Town center in Mudgee, New South Wales. Editorial credit: TonyNg / Shutterstock.com.

7 Cutest Small Towns In New South Wales For 2025

Ever wondered what adventures await along Australia's east coast? With the Pacific Ocean as its playground, New South Wales is home to some unforgettable maritime thrills to pair with its signature small-town Aussie hospitality. The First State, as it is known, was the first British colony established in Australia. Before that, the Aboriginal peoples had inhabited the continent for around 60,000 years. The mild winters and warm summers here make it great for both tourists and locals to surf at Bondi Beach, explore the Blue Mountains, and even enjoy winter sports in the Snowy Mountains. The endless and diverse beauty of New South Wales has a way of captivating every traveler, and its small towns will make you never want to leave!

Mudgee

Mudgee Railway Station (1884).
Mudgee Railway Station (1884). By Mattinbgn (talk · contribs) - Own work, CC BY 3.0, Wikipedia.

A small town with its own signature farmer’s market. The Mudgee Farmers’ Market takes place on the third Saturday of each month, typically at Robertson Park, and is definitely worth checking out if you time it right!

The Cudgegong River also passes through this quaint community. There, you can experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Quarry Lake. But the real prize is a historical landmark called Putta Bucca House. This incredible green space serves as a venue for all kinds of events, and its historic significance makes it well worth a visit, especially if you are in the mood for a history lesson like the one offered at the Colonial Inn Museum to its south.

Berry

People enjoying the long weekend in the small historic country town of Berry.
People enjoying the long weekend in the small historic country town of Berry. Editorial credit: Constantin Stanciu / Shutterstock.com

Berry’s Bay and Berry go hand in hand if you ever consider visiting this small coastal town. Most visitors gravitate toward the expansive Seven Mile Beach National Park, where the road hugs the bay and leads to incredible spots, from Sand Track Beach Access to the Sand Track Walk.

In town, there's the Berry Museum—a place filled with photographs and artifacts, all devoted to the region’s rich timber industry and agriculture! You can explore the rest of the town from Queen Street, where you will have a front-row seat to the area’s rich Victorian architecture. It is also a lovely spot to enjoy a coffee at the Queen St Café!

Leura

Shops and pedestrians along Leura Mall, the main thoroughfare through Leura.
Shops and pedestrians along Leura Mall, the main thoroughfare through Leura, via Stephen B. Goodwin / Shutterstock.com

Looking for a cute suburban area to enjoy a peaceful retreat? Leura is a suburb straight out of a storybook. Near Gordon Creek, you will find several scenic spots, including the Pool of Siloam, accessible via an easy, well-maintained track. On the other hand, just to the west lies the Gordon Falls Picnic Area, where you can spend a relaxing day in this wonderful park. Leura Falls is usually the crown jewel when visiting this charming small community, though it is worth noting that the entire town is just as awe-inspiring, with scenic spots like Olympian Rock making a trip to this place worth a visit at every turn!

Bowral

 Elevated view of country railway station, Bowral, New South Wales.
Elevated view of country railway station, Bowral, New South Wales.

The largest town in the Southern Highlands is definitely the most eye-catching. Each year, the Corbett Gardens are transformed into a breathtaking sea of color during the Tulip Time Festival, making Bowral an unmissable spot for visitors and photographers alike. If you did not manage to make it between September and early October, you can still enjoy the popular Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame. This cricket-focused museum reflects the town’s sports culture through its exhibits, covering everything from the game's history to its famous players. To wrap up your day, you can take a leisurely stroll through Glebe Park. The iconic statue of Mary Poppins, proudly standing in the heart of the park, is a sight you will not want to miss!

Orange

Central shopping street in Orange town of Australian Central West plains, NSW.
Central shopping street in Orange town of Australian Central West plains, NSW. Editorial credit: Taras Vyshnya / Shutterstock.com

A small town with a rich history, Orange was named after the Dutch Prince William of Orange. More of the town’s history, landscape, and communities can be explored with a visit to the Orange Regional Museum, which is mere minutes away from Robertson Park and its impressive, jaw-dropping line of trees. You can also take a stroll around Cook Park, where the charm of small-town life comes alive beneath a Victorian-era gazebo. Nearby lies the Blowes Conservatory, a delightful glasshouse filled with incredible blooms and lush greenery. But if you are eager to explore green walking paths, you can head north to the Orange Botanic Gardens—well worth a detour!

Kiama

City centre in the coastal town of Kiama in New South Wales.
City centre in the coastal town of Kiama in New South Wales. Editorial credit: Jaaske M / Shutterstock.com

The South Pacific Ocean offers unforgettable experiences to anyone who is not afraid to get wet. The main attraction in the small town of Kiama, among several others, is the Kiama Blowhole, located just east of town near the Kiama Harbour Cabins. Carved by centuries of wave action, the Kiama Blowhole is a spectacular natural wonder that can shoot seawater up to 25 meters into the air! Just a short walk from the iconic Kiama Lighthouse, this incredible structure is a must-see on New South Wales’ South Coast. You can reach this natural wonder via Blowhole Point Road, where you will also find the Pilot's Cottage Museum—a local museum housed in a restored cottage that tells the story of Kiama’s maritime history.

Central Tilba

The charming Bate Street in Central Tilba, Australia.
The charming Bate Street in Central Tilba, Australia. Editorial credit: FiledIMAGE / Shutterstock.com.

Central Tilba—the neighboring town of Tilba Tilba—is a village near the Princes Highway, offering everything you need without being far from the action. In the center, you can find Foxglove Spires Garden, where the beauty of this coastal town really shines. However, if you want to get a close-up view of the natural splendor, take the Bellbrook Loop track.

Historic Central Tilba, New South Wales.
Historic Central Tilba, New South Wales, via FiledIMAGE - stock.adobe.com

The forests here still hold sway over the land, and if you have had enough of maritime activities, the Gulaga National Park gives you the perfect chance to make a serene escape with its lush greenery. Its diverse wildlife also has cultural significance waiting to be explored; Central Tilba is an ancient land rich in history, where Indigenous heritage and natural beauty meet as one!

There is so much one can learn with a visit to New South Wales; the land holds untold treasures, but the richness of the Premier State is the land itself. Whether you are exploring this place by land, sea, or air, you are always guaranteed to experience something new—and the small coastal towns overlooking the South Pacific Ocean are just one of the many places where that happens. The next time you are planning a trip and your pin lands on Australia, know that outback adventures await—and that an entire continent is eagerly waiting to be discovered.

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