9 of the Friendliest Towns To Retire In New South Wales
The people, just as much as the things there, make a place. A friendly and welcoming retirement community will make the golden years feel special. Luckily, the people of New South Wales are as friendly as can be, and many towns have huge community gatherings throughout the year. Take Tamworth, for example. It is home to one of the biggest country music festivals in the world, and the community comes together to celebrate its love of the genre and the artists who create it. Elsewhere is Bathurst, a town that comes together throughout the year to celebrate Australian motorsports and enjoy races at the local track. No matter what kind of retirement you're looking for, you will find it at one of these friendliest towns to retire in New South Wales.
Tamworth
Country music lovers, you've found your dream retirement destination in Tamworth. The town is the "Country Music Capital of Australia," and residents see why during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. It is the second largest country music festival in the world, just behind Nashville. Every January, tens of thousands descend upon the town to enjoy the best country music in the world. And Tamworth retirees have a front row seat to the festival every year.
But when the festival isn't in town, there's still plenty to do that makes Tamworth a worthwhile retirement town. It has a strong museum and gallery scene that will keep the days fulfilling. The Tamworth Powerstation Museum explains the history of electricity in the town and Australia in general, as Tamworth was the first town in Australia to have electric street lights. To enjoy the area's local artists, head to the Tamworth Regional Gallery. The gallery has an extensive collection of pieces from over the years and a friendly staff who will answer any questions.
Port Macquarie
Nothing says perfect retirement like spending your days sitting on the beach with a good book. Port Macquarie boasts perfect weather, a large retirement community, and several high-quality beaches on the Pacific Ocean. Spend your mornings at Flynns Beach and watch the surfers try their hands at riding the waves. The town keeps the beach clean and pristine.
It's not all beaches in Port Macquarie, though. If the grandkids are visiting, take them to the Billabong Zoo. The zoo has everything from koalas to otters, penguins, and red pandas, making it a memorable trip for children. And for those who enjoy shopping, you'll find plenty of opportunities at Port Central Shopping. The mall has boutiques, brand-name stores, and delicious food options for a day of retail therapy and relaxation.
Mudgee
Mudgee is a popular retirement community for foodies and wine lovers. When you put down roots here, you'll have access to some of the best wineries and restaurants in the state and a festival all about enjoying them. Flavours of Mudgee is an annual festival in September that focuses on celebrating the many kinds of food and culture that make Mudgee such a great place to live. Sample food from local vendors and enjoy live music and performances to see what makes it the highlight of living in town.
When the festival isn't in town, residents have plenty of eateries and wineries to choose from. The Lowe Family Wine Company offers beautiful grounds for wine tastings and an extensive collection of varieties to choose from. Mudgee is even home to some of the best honey in all of New South Wales. Mudgee Honey Haven offers homemade honey and other honey products with perfect sweetness for tea or baking.
Orange
South of Mudgee is Orange, a town that will appeal to anyone who plans to spend retirement getting outdoors. Cook Park is the center of the town, with trails to watch, trees to enjoy, and ducks to feed. Orange is also a cultural center of the region, serving as a venue for many of its festivals and gatherings, including the final stop during Orange Food Week. The weeklong event celebrates the diverse food offerings and local produce that make it so appealing to retirees.
To see more of Orange's natural beauty, you'll want to spend time at the Orange Botanic Gardens. The walking paths will take visitors through themed gardens that capture the beauty of Australia and other exotic trees that aren't from Australia. It's a perfect place for visits throughout the year to see how the plants and trees change as the seasons pass.
Bathurst
Bathurst is a dream retirement destination for those who enjoy Australian motorsports and want to be close to the action. Bathurst is home to Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, a world-famous race track that hosts events throughout the year. The most famous of these events is the Bathurst 1000, 1000 kilometers of endurance racing for supercars. It's one of the best races on the endurance calendar, and you'll have a front-row seat when you put down roots in Bathurst. For a quieter appreciation of the town's motorsports culture, visit the National Motor Racing Museum. The museum provides a look at how motorsports culture took off in Australia and highlights the best moments in Australian motorsports' history.
Other museums will also keep retirees coming back for more. The Bathurst Rail Museum features several model train exhibits and takes visitors through the importance of the railway to the development of Bathurst. And to see fossils and other discoveries of paleontology, try the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. They have an extensive collection of Australian discoveries, and it's a great trip with the grandchildren.
Bowral
Bowral has long been a popular retirement destination for cricket fans, thanks to its association with Don Bradman, the greatest batsman ever to play the game. You can learn more about "The Don" and see memorabilia from his career at the Bradman Museum. After taking in the museum, head next door to the Bradman Oval to catch a live cricket match on a field that dates back to 1909.
But Bowral is about more than its most famous, as there are plenty of entertaining options for retirees outside of cricket history. The Corbett Gardens stand at the center of town and provide excellent urban beauty and a relaxing walk. Come in the spring to see the tulips, with over 75,000 on display and blooming in September. And to find that final piece to complete your new Bowral home, spend some time shopping at Dirty Janes. The family-run antique store has a massive selection of vintage items that will spice up a home and give it a rustic look.
Kiama
Heading east to the coast is Kiama, a scenic coastal town that is perfect for retirees who want to enjoy the beach during their retirement. The town has several beaches to enjoy and is close enough to Sydney for a day trip. Surf Beach is a gathering place for surfers, but the sandy beaches are ideal for relaxing and watching the surfers and swimmers. Anglers will prefer Kendalls Beach, which offers plenty of space for casting a line and catching something from the Pacific Ocean.
Other than the beaches, there's still plenty to do in Kiama. The Kiama Seaside Markets open up once a month to give residents the chance to purchase locally made crafts, art, and produce. And you can join the town in a winter wonderland during the Kiama Winter Street Festival in July. The event takes over Terralong Street with performances of art, music, and dance.
Berry
Just south of Kiama is Berry, a town with a close-knit community and events throughout the year that make for a lively retirement. The Berry Garden Festival held in October is the most popular event, with gardeners from around the area gathering to create artistic horticultural displays. For something a little quirkier, head to the Berry Celtic Festival. The festival celebrates everything Scottish, with Celtic music, weavers, and pipe bands.
On the off weekend when a festival isn't in town, there's still plenty to do in Berry. The Berry Museum offers a look at the town's history and how the agricultural and timber industries helped shape it. And for a sweet dessert or breakfast, grab a treat at the Berry Donut Van. They serve up homemade donuts and coffee that taste out of this world.
Merimbula
Not far from the border with Victoria is the seaside town of Merimbula. You can spend some time on the sand at Bar Beach, a smaller, quieter area with plenty of room for sunbathing or swimming. Don't feel like heading to the beach? Grab some friends and enjoy a round of golf instead. Pambula Merimbula Golf Club is the only 27-hole golf course on the Sapphire Coast, providing a unique and challenging day out on the links. And no two games will feel the same with different combinations of holes to play.
Merimbula also has a vibrant festival scene with plenty to do for retirees. The Merimbula Jazz Festival is the highlight of the year, taking place each June. Attend it to hear some of the best jazz musicians in New South Wales live in intimate settings. Also in June is the WinterSun Festival. The weekend celebrates the town's beaches and bodies of water and will help take away from the drab winter days by reminding you that summer is just around the corner.
Enjoy a Fun-Filled Retirement in These New South Wales Towns
Deciding where to put down roots for retirement in New South Wales is all about finding the right community where you fit in. So whether an ideal retirement involves enjoying local cultural festivals, learning about local history, or attending a sporting event, there's something for everyone at one of these friendly and welcoming New South Wales towns.
