How the best Aussie town has evolved over the past 25 years
From Bondi Beach to Byron Bay, Brisbane through to Ballarat —Australia is filled with plenty of quaint and quirk to match. But could this spot really be our favourite of all time?
From Bondi Beach to Byron Bay, Brisbane through to Ballarat and everywhere in between.
Australia is filled with the quaint and the quirk when it comes to towns and cities alike - but which is the best?
To celebrate the launch of the new news.com.au app, we’re celebrating the people, places and events we’ll never forget from the first quarter of the 21st century by asking for Australia’s view. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you’ve been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include.
The Economist Intelligent Unit’s annual Global Liveability Index ranked Australia as having three of the top 10 spots on the 2025 list of most liveable cities in the world.
Melbourne once again beat rival Sydney, coming in at number four on the chart, while the Harbour City came in sixth and Adelaide was ninth.
But we’re more interested in where you choose to visit when the budget can’t accomodate an international flight.
Of course there are plenty of hotspots away from our major urban centres.
The ever-popular Byron Bay of the early 2000s has been joined by the quieter neighbouring spot of Yamba as a favourite in recent years, while the Outback and tropical environs of northern Queensland offer unique pleasures.
So when asking some well-travelled Aussie faces to narrow down their top five locations from around the country they’ve visited over the past 25 years, we didn’t limit them to the capitals.
And it’s fair to say when it comes to what’s ranked well — good food, a decent coffee and plenty of coastline reign supreme.
Teigan Nash - TV presenter, Sydney Weekender
Top Pick:Kimberley, Western Australia
The Kimberley is a realm where connection, serenity, and wonder converge. Walking amongst the rugged red dirt to then be immersed in deep green fern-fringed pools of Zebedee Springs, nestled in the heart of El Questro. It’s a place that invites you to pause, listen, learn and be enveloped by its timeless beauty.
2. Kakadu, Northern Territory
3. Lady Elliot Island, Queensland
4. Forster, New South Wales
5. Great Barrier Reef and Atherton Tablelands, Tropical North Queensland
Jana Frawley - Content Director, Escape
TOP PICK: Yulara, Northern Territory
With a bank, supermarket, service station and school, Yulara is like any other small Australian town, but it has one big difference: it’s right next door to the awesome natural wonders, Uluru and Kata Tjuta. If you’ve visiting - as I have done five times in the past 30 years - it’s where you’ll eat, drink, sleep and rest in accommodation ranging from a DIY camp site to one of the most expensives lodges down under. Then, you head out to the nearby national park and its world-famous and culturally significant landmarks, jaw agape every time. Yulara rocks!
2. Byron Bay, New South Wales
3. Noosa, Queensland
4. Leura, New South Wales
5. Healesville, Victoria
Loren Barry - Co-host, The Hot Hits with Nic & Loren
TOP PICK: Narooma New South Wales
I almost didn’t want to include Narooma because I don’t want it to become spoiled, HOWEVER, it’s far too beautiful to gatekeep.
The beaches are perfection, the people are a delight and the Fish and Chips - unbeatable. Also, there’s a chance you’ll spot Orcas, and if there is Orcas involved, you know I’m there.
2. Fitzroy Victoria (specifically Gertrude Street)
3. Wilson’s Prom Victoria
4. Daintree Rainforest Queensland
5. Blue Mountains New South Wales
Rowena Ryan - Digital Editor, Escape
TOP PICK: Thredbo, New South Wales
Thredbo is no longer just about the winter season. While I still go skiing, I’ve spent summers, Christmases and Easters up in the Snowy Mountains - it’s the perfect mix of stunning scenery, laid back Aussie holiday vibes and nature, whether it be golfing, swimming in the rivers, hiking to the top of Mt Kosciuszko or mountain bike riding it’s my go-to for a week of switching off.
2. Broome, Western Australia
3. Barwon Heads, Victoria
4. Mudgee, New South Wales
5. Dunsborough, Western Australia
Shaun White - Sunrise tech and travel expert
TOP PICK: Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
This one took me by surprise. You hear about the Great Barrier Reef all the time, but Ningaloo? It’s where the outback meets the reef.
The colour contrast between red and turquoise is out of this world. It gets really hot in summer but you can swim with whale sharks. I’m booking my next visit right now.
2. Fitzroy, Melbourne
3. Maleny, Queensland
4.Hamilton Island, Queensland
5. Kangaroo Valley, NSW
Angus Kidman - Finder.com.au Travel Guru
TOP PICK: Beechworth, Victoria
This high country gem has charm without being twee, steeped in history and surrounded by gorgeous countryside and a brilliant rail trail. Finish your day of exploring at Bridge Road Brewers with a local IPA and a hot pizza - perfection. And no need to go to Melbourne first for out-of-staters - it’s a quick hop from Albury.
2. Kingston, ACT
3. Dubbo, New South Wales
4. Glenelg, South Australia
5. Daylesford, Victoria
Sam Frost, media personality and caravanning queen
TOP PICK: Gib-River Road, Western Australia.
We did this trip last year in our caravan. It was epic! All the beautiful waterfalls and gorges are truly magic.
2. Flinders Ranges, South Australia
3. K’gari, Queensland
4. Victorian High Country
5. Tasmania - I can’t pick one spot!
Beau Ryan, Triple M’s Beau, Cat & Woodsy breakfast show
TOP PICK:Bermagui, NSW
A coastal town with a relaxed lifestyle, the most pristine beaches, and the best oysters in the country. A place where my family holds an annual reunion that holds a special place in my heart. Bridge jumping at Lake Cuttagee followed by ocean swims at the blue pool. Paradise, man
2. Uluru, Northern Territory
3. Hobart, Tasmania
4. Warilla/Barrack Point, NSW
5. Port Douglas (Daintree Forest) Queensland
Matty Johnson, Dad and podcast host
TOP PICK: Ulladulla - New South Wales
It might not be the most exotic destination on my list but there’s no where else I’d rather spend my time with the family. There’s amazing restaurants, people are incredibly friendly and the beaches are some of the most pristine I’ve ever been to. Nothing beats fish and chips on the beach as you watch the whales migrate - so close it feels like they’re in arms reach.
2. Byron Bay, New South Wales
3. Cairns, Queensland
4. Magnetic Island, Queensland
5. McLaren Vale, South Australia
Sam Frickey, Australian Olympic Diver
TOP PICK: Surfers Paradise, Queensland
Absolutely love Surfers. There’s a diving pool up the road in Southport where I train, but honestly, it’s everything else around it that makes this place one of my all-time favourites. The main strip always has pumping street performers, epic food, and the perfect spot to shoot content. One of my best stays ever was this Airbnb apartment in Soul, right above the beach. I slept with the balcony door open and fell asleep to the sound of waves crashing. It was next level. During the day, I love doing mainies (that’s where you walk up and down the main street and suss out what’s going on). And the Gold Coast is one of the best places in Australia to do good mainies - there’s always something happening, the vibes are high, and it’s just got that classic Aussie energy that never gets old.
2. Cronulla Beach, New South Wales
3. Lightning Ridge, New South Wales
4. Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
5. Victor Harbor, South Australia
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