9 Best Small Towns to Visit in New South Wales
Ah, Australia: the captivating Land Down Under to dive into nature, water, the underwater world, and small towns' timeless charm! Add in lively rooftop bars, quaint cafes, and mesmerizing arts and culture like Victory Theatre Antique Center with murals in Blackheath, Mudgee Observatory, and the Avoca Beach Theater, a cinema in Terrigal, and you've got entertainment day to night. From coastal gems to bucolic charms, NSW knows no limits to beauty, sprinkling it like fairy dust into the small towns.
With popular surf beaches, hidden coves, and everything in between, the foreshore dining scene astounds with the variety and local flavor of your favorite dishes. From stunning The Waterfront Mall to tons of waterfalls just a hop from downtown Leura, Blackheath is an eclectic, local, and retro, unmissable Blue Mountains gem. The tiny town of Brunswick Heads features a pristine surfing beach along the whole coastline all the way to Byron Bay, where more sea, sun, and sand prevail.
Berry, South Coast
Berry, a star of NSW-tripping, is a real South Coast stud within the aptly named Shoalhaven region of NSW. Just over two hours from Sydney, the ride-in is most heavenly indeed, to the end of the picturesque Grand Pacific Drive, or it is just three scenic hours on a train from the capital! Nestled between the coast and the lush landscape, Berry Downtown, a strollable affair, is a real epicurean experience to behold along the Main. You will meet friendly Sydneysiders who love holidaying here, like over dinner at delicious restaurants, browsing sophisticated stores, or next door at your stylish accommodation that won't break your wallet, making this elegant village one of the best destinations in NSW!
From the beautiful beaches to the nearby wineries, there are varied nature walks with intriguing trails like the Berry Historical Walk for a stroll back in time. With more heritage on display at Berry Historic Museum and Berry Courthouse, the historic storefront with antiques and collectables is a great way to comb through years of history and bring back knowledge along with keepsakes. You will feel like a local in the laidback, spirited community at The Berry Markets, or Country Fair, on the first Sunday of the month at Berry Showground, with local produce, flowers, breads, and cheeses. From heritage shops to lazy afternoon tea at The Berry Tea Shop, don't miss The Treat Factory for a sweet before a hop to Kangaroo Valley or Jaspers Brush!
Blackheath, Blue Mountains
Blackheath, eclectic, local, and retro, is an unmissable Blue Mountains gem of NSW! Home to the Victory Theatre Antique Center, it is a real sight from the outside, with a colorful Jenny Kee mural and quality antiques and collectibles inside. You can sample the region's best of the diverse nature at Campbell Rhododendron Gardens, Blackheath Gardens, and Centennial Grove Grotto "Canyon," all just a stroll from downtown. The vibrant dining scene guarantees encounters only with what is fresh and local, including the monthly, popular Blackheath Growers Market on every second Sunday from February to December. From pulsating bistros to the favorite, travel-inspired Cinnabar Kitchen, you can relax with a local cider, wine, or dinner.
Sweet and quiet within the mountains, with the rainforest vibes and lush hiking trails, get your bearings at the town's Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on world-class bushwalks through the Blue Mountains. It is just a hop away from Bridal Veil Falls and Govetts Leap Lookout with sweeping views over the densely carpeted Grose Valley, and further down, the Anvil Rock and Wind Eroded Cave Lookout! The iconic Clifftop Trail connects Govetts Leap to Evans Lookout, while the Grand Canyon Track is rainforest-clad. The beautiful village in nature's embrace of the Blue Mountains National Park welcomes with an open attitude to experience its bohemian soul through cool cafes and galleries, attracting the likeminded and the curious, as well as the wild at heart.
Bowral, Southern Highlands
Bowral, a quaint nest in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, is the best town for lovebirds and honeymooners to coo over picturesque sights on all sides, like a sensual stroll along the flower-lined paths at Corbett Gardens. A real South Australian gem with great pride in its child, the iconic cricket superstar, Sir Donald Bradman, you can visit a museum in his honor, the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame. An easy hike to the Bowral Lookout rewards you with views to bask in the scenery, the sun, and your own pride. Other highlights include the Mount Gibraltar Reserve, Corbett Gardens, and Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens, all near the highway through town.
