Regional Travel in Australia has become a lot more popular than ever in 2020 and 2021. We all know this is due to the constantly changing travel restrictions in Australia, due to COVID, and that a huge amount of people in cities (especially Melbourne) have recently been ‘champing at the bit’ to get away on holiday, even if only for a night or two.
From the colder climates of Regional Victoria, Australia to the sought after outback regional places in Australia, there is something for all travellers in Australia.
This post will include updated tips on regional travel in Australia, travel resources for 2021 and a break down of recommended places to visit, in each state of Australia.
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BEST REGIONAL TOWNS AND CITIES IN AUSTRALIA
Once you have reviewed the COVID rules for travel, it’s it’s time to plan your regional trip in Australia.
There are thousands of stunning, historic and interesting towns and regional cities and regional places in Australia. The list below are only some of the noted destinations, to visit due to their popularity or uniqueness.
Please take this as a guide only and create your own journey of the Australia regional area, as you choose!
Useful Resource:
BEST STOPS IN REGIONAL VICTORIA
Secret Getaways In Australia Download
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Regional Travel Tips Victoria
Regional Victoria, Australia has some gorgeous and relaxing places to visit, when leaving the ‘big smoke’ of Melbourne.
Whichever direction you head out from Melbourne, there are heaps of inviting, and natural regional places in Australia.
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SOME MAJOR PLACES TO VISIT IN REGIONAL VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA:
Mornington Peninsula
From the Peninsula hot springs to hundreds of beach camping spots, the Mornington Peninsula is a very popular holiday destination in Victoria.
Great Ocean Road
See THIS POST for info on the Great Ocean Road.
Gippsland
Gippsland is a wide area in the South East, divided into south Gippsland, West, East and Central and Bass Coast.
West Gippsland
Mt Baw Baw, Vineyards, Korrumburra, Streslecki ranges and Inverloch. West Gippsland includes the popular visitor areas below.
Warragul: One of the main country towns in West Gippsland, and central hub. One of the regional cities Australians recognize as a main stop to refuel in Gippsland, Victoria.
Toorongo Falls: A small hike into the forest, and you see the cascading falls. Also a sought after camp spot.
Yarragon: A small country town with a heap of accommodation options and shops.
Noojee Trestle bridge: Part of the old railway between Noojee and Warragul
The Ada Tree: Over 300 years old, one of Victorias largest trees.
Inverloch: Popular beach and holiday area east of Wonthaggi.
South Gippsland
Coastal parks, beaches and mountain rainforests.
Fish Creek
A small town in Prom Country, with the legendary Fish Creek Pub and an artistic and farming community.
Venus Bay
One of the best uncrowded regional places in Australia. A family caravan park, and fun surf beach ideal for boogie boarding.
Wilsons Promontory
Prom Country consists of surrounding areas of Fish Creek, Foster and Wilsons Promontory, the stunning National Park at the southern tip of mainland Australia.
Bass Coast
Bass Coast is part of the Gippsland region in south eastern Victoria, Australia. Bass Coast includes Phillip Island and has a long coastline on Western Port Bay and the open seas of Bass Strait. Its landward side is enclosed by South Gippsland.
Central Gippsland
The main attractions of Central Gippsland are the Tarra Bulga National Park, Gippsland Lakes and food and wine of the area. There are also plenty of rivers to visit like the Avon River and The Macalister River.
Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Cycling, 4WDing and plenty of water sports are common in Central Gippsland, and throughout Regional Victoria, Australia.
East Gippsland
From Gippsland Lakes and Coastal Wilderness to Alpine High Country, there’s plenty to do in East Gippsland.
Activities include Food and Wine tours, Canoeing, Kayaking & Rafting, Fishing and Sailing at the popular beaches and lakes.
Macedon Ranges
Mount Macedon and the surrounding towns provide a historic and picturesque view of the area north west of Melbourne.
A combination of bushland, wealthy and maintained gardens and estates, quaint towns only 1 hour from Melbourne, makes this area a draw card to day trippers in search of travel in the Australia regional area, and short getaways.
Food and produce, Cool climate wines, heritage forests and gardens make the Macedon Ranges one of the best regional places in Australia to visit.
Suburbs of the Macedon Ranges are:
Gisborne
Lancefield
Kyneton
Macedon
Malmsbury
Mount Macedon
Riddells Creek
Romsey
Woodend
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Regional Travel Tips NSW
Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are 65 kilometers west of the city of Sydney. The mountains rise steeply out of the coastal plain, combining magnificent gorges, waterfalls, rock formations, and sacred aboriginal sites with excellent tourist facilities.
South Coast
The South Coast consists of stunning beaches, seals, oysters, incredible surf spots and lovely coastal towns. From the Sapphire Coast to Wollongong the South Coast is the ultimate place to relax.
Central Coast
The Central Coast is popular for its National Parks, and gorgeous beaches north of Sydney, as well as arts culture and local wine and food.
North Coast
Similar to the South Coast and Central Coast, The North Coast of NSW boasts incredible fishing, native wildlife, stunning beaches as well as rainforest hinterland and quality, local wine and food.
The Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley is known for its fine wines. These are Australia’s oldest wineries, and worth visiting for the top rated restaurants, ancient rainforest in the Hunter Valley, and surrounds.
Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is east of mainland Port Macquarie, and northeast of Sydney. The Lord Howe Island Group consists of 28 islands and rocks. Highlights include the coral reef which lies along the west coast is a sheltered lagoon.
Outback NSW
Ensure you have the essentials in place before heading out to explore the Outback.
Natural wonders, Indigenous Culture, adventure tours and National parks are some of the incredible attractions and experiences of the outback.
White Cliffs Area
The White Cliffs is very remote and the area is famous for its opal fields, underground living, colonial heritage and incredible desert views.
The town of White Cliffs houses Australia’s oldest commercial opal field. Mining began here in the 1880s and people have here since, hoping to find a fortune, taking the tour underground to sight these hidden gems.
There are tiny nearby towns of Wilcannia, Tilpa and Louth, as well as the Paroo-Darling National Park to visit if you are in the area.
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Regional Travel Tips QLD
Gold Coast and Hinterland
Gorgeous green hinterland behind the stunning stretches of golden sand.
Sunshine Coast and Hinterland
Rolling green hills and villages with cafés and bars beyond stunning and uncrowded beaches.
Central Queensland
Incredible outback places to visit, from Emerald and Barcaldine and the Sapphire Gemfields to Carnarvon Gorge, the popular National Park in Central Queensland.
Toowoomba and South West QLD
South West QLD boasts fresh produce and fine wines. The main city of Toowoomba is known for the Cobb & Co Museum, including its horse-drawn carriages.
Bundaberg Fraser Coast
An action packed coast, with Fraser Island 4WD ing and dingo watching to jet skiing in Hervey Bay.
Mackay and Whitsundays
The Mackay Region is the gateway to the Whitsundays. Mackay is a perfect place to relax and see natural wildlife.
The 74 Whitsunday Islands are between the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia, and the Great Barrier Reef. For more on The Whitsundays, see here.
Central West QLD
Central West Queensland is a remote region, known for its warm climate, open skies and incredible landscape views.
Townsville And North QLD
Townsville is a coastal city in northeastern Queensland. Townsville comprises a popular pier and water park, along the waterfront
A Billabong Sanctuary wildlife park with koalas, wombats and crocodiles is located south of the city.
Cairns and Far North QLD
Of all the Regional cities Australia has, Cairns is one of the most popular.
Cairns is the gateway to in Tropical North Queensland. Access to The Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas and further on to The Daintree Rainforest.
Regional Travel Tips ACT (Australian Capitol Territory)
Nature reserves, cool climate wines, the Sapphire coast and small beach towns are all draw cards to this Australia regional area, in the Australian Capitol Territory.
Regional Travel Tips NT
Most of Northern Territory travellers visit the regional areas and the outback. In these regional areas, Australia is showcased at its best, reflecting its world renowned outback.
Activities included canooing, kayaking, cycling, fishing, river cruises, hiking and waterfalls in National Parks.
MacDonnell Ranges
The MacDonnell Ranges, or Tjoritja in Arrernte, is a mountain rangein southern Northern Territory, the size of 3,929,444 hectares.
Kakadu
The largest national park in Australia, covering almost 20000 square kilometres. An incredible place to camp or visit for waterfalls and soak up the natural timelessness.
Regional Travel Tips WA
The Margaret River region
Highly regarded wines to try, as well as top surf spots Margaret river holiday packages, and plenty of forests to visit in the area make Margaret River a popular holiday destination.
Lucky Bay
A stunning beach worth visiting in the area.
There’s the laidback lifestyle of the remote city of Perth, or the Kimberley region to discover.
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Regional Travel Tips South Australia
Barossa Valley
A famous wine region specialising in Shiraz grapes.
Flinders Ranges & Outback
The Flinders ranges comprise ancient rugged peaks and rocky gorges, along with the desert landscapes of the Outback.
Kangaroo Island
Native bushland, wildlife, adventure & plenty of exploring.
Limestone Coast
The Limestone Coast is a combination of stunning beaches, beautiful coastline and exquisite food and wine. Discover the region and find out more today.
Murray River, Lakes & Coorong
The Murray River Mallee area and Lakes & Coorong region is famous for breathtaking sunsets and rolling hills.
Yorke Peninsula
Top attractions along the Yorke peninsula are swimming, fishing, farmers’ markets and distilleries.
Regional Travel Tips Tasmania
Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain is the sixth-highest mountain in Tasmania. The Cradle Mountain National Park comprises spongey moss-carpeted floors and scenic boardwalks.
Bruny Island
Bruny Island comprises two islands with North and South Bruny joined by a narrow strip of land called The Neck.
Bruny Island is covered in forests, alongside long, rocky coastlines and spectacular beaches.
Wineglass Bay
Wineglass Bay is part of the Freycinet Peninsula, wild, pristine coast land on Tasmania’s east. The cruises in Wineglass Bay are perfect for whale watching.
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Conclusion
There are a huge amount of eye opening, relaxing, adventurous and awe inspiring sights and activities in regional Australia.
The cities of Australia offer multiculturalism, arts, food and wine and millions of fun times, but in these regional areas, Australia, the natural appeal is really showcased along with the largely unaffected landscapes that truly make Australia a unique and incredible country to feel connected to nature and the history of the land.
With some research in the coming years with all that border restrictions and COVID will bring, if there are options for regional travel in Australia, you’ll be thankful you took the drive, hike, flight to these unique and natural parts of the world. In these regional areas, Australia is at its best 🙂
