12 Cutest Small Towns In Victoria For 2025
As Australia’s second-most populous state and the state with one of the Commonwealth’s two most populous metropolitan regions, Victoria is easy to envision as a bustling and sophisticated urban area. Indeed, Melbourne is a diverse and vibrant city certainly worth visiting. However, there’s far more Victoria to experience than Melbourne.
Think of pristine coastal wilderness, forests that make for prime mountain biking territory, gold rush era main street villages, and hamlets high up the Australian Alps. Even with all these, we are still merely scratching the surface of all that you can find in Victoria’s small towns. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at 12 of the cutest small towns in Victoria for 2025.
Mallacoota
Just across the border from New South Wales sits Mallacoota, a quaint Victoria village by the sea. Mallacoota abounds in beautiful beaches, such as Betka Beach, a great surfing beach at the mouth of the Betka River. While exploring the coast, it’s also worthwhile to stop at Quarry Beach for its otherworldly layer-like rock formations at the foot of the Tasman Sea, along with the aptly named Secret Beach for a pristine cove with a sea cave that really does look and feel like Gippsland’s best-kept secret. And for even more spectacular beaches, head a little farther south to Croajingolong National Park and try some canoeing, kayaking, surf fishing, and hiking in this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Heading back to town, there’s plenty more to explore around Mallacoota. Try a hike to Genoa Peak to catch panoramic views of the coast and the bushlands, or enjoy an easy stroll around the pleasant woodlands of Mallacoota Bushland Reserve and The Narrows trails by Mallacoota Inlet. Speaking of the inlet, you can also enjoy wonderful inlet and coastal views while staying at the cozy Karbeethong Lodge.
Golden Beach
Situated on the largely wild and pristine stretch of Victoria coastline that is Ninety Mile Beach, the town of Golden Beach is so cute that it really does look and feel as good as gold. Definitely come for the beach, which is long and sandy and perfect for surfing and surf fishing. If you know where to look, you might also spot the Trinculo Shipwreck, or the remains of two ships that crashed onto shore in 1879 and 1881.
Even shifting inland, Golden Beach still shines bright in the wilderness of Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park. Beyond the ocean beaches, this park also has multiple lagoons open for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and boating, along with a network of walking trails great for relaxing bushwalks. Back at the beach, check into Ninety Mile Beach House + Villas for family and pet-friendly accommodations that are close to just about everything.
Hotham Heights
High up the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range, Hotham Heights is Victoria’s highest alpine village (at 1,750 metres, or about 5,741 feet, above sea level) and a charming winter wonderland. Of course, the key highlight here is Hotham Alpine Resort, a wide-ranging park full of trails that welcome skiers and snowboarders at all levels. Yet beyond the slopes, there’s plenty more to do, including backcountry sled tours, snowshoe outings, cross-country skiing, and Japanese-inspired Onsen wellness experiences.
Outside the park, you can find many more mountain delights around Hotham Heights. More specifically, Alpine National Park has Victoria’s highest mountains with world-class mountain biking trails, cross-country ski areas, hiking trails leading to the state’s second-tallest peak at Mount Feathertop, and plenty more highland scenery along the Wonnangatta Four-wheel Drive. For convenient and comfortable accommodations near all of this and more, try a stay at Aardvark Lodge.
Dookie
Nestled in the Goulburn Valley of northern Victoria, the town of Dookie may have a funny name, but it also makes some seriously tasty treats. Begin your exploration at Dookie Emporium, an army and navy surplus store that also happens to house its own cafe featuring fantastic breakfast and lunch fare alongside top-notch locally roasted coffee. If you’d like a more intimate view of Dookie’s farm life, consider booking a photo shoot at the working Stony Hill Produce farm.
For something extra special, head out to Tallis Wines’ vineyard and try some locally made wines (and fine cuisine) at Rye at Tallis. To complete your countryside escape, book a farmstay experience at Wanamara Farm, a working cattle ranch that also has sheep and birds on site. The farm offers a cottage and a cabin with plenty of room to roam.
