Best regional cities in Australia: 13 worth visiting

Much is said about Australia’s bigger cities like Sydney and Melbourne. However, there are many smaller cities around the country, regional hubs that are well worth a visit in their own right. Discover some of the best regional cities in Australia, to add to your itinerary.

Australia’s biggest cities get a lot of attention from travellers.

While they’re both great places to visit in their own right, there are stacks of other regional cities around the countries that often don’t quite get the kudos they deserve.

So, let’s make an effort to rectify this situation!

Here’s some of the best regional cities in Australia to visit, courtesy of travel experts.

We’ve got you covered for every state (unfortunately not the territories, although NT has Palmerstone and ACT is essentially just the Australian capital of Canberra).

And if you’re interested, check out small towns in Australia that are definitely worth visiting.

Get Around Quickly Toggle This guide to the best regional cities in Australia will cover: 1. Ballarat in Victoria 2. Bendigo in Victoria 3. Mildura in Victoria 4. Geelong in Victoria 5. Newcastle in NSW 6. Blue Mountains, NSW 7. Broken Hill in NSW 8. Gladstone in Qeensland 9. Bundaberg in Queensland 10. Mount Gambier in South Australia 11. Port Lincoln in South Australia 12. Launceston in Tasmania 13. Albany in Western Australia

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13 of the best regional cities in Australia to visit

1. Ballarat in Victoria

Victoria’s third largest city packs a punch.

Once home to one of the richest goldfields in the country, it’s now a popular destination for travellers, especially as it’s only 90 minutes from Melbourne.

People visit Ballarat for good food and great wine, and some of the most gorgeous architecture you could ever hope to see in your life. Make a point of visiting the fantastic Art Gallery of Ballarat, the oldest gallery in regional Australia.

Ballarat is also one of the top destinations for a winter holiday in Australia. Despite the cold, the town is incredibly cosy during this season and puts on some really neat festivals such as Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill and the Ballarat Winter Festival.

If you’re planning to stay for a few days, Oscar’s Hotel and Cafe Bar is located in the heart of the city, as is the historic Craig’s Royal Hotel.

Discover other things to do in Ballarat.

2. Bendigo in Victoria

Bendigo is a Victorian regional city with an interesting past and many attractions.

It has a population of over 100,000 people so there are plenty of shops, restaurants and services but the more interesting part is Bendigo’s gold rush past.

Gold was discovered here in the 1850s which brought in migrants from around the world.

Within only a year, it transformed from a quiet sheep station to a major settlement.

You can learn about this history during your visit by visiting the Central Deborah Gold Mine or going on the Talking Tram.

Bendigo is also known for its architectural heritage. The centre of the city is pretty, with many late Victorian colonial style buildings.

There are big parks, a lake and other attractions like the Golden Dragon Museum about the history of the Chinese people who came to Bendigo during the gold rush.

Plus, the food scene is off the hook. Declared a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2019, it’s fair to say Bendigo takes fare very seriously.

Bendigo is an easy city to visit just a couple of hours from Melbourne and located in the centre of Victoria. You can get there by rail, bus or car.

Discover other things to do in Bendigo, on your visit.

Alexandra Place is a good place to stay, located within walking distance of top Bendigo attractions.

Thanks to Simpler and Smarter for the submission.

3. Mildura in Victoria

Mildura is found in north-west Victoria on the banks of the mighty Murray River, around 6 hours drive from Melbourne.

It’s a large rural town with a semi-arid climate that experiences hot summers and cool winters.

We found autumn to be a fantastic time to visit and discovered that this township boasts a range of cafes, restaurants and accommodation choices for every budget.

There are many things to do in Mildura and its surrounds, which will keep you busy.

Of course, the Murray River takes centre stage and offers you the opportunity to experience the Lock 11 and Mildura Weir upon a Paddlesteamer which historically brought inland Australia to life before the rise of the steam train.

Next on the list is Orange World where you can discover why Mildura is a notable horticultural centre and its citrus history.

The Australian Inland Botanic Garden and the Holden Museum are interesting spots to visit too.

Here are some other things to do in Mildura with kids.

Outside Mildura, make time to visit Mungo National Park – a World Heritage site and the very place where Mungo Man was discovered, the oldest human remains outside Africa. Other points of interest include the Perry Sandhills, which have an ancient history, with megafauna often uncovered on site and the old Wentworth Gaol.

For a meal, pop into Stefanos restaurant, made popular by the late 90s TV show Gondola on the Murray which for many, is reason enough to travel to the town.

We also recommend Mildura Brewery for a more relaxed, yet yummy spot to eat.

