Best town of the year in 2025 revealed
Step aside Byron Bay. because a new coastal town has just been crowned as Australia’s best — and you may not have heard of it until now.
Step aside Byron Bay and say hello to the crystal clear coastline just hours north of Sydney — where an accumulation of bays and beaches has just been named as Australia’s ‘best’ town of the year.
Sitting a leisurely 2.5 hours drive up the coast and just past Newcastle in NSW, the winning town has long grown into a popular beachside location for couples and family travellers in particular.
Now, the regions of Salamander Bay, Corlette and Nelson Bay have banded together to see the region of Port Stephens crowned as the best in the country.
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Wotif, a popular travel app used by Australians, today announced the winners of its 2025 Aussie Town of the Year Awards — as new research reveals that 78 per cent of Aussies plan to travel domestically this year. According to the platform, despite mounting cost of living pressures — that’s a nine per cent jump from last year.
Port Stephens was praised for its must-see beaches, sand dunes, sea life and national parks — with the region’s continuously growing accommodation options making it a standout.
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Speaking to news.com.au, Wotif’s Travel Expert Rebecca Hurley said the winning town is “the perfect place to switch off” thanks to the region’s “laid-back luxury” and “endless beaches”.
“This year’s awards prove Aussies are being drawn to iconic coastal destinations right across the country, and Port Stephens stands out as this year’s number one,” Ms Hurley explained.
“The region’s popularity has risen significantly in the last twelve months, with accommodation interest jumping up over 75 per cent.
“It’s the perfect destination to just switch off and relax. It’s laid-back luxury, meets nature haven thanks to the endless beaches, parks, wildlife and sand dunes. Whether it’s a relaxing beach escape, or an adventure packed getaway, Port Stephens has something for everyone.”
Ms Hurley said Port Stephens is made up of many diverse towns and suburbs, including Corlette, just west of Nelson Bay, Soldiers Point and Shoal Bay, which add to the destination’s appeal.
“The region has such broad appeal,” she said.
“Anchorage and Bannisters Hotels are perfect for couples, Hotel Nelson is a great spot for groups, while Oaks Pacific Blue Resort is perfect for families and is said to have one of the largest pools in Australia.
“It’s also such an accessible destination – whether you’re driving from Sydney or flying into Newcastle Airport – making it perfect for a short break, especially as we approach Easter and the April school holidays”.
Ms Hurley said coming in second this year was Cairns in Queensland, while Mandurah in Western Australia ranked third.
The annual list is now in its eighth year, with the awards recognising towns and regions that show clear signs of being a “trending destination” for the year ahead based on the Wotif data index that looks at accommodation affordability, quality and traveller satisfaction.
Ms Hurley added that value for money was a clear demand amid the cost-of-living crisis, and that the top 10 regions all offer affordable accommodation options, with an average daily rate on Wotif between $175 and $300 per night.
“Aussie Town of the Year is about celebrating the destinations and world class travel experiences in our own backyard,” she said.
“From Cairns to Port Campbell, and Mandurah in the west, Aussies are spoiled for choice and by all accounts, 2025 promises to be a positive year for domestic trave.”
Where to stay:
One of the standout accommodation options within the Port Stephens region is without a doubt The Anchorage at Corlette.
This 80-room hotel, spanning across lush green grounds and enjoying 180-degree view across the clear waters of Port Stephens, The Anchorage Hotel and Spa offers luxurious waterfront accommodation.
With an array of room styles from single-level suites to mezzanine-style lofts, there’s a room to accommodate the solo traveller or a multi-gen family affair.
The property is out of town — and sits on the shores of a marina housing millions of dollars worth of luxury cruisers and yachts. So having that early morning coffee on your balcony while taking in the views across the marina makes for excellent people watching.
The rooms are luxurious and oversized but not over the top, with a coastal theme throughout each suite.
The gardens and grounds that surround the property are perfect for exploring, with both hotel pools (one adults only) just footsteps from each room.
The Gallery Kitchen (within the property) is a must visit for lunch or dinner. The restaurant is breezy and overlooks the marina and Corlette beach, and was recently awarded best restaurant in a hotel & resort at the R & CA Savour Awards for Excellence.
The menu is seasonally changing with plenty of seafood and local produce across the entree, main and dessert options.
What to do:
You won’t go past a better place to sit back and enjoy a long lunch than the Little Beach Boathouse. Nestled in Nelson Bay (just a 10 minute drive from The Anchorage), there’s the more relaxed venue ‘below deck’ and the finer dining option above.
The perfect spot for delicious food and views to match, both restaurant options are well known among locals and visitors alike for their use of super fresh seafood, friendly atmosphere, and amazing views across Little Beach.
Walk off lunch with a visit to the Koala Sanctuary in Anna Bay (again, about a 10 minute drive from The Anchorage).
This attraction offers a perfect family outing and a unique opportunity to see koalas in their natural habitat.
Open 9am-5pm daily, the sanctuary supports the koalas’ rehabilitation and preservation, allowing visitors to get up and close to Australia’s most famous marsupial.
After a trip to the sanctuary, make sure to have a towel and some swimmers in the car — because one of the best beaches in the region is just minutes down the road.
One Mile Beach is the perfect spot to take a swim, sit and enjoy the sand or perhaps try your hand at surfing a wave or two.
Port Stephens Surf School is located at three locations around the region – one of those being One Mile Beach — a great spot for those taking to the waves for the first time.
The beach itself is set among the dunes and is a favourite destination for locals and holiday-makers all year round, with One Mile offering shallow play areas and swimming spots for young children.
To get those steps in, take a visit to Tomaree Head National Park, strap your best sneakers on and do the 45-minute walk of Mount Tomaree.
The hike is positioned 161 metres above the Port’s entrance, and if you make it to the top — you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views over the town and along the coastline from the two viewing platforms.
If you’re in no mood for the walk (which is a medium-grade intensity) you can drive to Gan Gan Hill Lookout for a similar viewpoint.
Must pack:
If you’re heading to Port Stephens, you’ll be on the move — a lot — meaning a stellar pair of sneaks you can wear from the hiking trails to the local coffee shop and beyond is a must.
I gave the new ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27’s a go, simply because of their combination of being an athletic shoe but having a day-to-day lifestyle appeal as well.
These sneakers are super plush and feel like you’re walking on clouds, and with unrivalled comfort I wore them almost every minute of my 48 hour stay.
And when you are packing light for a weekend away (when perhaps all you have is a small bag in tow) having a pair of shoes that work in tandem from athletic to leisure is a real perk.
On the topic of light, when it comes to packing for a weekend away — the less the better.
Kathmandu, the leaders in all things outdoors, have launched a new ‘award-winning’ bag they claim is their lightest carry-on, ever.
Dubbed the ‘Feather Flight Carry-On’— this bag is the ultimate in travelling light.
Weighing in at just 1.6kg and carrying 40L, this bag walked away as the winner of the 2024 ISPO Award for global product innovation.
There’s plenty of space and internal mesh pockets for organisation, but if you want to take your organisation to the next level — this $20 find at Kmart will do the trick.
While packing cubes are nothing new, Kmart have a nifty alternative that means after you pack (into the cube) you’re able to pull straight from your bag and onto a hanger.
The Aussie retailer added the Hanging Packing Cube to its list of travel products in 2024, and customers have been raving about the “bargain” item.
At the time of release, a spokesperson told news.com.au it had “become a travel essential for many” and after giving it a whirl — I can see why.
This journalist visited The Anchorage Port Stephens as a guest of Expedia
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