Fish Creek
With a name like Fish Creek, it’s easy to assume that Fish Creek offers plenty of lovely waterfront scenery. Indeed, you can find spectacularly beautiful Waratah Bay beaches at Cape Liptrap Coastal Park and Shallow Inlet Marine and Coastal Park. In addition, Shallow Inlet is a wonderful area for paddling, sailboarding, and boating. And in town, you can catch the Great Southern Rail Trail, a 146 kilometre (or about 91 mile) long hiking and biking trail that runs alongside rolling hills, fertile farmlands, and rambling creeks.
Thanks to all the natural beauty in and around Fish Creek, it’s gradually evolved into an artists’ village. Around town, you can browse galleries like Celia Rosser, Alison Lester, and Stefani Hilltop and discover an amazing array of paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and other collectible art. For even more inspiring moments, try a stay at The Church House, a bed-and-breakfast set on a 20-acre farm and offering genuine farm-to-table culinary experiences.
Clunes
About 140 kilometres (or 87 miles) northwest of Melbourne, you will find one of Australia’s best preserved gold rush mining towns. Clunes began in 1851 during the height of Victoria’s gold rush, and the Clunes Museum offers a fully immersive deep dive into local mining history, as well as artefacts and exhibits on the Dja Dja Warrung Aboriginal People who originally called these lands home. For more glimpses into Clunes’ past, stop at the Port Phillip Mine Historic Site and South Clunes Mine Historic Site. Also, consider a detour to peruse the whimsical collection of historic bottles at the Clunes Bottle Museum that’s housed in the original South Clunes State School building.
Though Clunes no longer has any mining activity, it does have some phenomenal natural treasures worth discovering, such as the Mount Beckworth Scenic Reserve and Dunach Nature Conservation Reserve state parks to the west of town. There’s also a decent golf course (Clunes Golf Club) to the west of town if you’re down for some tee time. Whenever you’re ready to call it a day, enjoy a pleasant evening back in town, at the Cottage Amongst The Vines situated on a working boutique vineyard.
Inverloch
Known as the “Pearl of the Bass Coast,” Inverloch is a beach town with plenty of gorgeous gems to find across its coastline. Perhaps Inverloch’s most famous beaches can be found at Bunurong Marine National Park, including Eagle's Nest with its massive sandstone sea stack. Keep exploring around the park to find more tidepools and coves that abound in diverse sea life, such as starfish, Southern Rock Lobsters, and Port Jackson Sharks. Meanwhile, in town, Inverloch Surf Beach really is a prime surfing spot, plus it’s good for ocean fishing and kitesurfing. And for calm waters that are perfect for families with young children, try the friendly beach at Inverloch Foreshore.
For even more fun activities to do on water and dry land, head east to Anderson Inlet Coastal Reserve. Walk the tranquil paths at Screw Creek and Townsend Bluff, and find boat ramps for easy entry into Anderson Inlet for smooth sailing. Back in town, you can settle down at Eugenies Inverloch, a lovely boutique hotel sporting incredible sea views and an ideal location by the beach.
Forrest
Nestled right by Great Otways National Park, Forrest is surrounded by beautiful forest lands where you can make your great escape into nature. At the Forrest section of the national park, try the Lake Elizabeth Loop Walk to see how this remote corner of forest transformed when a massive storm in 1952 caused a landslide that dammed the East Barwon River, and keep your eyes out for animals like platypus, Striated Fieldwrens, Rufous Bristlebirds, and Pink Robins. In addition, mountain bikers can enjoy some 60 kilometres of formed tracks and a 12-kilometre bike loop for riding, and the park has designated paths for horseback riding and four-wheel drive car tours as well.
Around this stretch of the Otways, you can find plenty more beautiful landmarks, including the spectacular waterfalls at the Stevensons Falls campground, the verdant fern-adorned waterfalls at Beauchamp Falls, and the cute, cozy fishing hole at Dandos Campground. Speaking of cozy, check into the Forrest Guesthouse in town for some very cozy and comfy accommodations in a charming farmhouse surrounded by lush gardens.
Halls Gap
Perched right by Grampians (or Gariwerd) National Park, Halls Gap is a lovely little town surrounded by some of Victoria’s most spectacular natural landmarks. Take The Pinnacle Walks (which consist of trails suitable for hikers at all levels) to reach The Pinnacle and enjoy panoramic views of these ruggedly gorgeous mountains. Also, consider a hike to Boroka Lookout for a delightfully rocky yet lush mountain edge offering plenty more incredible panoramic views. For something cooler, head to the refreshing waterfalls at Splitters Falls and MacKenzie Falls.
