11 Of The Friendliest Towns In Australia
A community is a reflection of its people, not simply a collection of tourist attractions, and Australia is home to many friendly towns that welcome newcomers like locals. In Victoria, Daylesford hosts one of the country's largest LGBT festivals, and its arts scene celebrates and supports regional talent. Another example is South Australia's town of Hahndorf. It has a strong German heritage, honoured in its restaurants and festivals, particularly during its annual Oktoberfest celebrations. These are just two of the friendliest towns in Australia. Read on to discover nine more.
Daylesford, Victoria
Heading south to Victoria, you'll find Daylesford, one of the most welcoming towns in all of Australia. The town earned this reputation by hosting its annual ChillOut Festival in March during the Victorian Labour Day weekend. It is the largest LGBT festival in regional Australia, drawing tens of thousands of people for a fun, inclusive weekend with drag shows, a carnival, and dance parties.
The town is quieter outside the festival weekend, but it still has a very active arts scene that welcomes artists and art lovers. The Convent is one of Victoria's most famous art galleries, housed in the former convent and boarding school. It displays the work of many of Daylesford's artists and has a cafe where you can chat with other art lovers. And many local artists and chefs gather every weekend at the Daylesford Sunday Market to sell their wares and showcase their work.
Beechworth, Victoria
Beechworth was once one of Victoria's biggest gold rush towns. Though the golden days are long gone, what's left is a historical town that attracts visitors from across the country thanks to its friendly populace and various gathering spots. The most famous of these is Bridge Road Brewers. The brewery is an excellent venue for a drink and to catch events throughout the year, like Oktoberfest and live music. For something a little more intimate, there's Baarmutha Wines, a charming winery just outside town that offers tastings in a rustic country setting.
The town also hosts several large community events throughout the year. The Golden Horseshoes Festival embraces the past and present with a memory lane that explains the town's past and a massive street parade with participation from a wide swath of the community. And for something quirky, there's the AsylumFest, a horror festival that takes place inside the historic asylum in town.
Hahndorf, South Australia
Not far from South Australia's capital, Adelaide, Hahndorf is a slice of Germany on Australian soil. The town is Australia's oldest existing German settlement, and it continues to embrace that heritage for visitors and locals alike. The German Village Shop sells authentic German-style goods, such as cuckoo clocks and beer steins. And to enjoy the lively atmosphere of a German eatery, head to the Hahndorf Inn. They serve up traditional German food, like pretzels for appetizers, pork chops, and German wursts. For more German delicacies, there's the Haus Restaurant. They serve German favorites made with local produce. And every October, the town gathers for its own Oktoberfest celebration.
Montville, Queensland
Montville's friendly reputation comes from its artistic vibe and active community calendar. The Montville Art Gallery is the hub of the art community, featuring works from more than 40 local artists. Many locals and travelers gather together at the Flame Hill Vineyard for wine tastings and to take in the scenic charms of Queensland. But the real highlight in town is the annual Rangebow Festival in October. This four-day celebration embraces the weird and quirkier side of life, with eclectic art performances with no barriers. During the 2025 festival, Little May Espresso hosted Art with Heart, an exhibition of work by local artists living with disability, with the proceeds going to the artists.
Maleny, Queensland
Elsewhere in Queensland is Maleny, a friendly town near some of the most beautiful vistas in Australia. The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is a rainforest reserve that protects plant and animal life and offers a chance to see rare, colorful birds. The trails take you through the rainforest, and it often hosts community events and special exhibits. Just down the road from the reserve is the Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World. The gardens are full of rare flowers and trees, and the birds always come out to meet visitors.
Back in downtown Maleny, you'll find an artistic town that finds inspiration from all the surrounding natural beauty. The Joy Collective is a gallery where the town's art scene gathers for exhibitions of local work. In November, the town has one of its most fun weekends with the Maleny Music Festival, with artists performing across different genres.
Eden, New South Wales
Head down the coast to find Eden, a town that more than lives up to its name. The town sits on the southern end of the Sapphire Coast and has some striking natural features. On the southern end of town are Eden Lookout and Rotary Park. The park offers panoramic views of the town and surrounding area, and has several BBQ areas where friends and family gather for the view. Right in downtown is Aslings Beach, with miles of sand and plenty of space by the water.
