We’re is all about shining a light on the often overlooked and underappreciated country regions of our great nation, and after spotlighting some of the best small towns in South Australia and Victoria, it’s New South Wales time to shine.
Similar to other eastern regions of the country, the ‘Premier State’ has everything from snow-topped mountains to dense forest areas and pristine coastal beaches. You’ll also encounter a treasure trove of enchanting small towns where you can enjoy the best of what the state has to offer.
Read on and discover the best small towns in New South Wales below.
Blackheath
The Blue Mountains is one of NSW’s most famous natural attractions, and of all the nearby towns, Blackheath is the one we recommend for a visit if out that way.
Sitting on the edge of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park, Blackheath is an old-fashioned town with retro shops, art-deco buildings and a surprising number of awesome restaurants where you can dig into everything from authentic Italian pizza at Zoe’s to modern cuisines made using local produce at award-winning chef Mate Herceg’s Blaq.
But the main reason people visit Blackheath is to explore the Blue Mountains, with dozens of challenging trails all within a short distance of the town. The Cliff Top Walking Track between Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout is the most popular trail that takes roughly three hours and offers some of the most stunning views of the region.
White Cliffs
Experience a slice of the Australian outback by visiting the small country town of White Cliffs. Similar to SA’s Cooper Peddy, this town was established in the 19th century after Opal was discovered there. Temperatures often soar above 45 degrees Celsius in summer, with many residents living underground.
There are several fantastic below-ground accommodation options available, all reasonably priced.
When it comes to activities, the Red Earth Opal Mine tour is a must. Travel 13.5 metres underground and learn more bout Opal mining and get pointers from experts on how and where to fossick in White Cliffs.
There isn’t much in the way of food or drink besides the cheap and cheerful White Cliffs Hotel. Expect tasty pub grub like burgers and parmis and cold, frosty pints.
Also be sure to visit Paroo-Darling National Park—home to over 65,000 species of bird life and several significant Aboriginal sites.
Kangaroo Valley
If you’re making the trip from Sydney, just before reaching Kangaroo Valley you’ll encounter the snap-worthy Hampden Bridge, a heritage-listed suspension bridge that’s been in use for over 145 years.
As for the town itself, Kangaroo Valley is a beautiful village where you can grab an authentic pastry at the Kangaroo Valley Bakehouse before going kayaking down Lake Yarrunga or bike riding through local farmland. If you want to take it easy, spend the afternoon tackling the picturesque Three Views Walking Track.
After a long day of adventuring grab a pizza at Terra & Mare Pizzeria or try fine dining at Wildes Dinning. Follow dinner with a quick stop at one of the region’s oldest pubs, The Friendly Inn Hotel, before calling it a night and getting some well-earned rest at Wildes Boutique Hotel.
Berry
A favourite weekend getaway with the suit-and-tie crowd, Berry offers plenty of activities for all types and is just two hours from the heart of Sydney.
The main street is lined with antique stores, vintage boutiques and tasty cafes, with The Berry Markets, held on the first Sunday of every month at the Berry Showground, a fantastic way to spend your morning browsing local produce and secondhand stalls.
Berry is also popular with foodies and vino enthusiasts. Some of our favourite eateries include the European restaurant South of Albany, rustic Silos and the famous Berry Donut Van who’ve been perfecting the cinnamon donut since 1974.
As for cellar doors, we suggest Two Figs Winery and Coolangatta Estate, and for those who prefer the amber liquid, drive ten minutes to the coast and enjoy a tasting pallet at Stoic Brewing.
Nelson Bay
Sydneysiders flock to Nelson Bay to experience sandy beaches, watersports and a vibrant cafe scene.
There’s a lot of sea life residing in the blue waters of the Tasman Sea, with dolphin and whale watching tours running from Nelson Bay daily. Snorkelling is also big with the locals and there are plenty of walking and bike trails you can enjoy in Tomaree National Park.
Those with an exhibitionist streak can go skinny dipping at Samurai Nudist Beach, but if you’re on holiday with the family, try Little Beach – it’s a great spot for families to relax with a picnic while the kids build sandcastles on the beach.
Dorrigo
Nature enthusiasts flock to Dorrigo in the Northern Tablelands. Located at the foot of the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park, this small town provides easy access to gorgeous rainforests, cascading waterfalls and incredible native flora and fauna.
Marvel at Danger Falls, enjoy the breathtaking views at Skywalk Lookout or take a stroll along Lyrebird Link Track and see if you can spot the native lyrebird that inhabits the area.
If you’ve got time, we suggest the 6.6km Wonga Walk loop that takes you past the beautiful Crystal Show Falls, while at night you can marvel at the secret glow worm colony that exists deep in the forest.
The only downside is the lack of quality eats in Dorrigo. We suggest a short 30-minute drive down the road to Bellingen where you’ll find a smorgasbord of bakeries, cafes and restaurants offering tastebud pleasing cuisine.
