These small regional Victorian towns have been listed among the top ten friendliest places in Australia

If you've travelled through regional Victoria, you'll know there's just something about country hospitality that truly hits different. People don't just rush from A to B, they make time to say g'day and stop for a yarn. So it's no surprise that when travel website Booking.com released its list of Australia's most welcoming towns, all of them were quaint regional spots. Three of them are in Victoria, so if you're looking for a wholesome, heartwarming country getaway, these are the places to go. 

For its 13th annual Traveller Review Awards, Booking.com used a whopping 360 million verified reviews to determine the world’s most welcoming regions and towns for 2025. The small Victorian towns that made the top ten list are Ocean Grove in the fifth spot, Halls Gap in eighth and Daylesford at ninth. These are all top-notch regional destinations, made even better by the friendly vibes. 

Australia's fifth most welcoming town Ocean Grove is located on the Bellarine Peninsula – a chilled-out seaside spot with a ripper surf beach that's nestled between Barwon Heads and Point Lonsdale. The second friendliest in Victoria and eighth in the country, Halls Gap is a tiny town tucked away in the Grampians, making it the perfect base for exploring one of Victoria's most-loved national parks and the surrounding wine region. Located in Victoria's 'spa country', Daylesford is one of the most popular spots for Melburnians seeking a weekend escape and is the ninth nicest town Down Under. It's known as a haven of relaxation, with eighty per cent of the country's mineral springs flowing from this region, which makes it perfect for spa treatments and for growing high-quality produce, which you can enjoy at one of the town's top-notch restaurants. 

But where was named the friendliest place in the whole country? Montville, a charming village in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, topped the list for 2025. Home to around 1,000 friendly locals, the town charms with its gorgeous galleries, craft shops and small boutiques, showcasing local artworks, handmade goods and the town’s quirky architectural character. In Montville, you’ll also find plenty of cosy cafés to mingle with the locals, plus you can stay in good company at a rainforest eco-retreat, homely B’n’B, country cabin or mountain-view apartment.