10 Best Small Towns to Visit in Queensland
The second-largest state in Australia and the biggest Eastern Australian state, Queensland is seven times the size of Great Britain. Housing five of Australia's eleven World Natural Heritage areas among its nine best small towns to visit, there is the Scenic Rim you can access from Canungra in a heartbeat.
It is practically against the law, at least in our view, not to visit the Wet Tropics of the Daintree National Park from Port Douglas and see the colorful coral bursts of life with fish and turtles at the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Wonders of the World here, or when in Palm Cove!
Airlie Beach
This charming town, like a constant ray of sunshine, radiates good vibes with its peaceful beach atmosphere. Whether you're taking a city break or on a once-in-a-lifetime trip exploring sights in Australia, you can pause for a deep breath, relax, and truly recharge. Providing an ideal base for the many exciting experiences in the Whitsunday Region, some of the country's most stunning natural beauty is right here, in this lovely resort town, with its pristine beaches and sun-seeker's paradise, such as Boathaven Beach and Whitehaven Beach, where locals and tourists joyfully play against the stunning scenery!
A boat tour is a perfect way to start exploring the Port of Airlie, moving away from its white buildings that stand out against the water, before returning later to enjoy the relaxed downtown atmosphere. The Airlie esplanade is very walkable, along with the popular Coral Sea Marina, where you can stroll for hours while enjoying views of the turquoise waters. You can also enjoy sunny weather at the Airlie Beach Lagoon and find shade on the Honeyeater Lookout Trail, the top coastal walk offering sweeping views of the water. Whether you're mingling with locals along the shoreline or taking a trip to the Whitsunday Islands, you'll experience a distinctive piece of Queensland like no other.
Bowen
Bowen, an unmissable town, is a true crown jewel along the stunning peninsula that juts out into the iconic Horseshoe Bay. With easy access from the inland areas to its picturesque beach spread, Bowen's calm, blue waters are perfect for canoeing and paddleboarding. From Sunset Point to Horseshoe Bay Beach, the scenery is so breathtaking that if it went silent, you'd only hear the "awes" and sighs of amazement from a moment of pure joy! Heading east, there's also the Flagstaff Hill Lookout and the popular Dog-Off-Leash Beach, while the secluded Murray’s Bay, ideal for a romantic getaway, is great for fishing.
Bowen's two granite outcrops are highly sought-after destinations, with a sandy stretch in between that offers a relaxing spot with Instagrammable views and nearby waters ideal for snorkeling. The town also features a "Big Pineapple Kitsch," one of Australia’s famously oversized fruit structures — in this case, a Big Bowen Mango. Bowen is celebrated for this juicy, vitamin C-rich fruit, with mango trees and plenty of fresh mangoes available at stalls, smoothie shops, and local restaurants.
Canungra
Nestled in the foothills of Lamington National Park, in the "Valley of the Owls," the town with the country's largest softwood timber mill, circa 20th century, has flourished into a developing business hub. Canungra, the main service center for part of the Scenic Rim region, is thriving in tourism thanks to its rich array of attractions that appeal to local families on a getaway from the city. Its farmstays, bed and breakfasts, cabins, and vineyards welcome international travelers alike, en route to Lamington National Park and the mountain resorts of Binna Burra and O’Reilly’s township.
There is so much to do in this community of just 1,200 residents near the picturesque Canungra Creek, including a growing wine scene and modern equine facilities. During a stopover, you can stretch your legs with a long bushwalk through the lush rainforest at Lamington National Park or relax at Moriarty Park, watching youth and adult soccer, rugby league, and cricket games. Among the small town businesses are a bakery, the popular Bean In Café, and the nearby O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard, which offers a great selection of aged wines and vineyard strolls to Mountview Alpaca Farm, where you can pet and feed fluffy babies!
Maleny
With no other town like this Sunshine Coast Hinterland gem, you don't have to take our word for it but experience it yourself, and you'll be preaching Maleny in no time! Appealing to foodies from near and far, it is the place to be for prime local produce served in any style, like a modern Asian fusion at Spicers Retreat's Tamarind restaurant with sumptuous meals and intimate cooking classes for tips to whip up magical dishes back home!
With its bucolic charm and a thriving dairy industry, you can't visit Maleny Dairies without getting a bit of foam on your chin from their yogurt, milk, or ice cream on a hot summer day—winter back home! Maleny Cheese offers cheesemaking insights, tastings, and quality cheeses to take home. After your culinary adventures, enjoy outdoor activities like hiking through Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, swimming at Baroon Pocket Dam, and relaxing at Maleny Botanic Gardens with a picnic.
Montville
Another town in the heart of the hinterland, just five miles away from the highlighted foodie's paradise above, Montville welcomes you with more outdoorsy ventures. From the Mary Cairncross Reserve for hiking to the scenic Gardeners Falls for swimming, adventuring to the stunning McCarthy's Lookout gets you a real eye feast! You don't even have to work hard to get the best views on a stroll through Montville's Flame Hill Vineyards, with wine tastings to follow! Now, to say that this Sunshine Coast town, tucked within horticulture, is lush would be an understatement.
Home to the shining jewel of Kondalilla National Park, its natural wonders are brilliant one after the next! From a 90-meter waterfall to rockpools and babbling brooks, this lush rainforest park is an all-season nature escape. For lunch, you can either take a quick drive to Maleny or stay at the Spicers Clovelly Estate's Long Apron restaurant, which uses fresh, seasonal produce from the property and surrounding area. After enjoying contemporary European cuisine with vibrant flavors to remember, try to save room for another fudgy dessert just down the road at Fudgyboombahs!
