Josie Rozenberg-Clarke

As much as we love the hustle and bustle of city life, there are moments when you just need to hit pause and escape to the middle of nowhere. From the coast to the countryside and the outback, Australia offers up a wealth of picturesque towns where you are sure to find some peace and quiet.  At any of these adorable towns, you can trade crammed bus rides for refreshing nature walks, overcrowded beaches for secluded shores, and busy city parks for untouched pieces of paradise. Here are 12 charming towns that are anything but boring. 🌊 10 beach towns to visit in Australia (that aren't Byron Bay)🚘 The best day trips to take from every Aussie capital city😎 The 30 most incredible places to visit in Australia

There’s always time for a tipple when you’re travelling around Australia. Our thirsty country is swimming in stellar watering holes that are loved by locals and tourists alike. We’ve even got a handful of contenders on the World’s 50 Best Bars list to back us up. Whether you’re looking for a fancy spot for cleverly crafted cocktails or a natural wine bar with superb snacks, our local Australian editors and drink writers have curated this list of all the best bars in Australia right now. Start drinking your way through it! 🍽️ The best restaurants in Australia🍷 Australia's best wineries☕️ Where to find the best coffee in Australia

For such a small state, Tasmania delivers big on epic travel experiences. Australia’s only island state is often hailed as one of the most underrated destinations in the country – and our Travel and News Editor, Melissa Woodley, couldn’t agree more. Hobart is the hub of all major activity, where you’ll find award-winning waterfront restaurants and the iconic Museum of Old and New Art. But venture beyond the city and you’ll run into breathtaking beaches fringed by lush national parks, cool-climate wine regions within reach of the CBD, and peaceful islands just a quick ferry ride away. In this guide to the best places to visit in Tasmania, we’ve also highlighted a few hidden gems that are worthy of a stop on any Tassie road trip. 🛶 All the best things to do in Tasmania🚙 The best day trips from Hobart🏖️ Australia's must-visit destinations

Tasmania is arguably Australia's most underrated destination when it comes to adventure. The small southernmost state's rugged landscapes, crystal-clear seas, fresh farm produce and cool-climate wine regions make it a must-visit for nature lovers, thrill-seekers and foodies alike. Beyond extraordinary dining experiences and the world-famous Museum of Old and New Art, 40 per cent of Tasmania's land is reserved as national parks and World Heritage wilderness. A zippy 20-minute drive from any of the state’s major cities, Hobart and Launceston, will see you walking in the bush, biking down a spectacular mountain trail or lounging on a secluded beach. Here's our pick of the best things to do on your next trip to Tasmania. 🚗 The best day trips from Hobart🏔️ Everything to tick off in Cradle Mountain🏝️ What to do on Bruny Island 

Call us biased, but we think Australia is one of the most incredible and diverse places on the planet. A sizeable place (you know, continent-sized), it can be overwhelming to decide where to go on your first, fifth or 50th trip – but that's where we come in. From turquoise beaches and ancient rainforests, to flaming red deserts and buzzy metropolitan cities, our Travel and News Editor (who has visited every Aussie state and territory) has picked out the most breathtaking places you should visit in Australia right now. No matter who you are, or what you like – be it art, wine, sports or festivals – rest assured, there's something on this list for everyone.  🇦🇺 The 20 top tourist attractions in Australia🌈 Australia's most beautiful places to explore🚘 Regional towns worth visiting in Australia

Tasmania’s capital city isn’t exactly heaving with activity after dark like its bustling mainland counterparts. But if you know where to look, Hobart’s bar scene is lively, with plenty of drinking holes for the curious and thirsty. From dive bars to underground cocktail joints, the upscale to the casual, no matter what kind of establishment you’re looking to pull up a stool at, you’ll find it in Hobart. It helps that the local booze, like the food, is world-renowned – the beer, the wine, the whisky, the gin. Whatever your poison, it all adds up to a good time. So whether you're a Dirty Martini person or partial to a tinnie (or three), cheers to our list of the best bars in Hobart, as picked by our local expert drinkers and writers. 🍽 The best restaurants in Hobart🍕 Hobart's best pizzas🍣 Where to go for Japanese in Hobart

Look, it really isn’t a secret that we Aussies love a good pub. Whether you like bonding over schnitties at Trivia Tuesday or downing pints with a hearty Sunday roast, pub culture has something for everyone, every day of the week. Our expert local writers have eaten and sipped their way across the city and the outback to bring you this list of Australia's greatest pubs. These legendary venues see it all: post-work bevvies, celebration dinners, darts competitions and even Hollywood movie crews. If it's ace food you're after, you'll want to visit one of the most charming pubs in regional NSW for grub crafted by a celebrated Sydney chef. Craving a cold pint of Guinness? A tiny beer garden in Hobart might be calling your name. Prefer your pint with a side of live music? Well, there are plenty of places to tick that box. Find your nearest one with our ultimate guide to the best pubs in Australia right now. 🍹 Australia's best rooftop bars🥧 The best pies in Australia worth travelling for🍷 Where to find Australia's best wineries