Whenever you’re ready to return to town, there’s plenty more refreshment to savour at Paper Scissors Rock, a local craft brewery featuring housemade beers, tasty cuisine, and live music performances. You can also treat yourself to a luxurious stay at Heath House, a three-bedroom holiday home with ample outdoor and indoor space, a heated outdoor jacuzzi, a fully stocked kitchen, and top-notch linens and bedding.
Warrnambool
Warrnambool is a unique town on the western end of the Great Ocean Road where volcano-shaped lands meet the beaches along Warrnambool Bay. To understand why this area is sometimes called the Shipwreck Coast, go to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village to experience a compelling re-creation of the 1878 Loch Ard shipwreck and learn more about some of the other notorious shipwrecks that occurred in the past. Just to the south of the museum, Warrnambool Foreshore Reserve includes great beaches like McGennans Beach, Granny’s Grave, and Stingray Bay to stretch out and stroll the shores.
For some more explosive scenery, head west to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, an amazing state park centered on an extinct volcano crater that animals like kangaroos, emus, koalas, and swans call home. A short drive southwest of Tower Hill, Killarney Beach features relaxing, soft sandy shores, calm, reef-protected waters for swimming and kayaking, and a prime spot to potentially see Southern Right whales migrating during winter. Back in town, check into the Deep Blue Hotel for a relaxing boutique hotel and take advantage of its on-site day spa and hot springs sanctuary.
Dimboola
Situated in the dry Wimmera Mallee region of Western Victoria, Dimboola is a special town where the desert comes to life. Perhaps Dimboola’s best-known attraction is the Pink Lake, a lake with salt-tolerant algae that changes colours throughout the year, from a crisp white during the driest days of summer to a rich, neon-like pink following heavy rainfall. In town, you can also find soothing corners of a natural oasis at Nine Creeks Reserve and Dimboola Recreation Reserve.
There’s even more to explore at Little Desert National Park, including the Wimmera River where you can swim, paddle, and fish, the diverse landscapes featured on the Little Desert Discovery Walk, and exceptional bird-watching along the Keith Hateley Nature Walk. Whenever it’s time to call it a day, turn in for the night at the Victorian Hotel, a simple yet welcoming spot with rooms upstairs and a full pub downstairs.
Portland
About 76 kilometres (or 47 miles) east of the South Australia border, Portland combines stately Victorian history and incredible natural scenery along the coast. Dive into Portland’s daring past at the Maritime Discovery Centre, a museum whose collection includes the Portland Lifeboat that rescued people from the Admella shipwreck in 1859, a complete sperm whale skeleton, and many more artefacts from the early days of Victoria’s oldest settlement of European migrants. To discover more of Portland’s past, wander over to Powerhouse Vintage Car and Motor Museum for a vast collection of vintage cars, motorbikes, tractors, and even a fully restored cable tram.
Just to the south of town, Crumpets Beach is a lovely rock-covered white sand beach that’s nice for beginner-level surfing and easygoing beachcombing. A little farther southwest, Cape Nelson State Park includes the Cape Nelson Lighthouse that’s illuminated this corner of the coast since 1884, along with Australia’s southernmost groves of soap mallee (eucalyptus diversifolia) trees and Victoria's only mainland Gannet breeding colony at Point Danger. Also nearby is Discovery Bay Coastal Park, with a long stretch of beaches perfect for swimming and surfing the majestic waves of the Southern Ocean. And back at Cape Nelson, you can even book a cottage by the historic lighthouse and enjoy the ultimate coastal retreat.
These May Be Small Towns, Yet They Go Big on Beauty and Adventure
Victoria may have one of Australia’s largest cities, but there’s more to this state beyond the bright lights of Melbourne. At Mallacoota, walk, swim, or paddle your way through a lush coastal UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. At Hotham Heights, ski, snowboard, or just indulge in some easy snow play at Victoria’s highest alpine village. At Clunes, dig into the heritage of one of the Commonwealth’s best preserved gold rush towns. And at Halls Gap, climb to new heights at one of Australia’s most spectacularly beautiful mountain towns. From the expansive northern desert to the rugged Southern Ocean coast, Victoria not only keeps it cute, but abounds in unique beauty.
