7 Nicest Small Towns In Queensland

Considering tourism and hospitality are among the largest industries in Queensland, you can expect to find more than a few small towns offering enticing destinations to discover. Queensland enjoys an average of 300 sunny days annually, so you can feel pretty confident the weather will cooperate. So what is stopping you?

From Charters Towers to Montville, discover the seven nicest small towns in Queensland made for day trippers, girlfriend getaways, and romantic rendezvous.

Montville

Montville is located on the Blackall Range about 90 km north of Brisbane. The village is known as the creative heart of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, where emerging talents, local creatives, and established artists alike find inspiration in the area’s natural beauty.

Montville Art Gallery immerses you in the town’s creative spirit, where the work of 37 artists is displayed in a charming 1890s Queenslander on Main Street. Featured artists are often found creating their latest works in the space.

Meander through Montville Village and browse the shop windows where unexpected boutiques offer enchanting wares. Step into The Clock Shop’s quaint German-inspired cottage, where the chiming of hand-crafted cuckoo and grandfather clocks greets you with their cheerful songs. Along with the stunning clocks, you will find further examples of German craftsmanship in charming knick-knacks, precision watches, and delightful music boxes.

Kondalilla National Park is a peaceful natural retreat where diverse walking trails take you through a shaded rainforest canopy and provide glimpses of stunning valley views. Breathe in the invigorating mountain air, watch water cascading over a 90 m waterfall, and cool off in one of the many pristine rock pools.

Flame Hill Vineyard combines the beauty of the land with the flavours of its unique terroir. Their lovely Montville Cellar Door welcomes visitors to sample their selection of award-winning wines. Take in the views from the deck or terrace and feast on succulent grass-fed Angus beef cooked to perfection in their award-winning restaurant.

Charters Towers

Charters Towers is a North Queensland gold mining town located about 130 km from Townsville. The rural location packs a lot of small-town charm with just enough quirkiness to keep things intriguing.

Although the Outback of Australia is an unlikely place to run into a herd of Asian Water Buffalos, Texas Longhorn Tours offers an up-close and personal experience with a selection of “exotic” cattle. The outback safari-style tour takes you through a 110,000-acre cattle station where you will also encounter American Bison, African Watusi, Scottish Highlanders, Indian Gyr cattle, and the main attraction, Texas Longhorns. With your interest in cattle piqued, you might enjoy attending an authentic auction at the Dalrymple Cattle Saleyards. Rub elbows with outback cowboys and feel the excitement as they bid for prize beasts that have been known to sell at record-breaking prices as high as AUD145000.

Admire the town’s historic buildings on a self-guided heritage tour where the former glory of its gold boom days is reflected in the grandeur of its architecture. Keep your eyes peeled for truly spectacular artwork on the outdoor murals throughout town.

Roll your car up to Tors Drive-In to catch the double feature at an authentic 1966 drive-in. Grab classic drive-in fare to munch on while watching the movies under the stars.

Maryborough

Maryborough sits on the banks of the Mary River along the Fraser Coast. It also happens to be the birthplace of author P.L. Travers of Mary Poppins. Considering you could not get much nicer than Mary Poppins, you can expect to find wonderful things on the streets that inspired the beloved character.

Whether Mary Poppins played a role in your childhood or not, the annual Mary Poppins Festival is sure to delight. The playful celebration honours the slightly roguish nanny’s joie de vivre with streets right out of the storybook, sure to charm the most dubious visitors.

Festival or no festival, it is impossible to ignore the quaintness of the town’s heritage buildings. Whimsical paint colours, arched windows, columned façades, and intricate balcony ironwork adorn the façades sitting along cobblestone sidewalks dotted with trees.

Maryborough’s heritage-listed Queens Park predates the 1900s, making it one of Australia's earliest botanic gardens. The 5.2 hectares of tranquil grounds are blanketed with manicured lawns and restful spaces shaded by towering trees. Winding paths invite unhurried walks through the beautiful gardens, where you can discover unique heritage features, including a lace-trimmed rotunda built in the 1890s and a lovely waterfall.

Discover the town’s seedier past at Queensland’s oldest surviving Bond Store, where the original earthen floors, handmade bricks, and barrel rails date back to 1864. Delve into tales about the days of opium and rum while sipping samples of premium-quality ports and liqueurs.

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is located on the northeast coast of Queensland and is a popular gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef. The popular coastal town’s impossibly white beaches lined with swaying palms and explorable marine parks are easily enjoyed any time of year thanks to the 365-day tropical climate.

Tailor a day at the beach to suit your fancy, whether you want to dig your toes into the powdery sand, walk along the shoreline, take a jet ski out for a spin, or spend a Saturday morning at the esplanade exploring the Airlie Beach Markets.

Explore the cool hinterland rainforests at Conway National Park on foot or on an exhilarating guided Segway tour. The 9.4 km round journey through the biodiverse landscape of the tropical rainforest includes a morning tea picnic by the trickling waters of Impulse Creek.