If Mildura is on your radar for a visit, we recommend Quest Mildura Apartments as a good accommodation choice and think at least two days is needed to get a taste of the township.

Thanks to Kid Bucket List for contributing.

4. Geelong in Victoria

Melbourne’s neighbouring city, Geelong, was once a blue-collar industrial town that tourists raced through on their way to the Great Ocean Road.

Not anymore!

G-Town, as the locals call it, has undergone a revamp in recent years and now ranks as one of the best regional cities in Australia, and certainly one of Victoria’s trendiest.

And it’s no wonder, with its cool cafes, amazing restaurants and boutique bars and pubs you’ll find set inside old industrial sites.

Combined with its amazing coastal location, it has everything the discerning traveller needs.

From wineries and breweries to contemporary galleries, cultural festivals, and hip shopping strips Geelong has got it all.

But it’s the magnificent Geelong Waterfront that most visitors come to see.

Day trippers and weekenders alike spend hours strolling along the art deco promenade, swimming at Eastern Beach and picnicking on the rolling green hills. But the little ones love to ride the toy train and 19th century carousel.

And search for treasures at the Poppy Kettle playground.

Geelong is famous for its Bollards Trail, a series of over one hundred painted and carved bollards that depict the history of the city.

And no visitor to Geelong can leave without having their picture taken with one.

A hidden treasure that locals love but tourists often miss are the beautiful Geelong Botanic Gardens.

Take a walk among ancient trees and gorgeous flowers. Then, relax on the lawns in peaceful surroundings as you enjoy a coffee and cake from the delightful historic tea house.

If you’re after a place to stay, Novotel Geelong has lovely water views.

Explore other weekend getaways from Melbourne and discover the best places to visit in Victoria.

By Gumnuts Abroad.

5. Newcastle in NSW

Newcastle is the second biggest city in New South Wales and the second oldest in Australia.

The main reason to visit Newcastle is that it has some of some of the best beaches and coastline in the state of NSW, with lots more right on the doorstep.

Newcastle has some great surfing beaches, especially Nobbys, Newcastle and Merewether – the latter two are also home to some wonderful Ocean Baths.

The coastline is also pretty special once you pass beyond the city limits into neighbouring Lake Macquarie, especially massive Redhead beach, nine miles of glorious golden Pacific sand.

There’s gorgeous 19th century heritage buildings, including around Fort Scratchley, a great viewpoint overlooking Nobbys beach, complete with underground tunnels. You can look across to the vast expanse of Stockton beach and sand dunes, which stretch over 30 km to Port Stephens.

There are some great places to eat and drink around Merewether beach, but the main concentration of bars and restaurants in Newcastle is on Darby Street in the suburb of Cooks Hill, a short walk from the beaches and the centre.

If you fancy staying right in the middle of the action, Crystalbrook Kingsley is across from Civic Park in the centre of town, in one of the city’s most unusual buildings.

Thanks to Travel With Little One for the submission.

6. Blue Mountains, NSW

Did you know that it only takes a short drive out of Sydney to get to the picturesque Blue Mountains? An area that is so beautiful it could be the setting for a proper fairy-tale.

With tree-lined, cobblestoned streets and small houses with steam coming out of their chimneys, this region is anything but a mass-tourist escape.

If you are heading here with your kids, make sure to spend enough time in the Scenic World.

This complex offers various ways of indulging the beauty of the Blue Mountains and having fun at the same time.

Let your kids choose between taking the Skyway, the Walkway, the Cableway or the Railway.

More of a nature lover? Well then head into the bush and enjoy one of the family friendly bushwalks that will take you to waterfalls, through the forest and will get you really close to Australian wildlife.

For something special, consider spending the night at Dantosa Blue Mountains Retreat.

Thanks to Travellers Archive for the contribution!

Editor’s Note: It’s pretty easy to visit the Blue Mountains from Sydney and you can see a lot in one day. I highly recommend spending some time in this gorgeous part of NSW.

7. Broken Hill in NSW

Broken Hill (aka Silver City) is a mining town located in the Outback New South Wales, Australia.

The iconic pile of slag heap is the first sight if you are driving down from Sydney.

The red dust, dry weather, small but wonderful art galleries and curious street names (named after elements in the Periodic Table!) are few of the unique characteristics of this town.

Home to quite a few unique attractions, below are few which you can visit:

• Line of lode Memorial is the memorial built in the memory of those who lost their lives while working in the mines.
• Living desert & sculptures is located 9 kilometres from Broken Hill and has 12 iconic sand stone sculpture installations done by international artists.
• Silverton, a small township located 25 kilometres away from Broken Hill lives and breathes the past glory of a mining town. Plus you can stay in the eclectic Silverton Hotel.
• Mad Max Museum is a quirky attraction which is set up with the collectibles from the movie Mad Max.

