7 Most Peaceful Small Towns In Australia
Imagine a tranquil island at the foot of the Great Barrier Reef, an ancient rainforest with Aboriginal-made petroglyphs dating back some 20,000 years, and a high-altitude, four-season mountain oasis in the Victorian Alps. Fortunately, these places are very real! And on top of all these, there’s even a wine country town that doubles as a chill surfers’ paradise. Whenever one can use a sweet escape to a quiet place, these seven most peaceful towns in Australia might make for the next perfect getaway.
Jabiru, Northern Territory
About 253 kilometres (157 miles) east of Darwin is Jabiru, a tiny town that opens onto a wide world of the Northern Territory's ancient treasures. Since this town is completely surrounded by Kakadu National Park, travellers here are within reach of several key features of the park, including the ancient Aboriginal-made rock carvings at the Nanguluwurr Art Site, the even larger collection of indigenous-made rock art at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) sites, and the gorgeous savanna woodlands and rugged escarpments of Anbangbang Billabong, which is also a prime birdwatching destination.
To make a stay in Jabiru even better, the Aboriginal-owned and operated Anbinik Kakadu Resort offers a lush tropical garden-like setting, comfortable air-conditioned rooms and suites, and a convenient location near the town’s restaurants and shops.
Hamilton Island, Queensland
Just off the mainland coast of Queensland is Hamilton Island, a true tropical paradise in the Whitsundays that exudes “quiet luxury.” From here, it’s a quick catamaran ride over to Whitehaven Beach, one of the world’s most beloved pristine beaches, where the white sand is 98 percent pure silica. Meanwhile, for those wanting to explore under the sea, Explore Group offers snorkel and dive tours of the UNESCO-recognized Great Barrier Reef. And back on dry land, Hamilton Island Golf Club features 18 holes of par 71 golf with panoramic ocean and island views.
Whether one wants a posh “base camp” on Hamilton Island or the ideal place to truly get away from it all, Qualia is the ideal luxury boutique resort. Not only does Qualia have a prime location at the secluded-feeling northern end of the island, but it also offers spacious, private pavilion suites, a full-service spa on-site, and the delectable Pebble Beach restaurant.
Orange, New South Wales
About 254 kilometres (or 158 miles) west of Sydney, visitors will discover a unique wine country environment at the town of Orange. At Ross Hill, folks can stop at the cellar door and taste their certified carbon-neutral wines. For a fuller taste of local flavours, it’s a short drive out to Swinging Bridge, which features award-winning varietals produced by acclaimed viticulturalist Tom Ward. And since travellers can’t live on wine alone, they can head into town and dine at The Union Bank Orange for exceptional farm-to-table cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients.
Whenever one’s ready to wrap up for the day, The Remington is the perfect place to stay. They’re just minutes away from Orange’s CBD and several local wineries, yet they also offer a quiet setting and deluxe suites fully equipped with state-of-the-art amenities like high-speed wifi, smart TVs, and bathrooms with rainfall showers.
Mount Beauty, Victoria
Perched high in the Victorian Alps, some 354 kilometres (or 220 miles) north-east of Melbourne, is the aptly named mountain town of Mount Beauty. They may be best known for wintertime skiing at the Falls Creek Alpine Resort, around an hour away, but the resort opens up the trails during the warmer months for hiking, running, and mountain biking. Meanwhile, for folks seeking more solitude in a pristine natural environment, the Mount Bogong Trail (at Alpine National Park) leads through Alpine Ash forest to snow gum woodlands and open fields at Victoria’s highest summit (at 1986 metres, or 6515 feet, above sea level). Following a challenging day in the mountains, travellers can then treat themselves to a rejuvenating session of sauna and cold plunges at The Sanctuary Wellness Centre.
To complete the perfectly peaceful Mount Beauty retreat, guests can enjoy the lovely, tranquil environment at Kiewa Country Cottages. Here, folks will find bright and spacious cottages right by a running mountain stream, along with easy access to local hiking and biking trails as well as local shops and restaurants in Mount Beauty’s CBD.
Currie, Tasmania
Located on King Island, between Tasmania’s main island and the Australian mainland at Bass Strait, is the quaint yet inviting village of Currie. For those wanting to hit the links, King Island is a picture-perfect golf destination, especially with Ocean Dunes Golf Course King Island offering 18 holes of an amazing game with incredible ocean and coastal views. Speaking of the ocean, Yellow Rock Beach, around half an hour away, is a nice beach for simple strolls and is known for its unique rock formations and remains of historical shipwrecks. Whatever one decides to do on King Island, Island Breeze Motel provides a warm welcome alongside deluxe standard rooms and larger A-frame cabins for those travelling in groups.
Angaston, South Australia
Nestled in the world-renowned Barossa Valley of South Australia, around 89 kilometres (or 55 miles) north-east of Adelaide, is the divinely delicious town of Angaston. Travellers will find plenty to feast on here, from the fine artisan cheeses of Barossa Valley Cheese Company to the farm-fresh produce and local products (like pastries and olive oils) at the Saturday morning Barossa Farmers’ Market. Even better, Angaston is also home to many exceptional wineries, including the family-owned Thorn-Clarke Wines, where visitors can stop at the cellar door on weekends to try their amazing reds, whites, and rosés.
After a long day touring the local wineries and sampling Angaston’s other tasty treats, one can make a sweet escape to Gabel Hill Studio Retreat, a vacation home set on a hill with beautiful valley views outside and oh-so comfy furnishings inside.
Margaret River, Western Australia
Where the fertile farm lands of the South West of Western Australia meet the wide waters of the Indian Ocean, Margaret River offers a wide array of amazing adventures on land and at sea. Out at Surfers Point, seasoned surfers can ride the very big waves where professionals compete at the Margaret River Pro World Championships every autumn. (Even for those who don’t surf, it’s a nice beach to visit and soak up the chill vibes.) Heading back towards town, Walsh & Sons is a family-run small-batch winery that specialises in biodynamic, minimal-intervention wines, and their cellar door serves these wines alongside locally sourced foods. And at Voyager Estate, visitors can taste wines directly from the barrel, do a full estate tour, and simply enjoy a delectable gourmet meal at their on-site restaurant.
No matter how much or how little one wants to do in and around Margaret River, it’s always a good idea to check into Margaret River Hideaway and Farmstay. This “funny farm” is less than five kilometres from town, yet it feels like a world unto itself with its local community of farm animals (including sheep, alpacas, emus, and peacocks) and their delightfully cosy guest cottages.
Discover Peace (and So Much More) in These Australian Towns
Across Australia, travellers can escape the maddening crowds and retreat to a quieter world of natural beauty and cultural treasures. At Jabiru, folks can immerse themselves in the ancient wonders and dramatic landscapes of Kakadu National Park. Then, there’s Hamilton Island, a lush tropical wonderland that makes it easy to dive into the marvelous aquatic world of the Great Barrier Reef. Heading up to Mount Beauty, visitors will discover an abundance of recreational options high in the Australian Alps. And down at Margaret River, Western Australia’s premier wine country region meets the world-famous swells of the South West coast. No matter how one prefers to achieve inner peace, these Australian towns point the way to a very fulfilling sense of enlightenment.