Eden is also known for whale watching, especially at the Eden Whale Festival every October, when whales are on their southern migration. Many residents from the town and across New South Wales gather on the shores to spot the giant mammals. When you can't see the whales, there's still plenty to do at the festival, with local food trucks and art exhibitions taking over the town.
Mudgee, New South Wales
Head to New South Wales to find Mudgee, a foodie's dream. The town has a welcoming local community and nearly endless options for food and drink. For breakfast and coffee to start the day, there's Alby + Esthers. They serve modern breakfast favorites like avocado toast and salmon bowls that pair well with a cup of coffee or a cappuccino. For a day out among the views of New South Wales, there's the Lowe Family Wine Company. They offer wine tastings in a relaxed environment just north of Mudgee.
Back in downtown is the Three Tails Brewery, offering craft brews and non-alcoholic beer, along with BBQ classics like brisket. And for an even more festive chance to gather over food, there's the annual Flavours of Mudgee event in September. Local chefs and eateries put their best foot forward, showcasing their culinary creations.
Bermagui, New South Wales
Bermagui combines an active community calendar with plenty of beaches where you can meet your neighbours. Sitting on the shores of the Bermagui River and the Pacific Ocean, the town has several beaches to choose from. Beares Beach is the best for the ocean, and it is popular with surfers and people looking for a quieter time by the water. In the center of town, Dickinson Park is a green space where locals gather for the monthly Bermagui Homemade Market. There's more to Bermagui than a relaxing day by the water, as there's always some sort of concert happening in town. The Four Winds presents one of New South Wales' best outdoor concert series. Throughout the year, they bring in artists from several different genres, including many Aboriginal performers.
Bicheno, Tasmania
Bicheno is a tiny Tasmanian town, but it makes up for its small size with a welcoming community and coastal scenery. Bicheno is home to East Coast Natureworld, a wildlife refuge with a collection of Tasmanian animals. They also offer a chance to get a close encounter with a Tasmanian devil during their feeding time. For another wildlife encounter, there's Bicheno Penguin Tours. The tours take you near the penguins' habitats for a close view.
Aside from its wildlife, Bicheno is a good place to taste wine in Tasmania. The Farm Shed is a wine center that pours wines from producers along the East Coast in a sleek, modern setting. And wine is the theme of the biggest community gathering each year: the Bicheno Food & Wine Festival. Local wineries and restaurants showcase their best dishes, using local produce for a full day of food and wine.
Port Lincoln, South Australia
Port Lincoln is a South Australian town that always welcomes new visitors and residents to explore its local museums and galleries. The Axel Stenross Maritime Museum offers a look at Port Lincoln's maritime industry and how it shaped the town's development. They also offer a really unique workshop that teaches attendees about the art of wooden shipbuilding. The community often meets up at the Nautilus Arts Centre to take a look at what's new at the gallery or to catch one of the many shows its theatre program hosts. And nothing brings the community together like the annual Tunarama Festival in January. The festival celebrates Port Lincoln's fishing heritage with a street parade, a "tuna toss," and fresh seafood.
Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River is Western Australia's wine capital, with a warm atmosphere and several premium wineries. The Voyager Estate offers organic wines in an upscale environment. It frequently hosts community events and weddings, and has a restaurant serving food to pair with your wine. For a different vibe, try Cape Mentelle. It has an outdoor setting for wine tastings and a wine club that offers residents exclusive wines and events.
With so many visitors to the region for its wine, it's only natural that the town would host a major festival to celebrate. Pair'd Margaret River is the area's premier wine and food festival. Local restaurants and wineries all bring their best every November. The festival features tastings, new wine varieties for purchase, and special events throughout town.
Australia's Warmest Welcomes
Australia has earned a reputation as a neighborly, welcoming place to live, with many towns offering a friendly atmosphere. Daylesford's ChillOut Festival fills the town with tens of thousands of people each March, while Port Lincoln's Tunarama Festival and the Eden Whale Festival bring residents out to the streets and shores. Smaller gatherings matter just as much, from the monthly Bermagui Homemade Market in Dickinson Park to the weekend stalls at the Daylesford Sunday Market. So whether you like big community events, a meal at a busy restaurant, or the local arts and culture scene, you'll find it in these 11 of the friendliest towns in Australia.