A trip to Broken Hill is not complete without visiting a mine and taking a tour. Day Dream Mine is a good choice.

Need a place to stay? Kip down at the Broken Hill Outback Resort.

Here are some other top weekend getaways in New South Wales.

Thanks to Why You Wander for contributing!

8. Gladstone in Qeensland

Gladstone, Queensland is a proper hidden gem on the East coast of Australia.

Halfway between Brisbane and Townsville, this is a great place to stop on a road trip and spend some time exploring.

The city itself has a family friendly, welcoming vibe. We enjoyed hanging out at the library which has kids activities and amazing WiFi. (We often used it as a place to work from!)

We also spent a lot of time at East Shores Park which has been recently developed. There’s a water splash park and playground for kids and it’s also a great spot for going on a leisurely stroll. You can even spot dolphins around the harbour if you’re lucky!

Gladstone is close to lots of beautiful beaches and also the bottom part of the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Keppel Island, Heron Island and 1770 are all close enough to make a day trip from Gladstone.

You can spend some time on the beautiful beaches there or book a dive to see the reef up close.

Base yourself at Gladstone Backpackers or the self-contained Oaks Gladstone Grand Hotel.

Submitted by RTW Families.

9. Bundaberg in Queensland

While Bundaberg is not usually on most people’s to do list when visiting Queensland, if you like quiet little beach cities with amazingly friendly people than it should be!

Bundaberg is located 4.5 hours drive north of Brisbane and is famous for a few things – Bundaberg Rum, the Mon Repos turtles and being the start of the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

Visit Bundaberg during the turtle season which is from November to March if you can, as you will have the opportunity to witness Loggerhead turtles come to the beach and lay their eggs as well as see the baby turtles hatch and scamper down to the ocean.

The area of Mon Repos is in fact the largest Loggerhead turtle conversation rookery in the southern hemisphere.

Definitely take a trip out see the Great Barrier Reef. The best way is to take a day trip to Lady Musgrave Island.

Here, as well as getting up close and personal with the reef, you will get the opportunity to see fish, turtles, dolphins and manta rays.

Bundaberg also has some stunning beaches, the most popular being Bargara Beach and the stunning Elliot Heads.

Bargara has plenty of accommodation and cafes, so is the ideal spot to base yourself. Elliott Heads is a little isolated though with no accommodation or shops, so best for a day trip.

Here are some other things to do in Bundaberg, if you’d like some more ideas.

Cheers to Thrifty Family Travels for their contribution!

10. Mount Gambier in South Australia

In ancient times, the Mount Gambier area was dotted with volcanoes, and many of the current attractions revolve around the remaining limestone structures.

Simply hiking around the area will reveal many unusual features.

Most well known is the Blue Lake. Situated in an old volcanic crater, the lake mysteriously changes to a cobalt blue colour from November to March.

There are also many caves and sinkholes in the area. Some, such as Umpherston Sinkhole, have been turned into beautiful public spaces. Make sure you visit at dusk to see the native possums come out to feed.

While not on the coast, it is only a short drive to the nearest pristine beach, for swimming, fishing and other water sports in summer, and to admire the might of the Southern Ocean in winter.

A new attraction in town are ghost mushrooms. These glow-in-the-dark mushrooms grow in the surrounding pine forests in May and June each year and are yet another reminder of how amazing nature is.

If museums are your thing, there is a good war memorabilia collection at the Mount Gambier RSL and the Riddoch Art Museum is worth a few minutes too. The Lady Nelson Visitor & Discovery Centre will give you a brief history of the area and help you out will all you want to know about the town.

Mount Gambier in South Australia is almost midway between Melbourne and Adelaide. A day or two here makes for a perfect stop to break up the Great Ocean Road drive between the two.

If you want to stay somewhere truly unique, consider spending a night in The Old Mount Gambier Gaol.

Interested in finding out more? Here are some other things to do in Mount Gambier. It’s definitely one of the best regional cities in Australia to visit.

Thanks to Josie Wanders for this contribution.

11. Port Lincoln in South Australia

Port Lincoln is the home to Australia’s largest commercial fishing fleet and is located on the beautiful pristine waters surrounding Eyre Peninsula’s east coast in South Australia.

It lies on Boston Bay, one of the largest protected natural harbours in the world that is three times the size of Sydney Harbour.

It is the ‘Seafood Capital’ of Australia and there are many ways to have a seafood experience ranging from dining at one of the many fine seafood restaurants in town.