Whether you are ready for a leisurely lunch, sunset drinks, or sunset dinner, Sorrento Restaurant & Bar's welcoming atmosphere is the quintessential Airlie Beach experience. A tempting menu, stunning views of swaying palms against the turquoise waters, and hospitable service lull you into a complete state of relaxation.

Take in the stupendous Airlie Beach sunset on a Sundowner Cruiser, sipping sparkling wine. Set off at dusk and watch the spectacular show as darkness falls and stars take over the night sky.

Mount Tamborine

Mount Tamborine is in the Scenic Rim Region, about an hour’s drive from Brisbane. The mountain haven in the Gold Coast Hinterland offers a welcome alternative to the crowds and high-energy vibe of popular coastal towns.

If you cannot face the day without your morning jolt of coffee, touring the Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation offers a unique way to appreciate the beauty of the coffee plant. The immersive experience follows the life of the coffee bean from the brilliance of the bright red beans to the mug in your hand. You can also sample coffee-infused cocktails if you prefer your coffee on ice. Rumour has it they serve up a wicked brunch at their café.

The Witches Falls walking track takes you through one of the most awe-inspiring areas of Tamborine National Park. Zigzag your way down the mountainside to the sheltered rainforest’s giant strangler figs, taking in the seasonal lagoons and piccabeen palm groves. The lookout platform offers first-row seats to the falls, best viewed after heavy rain.

Recover after your hike at Witches Falls Winery, tasting handcrafted wines in relaxing surroundings at the cellar door. Nibble on locally sourced gourmet produce, including cheese, charcuterie, and artisanal condiments, and relish the moment.

Stroll the walkways at the Tamborine Mountain Regional Botanic Gardens and find a quiet spot to appreciate the sheer beauty and peace of the area. The carefully planned gardens set against a subtropical rainforest surround a tranquil lake with an impressive display of temperate climate gardens and unexpected exotic species.

Stanthorpe

The rural town of Stanthorpe sits at the centre of the Granite Belt. The cooler climate provides the perfect conditions for wineries and orchards. The town is known as Queensland’s apple capital, which explains the giant apple encountered along the New England Highway.

Unless you have lactose intolerance, your first destination is Stanthorpe Cheese, the highest and coldest cheese shop in Queensland. Sample their selection of handcrafted cheeses at their on-site Jersey Girls Café, and then treat yourself to a ploughman’s lunch or slice of house-made cheesecake with a cuppa.

If romance is in your plans, Hidden Creek Winery will set you up with a gourmet picnic complete with a blanket. Sample wines at their cellar door to find the perfect selection to sip while dining al fresco. Lay down your blanket at a secluded spot on their lovely property overlooking the vineyard or lake. If your travel companions are of the non-romantic kind, a wine tour takes you to five of over 50 wineries in the area. Filippos Wine Tours’ exclusive private food and wine tasting option is ideal for small groups seeking a more intimate, boutique wine experience, where alternative, “strange bird” selections introduce you to rare finds.

The Truffle Discovery Centre offers a one-of-a-kind gourmet experience focused on the rare French Black Perigord Truffle. Discover why this particular truffle is cherished by the most discerning culinary circles as experts unravel the mystery with gourmet truffle-infused products, tastings, and interactive exhibits.

Eumundi

Eumundi is about 120 km north of Brisbane and shares a creative heart with fellow Sunshine Coast town Montville.

The town’s creative spirit is found at every turn, whether spending lazy days exploring the markets, wandering the local galleries, or stumbling upon Eumundi Street Art. The streets, alleys, shop walls, and local businesses reflect the authentic works of the Eumundi area and global creatives alike, whether it is the painted piano inviting passersby to tinkle the keys outside The Imperial Hotel, the colourful Yarn Wraps at the Eumundi Markets food court, or the massive Giraffe sculpture all the way from Kenya.

The Eumundi Markets is one of the largest artisan markets in the Southern Hemisphere, making it a must-see destination for crafty and creative types. The markets include the Original Eumundi Markets, Eumundi Square, Parkside Markets, and the Terraces, where you can shop for creative finds, sway to the sounds of live music, and taste the diverse flavours of international street food.

Spend hours at Australia’s oldest bookstore browsing the titles at Berkelouw’s, where bookworms marvel at the selection of new, secondhand, and rare books. Head to their café, where guests are welcome to read their new finds cover to cover, sip coffee, nibble scrumptious snacks, or chat with fellow readers.

Discover the ancient legends, stories, and mythology of Australia’s first peoples at the Aboriginal-owned and operated Apma Creations. The art studio and gift shop specializes in original artworks, fabric, and accessories crafted by Western Arrernte tribespeople, including Artist in Residence, Meryn Apma.

Queensland’s diverse small towns have everything you need to plan a weekend getaway, last-minute day trip, or 1,000-kilometer tour. Foodies revel in the endless eateries, oenophiles hit the trails to discover picturesque cellar doors, creative spirits wander the galleries, bookshops, and artisan markets, and sun worshippers laze on the endless coastline. All you need now is to pack up the car and head out to the nicest seven small towns in Queensland.