As an island off an island, Bruny ticks all the boxes with artisanal goods, stunning hiking trails and wondrous wildlife encounters. Despite its tiny permanent population of around 1,000, Bruny Island draws more than 150,000 visitors annually – all chasing a slice of the good life, even if just for a day. Getting to Bruny Island is half the fun. Take a scenic drive to Kettering, a 40-minute drive south of Hobart and jump on the car ferry, operating from 7am to 7pm. The 20-minute journey will treat you to gorgeous views of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and back towards kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Once there, the world is your (Bruny Island) oyster. You can explore the 60-kilometre stretch of land at your own pace, over a few hours, a weekend or an entire week. Here are the best things to do on Bruny Island. 🏝️ The most beautiful islands in Australia🌊 Tasmania's 10 best beaches🚘 All the best day trips from Hobart

Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a thing of beauty that needs to be seen in person to be believed. Sure, you might have seen all the landmarks – Dove Lake, the imposing mountain itself, pristine Lake St Clair, flowering fagus in autumn, adorable snow-dusted snuffling wombats – on Instagram, but nothing compares to breathing in the pure alpine air and seeing this glorious place with your own eyes. While you can definitely tick off some Cradle Mountain experiences in a day, we highly recommend extending your stay because there’s simply so much to do. With heaps of hikes (ranging from easy strolls to challenging summit treks), outdoor activities, animal spotting and luxe spas to visit, your days will be suitably and satisfyingly packed. Beautiful in every season, Cradle Mountain is probably at its most spectacular in autumn, when the fagus trees start to turn and everything is bathed in fiery orange. But no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Cradle Mountain. 🚗 The best day trips from Hobart🏞️ Australia's best national parks🥾 The best hikes in Hobart

If there's one thing that Australia does right, it's really beautiful beaches – and a lot of them, to be precise. With a whopping 12,000 fringing our island continent, it would take you a wild 32 years to see them all – if you tackled one beach per day. Assuming that your 32-year plan doesn't singularly involve beach hopping around Australia (although, we can of course, dream), we've put together a list of the best and prettiest beaches in Australia that you should visit this year – or at least once in your life. Each beach on this list has been selected for its remarkable beauty, safe swimming conditioning (read: you won't see anywhere with saltwater crocs on this list), and proximity to other incredible activities, so your adventure out doesn't end with just one dip. Some of these picks have been richly awarded in the past, while others are less mainstream – but rest easy knowing that every single one of them is well worth their salt, in more ways than one. Now, all that's left is for you to find out for yourself. 🌊 The best nudist beaches in Australia🏄 Australia's top surf beaches🌈 All the best places to visit in Australia

Saturday sleep-ins are great, but nothing beats a weekend amble to the local farmers market. A mandatory stop on almost any regional holiday, these outdoor marketplaces buzz with local producers selling the freshest flowers, most seasonal produce and tastiest street food.  You've undoubtedly heard of the big players (hello Queen Victoria Market and Adelaide Central Market), but there are plenty of smaller (and equally spectacular) markets waiting for you to explore. Our round-up of the best markets in Australia covers them all – from the big names to the charming regional treasures. 🚘 The most epic Australian road trips to do before you die🍔 The best food and drink festivals in Australia🎨 Australia's best art galleries

Hobart has enjoyed a long love affair with pubs. In 1803, it boasted 50 of them… that’s one pub for every 200 residents. Fast forward 200-odd years and Hobart’s pub scene is bursting with charm, craft drinks and great food.  With live music, heritage beer gardens and laneway hideaways, Hobart’s pub scene ticks all the boxes. Whether you're after a hearty pub meal, a craft beer or a cosy corner by the fire, these standout spots promise good times and great vibes. 🍷 Hobart's best bars🍽️ The best restaurants in Hobart🍔 Hobart's best burgers for a late-night feed

Another local favourite café that gives itself away with a line of folks outside, Island Espresso clearly makes good coffee – given the fact that city workers brave the morning cold to wait for their pre-work takeaways outside. But if you pop in for a sit-down breakfast, you’ll find not only top-notch caffeine and a friendly family-run vibe, but also hash brown fries (with housemade tomato relish) on the menu. It’s a scientific fact that hash browns complement every breakfast dish and make your day infinitely better, so for that reason, Island Espresso will always hold a special, deep-fried place in our hearts.

Not to be confused with Pigeon Whole Bakers (a great place to grab a takeaway coffee and pastry, not so much an actual café), Pigeon Hole is a must-visit Hobart café, especially if you’re a paddock-to-plate foodie type. Everything at Pigeon Hole is locally sourced, right down to the chairs that diners sit on – made by a craftsman in the Derwent Valley. Food-wise, the owners of Pigeon Hole also own Weston Farm, which provides plenty of the menu’s fresh produce. Any dish with honey, apples, veggies, pickles and preserves is likely to be sourced from the farm, and anything the farm hasn’t provided comes from local producers. It’s a true Tassie brunch experience.