You can get up close and personal to tuna in one of the tuna ponds, or tour through a seafood processing factory, with a seafood tasting at the end.

For the adventurous, you can go shark cage diving and come face to face with the ocean’s ultimate predator – The Great White Shark.

For a more sedate adventure you can swim with Australian Sea Lions on a half day cruise with one of the charter operators.

You can also get aboard a fishing charter and try your hand at catching your own fish.

Otherwise, take a day trip out to Lincoln National Park on the rugged Jussieu Peninsula with spectacular ocean views and sandy beaches to explore.

Or discover the ruggedly beautiful coastal scenery at Whaler’s Way, a wonderland of cliffs, blowholes, crevasses, caves and white sandy beaches.

Take in the views from the beachfront Port Lincoln Hotel.

Contributed by 50 Shades of Age.

12. Launceston in Tasmania

As Tasmania’s second city, there are plenty of reasons to visit Launceston. It’s definitely one of the best regional cities in Australia.

The biggest attraction of Launceston, and we don’t just mean in terms of mass, is Cataract Gorge. This outstanding nature reserve is just a stone’s throw from the city centre.

Here, you’ll find miles of walking trails and some pretty epic views over the gorge itself.

The site is also a perfect area for wildlife spotting and there are an abundance of native animals that call this place home.

You might want to look out for the claimed-extinct Tasmania tiger, some say it still exists somewhere in the wilderness and this might just be the spot. It’s one of the most popular urban legends in Australia.

Other top attractions include the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery which is free to visit, City Park which is an ideal picnic spot and even has capuchin monkeys and the James Boag’s historic brewery.

There’s plenty to do in Launceston. Sleep sweet dreams at Areca Launceston for a few nights.

The city also has many lovely cobbled streets and little squares to get lost in with plenty of historic architecture, and even a windmill on the hill.

Plus, if you feel like escaping the city for a bit, Launceston is the perfect base for trips out to surrounding “must sees” of Tasmania such as the Tamar Island Wetlands, Wineglass Bay or Cradle Mountain.

Thanks to The Tinberry Travels for this submission.

13. Albany in Western Australia

Situated on Western Australia’s southern coast, Albany has an abundance to offer visitors in terms of beauty, outdoor adventures, wildlife and fresh produce. This makes it one of the best regional cities in Australia to visit.

With a population of over 30,000 and situated about 4.5 hours south east of the nearest capital Perth, it is the biggest regional city in WA’s south.

It serves not only as a shopping and administrative hub for the region but also a popular tourist destination steeped in history.

Albany’s settlement dates back to the early 19th century, pre-dating even Perth and Fremantle as WA’s oldest town!

It was a colonial outpost of New South Wales, and later became the gateway to the goldfields of the South West with its deep harbour King Georges Sound.

Also the final departure point of many troops leaving for World War I, the city has deep ANZAC connections which are commemorated at the National ANZAC Centre.

Well renowned for its beaches, you will find the calm harbour waters of Middleton Beach and Emu Point perfect for children. Plonk yourself beachfront at Pelicans Albany for a few days.

But the real delight is exploring further in to the Torndirrup National Park and the Vancouver Peninsular.

Here you will find Whale World (a former whaling station now museum) and Discovery Bay wildlife sanctuary, as well as popular natural wonders the Gap and Natural Bridge and the dramatic blowholes.

The waters around Albany are regularly frequented by migrating whales from June through to October each year, with whale watching tours offered.

If you are lucky you might spot a mother and calf all the way in to Frenchman Bay with great views from Marine Drive. Dolphins and seals can regularly be spotted from the shores too.

Albany is the perfect place to base yourself for exploring the surrounding areas.

Head north and you will come to the delightful some town of Mount Barker, then the Porongurups and the Stirling Ranges, popular with hikers.

To the east you will find Two Peoples Nature reserve with one of our all time favourite hidden spots Little Beach.

And to the West, Denmark with the stunning William Bay National Park and abundance of wineries to certainly revival nearby Margaret River.

Keep heading west and you will come to WA’s famous tall timber forests.

Here are some other road trips you can do in Western Australia. We recommend driving from Perth to Kalbarri and stopping at the many sights along the way.

Submitted by Our Globe Trotters.

Final thoughts on the best regional cities in Australia

Hopefully we’ve now convinced you that Australia has plenty to offer outside Sydney and Melbourne (and no one can agree on which is the best city out of the two anyway).

Have you visited any of these Australian regional cities? Would you like to? Let me know in the comments and please share this to inspire more Australian travel fun times.

For more on Australia, check out these Australian travel tips and guide to local etiquette. And if you find yourself scratching your head over the Australian version of the English language at times, this list of Australian slang words should help.

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