Australia is a wonderful place to visit. However, it’s not all about the big cities and popular attractions. Australia has a unique character that is found nowhere else on earth.
With an ecosystem that has been entirely self-contained for tens of thousands of years, it is home to some of the most unusual animals, plants, and landforms on earth.
You would be doing yourself a disservice if you came to Australia and only stuck to the tourist attractions. Here are the top 14 small cities in Australia that you must see to get a full picture and experience of the land down under.
1. Goolwa, South Australia
This town is located at the mouth of Australia’s longest river, the Murray. It is a lovely, quaint place to visit that’s off the beaten path. You’ll find plenty to see and do here, away from the hustle and bustle of the more touristy towns.
Included among Goolwa’s many charms are its historic port, its beautiful sandstone architecture, and the abundance of art galleries and restaurants that line its charming streets. Wonderful coastal views are available from the nearby sand dunes near the boardwalk, making for the perfect setting of a romantic walk for two or a cozy beachside picnic. After you’ve been to Goolwa, you’ll wonder why you never discovered it before, whether you’re a local or from another country.
One of the more interesting events in Goolwa is held every odd-numbered year. This is the South Australian Wooden Boat Festival. People from all over Australia flock to it, and the festival makes Goolwa a popular holiday destination for Australians.
People who love a beach lifestyle love Goolwa. The Goolwa coast is exceptionally lovely, and it is right alongside the main part of town, so the beach is a part of everyday life in Goolwa. The leaders of this relaxing, picturesque town work very hard to provide services to the residents, while at the same time protecting Goolwa’s character and tourist appeal. They seem to be doing a very good job so far.
Goolwa has also been a part of the Town Down Under bicycle tour. This annual event brings thousands of people to small Australian cities every year. In 2010, Goolwa saw its largest amount of bicycle tour visitors yet, with over 8,000 people. Tourism has increased in the town since then, likely due to all of the new visitors who saw Goolwa for the first time on that tour.