Tucked in a narrow one-way side street in Hobart’s CBD, this café is a favourite with locals, but a very badly kept secret given it’s always packed with diners spilling out onto the footpath seating. We challenge you to walk past on your way to the Elizabeth Street Mall shops without gazing longingly at someone’s stack of corn fritters heaped with avocado smash and popping in to try your luck at a free table. The super-friendly staff will always do their best to find you a spot, and trust us, the food makes any kind of wait worth it.

The definition of hidden gem, Dandy Lane is one of Hobart’s best cafés and best-kept secrets. You’ll find it down the end of a pedestrian laneway called Collins Court, serving all-day brunch with a hefty side of Tassie friendliness from the staff. Treat yourself to French toast, fried chicken benny or the baby Dutch pancake served in its own little cast iron pan. All of it pairs perfectly with Dandy Lane’s excellent coffee and warm, welcoming atmosphere. It’s tough to brave the winter air after brunch at this place.

A stalwart of Salamanca Square, this bright and welcoming spot has been serving the people of Hobart for decades. A must-visit for breakfast, it’s especially pleasant to take refuge in this brightly-coloured, retro-tinged space when the Tassie weather is at its most bleak. If the decor isn’t soul-warming enough, the hearty breakfasts – like chunky sourdough heaped with avocado and perfectly squeaky halloumi, or the breakfast chicken cassoulet with a fried egg – certainly will. And yep, you can literally do a load of laundry here at the coin-operated machines.

A sister café of long-standing inner-city staple Machine Laundry, Plain Jane has been bringing cheerful vintage goodness to the northern suburb of Moonah for a couple of years now. Locals flock here for the top-tier coffee, huge takeaway three-cheese toasties, and plentiful indoor and outdoor seating for those dining in. The tunes are always good, the decor is pure joy and so are Nonna’s baked eggs on the menu. Bellissimo.

Pilgrim is one of the best cafés in Hobart CBD for brunch, with a commitment to pouring the best coffee in the city, as well as serving the kind of obscenely good food you’ll feel mildly guilty for indulging in (before your enjoyment takes over). Think four types of toasties stuffed full of goodness, sloppy joes, crispy potatoes, a quesadilla stack and more. With the space’s exposed brick, exposed light bulbs and exposed floorboards, the upscale industrial feel teamed with the expert-level brunch menu will make you feel like you woke up in Brooklyn rather than Hobart.

On the other side of the Tasman Bridge is Bellerive’s Marla Singer, named for the character in Fight Club. But the name is where the similarities end, as this Eastern Shore eatery is as far from chaotic as you could get. Situated in a quiet waterfront suburb, this cool yet welcoming café serves up brunch treats like housemade crumpets with whipped ricotta and preserved fruit, pecorino omelette, nduja baked beans, and the muffuletta – a New Orleans-style breakfast sandwich layered with meat, pickles and cheese.

Not to be overlooked, the southeast of the state offers up some beaut beaches to visit, too. There’s a bunch of lovely little spots dotted around the Tasman Peninsula – Pirates Bay Beach and Lagoon Beach are highlights – but if you’re an outdoorsy type, add Fortescue Bay to your list. Tucked within Tasman National Park, this remote spot is bordered by towering forests but is worth the hike – or drive – to get there. You can camp nearby, or simply stop off for a dip as you navigate the popular Three Capes Walk. Good for: Adventuring, kayaking, camping, walking.

The waters on the wild West Coast of Tasmania aren’t the most ideal for a safe swimming session, but that’s not why you visit Ocean Beach. A trip to see this majestic landmark is all about taking in its rugged beauty – a huge 40km stretch of sand, some of the biggest waves you’ll see in Tassie, and the howling winds of the Roaring Forties. Plus, you’ll experience something you won’t find if you’re from the East Coast of Australia: a sunset over the ocean. Good for: Long (and we mean long) walks along the beach, marvelling at giant waves, sunset watching.

Surfers love Clifton Beach, as its south-facing position brings in some decent swells. It’s not just for hanging ten, though. The shallows are perfect for a paddle and a splash – watch out for rips near the rocks – and the cliffs provide lots of shelter for all-day beach hangs and picnics. It’s patrolled on weekends and public holidays, and can be busy with locals in the warmer months as they defrost post-winter. Good for: Surfing, picnics, beachcombing in the sand dunes.

Up in the north-east of Tasmania are the calm, clear waters of Waterhouse Point. Just east of the popular holiday town of Bridport, the beaches around Waterhouse Point are hugely popular with Taswegians who enjoy fishing and family beach holidays. Camping around the area is free, and lots of locals and tourists take advantage of not only this, but the perfect swimming and snorkelling conditions. Check out Waterhouse Point, Croppies Beach and the beautiful and secluded Ransons Beach. Good for: Fishing, rockpools, snorkelling, family beach holidays.