9 Best Towns in New South Wales to Retire Comfortably
Retirement really doesn't have to mean slowing down; it means choosing a life that fits you. In Australia, New South Wales (NSW) has towns where retirees can enjoy everything from coastal strolls to art galleries, quiet cafes, lively bars, or golf courses overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Of course, all of the best small towns for retirees offer access to good healthcare, including hospitals, clinics, and care homes for when the time comes. But these 9 towns manage to do all that without sacrificing fun and well below the staggering AUD $1.2 million average home price in the state.
Merimbula
Merimbula sits midway along the Sapphire Coast, where calm lakes meet the Pacific. Its name means "two lakes", and you'll find both at your doorstep: Merimbula Lake to the south and Back Lake to the north. Both are perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, or quiet afternoons by the water. The town's long, flat boardwalk winds through mangroves and eucalyptus, and Merimbula Main Beach rolls out five kilometres of soft sand for swimming and fishing. With a median house price of around $880,000 and apartments closer to $485,000, Merimbula stays attainable for retirees who want coastal living without Sydney prices. There's plenty of support too, including RSL LifeCare Bimbimbie Park and Hampshire Villages Merimbula Lake Village, catering to independent and supported living needs, while South East Regional Hospital in Bega is just 30 minutes away.
Bermagui
Set on the Sapphire Coast beneath the slopes of Gulaga Mountain, Bermagui is a working harbour town renowned for the Blue Pool, a seawater pool carved into a cliff that overlooks the Pacific. It's the perfect place for retirees to exercise with a front-row seat to migrating whales. The Blue Pool is just minutes away from a residential area, and despite the town's niceness, the median house price sits below the state average at around $860,500. The town is also home to the Bermagui Medical Centre, while larger hospitals are nearby. But aside from the medical care and independent and supported living options like Hampshire Villages, Bermagui is filled with attractions that make living there enjoyable. There's Beares Beach, the Bermagui Country Club Golf Course, and the incredible Bermagui Nature Reserve, where you can get lost for hours. Retirees can also enjoy bakeries like Honorbread and fancier cuisine at Octopii.
Yamba
Yamba isn't just where the Clarence River meets the Pacific; it's where retirees trade hurry for salt air and a couple of incredible beaches. Main Beach sits right below the historic Yamba Lighthouse, its ocean pool catching the sunrise as locals start the day with a dip. Down the road, the Bowlo's lawn bowls and tenpin keep everyone moving, while Whiting Beach hosts the midweek farmers' market. With a median house price of around $910,000, Yamba still sits below the NSW average, offering coastal life that feels indulgent but stays attainable. Not to mention medically secure with Yamba Medical Centre and Uniting Caroona Yamba for residential care. It's also a dog-friendly town with the Yamba breakwall from Turners Beach being one of the best places to wander with a pooch.
Bathurst
In Bathurst, retirement is made a little easier with a median house price of about $660,000, as well as Bathurst Base Hospital and independent and supported living options like Oak Tree and Whiddon Kelso. The Macquarie River winds right through town, and flat riverside paths make it easy to stay active without leaving the town limits. A quick cast might land you a brown or rainbow trout. Culture's never far either, with Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre keeping the town buzzing with live theater and touring performances, while the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery showcases works from across NSW. Car racing fans will also love Mount Panorama Circuit, the heart of Australia's motorsport scene.
Forster
Retirees looking for easy mornings without city chaos need look no further than Forster. This town is on the Mid-North Coast, where the Pacific meets Wallis Lake. Forster is a town built around water, with flat paths tracing the lake's edge, cafes like Beach Bums practically spilling out onto the sands of Forster Beach, and dolphins that turn up to watch the visitors watching them. The Forster Beach Bowling Club provides community and exercise. But if you're looking for more take a kayak down Breckenridge Channel or into Wallis Creek. Medical needs are well covered with Forster Private Hospital in town and Manning Base Hospital about 35 minutes away, while Evermore Retirement Living is right by the lake. With a median house price of around $859,000, Forster balances coastal ease with affordability and comfort.
Gundagai
Gundagai, with a median house price of around $564,000, makes a country retirement accessible without cutting ties with the essentials. Uralba Hostel provides residential aged care with meals and recreational programs for that time in life, but before then, there are also independent living options across the broader Cootamundra-Gundagai region. Life here revolves around wide open spaces and local history. The Gundagai Rotary Lookout offers panoramic farmland skies that invite morning walks or quiet reflection. History buffs can explore the Old Gundagai Gaol, a sandstone jail from 1861 with guided tours and occasional ghost hunts run by APPI. The Gundagai Heritage Railway brings weekends alive, with volunteers restoring carriages and opening the station for hands-on experiences. Retirees also have vineyards and wine experiences close at hand, with Tumblong Hills producing handpicked small-batch wines in a family-driven environment. Parks like Anzac Grove and Mount Parnassus Lookout offer shaded spots for walks and picnics, rounding off this down-to-earth and relaxed town.
Tumut
Nestled in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, Tumut offers a blend of outdoor adventure and relaxed country living, making it appealing for retirees seeking a peaceful and affordable lifestyle. The median house price sits at $535,000 and the town has independent living villages like Murray Glen Village and a hospital. For those who adore the outdoors, the Tumut River Walk provides a scenic route along the river. Blowering Dam (located just south of Tumut) is ideal for fishing, boating, and camping. After some adventure, a cold beer at the Tumut River Brewing Co., situated on Capper Street, will do you wonders. Tumut also hosts the Falling Leaf Festival every April, where live music, markets, and food vendors are plentiful.
Orange
With a median house price of $693,000, Orange offers accessible living in the Central Tablelands, where winters are crisp and summers never scorch. Oak Tree Retirement Village perches on a hill near the Wentworth Golf Club, giving residents a quiet, secure home just five minutes from town. Regardless of your age or level of activity, the 17-hectare Orange Botanic Gardens is a major attraction for those who want to wander past duck ponds and seasonal blooms. Retirees can also tee off at Duntryleague's 18-hole course, which welcomes golfers of all skill levels. Casting a line into the Spring Creek Reservoir, just outside of town, or picking fruit at Hillside Harvest are also favorite activities in Orange. And there's no need to worry about medical care, as the town is home to Orange Health Service, a major regional hub.
Goulburn
Goulburn is a town that offers retirees a real sense of history and community, all within a comfortable and affordable setting. With a median house price around AUD $640,000, it's a compelling choice for those who don't want to drop a fortune just to keep living in Sydney. The Wollondilly River Walkaway is a local favourite, offering a scenic path through the heart of town. This 4.9-mile trail provides a peaceful setting for walking or cycling, with the river's gentle flow adding to the tranquillity. For those interested in local art, the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery offers a public art walk that brings contemporary works into the street. This initiative enriches the urban landscape, making everyday walks around town more engaging and visually stunning. Goulburn is known as Australia's first inland city and is well-regarded for its history, be it the self-guided heritage tour, St. Saviour's Cathedral, a Gothic Revival masterpiece, or the Rocky Hill War Memorial, which also provides some pretty remarkable views. Healthcare needs are well-supplied with the Goulburn Base Hospital located on Goldsmith Street, giving peace of mind to residents.
Lifestyle, Community, and Character
When choosing where to retire, knowing about independent and assisted living options and affordable house prices is essential, but the real measure of a town is how livable and engaging it feels. Whether it's wandering Goulburn's riverwalks, sipping wine near Orange, enjoying Merimbula's coastal energy, or exploring Yamba's beaches, each of these NSW towns offers something a little different for every retiree. It's the combination of lifestyle, community, and local character that makes these towns truly worth calling home.
