9 Offbeat Australia Towns To Visit In 2025
Typically, when travelers think of Australia, their minds immediately race to major cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Maybe, they will also think of select natural landmarks like the Great Barrier Reef. While these are incredible places to visit, there’s far more to this “Land Down Under” that’s sure to win you over. Think of vast and colourful desert landscapes, vibrant Aboriginal history and culture, highly acclaimed wineries, remote wilderness islands, and even a mountain-top ski resort. Whether you fancy a great adventure in the Australian Outback, a relaxing tropical beach vacation, a frosty ski trip, or some other kind of unique getaway, here are nine offbeat Australian towns to visit in 2025.
Flinders Ranges, South Australia
Formed over at least 540 million years, The Flinders Ranges exude timeless beauty in the rugged Outback of South Australia. Right by the town sits Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, a fascinating park spanning some 95,000 hectares that includes diverse landscapes like the Brachina Gorge and the mountains of the Ikara Wilpena Pound, along with cultural treasures like the Adnyamathana Aboriginal rock art at Perawurtina cultural heritage site. A little farther north lies Nilpena Ediacara National Park, home to the world’s most comprehensive record of Ediacaran prehistoric fossils showing the first signs of complex animal life on Earth.
Heading back towards town, there’s even more to explore at Arkaba Walk, a private conservation reserve offering multi-day guided bushwalks, opportunities to spot native wildlife like yellow-footed rock wallabies, short-beaked echidnas, and wedge-tailed eagles, and incredible gourmet al fresco meals. To make your Flinders Ranges experience even better, you can also book a Homestead room or a cottage to stay at Arkaba.
Tanunda, South Australia
Nestled in the Barossa Valley, about 77 kilometres (or 48 miles) northeast of Adelaide, Tanunda is the perfect launchpad to sample and savour the incredible flavours of South Australia’s wine country. Of course, Tanunda has some phenomenal wineries, including Langmeil Winery, home to Australia’s oldest Shiraz vineyards (first planted in 1843), a lovingly restored 1842 trading village, and their Cellar Door tasting room where you can try their Shiraz, along with Chardonnay, Viognier, and Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé. For even more experiences with local wines, head back to town with a designated driver to try the Barossa Boy Wines at Underground Barossa. And if you crave a different kind of refreshment, try the old world-style craft beers at Rehn Bier.
If you need a little break from the adult beverages, stretch out and spot some 17 unique works of art by Australian and international artists at Barossa Sculpture Park. For more opportunities to connect with nature, hop on down to Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park to do some bushwalks and spot local animals like lorikeets and western grey kangaroos. Back in town, check into the Pirathon Country Estate and enjoy a glorious stay on a working vineyard that has a full tasting room and concert venue on site.
Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
Perched high in the island state of Tasmania, Cradle Mountain is part of the UNESCO-recognized Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area that sports magnificent landscapes that must be seen to be believed. Perhaps the region’s crown jewel, Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park includes seven of Tasmania’s ten tallest peaks (including that of Cradle Mountain), Australia’s deepest lake at Lake St. Clair, and the glacier-formed Dove Lake. Not only can you try the climb to the summit of Cradle Mountain, but the park also has some easier walking paths, scenic helicopter tours, and an on-site sanctuary where you can (safely) meet some Tasmanian devils.
Beyond the national park, Cradle Mountain places you within reach of additional beautiful parks and wilderness preserves, including the advanced hiking trails at Black Bluff and the great cascades at Bridal Veil Falls and Champagne Falls. Heading back towards the national park, Cradle Mountain Hotel provides wonderful accommodations with some of the most breathtaking mountain and wilderness views you will find anywhere.
Falls Creek, Victoria
Sitting high up in the Australian Alps, Falls Creek is picture-perfect for all sorts of winter sports adventures, yet it’s also wonderful for a mountain escape any time of the year. During the winter season, Falls Creek opens up Victoria’s largest skiable terrain with some 90 trails served by 15 lifts to accommodate skiers and snowboarders at all levels. Even off the ski runs, Falls Creek offers fun for the whole family with toboggan rides, backcountry tours, and the Astra Day Spa.
Since Falls Creek sits within the boundaries of Alpine National Park, this town also places you within easy reach of some of the country’s most stunning mountain wilderness areas. Whether you want to challenge yourself to climb Victoria’s highest peak at Mt. Bogong (1,986 metres, or 6,516 feet, above sea level), discover Victoria’s tallest waterfall at Dandongadale Falls, or sit back and enjoy the views along Wonnangatta Four-wheel Drive, this park has plenty to see and do. Whenever it’s time to call it a day, check into the Astra Falls Creek hotel for a luxuriously restful night.
Jervis Bay, Australian Capital Territory/New South Wales
About 217 kilometres (or 135 miles) east of Canberra (Australian Capital Territory), Jervis Bay abounds in spectacularly pristine beaches and fascinating local culture. At the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum & Gallery, you can dive into the history, culture, and art of the Aboriginal people who originally called this coastline home, and you can better understand how the local maritime industry developed here and why part of Jervis Bay is officially part of the ACT. And for a striking relic of the region’s daring seafaring history, head over to Booderee National Park to tour the ruins of the St. George Lighthouse that was built in 1860. (While here, you can also keep your eyes out for migrating whales at sea.)
