NSW’s most romantic under-the-radar country towns

Murwillumbah, Northern Rivers 

Adventure lovers will feel right at home in this hinterland town, with rolling fields, sugarcane and banana plantations, and the dramatic backdrop of Wollumbin/Mount Warning taking your breath away. Head off on the Lyrebird track in Wollumbin National Park or hire e-bikes and cruise along the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, which winds through lush green farms, quaint country towns, cool rainforest and historic train tunnels. Try the simple, Spanish influenced fare at award-winning wine bar-restaurant Bistro Livi, dine waterside at three-in-one venue Tweed River House or stay for lunch and a drink after exploring the Tweed Regional Gallery. For drinks, try Australia’s first alcoholic kombucha brewery, Ventura Brewing. 

View from the Tweed River House balcony, Tweed River - Credit: Alex Carter

Where to stay: Just a 30-minute drive from town, Avion Retreat is an exclusive adults-only retreat set on 160 acres. The glasshouse-like cabins give you uninterrupted access to the surrounding mountains, as does the outdoor stone bathtub. Hillcrest Mountain View Retreat is another option with a swimming pool and private rainforest garden. 

The glasshouse at Avion Retreat - Credit: Sally Singh

Millthorpe, Orange region 

Just like it’s more-famous neighbour, Orange, Millthorpe is a food and wine haven. But what makes this atmospheric hidden gem different is that it is heritage-listed by the National Trust, meaning the streets and buildings are relatively unchanged since the early 1900s. There are cool-climate cellar doors aplenty, a romantic way to see them in one go is on the Millthorpe Wine Stroll, which journeys from Angullong to Slow Wine Co to Tamburlaine Organic Wines, passing by cafes, boutiques and award-winning restaurant Tonic on the way. 

Tonic Restaurant, Millthorpe

Where to stay: You’ll wake up to views of gorgeous rolling purple hills at Ashburton Lavender Farm – not just a flower farm but also boutique accommodation where couples can unwind in their own private suite surrounded by lavender bushes and manicured gardens. Plus, it’s pet friendly. For the best display, book during the blooming season, which lasts from December to January.  

Ashburton Lavender Farm - Credit: Monique Lovick Photography

Braidwood, Southern Tablelands 

Pretty as a picture, Braidwood is another heritage-listed town so picturesque it’s been used as a setting for several Australian films. Part of the rich Southern Tablelands food bowl, the twice-monthly farmers markets are a must-visit to pick up local produce, especially Braidwood’s renowned black truffles in winter. Pop into galleries, bakeries and cosy pubs (the Smokey Horse, with its eccentric feel and Nepalese menu, is a local favourite) – or find a hidden swimming hole in Deua National Park.  

Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood

Where to stay: Impress your number one with a fancy stay at Mona Farm, a 24-acre property with multiple accommodation options, including the 1873-era Shearers’ Quarters – a luxurious two-person guest house with a generous deck, uninterrupted views of Mona Creek, a Japanese-inspired bathhouse, two wood-burning fireplaces and a heated spa. 

Beautiful scenery at Mona Farm - Credit: Mona Farm

Laguna, Hunter Valley 

Escape the wine tour buses and day-trippers at this lesser-known Hunter Valley town. Just seven minutes from Wollombi, 35 minutes from Broke and nestled beside Yengo National Park, Laguna is a calm escape off the beaten wine region track. Explore thoughtful wineries like biodynamic Krinklewood and small-batch Undercliff Winery (which doubles as an art gallery), have dinner at acclaimed all-in-one eatery Trading Post, get close to ancient Aboriginal rock art on the Finchley Cultural Walk and wander the country with biannual event Sculpture in the Vineyards. 

Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard - Credit: Krinklewood Estate Pty Ltd

Where to stay: Cosy up at Into the Wild - Tiny Elizabeth, a tiny home on a sprawling semi-secluded farm, and a habitat to both farm animals and native wildlife that comes with a luxurious outdoor bathtub. Closer to Cessnock, Cedars Mount View is an adults-only retreat with five luxurious villas. You can also stay at Krinklewood’s new eco-conscious, architecturally unique boutique farm stay. 

