9 Off-The-Grid New South Wales Towns To Visit In 2025
New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, swarms with kangaroos, their nine million bounds outpacing human steps with wild gusto. Though Sydney’s urban infrastructure and Opera House pull more global eyes, the continent’s sparse heart truly lies in villages where beauty and peculiarity reign in solidarity. Traversing these hamlets, tourists do not merely stumble onto beaches or deserts, but odd spectacles that mark each place distinctly. A village hoists some of the world’s oldest vessels, while another miraculously manifests the mirage of a freshwater lake amid the desert into reality.
These off-the-grid corners of New South Wales convey tales of eccentric folk and curious customs. Adventurers, who aim to liven up during vacation or hear tales, discover unparalleled goofiness here. From white sand beaches and shark-toothed bays facing the Pacific Ocean to the juxtaposition of emerald waters and arid lands, these lesser-known New South Wales towns shine as primary candidates for your 2025 itinerary.
Ulladulla
There’s no denying that one predominant reason to fly to Australia is to see kangaroos with naked eyes in the only country they reside in. Ulladulla proves fortunate in this regard, with Murramarang National Park and surrounding hamlets like Bawley Point and Pebbly Beach emerging as hotspots where roos spend their days jumping about. Small pleasure boats moor along Ulladulla Harbour, inviting leisurely rides. The descendants of the original Italian settlers honor their culture by annually hosting The Blessing of the Fleet near Easter, when the fishing community gathers at the port under harbor fireworks. South Pacific Heathland Reserve’s coastal trails are littered with elusive living creatures, including the glossy black cockatoo. Just six kilometres away in Milton, the Milton Scarecrow Festival awaits those seeking a more whimsical celebration.
Lennox Head
Lennox Head occupies the very grounds where the Bundjalung people once lived, drawing both adventurers and shark attacks. Stretching back into the prehistoric era, lava flows from the ancient Tweed Volcano carved the seaside village's present-day geography. The land’s distinct character materializes most vividly at Lake Ainsworth, a freshwater lake stained brownish by tannins from surrounding tea trees. In summer, blue and green algae shift the lake’s palette further. This earthy environment, which stands in juxtaposition to Seven Mile Beach's beautiful beaches, illustrates the vibe of the New South Wales coastline.
Lennox Head resides between Ballina and Byron Bay, two of the region’s major coastal hubs. Pat Morton Lookout, perched at a 65-meter cliff, draws paragliders, hang gliders, and other thrill-seekers to its grassy heights, sloping down to Boulder Beach, where dolphins and whales pass frequently. Near Ballina, Classic Aero Adventure Flights provides the Byron Bay area’s premier warbird flight experiences, inviting passengers to ascend aboard vintage military aircraft.
Cooranbong
The Watagan Mountains ascend toward the skies west of Cooranbong, shielding the town as their foothills through Watagans National Park embrace it from three sides. Multiple rivers weave through Cooranbong, amplifying nature’s presence, and though it lacks a coastline, Lake Macquarie fulfills that aspect in a newfangled manner. Cooranbong, a locality within the City of Lake Macquarie, extends a suburban stretch along the pond’s banks. The Swing Bridge over Dora Creek, a hyper-photogenic location near the Pacific Motorway that links Sydney and Brisbane, invites attention.
The historical Cooranbong Sanitarium factory building within the Cooranbong Seventh-day Adventist site, now a corporate office, showcases Interwar Art Deco architecture with its sawtooth roof, a three-story north wing, and a four-story northeast tower. Equally compelling, the preserved portion of the Avondale Estate, belonging to the same church community, the Sunnyside Historic Home, which serves as Ellen G. White’s 19th-century house, remains a favored stop among visitors.
Menindee
Menindee occupies a strategic portion within the Menindee Lakes region in the Far West of New South Wales. The group of lakes forms a system of shallow freshwater bodies along the Darling River, sustaining a large portion of the town’s fertility despite the hot desert climate. Nine huge lakes, along with numerous smaller water bodies scattered toward the east, structure Menindee’s unique topography within the province. Menindee emerges as a magnet for hundreds of bird species and earns recognition as an Important Bird Area.
A former trading hub, Menindee’s historical weight remains intact as the oldest European settlement in western New South Wales. The town’s surrounding vegetation features the Menindee nightshade, a resilient plant intertwined with local identity. The green carpeting of Menindee Golf Club serves as a rare sporting oasis in the arid region, while the community displays its closeness each year during Dancing on the Darling. The music festival, organized in late May, brings residents and visitors together against the backdrop of the river to enjoy food, drinks, kids’ activities, and vibrant local artistry.
Crescent Head
Crescent Head, set along the Mid North Coast, forges an unrivaled hue of white sand and ocean blue, creating a luxury golf course right at the bay’s edge. The town’s country club, a six-hole course along the shore, grants a satisfying game and occasional glimpses of humpback whales mid-swing. Nearly equidistant from Brisbane and Sydney, Crescent Head tends to slip past the itineraries of flight-reliant tourists. A natural peninsula wraps both beach and bay, giant rock formations sculpting its curved outline. Delicate Beach and Killick Beach, where the Killick Creek feeds into sea lagoons, present countless chances for water immersion or shoreline walks.
Fishing remains fruitful in Crescent Head, while the rainforest vegetation west of town supports gratifying hikes. Goolawah and Limeburners Creek National Parks stretch between the village and the sea, welcoming campers, surfers, snorkelers, and anglers. Though whale sightings peak in winter and spring, dolphins, turtles, and koalas populate the landscape year-round. Sparsely populated despite its reputation, Crescent Head preserves a rare sense of solitude. Meanwhile, Crescent Aquatic Centre arranges swimming lessons, stroke correction, and fitness programs to ensure confidence before testing the waters.
