Best Small Towns in Australia

Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia (cc)

The 10 Best Small Towns in Australia

Australia has scores of interesting little towns, both along its coast and in the outback, some dusty, some historic, some meccas for water recreation enthusiasts or hikers, but all with an authentic Aussie flavor, each offering up a slice of Australian life at its most unpretentious. And since there's no dearth of these down-under gems scattered about, here's a list of the cherry-picks – the 10 best small towns of Australia.

[ Pages of interest: Sydney, Australia and Best Small Towns in New Zealand ]

1. Broome

One of the loveliest and most rewarding of Australia's coastal towns, set on a peninsula on the north coast of Western Australia. It has a legacy tied to pearling, with some tour-worthy pearl farms still there, and sand dunes and beaches and red rock where camel rides remain as popular as ever. Broome has a good selection of hotels and seafood restaurants, and one of the most famous nudist beaches in Australia.

Location: Western Australia, Kimberly Region, 1,400 miles (2,200 km) north of Perth

Population: 14,500

2. Port Douglas

Small coastal town in the far reaches of northern Queensland, situated between the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and the tropical Daintree Rainforest, and hugely popular with tourists. There are several good restaurants here, as well as championship golf courses, colorful and abundant festivals and events, and scores of tour operators offering trips to the Great Barrier Reef. The town is also a favorite of kitesurfers, with excellent conditions for the sport.

Location: Queensland, 40 miles (70 km) north of Cairns

Population: 4,800

3. Bellingen

Location: New South Wales

Population: 2,720

4. Esperance

Location: Western Australia

Population: 9,600

5. Apollo Bay

Location: Victoria

Population: 1,100

6. Coober Pedy