Noosa
The Sunshine Coast is known for its beaches, and Noosa, one of the top towns to visit in Queensland, showcases the best of them! Beautiful in every season, from summer surf to walks in moody weather with scenic views, there’s plenty to do beyond just beach activities. Noosa National Park is a must-see Queensland attraction, especially with its large Koala population! The escape to Kabi Kabi country, Noosa, a stunning landscape of nature, features several villages you can explore by bike.
Noosa, with its pristine beaches hosting various surfing events, is ideal for beginners to get their first taste of surfing and relax on the sands between tries or after a victorious session. From the waterways to the pristine national parks and expansive beaches in the fresh, salty air, visitors can unwind at a waterfront resort or enjoy glamorous camping under the stars for a true outdoor adventure. Although the downtown area has a relaxed pace, it offers everything you need and more, with lively nightlife along Hastings St. and its innovative restaurant scene.
Palm Cove
Just half an hour north of Cairns, Palm Cove is a dreamy tropical North Queensland escape. Dubbed the "spa capital of Australia," the laid-back luxury is discerning in boutique shops and award-winning restaurants, as well as many day spas to indulge in R&R after nature treks. The wildlife freaks can head straight for Rainforestation Nature Park, join Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, or take a family stroll through the Kuranda Koala Gardens. No trip to Palm Cove is valid without scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef and a local market prowl on the first Sunday of the month from April to December. Palm Cove jetty is abundant with Spanish mackerel, cod, whiting, stripeys, and flathead to up your catch over an evening barbecue along the sands.
Home to some 2,000 easy-going locals, you can explore the tiny beachside village in flip-flops, on a bike, or even barefoot, with joints for fresh seafood along the way. From its 500-year-old melaleuca tree-lined central esplanade to an alluring beach spread, richly bathed under the sun and low on crowds, the nearby Double Island is just a paddle boat or kayak ride away! Facing a spectacular tourist demand, the dreamy town with swimmable ocean views takes on the challenge with a wide array of welcoming boutique hotels and resorts for luxury at small-town prices, like the charming colonial beachside Reef House from 1958.
Port Douglas
Port Douglas offers the state's best adventures in one small town, including a long beach with supreme swimming, sweeping vistas, and striking sunsets after outback adventures! The beautiful fishing village attracts hordes with a vibrant maritime culture along the Coral Sea, surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you are soaking in a lagoon pool or lounging along the soft sands under the palm fringe of the Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas is also your ultimate getaway into the bountiful Daintree National Park!
Port Douglas blends an authentic slice of Australia with a tropical escape to commune with nature and seek quaint cultural pursuits. In between snorkeling with sea turtles and beach volleyball, the guilt-free seafood stalls will keep you coming for more freshly prepared seafood! The world’s oldest living rainforest can take a few days to explore its local fauna and flora, so save easygoing pursuits like the Sunday market for an appropriate day. You can wander between the colorful artisan and fresh produce stalls on your hunt for a waterside dinner like Melaleuca, with its traditional Down Under feast.
Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach is a unique coastal town renowned for its stunning beauty, overlooking vibrant, ancient sand dunes that lead into the waters. Positioned near K'gari (Fraser Island) and backed by Cooloola National Park, it offers an ideal destination for adventurous explorers, boasting a rare combination of the country's diverse landscapes. Visitors can relax on the spectacular beach or explore the Cooloola coastline along the Cooloola Great Walk. The subtropical rainforest that borders the dunes adds to the area's allure, while Carlo Sandblow provides a vast stretch of golden sand perfect for play and relaxation. Whether enjoying a meal at a waterside resort or picnicking amidst the rainbow-colored cliffs of the seaside, Rainbow Beach promises unforgettable experiences.
Full of idyllic outdoors, the iconic Wolf Rock is the most sought-after adventurous dive in the world among four volcanic pinnacles, with a marine sanctuary beneath that protects critically endangered gray nurse sharks. You can paddle all the way around the coastal headland to Double Island Point, home to its 19th-century lighthouse, and hike up to the summit where the lighthouse, built in 1884, now runs on solar power. From Great Beach Drive 4WD Tours to Epic Ocean Adventures, there's an option for every taste, including family-friendly activities like learning to surf or kayak with dolphins, as well as Rainbow Beach Horse Rides along the pristine coast. Rainbow Beach is your gateway to both underwater adventures and the skies with Rainbow Beach Helicopters.
Yeppoon
Yeppoon is a real stunner along the gorgeous Capricorn Coast, with something for everyone wrapped in small-town charm and served up with a tropical vibe! Whether you are on a shopping spree along the chic boutiques along the food-centric promenade with unique restaurants or are in for the lovely beaches, you can enjoy low crowds. Yeppoon is your dream retreat, sans the resort vibe, to dig your toes in the soft sands, sink your teeth in seafood delicacies waterfront, and enjoy the sun and sea for days with unobscured views!
The blue waters sparkle under the ample sunshine in the balmy weather that will only get you moving from Yeppoon Main Beach to take a refreshing dip, visit a nearby food stall, or walk to immerse yourself in the natural public pool, Yeppoon Lagoon. The wonderful Appleton Park appeals to families with shady spots and trails for skating and playing amid coastal beauty all around. Great Keppel Island is just a hop away for a day excursion that will keep you coming back to this, one of Queensland's most beautiful islands, for more of its stunning fringe of 17 beaches.
Australia's state of Queensland is your ultimate ticket to the jewel-toned waters, golden sand dunes, and white-sand beaches. Home to state parks housing rainforests like the world's oldest Daintree and the technicolor underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland has a slice of paradise for everyone!
Magic abounds in Queensland, most concentrated among its small towns scene, where local culture blends intimately with native fauna and flora, while off-shore islands dot the aqua waters in the Whitsundays.