The bucolic Southern Highlands are a great escape for avid nature lovers, with places like Cherry Tree Walk for a picnic. With wineries around, it is a perfect mix of exploring and some R&R to unwind with a glass after. The cafe culture is unreal in Bowral, and shame on you for skipping cafe hopping—a real epicurean experience that locals hold close to heart. The Instagrammable highlights for an afternoon include the favorite classic Trawl with reads at Plantation over famous coffee. If Java isn't your cup of tea and you prefer the Queen's favorite drink, Your Vintage Occasion goes a step further to make you feel like a royal in a vintage emporium and antiques market over high tea.
Brunswick Heads, North Coast
This tiny, unspoilt gem along Australia's north coast at the mouth of the Brunswick River boasts a surfing beach along the whole coastline all the way to Byron Bay, 15 minutes away! Retaining its olden-day charms, Brunswick Heads is a traditional seaside village with timber bridges. You can cross the riverside to Torakina, a safe and quiet beach. Nestled between a serene, protected rainforest on the north bank and a harbor with a small marina on the southern side, it is a favorite escape for hikers, fishermen, and boaters!
Moreover, Mt. Chincogan and Mt. Warning are spectacular backdrops for dreamy hinterland treks, like riverside and up to the small town of Mullumbimby. With motels, holiday parks, and holiday houses, you can rent an apartment or a family-friendly hotel to explore the region, including the nearby towns of Ocean Shores, New Brighton, and South Golden Beach. Tyagarah Nature Reserve sprawls along the shoreline and further south in untainted coastal beauty. The wild at heart enjoy thrilling water sports, while traveling families and couples love to stroll and picnic at Torakina Park, with Footbridge Cafe for all to dine al fresco style!
Byron Bay, North Coast
Surf, sand, and sea prevail in Byron Bay, a small town of endless charm and fame crowning the far north coast of New South Wales. With beautiful stretches of sand for every taste, The Main, Clarkes, and Wategos beaches are family-friendly, and Belongil Beach is partially dog-friendly. Cape Byron Lighthouse offers foot-access to Australia's easternmost beach, Little Wategos, while every coastal vantage point is great for spotting dolphins, turtles, and even whales from May through November. You can swim offshore in Cape Byron Marine Park and catch thrills diving from Julian Rocks with Sundive Byron Bay, Wild Byron, and Out of the Blue Adventures. No wonder it is a favorite extended stop among local hippies and sealovers, where even world designers and celebrities seek out the boho vibes over adventures!
Headlined by a dramatic coastline, the balmy, sun-bathed Byron Bay with scuba diving and a rainforest hinterland is also a creative community with an innovative food scene of forward-thinking restaurateurs. Like a fairytale come to life, you can wake up to a morning surfing lesson or beach yoga while watching the sun rise over the most easterly point in Australia with frolicking dolphins and take a serene afternoon paddle ride on a kayak along playful marine life. The laidback downtown, with coffee shops and boutiques, is home to local markets for fresh food and craft and a pub run with live beats like Stone & Wood Brewery. You will encounter some of the country’s top musicians who headline the region’s epic festivals, which transform the little town into a hive of celebration.
Leura, Blue Mountains
Leura, a vintage town just east of Katoomba, is the "jewel in the crown" of the Blue Mountains, with a number of fascinating bushwalks. The downtown, both everchanging and timeless, captivates you on a stroll through vibrant contrasts, where sights and attractions greet you around each turn while the distinct Edwardian-style buildings emanate an aura of warmth. There are inviting cafes for java and all styles of dining, like brunch at Instagrammer's favorite Sorensen’s Glasshouse Leura Garage with the best Mediterranean cuisine.
The expansive Everglades Gardens are quintessential for a leisurely stroll, blending iconic Australian bush with European-style landscapes. From accessible to wild treks for all levels, families can share unforgettable views at the Leura Cascades with a picnic area, Gordon Falls, and Sublime Point, all just south of downtown. From there, you can wander eastwards to Jamison Lookout, spend a day meandering through the Leura Forest for an epic trek, or call it a day in nature, and visit the Leuralla Toy and Railway Museum with toy and railway memorabilia.