Swansea
Like Cooranbong, Swansea is another town within the Greater Newcastle region, lying along the banks of Lake Macquarie. However, unlike the former, Swansea sits east of the lake on a tiny peninsular strip, directly in the lap of the Pacific Ocean. Originally the native land of the Awabakal people, its views from Black Neds Bay where the lake dissolves into the sea are exhilarating. At the peninsula’s edge, sinkholes caused by subsiding coal mines add to the untamed landscape, making it a prime location for daring adventurers, in addition to recreational divers.
The James L Boyd Reserve boardwalk on the large lake leads to an area known for flathead, whiting, and mulloway fishing, offering anglers a productive experience. However, it’s the Commercial Fishermen’s Co-Operative that truly satisfies hunger with its fresh, organic seafood. Fresh workouts take place at Parbury Park’s tennis courts and rugby fields, where locals gather, all while enjoying the crisp air from Margarets Bay. South of town, green algae blanket the rocks of Hans Beach, while the dramatic sea caves of Caves Beach and the lakeside strolls along the Pirrita Island Boardwalk complete Swansea’s coastal experience.
Tibooburra
Evocative of the American West, Tibooburra conjures images of cowboy culture along Middle Road Drive and the surrounding frontier enthusiasm. Though neighboring distances seem manageable, the broken terrain often quadruples travel time. Olive Downs Homestead, dating back to the 1880s, once served as a social nucleus for station families and still looms over wide, dusty-orange flats. Warri Warri Creek breaks the dryness with a rare oasis, where brief bursts of greenery tempt photographers. Red kangaroos appear in Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park, a desert sanctuary where wedge-tailed eagles and brolgas also punctuate the horizon.
Sturt National Park is home to various kangaroo species, including the red kangaroo, western grey kangaroo, eastern grey kangaroo, and the Euro. Sturt’s Tree Walk traces the weather-hardened Coolabah trees, their silhouettes sharpening during the dry season. At the Tibooburra Sports Club, the New Year’s Eve Bikekhana is a sports festival where riders compete in thrilling bike races under the outback sun. Come October, the club's Gymkhana and Rodeo is another energetic extravaganza, where riders compete in bronco riding and other traditional events that celebrate the camaraderie and courage of the 19th century.
Lilyvale
Just south of Sydney, Lilyvale remains a locality with barely a dozen residents, yet the thriving wildlife and abundant flora more than compensate for its sparse human presence. The region belongs to the broader Garawarra State Conservation Area, encompassing half a dozen parks and sanctuaries, most notably the Royal National Park extending to the Pacific coast. Heritage-listed sites include the Lilyvale tunnels along the Illawarra railway. This particular South Coast passenger line, established in the 1880s for freight services, emerges into mesmerizing scenery as it winds through the dense, protected parkland. Meanwhile, Fraser’s Point stands out as a stunning rockside landscape, where the beaches terminate against towering walls as tides crash, carving inexplicable vistas.
Figure Eight Pools near Burning Palms Beach demands a unidirectional two-hour bush walk, its namesake formation resembling the number eight. Additional rectangular and freeform structures reinforce the swimming space, with natural ledges for lounging and varying depths to accommodate eclectic adventures while preserving its aesthetic. Some natural formations even introduce cascading rock waterfalls, augmenting the uncompromising environment. Close at hand, Palm Jungle’s loop track introduces another marvel within Lilyvale, thanks to its near-Hawaiian rainforest characteristics across cliff tops and secluded beaches.
Huskisson
With Jervis Bay surrounding it from three sides, Huskisson rises above the archetype of a mere coastal town. Beyond the famously white sands stretching at nearby Hyams Beach, the village holds close its history, culture, and abundant wildlife. Much of the latter stems from the village's western reaches merging into Woollamia Nature Reserve, home to eastern grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies. Neighboring the city of Nowra, Huskisson exposes itself to multiple cultural extravaganzas. Its very own Huskisson Beer & BBQ Festival stages festivities right by the emerald waters near beachside landmark Huskisson Hotel, while White Sands Holiday Park, at the mouth of the bay, hosts other elaborate ceremonial gatherings. Some of these contests attract hearty crowds, including the Husky Hot Wing Challenge and the mechanical bull rides.
Huskisson’s shipbuilding tradition, dating to 1864, produced over 130 vessels within the following century. The Jervis Bay Maritime Museum & Gallery preserves this legacy, notably housing the heritage-listed ferry MV Lady Denman, a 1912 craft by Sydney Ferries Limited. Meanwhile, Shark Net Beach, although no longer trapping sharks, has grown into a beloved picnic and snorkeling site. A step further into the past awaits some 21 kilometres (13 miles) away at the eastern boundary of the bay, where the ruins of Cape St. George Lighthouse rediscover their new admirers.
Venture Beyond The Beaten Path In New South Wales
From the peaceful appeal of Menindee Lakes to the thrilling reputation of Lennox Head, one of the most shark-attack-prone places in the world, New South Wales harbors a mix of natural wonders and adrenaline-pumping adventures. Whether you’re venturing along the iconic shores of Byron Bay or enjoying the cultural dynamism of events like Dancing on the Darling along the namesake River, the state teems with extraordinary experiences. Furthermore, stretching between Brisbane and Sydney, the Pacific Motorway opens sanctuaries to some of the most breathtaking vistas. With the remainder of 2025 ahead, those seeking both relaxed escapes and animated exploration will find countless treasures distributed across Australia's southeastern corner.
