7 Cutest Small Towns In Western Australia For 2025
Western Australia is a vast state that extends from the cool coastline along the Great Australian Bight to the colourful tropical beaches fronting the Indian Ocean. Western Australia also has everything from verdant vineyards producing world-class wines to seemingly endless expanses of desert in the Outback.
It might seem daunting to figure out where to begin exploring the many wonders of this state, yet Western Australia abounds in cute and friendly small towns that make it easy to discover some of Australia’s best beaches, taste the splendour of one of the Southern Hemisphere’s finest wine country regions, and roam the wide open spaces of the Australian Outback. So, let’s get going and check out seven of the cutest small towns in Western Australia for 2025.
Geraldton
Right in the heart of Western Australia’s Mid West region, Geraldton is a coastal town with spectacular beaches and rich local culture. Spot the iconic red and white stripes of Point Moore Lighthouse, the first all-steel tower built on the Australian mainland (in 1878). Wander through the Museum of Geraldton to find a treasure trove of Yamaji Aboriginal cultural artifacts, archaeological remains from four Dutch shipwrecks (Batavia, Gilt Dragon, Zuytdorp, and Zeewijk), and a great assortment of prehistoric fossils.
While in Geraldton, make sure to explore some local beaches, such as the calm water and white sands of Champion Beach, the ocean fishing hotspot at Drummonds Point, and the prime surfing beach at Flat Rocks. For the ultimate coastal expedition, reserve a sailing tour to Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park, an offshore archipelago with so much biodiversity (including sea lions, dolphins, wallabies, and terns) that these islands have been called the “Galapagos Islands of the Indian Ocean.” Back in town, feel free to relax and recharge at the homey yet chic Gerald Apartment Hotel.
Fremantle
About 19 kilometres (or 12 miles) southwest of Perth, Fremantle somehow seamlessly combines the hardscrabble heritage of a port and prison town with the funky hipster vibes of a large, sophisticated city. Like many other places across Australia, the British once ran Fremantle as a penal colony settlement, and the old Fremantle Prison has since evolved into a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers tours that let you step behind bars and experience life in this 19th century prison. For a deeper dive into Fremantle’s seafaring heritage, tour the nearby Western Australia Maritime Museum and Western Australia Shipwrecks Museum.
While Fremantle abounds in rough-and-tumble history, it’s also managed to transform old relics into new gems, like the once old-school Fremantle Markets that come alive with world cuisine and live music every weekend, the former prison warder’s courtyard that’s now the trendy Emily Taylor restaurant, and the vintage 1890s warehouse that now houses the Japingka Aboriginal Art gallery featuring works by many Aboriginal artists. And for a truly quintessential Fremantle experience, check into Hougoumont and stay in a structure made with shipping containers that now operates as the town’s premier luxury boutique hotel.
Collie
Founded in 1897, the town of Collie grew into Western Australia’s epicentre of coal mining. Yet as the state and Australia as a whole transition away from coal power, Collie has embarked on a new and adventurous lease on life. If you’re down to dig into local history, stop at the Coalfields Museum & Historical Research Centre for a plethora of historic artifacts dating as far back as the turn of the 20th century. You can also head to the Coal Discovery Site to see where coal was first discovered in the area in 1882. While there, you might also want to check out the nearby Wellington Dam Mural painted by the artist Guido Van Helten.
For even more great outdoors, go to Wellington National Park to enjoy a host of watersports and paddling activities at the reservoir. The nearby Black Diamond Lake is a must-see for its alluring turquoise waters. Collie also has several great trails, such as the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail, that are picture-perfect for mountain biking. To complete your picturesque Collie getaway, try a stay at the lovely Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast set by the Collie River and a patch of lush forest.
Margaret River
There’s cute, and then there’s the marvelous beauty and rich wine country flavours of Margaret River. If you crave a real taste of this legendary town, head out with a designated driver to visit local wineries like Cape Mentelle and Stella Bella, take in the glorious vineyard views, and sample their world-class takes on varietals like Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Moscato. In town, you can enjoy even more local wines and savour delectable grub at restaurants like Swings & Roundabouts, La Scarpetta Trattoria, and Settlers Tavern.
