers can explore the beauty of Noosa National Park, offering coastal trails, pristine beaches, and littoral rainforest, while kayakers will love the famous Noosa Everglades. Of course, if you prefer your beach days and nature immersions without the walk, there are plenty of places around town for you as well. Arrive between June and November, and you’ll likely spot the yearly migration of humpback whales as they make their way along the coast.

Those looking to unwind will find a range of bathhouses and spas that will have them forgetting they were ever stressed in the first place. While foodies can dine their way through the many restaurants and cafes that make the Noosa Heads food scene so memorable.

The full list of winners

Noosa Park Little Cove welcoming towns booking.com
Noosa Heads has been named one of the Most Welcoming Towns in the World. (Credit: Mark Fitz)

2026’s Most Welcoming Cities on Earth:

  • Noosa Heads, Australia
  • Montepulciano, Italy
  • Magong, Taiwan
  • San Martín de los Andes, Argentina
  • Harrogate, United Kingdom
  • Fredericksburg, Texas, United States
  • Pirenópolis, Brazil
  • Swakopmund, Namibia
  • Takayama, Japan
  • Klaipeda, Lithuania

2026’s Most Welcoming Cities in Australia:

Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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Film lovers need to add these Victorian theatres to their bucket list

    Ricky French Ricky French
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    Theatres have always been a cornerstone of regional Victoria, reflecting the character and history of their local communities.

    From grand, gold rush-era masterpieces to Art Deco wonders to repurposed prisons, we’ve rounded up four of Victoria’s best regional theatres to catch a show at next time you’re travelling through.

    Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat

    Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat 
    Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat has been standing for 150 years. (Image: Michael Pham)

    A monument to the immense gold rush wealth flooding through Ballarat in the second half of the 19th century, Her Majesty’s Theatre (‘Her Maj’ to locals) celebrates its 150th anniversary as the city’s premier performing arts venue this year.

    Built in a classical style and immaculately preserved (thanks largely to a recent $16-million restoration), this Lydiard Street landmark is the oldest continuously operating theatre in mainland Australia, notable for its double balcony and a stage that slopes towards the front, making it one of the most audience-friendly venues in the country to see a show.

    The Capital, Bendigo

    The Capital Theatre, Bendigo
    The Capital in Bendigo was built in 1873 as a Masonic Hall. (Image: Michael Pham)

    Denoted by its distinctive Corinthian columns, more reminiscent of ancient Greece than regional Victoria, The Capital theatre in Bendigo has been through several iterations since the first stone was laid in 1873.

    Originally a Masonic hall, the renaissance revival-style building became a theatre in the 1890s, falling into disrepair for a time during the 1970s, before being restored and reopened (as the Bendigo Regional Arts Centre) in 1991. Today, the 480-seat venue hosts everything from comedy to cabaret to traditional theatre, dance, opera and live music.

     Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo

    a look insideBendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre
    Inside Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre, a former prison. (Image: Michael Pham)

    Bendigo has busted out as a regional performing arts hotspot, so it’s fitting that one of its newest venues is housed within a former prison. Meaning ‘meeting place’ or ‘gather together’ in the language of the local Dja Dja Wurrung people, the $26-million, 950-seat auditorium rose from within the red brick walls of the historic Sandhurst Gaol in 2015.

    It’s an eerie feeling as you approach the imposing granite facade, pass beneath the old gallows and pick up your ticket from the box office occupying a repurposed cell block. With the building playing a main character in the show, this is performative architecture at its finest.

    Rex Theatre, Charlton

    the Rex Theatre in Charlton
    The 1938-built Rex Theatre in Charlton is an Art Deco gem. (Image: Jenny Pollard)

    Regional theatres don’t come more romantic than this Art Deco gem in the river town of Charlton, in north-central Victoria. Built in 1938, the 350-seat community-owned theatre provides an essential entertainment outlet for residents in the Wimmera Mallee region, as well as visitors making the trip up the Calder Highway from Melbourne.

    The volunteer-run venue is the last remaining purpose-built cinema in regional Victoria, and hosts the Charlton Film Festival every February, plus three weekly film screenings (Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday).