Australia may be known for its large cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, but scattered across the country are many small town gems.

And it’s here, among the small local communities where you will discover true Australian culture, with many offering a laid back atmosphere, and access to some of the country’s most stunning natural beauty.

Many small towns throughout Australia can be accessed by nearby regional airports or within a short drive from the larger capital cities where it’s easy to book affordable flights.

So get off the beaten path and avoid the overwhelming crowds of Australian tourist hotspots by visiting some of these best Australian small towns.

Australia’s Best Small Towns

Port Fairy, Victoria

Located halfway between Adelaide and Melbourne, you’ll find Victoria’s oldest port, Port Fairy.

Once home to whalers and sealers, the town now boasts delicious cafes and restaurants serving up some of Australia’s freshest seafood (it’s a place thriving with small town business ideas!)

Take a walk around Griffiths Island in search of local wildlife or drive to nearby Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, home to an extinct volcano, aboriginal heritage, and wildlife such as koalas and emus.

Check out the area’s lighthouses, stay in a 19th century cottage, and stroll along the foreshore.

Lakes Entrance, Victoria

Here you will find one of the world’s longest uninterrupted beaches in the world, Ninety Mile Beach. The beach is a haven for fishing, surfing, sunbathing, and very long walks along the sand.

Discover Australia’s Gippsland Lakes, a network of lakes, marshes, and lagoons covering over 600 square kilometres.

Go back in time with a visit to the Historic Nyerimilang Homestead or check out incredible Australian seashells and other sea life artefacts at the Griffiths’ Sea Shell Museum.

Apollo Bay, Victoria

The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic touring routes, offering up countless treasure along the way.  And located in the heart of the Great Ocean Road lies Apollo Bay.

Home to lovely restaurants, cafes, museums, and beaches, dine on fresh salmon and lobster after hiking through the Great Otway National Park. The town hosts the annual Apollo Bay Music Festival and Apollo Bay Seafood Festival.

Apollo Bay also offers the perfect base for exploring places like Melba Gully with its shimmering glow worms or Kennett River’s koala population.

Broome, Western Australia

The pearl of Australia’s west coast, Broome is a place where you can ride camels along the 22km long Cable Beach.

Pick up a lovely set of pearls at Willie Creek Pearl Farm or take in the Shinju Matsuri or “Festival of the Pearl” in late August which celebrates the area’s Asian culture. Handle a baby croc at Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park or check out Horizontal Falls.

So incredible is this small town, it even has its own international airport.

Photo credit: Binarysequence

Esperance, Western Australia

A town with beaches so relaxing, you’ll have to compete with its resident kangaroos for a patch of its pure white sand. Esperance offers one of Australia’s most picturesque natural playgrounds.

Cruise through the Recherche Archipelago in search of whales, sea eagles, and dolphins. Take a scenic flight over the world famous bubble gum pink lake known as Lake Hillier on Middle Island.

Hike up Frenchman Peak in Cape Le Grand National Park or relax your legs by driving the roughly 40km Great Ocean Drive (not to be confused with the Great Ocean Road!).

Photo credit: Kurioziteti123

Port Douglas, Queensland

Gateway to the mighty Daintree Rainforest as well as the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas is your perfect base for natural exploration. The town is loaded with luxury beach resorts and award winning restaurants.

Grab a snorkel and dive below the surface just about anywhere to witness colourful fish or head into the dense jungles of Mossman Gorge or Kuranda Rainforest Village.

Walk along Australia’s top rated beach, Four Mile Beach or check out Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

Mission Beach, Queensland

Made up of 4 beach villages all linked by golden beach sand, Mission Beach offers as much relaxation or adrenaline pumping action as you want.

Try your hand at kayaking, white water rafting, sky diving, and snorkelling. Discover the rainforest canopy with a walk along the Mamu Tropical Skywalk or check out the incredible creation know as Paronella Park with its Spanish looking castle, waterfalls, and lush gardens.

Admire the underwater world of the coral see via a glass bottom boat tour or stay on land and see if you can spot one of the local giant flightless cassowary birds.

Victor Harbour, South Australia

Just south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu peninsula, you’ll come across Victor Harbour.

Take the Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram to Granite Island, home to the adorable little penguins. The town is a hiker’s paradise, offering up parts of the 1,200km Heysen Trail, Bluff Summit walk, Hindmarsh River Walk, and Inman River Walk.

Head into the South Australian Whale Centre for tips on where to spot local whales. June to October is the best season to witness the Southern right whales.

If you have extra time, be sure to check out nearby Kangaroo Island which can be reached by ferry. The island is home to a wide array of iconic Aussie animals including koalas, echidnas, and platypus.

Strahan, Tasmania

Dive into Tasmania’s wild and rugged west coast wilderness with a visit to Strahan.

Cruise along the Gordon River to see the famous reflections and discover hidden treasures of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Hike to Hogarth Falls or learn about the area’s convict history at Sarah Island.

Play in the massive Henty Dunes and walk along the windswept Ocean beach as it leads you to Hells Gates and Macquarie Harbour.

Travel back in time aboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway as it takes you deep into Australia’s largest temperate rainforest, home to rare Tasmanian devils and quolls.

Katherine, Northern Territory

Come to where the Outback meets the tropics. The area is home to some of Australia’s greatest natural attractions and is rich with Aboriginal Heritage.

Discover the Aboriginal rock art, hidden waterfalls, and elusive wildlife of Katherine Gorge or tackle the five day Jatbula Hiking Trail, stopping at refreshing waterholes along the way.

Learn Aboriginal art, hunting, and cooking techniques or learn what life is like on an Australian Cattle station.

Explore the underground wonders of the Cutta Cutta Caves before relaxing in the Katherine Hot Springs and enjoying a traditional Australian barbecue beneath the stars.

Image credit: Malcolm Williams

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When it comes to travel through Australia, you should definitely add some of these small towns to your bucketlist!

When it comes to travel through Australia, you should definitely add some of these small towns to your bucketlist!

Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.