Mudgee, Central West
Mudgee, a quaint NSW town with character and charm circa the 19th century, has something for every traveler's R&R from the city. Nestled in the Cudgegong River valley, the enchanting countryside harbors many wineries, vineyards, and a distillery, where you can let the bucolic vibes and views take the last of your worries over gourmet experiences of a lifetime. Back in town, virtuoso arts enthusiasts and avid culture fans rejoice at the state-of-the-art Mudgee Arts Precinct, Australia’s newest regional gallery with contemporary exhibitions and workshops. You can stroll along the nearby Cudgegong River and Lawson Park Sculpture Trail, while Brett Niven Ceramics is a working studio and shop in the heart. Sculptures in the Garden is an art lovers annual traditional meet amid outdoor sculpture exhibition for over a decade now.
There is fantastic hiking and camping at Goulburn River National Park and Coolah Tops National Park, with more of the same bushwalking as well as kayaking just east at the Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp on the Cudgegong River. You can have all this picturesque landscape in the palm of your hand via a hot balloon ride with Balloon Aloft! Wollemi National Park is World Heritage-listed, while the Drip Gorge to the north is a walking track along the Goulburn River to the "Great Dripping Wall," a sandstone wall that seeps rainwater. Twenty minutes away, the Windamere Dam is ideal for water sports, fishing, bushwalking, and camping under Mudgee's clear skies for stargazers. Mudgee Observatory is just a hop away to see the Milky Way galaxy up close with a range of telescopes, as well as night and day tours, a theater, and a flat-screen planetarium.
Terrigal, Central Coast
Broad, golden-sand beaches, underwater adventures, and exciting nightlife define this small town. You can really relax away from the everyday in Terrigal to the sounds of top surf breaking and a food and drink scene buzzing with rooftop bars along the boutique-lined Norfolk pine-lined Esplanade. Don't mistake Terrigal for a wild spring breaker's escape either; the tranquil Terrigal Beach and old-school nostalgic feel in town will bring you back to the basics over shareable family moments. Terrigal is easily accessible along the central coast, away from the maddening crowds, and into the charming local buzz.
The seaside vibe from the tranquil lagoon and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world attracts swimming, surfing, and socializing—local style. From Terrigal Haven, a small, sheltered cove across the main beach, to the thriving local market scene, you can choose your kind of lively or switch between the vibes, while The Skillion is an iconic landmark with views for all of the spectacular, sunkissed town. The elegant Avoca Beach Theatre is unmissable as a nominee for the top 10 most beautiful cinemas in the world, with other accolades like stylish interiors and dramatic surroundings during its eclectic movie program and regular live events.
The Entrance, Central Coast
Making a real entrance into your quaint coastal itinerary, this town with a loud name is a long-time favorite escape from the city for a day trip or a whole vacation along the central coast. A popular holiday resort with surfing beaches, there is also attractive foreshore parkland and an enormous lake with recreational areas. You can bike along the Boardwalk pathway, following the channel eastwards from Memorial Park with rest points like parks with playgrounds and picnic areas. The family-friendly open-air mall, The Waterfront, was designed with kids in mind to feature cafes, eateries, and fountains that turn on a carnival atmosphere during the school holidays.
You can mingle among local beachgoers along the swimmable turquoise waters perfect for surfing, a hop away from the foreshore eateries, ice cream parlors, and pubs with live music. The quintessential Long Jetty features a variety of retro shops and cozy cafes, while High Street is the beating heart of downtown for local sights and nooks. An adventurous cycle path takes you from Skate Park to Chittaway Point and around the spectacular Tuggerah Lake with brilliant water views, while Picnic Point at the north-western corner of the southern peninsula is a popular family-oriented park with a boat ramp. Wander further to Pelican Island just off-shore, a breeding site for migratory wading birds, or inland for a unique history lesson at the Entrance War Library Museum with memorabilia from the Crimean War.
Add a few NSWs to your Australian bucket list for land, water, and even airborne adventures from day to night. Home to the country’s largest and most cosmopolitan sparkling capital, Sydney, you can enjoy easy access to iconic sights, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, bushland for days, rainforests, and a sophisticated dining scene to follow. These towns are a popular getaway for Sydneysiders, but the quint mix of timeless charms in a nature-wrap captivates families and the every-day traveler.
Allegedly Australia’s most diverse state, NSW, is home to the city of Sydney. From the meandering waterways for refreshing dips inland to Australia’s highest mountain, you can enjoy every type of snow sport here when it is summer back home! With a plethora of towns in between the endless stretch of golden-sand beaches from north to south and a vast, colorful outback, these are the best towns to visit in South Wales.