Wollombi
Acting as the unofficial gateway to the iconic Hunter Valley region, Wollombi fits the small town profile with a population of around 300.
Take the Historic Wollombi Village Walk and explore the history behind Cunneens Bridge and St Johns Anglican Church before learning more about the area at the Endeavour Museum. Then take the Convict Trail, another pleasant walk marked with historical sites, before finishing your tour of the town with a pint at the Wollombi Tavern. The pub has been operational since 1868 and has a great mix of NSW beers on tap.
There are also around 300 significant Indigenous sites dating back over 13,000 years dotted around Wollombi, with many found in the nearby Yengo National Park.
Wollombi also has several high-quality eateries, with Myrtle & Stone great for a spot of lunch and Wollombi Kitchen ideal for dinner.
Bowral
Bowral gets a look in for one main reason: it’s the final resting place of the great Don Bradman. Australia’s greatest cricketer grew up in the town and has the honour of having the local oval named after him. It’s also home to the Bradman Museum, featuring the most comprehensive collection of Bradman memorabilia in the world, along with the International Cricket Hall of Fame.
Cricket not your thing? That’s cool, we understand. Go antique shopping in town, take a hike up Mt Gibraltar or take a walk through the stunning Corbett Gardens.
There’s also a great range of cellar doors and local restaurants in and around Bowral where you can experience local produce with a charcuterie board and a glass of the good stuff.
Mudgee
There are more than 60 wineries within a short drive of Mudgee, making the small town a great base for a weekend of wines. Some of our favourite cellar doors include Burnbrae Wines, First Ridge Wines, Huntington Estate and the organic and sustainable Vinifera Wines.
If vino isn’t your thing, hit up Mudgee Brewing Co for a cold glass of liquid gold or stop in for a gin and tonic at Baker Williams Distillery.
When it comes to food the options are almost endless, with Mudgee absolutely chokers with cafes, restaurants and pubs serving up every cuisine you can imagine. Our top pick is Jumbucks Chinese Fusion, an Asian eatery found in the Woolpack Hotel.
Activity-wise there are several museums and galleries worth a look, and for those with a thirst for adventure, try kayaking, bike riding, hiking and hot-air ballooning.
Kids will love the Mudgee Minature Railway while the weekend Mudgge Markets are tops for supporting the locals and grabbing some homemade produce.
Yamba
Forget Byron Bay. If you’re after a Zen-like experience without the crowds spend a few days in the coastal town of Yamba. Enjoy gorgeous beaches, fantastic surf breaks and top-notch grub in a relaxed environment devoid of influencers.
Get some history at Yamba Lighthouse, take a morning fishing charter and then explore Yuraygir National Park before calling it a day with a spot of dinner at one of the many awesome restaurants in town, including top picks Karrikin Yamba, Drift, Beachwood Cafe and Yambo’s Fisho, where you can try the best fish and chips in town.
Grab a drink at Wobbly Chook Brewing Co. or Yamba Distilling Co before a nightcap at the Pacific Hotel. Then it’s off to bed at one of the several luxury tiny houses up for rent around Yambra.
Corowa
Corowa is on the banks of the Murray River about six hours southwest of Sydney. It’s commonly referred to as the ‘Birthplace of Federation’ after a meeting in town in 1893 helped pave the way for the formation of the Australian Commonwealth in 1901.
Many make the journey to Corowa to celebrate its historic significance, with the Corowa Federation Museum and Corowa and Howlong History Trails providing plenty of info about the settlement’s role in the establishment of Australia.
History aside, Corowa also offers plenty of other attractions. Car lovers will be revved up visiting Max’s Motor Museum, art enthusiasts will want to check out Wacky Bird Gallery’s eclectic range of local art while sports fans can head to Corowa Golf Club for a quiet 18 holes.
As it’s close to the water, the locals love watersports, with swimming, fishing, waterskiing and canoeing all popular activities you can enjoy when in Corowa.
Glen Innes
This charming town in the New England High Country is close to the World Heritage-listed Washpool National Park featuring several unique trails along with open campsites for those wishing to spend the night under the stars.
Home of the Ngarabal people, Glen Innes’ was settled by Europeans in 1852. The area shares a geography similar to Scotland, with rolling hills and gorgeous countryside. There’s even a tribute to the area’s Celtic heritage in the form of the Australian Standing Stones memorial.
Located on the Fossickers Way, stop into the Glen Innes Visitor Centre for a map of where to go fossicking for gold and gems around the area. Appreciate the art of the internationally acclaimed aboriginal artist Lloyd Gawura Hornsby at Gawura Gallery, discover more about the region’s history at the Emmaville Mining Museum and take a self-guided tour through town using the Glen Innes Heritage app.
Eat local at The Local before a pint next door at The Local After Dark, or enjoy an array of pub classics and pizzas with fine wine at Glen Innes Railway Tavern.