Tiny Elizabeth at Into The Wild Escapes - Credit: Into The Wild Escapes

Nyngan, Outback NSW 

What Nyngan lacks in size, it more than makes up for in personality. Built on agriculture and the gold rush of the 1800s, Nyngan sits on the edge of the tranquil Bogan River, and is the gateway to NSW's Outback. It may be famous for its Big Bogan, but there’s more to explore: follow the Cobb & Co Heritage Trail and pause at historic sites including the Nyngan Coach House (where the old horse-drawn coaches would stop on the original routes) and the Nyngan Museum; and go bird watching at the Macquarie Marshes, one of the largest inland semi-permanent wetlands in Australia. 

Bogan River, Nyngan

Where to stay: Recently renovated The Nyngan Hotel is the prime pick in town, with artfully designed rooms and an excellent restaurant. If you prefer a taste of the country farm life, Callubri Station is a fourth-generation 28,500-acre merino sheep and wheat station with food and drink included in your stay. 

Room in The Nyngan Hotel - Credit: The Nyngan Hotel

Milton, South Coast 

With close proximity to some of the region’s best wineries and restaurants, food lovers will adore Milton, a not-quite-coastal, not-quite-country town tucked away on the South Coast. Enjoy a beautiful breakfast at Milk Haus, browse artisan breads and gourmet pies at Flour Water Salt or The Heritage Bakery, and taste wines, cheeses and craft beers at Cupitt’s Estate. Sweeten things up with handmade chocolates at Woodstock Chocolate Co. or enjoy a pick-your-own flower experience at Woodstock Flower Farm.   

Food and wine on the scenic grounds at Cupitts Winery, Ulladulla 

Where to stay: In town, book Gwen – a plush newly built one-bedroom loft with a fireplace and outdoor bath. Amp up the extravagance at one of the Cupitt’s Estate Villas. If you prefer to stay by the water, Motel Molly in Mollymook offers a modern Mediterranean design, Moroccan-style sunken baths and oceanfront balconies. 

Gwen - Credit: Abbie Melle | Washerwomans Social Club

Blackheath, Blue Mountains 

While Leura and Katoomba get most of the love from tourists to the Blue Mountains, Blackheath is a more local favourite a little further up the highway. The village is the gateway to The Grand Canyon Track, an epic four-hour loop that takes you underneath waterfalls, through fern gullies and ending at breathtaking Evans Lookout. In town, shop for vintage records while sipping cocktails at Side B, order a Good Food Guide-awarded feast at Ates, and visit the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens to admire its displays of deciduous trees and exotic botanica – a magnet for native birds and animals.  

Couple enjoying a scenic walk along the Grand Canyon Track, Blackheath

Where to stay: Kyah Hotel transformed a retro motel into designer boutique accommodation, complete with celebrated onsite restaurant, Blaq. Drive further into the mountains for a more serene and totally unique experience at the Japanese Bath House, offering traditional onsen spas, relaxing treatments, Japanese food and ryokan-style accommodation. 

Kyah Hotel - Credit: Steven Woodburn | Kyah Boutique Hotel

Tumut, Snowy Valleys 

Perched beside the serene Tumut River, this pretty town at the foot of the Snowy Mountains is primed for a romantic and relaxing escape. Stroll the Tumut River Walk  (or hop in a kayak with In Motion Fitness for a more adrenaline-filled guided tour) and explore the Tumut Wetlands to watch native birdlife go about their business. Or see this stunning region from the sky on a helicopter ride with Truenorth – there are winery tours, scenic flights and more to wow your loved one. Follow the 150km Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, with nearly 60 outdoor art installations peppered across the region. Nearby Tumbarumba is the starting point for the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail – hire e-bikes from Ride Tumba. If you’re in town in April, Tumut turns gold for the Festival of the Falling Leaf.  

Truenorth Helicopters, Snowy Mountains

Where to stay: Go off-grid at Kestrel Nest Eco Hut, with no Wi-Fi, but a firepit for toasting marshmallows, outdoor bath for relaxing and clear night skies for stargazing. Stay in a tiny house on the Goobragandra River at Robynes River Retreat. Nimbo Fork Lodge offers exceptional views and has its very own Three Blue Ducks restaurant that focuses on using local produce.  

Kestral Nest EcoHut - Credit: Kestral Nest Eco Hut | Highfield Farm and Woodland