Speaking of the national park, it’s a good idea to stick around to check out the Booderee Botanic Gardens, Australia’s largest Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens where you can learn about local plants and how they’re used for indigenous medicine and the famed bush tucker native cuisine. Of course, it’s also a great idea to hit Jervis Bay’s beaches, such as the beautiful white sand shores of Murrays Beach and the family-friendly Green Patch Beach. To complete your ideal Jervis Bay retreat, book a cabin or a set of glamping tents at The Cove Jervis Bay.
Lord Howe Island, New South Wales
As a volcanic island set between mainland Australia and New Zealand in the Tasman Sea, Lord Howe Island is truly a secluded, lush, and largely pristine wonderland unlike anywhere else. Though the island only measures 11 kilometres long and two kilometres wide, the island has several options for bushwalking, hiking, and climbing, from the adrenaline-pumping climb to the peak of Mt. Gower, to the easier walks around the subtropical palm forests at Stevens Reserve and Transit Hill. If you’re keen to get wet and explore on water, Lord Howe Island offers world-class surfing at Blinky Beach and Ned’s Beach, along with great conditions for stand-up paddleboarding at Lagoon Beach.
For a truly deep dive into the Lord Howe’s magical underwater wilderness, try a snorkeling or scuba diving expedition at the crystal-clear offshore waters of Lord Howe Island Marine Park to find the remains of a long-extinct shield volcano, admire the vibrant colours of the coral reef that grows here today, and swim with some 500 fish species and other marine animals who can rarely be found anywhere else. Once you’re ready to take it easy after a long day exploring the land and sea, check into Capella Lodge for a carefree yet elegant luxury beach resort.
Hamilton Island, Queensland
As the world’s largest coral reef system, you might wonder where to begin exploring Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Fortunately, Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays has its own airport for easy access, and it has plenty of incredible features and attractions to make for an exceptional vacation. Book a day with Hamilton Island Wildlife for special experiences with koalas, dingos, pythons, and other native animals. Take a five-minute boat ride to Hamilton Island Golf Club, Australia’s only 18-hole championship golf course to occupy its own island. Do a private cruise with a local Ngaro Aboriginal guide to Hook Island to discover secluded beaches, millennia-old Aboriginal rock art, and much more.
Since Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays sit right by the Great Barrier Reef, this is a phenomenal place to go diving and snorkeling, whether doing so with a group boat tour to Whitehaven Beach and its famed Heart Reef, or via an easy stroll to the idyllic shores of Catseye Beach. Right by Catseye Beach is Beach Club, the ultimate luxury boutique resort that feels tranquil and secluded while keeping you close to all the best that the Whitsundays have to offer.
Yulara, Northern Territory
Though the Northern Territory town of Yulara may not seem all that familiar, its top landmark certainly does. Since Yulara is the closest town to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, it’s the perfect launchpad for journeys to Uluṟu, the massive sandstone monolith that’s perhaps Australia’s single most famous natural landmark. Yet at the park, there’s a whole lot more to explore, including Aṉangu Aboriginal art and artisan goods at the Cultural Centre, special encounters with ancient Aboriginal rock art, and world-class opportunities to spot birds like brown falcons, peregrine falcons, Australian kestrels, grey-headed honeyeaters, and pied butcherbirds in the wild.
While Uluṟu gets the lion’s share of tourists’ attention for obvious reasons, don’t sleep on the incredible offerings of the nearby wilderness area of Kata Tjuṯa. Walk into the Valley of the Winds for a challenging yet rewarding bushwalk by Kata Tjuṯa’s otherworldly red rock domes, and walk into Waḻpa Gorge for a soothing experience in a wildflower oasis in the middle of the desert. For even more unique Outback experiences, as well as multiple comfortable options for accommodation and fantastic local cuisine, book a stay at the Aboriginal-owned and operated Ayers Rock Resort.
Exmouth, Western Australia
Situated on the North West Cape of Western Australia, Exmouth serves as the gateway to Australia’s other great expanse of tropical coastal wilderness. Here, the Indian Ocean reaches a stunning stretch of rugged, semi-arid land full of iconic Australian wildlife like kangaroos, emus, echidnas, and black-flanked rock wallabies. At Cape Range National Park, drive into the wondrous natural hideaways at Charles Knife Canyon and Shothole Canyon, do a bushwalk at Mandu Mandu Gorge and keep your eyes out for some local wallabies, and take in the incredible views where Yardie Creek meets steep vertical red rock walls and makes it way towards the sea.
Of course, since this is the North West Cape, you will also find spectacularly gorgeous beaches like Sandy Bay, Oyster Stacks, and South Mandu for simple strolls and refreshing swims. In addition, these beaches are spots where you can access the rich and vibrant waters of Ningaloo Marine Park, a stretch of ocean that’s home to Australia’s largest fringing reef full of colourful coral and marine animals like humpback whales, whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles. And for the easiest access to these amazing beaches along with a unique glamping experience, book a stay with Sal Salis Ninagaloo Reef to stay in your own luxury eco-safari tent and be at one with this beautiful corner of nature.
Turn On Maximum Vacation Vibes In These Offbeat Australian Towns
Throughout Australia, you can find offbeat Australian towns with attractions and features that might seem unusual at first, but ultimately prove uniquely satisfying. Hit the Flinders Ranges to experience a different side of the Australian Outback, and go to Yulara to discover the many sides of Uluṟu that are not always shown in ads. Fly to Lord Howe Island for a lush rainforest paradise that not everyone knows exists, and try Exmouth for the unique intersection of rugged semi-desert red rock landscapes and rich, vibrant ocean life. Clearly, these Australian towns prove that there are always special treasures to discover off the heavily beaten paths.