Once you’re ready to stretch out and experience the natural side of Margaret River, go to Wooditjup National Park for exceptional walking paths and biking trails in the karri, marri, and jarrah forests. A little farther west, the beach at Surfers Point truly lives up to its name with its imposing surf breaks, and Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park has even more beautiful white sand beaches worth exploring, along with prime opportunities to spot wildlife like whales, quendas, sting rays, and kangaroos. Once you’re done traipsing around town, settle down and enjoy a superb stay at The River boutique resort.
Bridgetown
Nestled in the eucalyptus forests of the South West region, Bridgetown finds plenty of reasons to celebrate year-round, even during the (relatively) chilly winter season. Over the years, Bridgetown has gained a reputation as the “Winter Capital of Western Australia” with its Fridgetown Fest, a wide-ranging festival featuring local art, food, music, and additional entertainment that happens from June through August. But even if you visit later in the year, you can catch other special events, like the Blackwood Marathon in October and the Blues at Bridgetown music festival in November.
No matter when you visit, try a leisurely stroll by the river at Blackwood River Park, and get lost in the beautiful forest preserve at Bridgetown Jarrah Park. If you can use some refreshment, stop at The Cidery and enjoy some award-winning ciders made with locally grown Pink Lady apples. For easy access to all of these and more Bridgetown gems, book a stay at the beautiful garden oasis at Ford House Bed & Breakfast.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Established during the Western Australian gold rushes (in 1893), Kalgoorlie-Boulder makes the perfect launch pad to discover the many hidden treasures of the Australian Outback. To better understand the backstory of this town and region, visit the Museum of the Goldfields to witness the state’s largest collection of vintage gold bars and nuggets, along with plenty more artifacts that tell the stories of mining town life in the early 20th century. A few blocks away, discover more treasures at Goldfield Arts Centre, the area’s largest public arts venue with a gallery featuring works by local artists and a theatre with a calendar full of concerts and shows.
Just outside town, there’s even more to explore. Drive out to the Super Pit and look into one of the world’s largest open-cut mines and Australia’s biggest gold mine. To see how nature can and does heal, head over to Karlkurla Bushland Park to walk through some 200 hectares of reclaimed bushlands where a few mining artifacts remain amidst groves of maturing salmon gums, melaleuca trees, and silky pear vines (which local Aboriginal people call karlkurla) that draw in plenty of birds. Back in town, you can stay and play at the York Hotel, which has comfy accommodations and a lively pub.
Exmouth
Perched near the tip of the North West Cape, Exmouth is a tropical beach town, yet this is no ordinary tropical beach town. While Queensland has the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, the North West Cape has Ningaloo Marine Park, an underwater preserve that protects Australia’s largest fringing reef (Ningaloo Reef). Consider a diving tour to experience the full, exceptional beauty of this marine ecosystem, and you might spot animals like humpback whales, whale sharks, manta rays, and rare sea turtles in their natural habitat.
Even on land, Exmouth wows with spectacular desert-meets-sea landscapes. Cape Range National Park abounds in gorgeous beaches for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, including Lakeside, Turquoise Bay, and Oyster Stacks. This park also has gems like Mangrove Bay for prime birdwatching, the stunning red rock formations at Mandu Mandu Gorge, and Yardie Creek for spotting native animals like black-footed wallabies and red kangaroos. After spending some quality time exploring Exmouth’s great parks on land and sea, treat yourself to a retreat at Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort, a casual yet stylish and posh beachfront hotel.
Western Australia: Come For The Cute Aesthetics, And Stay For So Much More
Western Australia has plenty of small towns with cute scenery, yet these towns also offer amazing adventures, delectable food and wines, funky neighbourhood features, and (of course!) beautiful beaches. Go to Fremantle to experience a former prison town that’s not only broken free, but also transformed into a sophisticated creative hub. Head to Margaret River to sip world-class fine wines and feast on inventive farm-to-table cuisine. And try Exmouth for a natural wonderland with colourful desert gorges and truly gorgeous beaches. Whatever floats your boat, these Western Australian towns make it easy to keep cute and carry on.
