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If you've clocked up your fair share of country towns where the main attractions are a main street, a pub, a church and a school (often all on aforementioned main street), it's time to venture somewhere a little different. New South Wales is full of wonderfully offbeat little places that march to the beat of their own drum.
Think an outback town where beer bottles double as building materials, a Northern Rivers village that became Australia's hippie capital and a mining community where living underground is all part of everyday life. Some have fascinating histories, others have wildly unexpected claims to fame, but they all have one thing in common: plenty of personality. So, if you're planning your next road trip, these eight quirky NSW towns are well worth the detour.
Central Tilba
Central Tilba looks like someone pressed pause on a 19th-century country village. Located beneath the dramatic slopes of Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) on the NSW South Coast, this beautifully preserved heritage village is all timber shopfronts, old-fashioned lolly shops and charming country pubs. Take a leisurely stroll along the main street, popping into quirky boutiques before stopping at the famous Dromedary Hotel for a drink. Cheese lovers should make a beeline for Tilba Dairy, known for its award-winning local cheeses, while the Saturday growers' market is perfect for stocking up on regional goodies. For a bigger adventure, the Gulaga walking track offers a chance to explore a mountain of deep cultural significance to the local Yuin people.
Cowra
Cowra might look like a peaceful country town surrounded by vineyards and rolling farmland, but it has a history that's anything but ordinary. Its strongest connection is with Japan, and you don't have to look far to see it. The spectacular Cowra Japanese Garden is the town's standout attraction, with beautifully landscaped gardens, tranquil ponds and cherry blossoms that put on a particularly lovely show in spring. But there's a more sobering side to this connection. In 1944, more than 1,000 Japanese prisoners of war staged a mass breakout from the local POW camp, one of the largest escapes of its kind during World War II. Discover the story at the Cowra POW Hologram Theatre and visit the nearby war cemeteries for a moment of reflection. Then take a gentler turn with a stroll along the Lachlan River or a tasting at one of the region's wineries.
Eden
Eden is a whale of a good time – quite literally. Perched on the beautiful Sapphire Coast, this seaside town has a front-row seat to one of Australia's most spectacular natural events: the annual humpback whale migration, which runs from May to early November. Head to Green Cape Lookout or join a whale-watching cruise for a closer encounter. But Eden has a few surprises beyond its ocean views. At the Eden Killer Whale Museum, you'll meet Old Tom, a famous orca whose unusual partnership with local whalers makes for a fascinating – and rather dark – history lesson. There's also Beowa National Park (formerly Ben Boyd National Park) to explore, along with gorgeous beaches, excellent fishing and plenty of opportunities to get out on the water.
Gundagai
You can't drive through Gundagai without saying hello to a dog – well, a bronze one, anyway. The famous Dog on the Tuckerbox has been keeping watch over this Riverina town since 1932, making it one of Australia's most recognisable roadside landmarks. Being about 400 kilometres south-west of Sydney, it acts as a popular stopping point, but don't just stop for a photo and a toilet break. Gundagai has plenty more going for it, from its handsome historic buildings and fascinating local history to the restored Art Deco glamour of the Niagara Café, where old-fashioned chocolate milkshakes are a must. There's also the Murrumbidgee River to explore, boutique wineries to discover and an annual rodeo for those who like bull rides and barrel racing.
Lightning Ridge
Love opals? Then you’ll love Lightning Ridge, a gloriously quirky town near the Queensland border that’s famous for its black opals. You can even try your hand at fossicking for opals or follow the Car Door Tours, where brightly painted car doors nailed to posts point the way to local curiosities. Next, head underground to the Chambers of the Black Hand, an extraordinary gallery of sculptures carved into sandstone. Art lovers can drop into the John Murray Art Gallery, while the 24-hour Artesian Bore Baths offer a chance to soak in naturally heated waters under the stars.
Nimbin
Nimbin, a little Northern Rivers town, became Australia's hippie headquarters after the 1973 Aquarius Festival attracted a wave of free-spirited souls who decided to stick around. The result? A colourful main street splashed with psychedelic murals, quirky shops and enough tie-dye to make the 1970s proud. Pop into the Nimbin Hemp Embassy, browse local creations at the Artists Gallery or time your visit for the famous “MardiGrass” festival that champions cannabis law reform. Beyond the town's alternative lifestyle, there's spectacular rainforest to explore, including the walking track to Protesters Falls and the striking volcanic formations of Nimbin Rocks.
Silverton
Silverton is what happens when a tiny outback town gets a movie-star makeover. With just 50 residents and more than 140 film and TV productions under its belt, this dusty little place is about 25 kilometres northwest of Broken Hill. It was the post-apocalyptic backdrop for Mad Max 2, and you can still get your fix of rusty movie vehicles and memorabilia at the Mad Max 2 Museum. Elsewhere, the wonderfully eccentric John Dynon Gallery is full of colour and curious sculptures, while the Silverton Hotel is the place to stay and soak up the outback vibe. Make sure to hike up the Mundi Mundi Lookout, where the vast plains stretch on endlessly before you.
White Cliffs
In White Cliffs, living underground is a way of life. This far-western NSW mining town is famous for its dugouts – homes carved into the hillsides to escape the outback's punishing summer heat. You can even spend the night underground at the White Cliffs Underground Motel. Opal fever brought miners and fortune-seekers here in the 1880s, and the town still has plenty of sparkling treasures to show for it, including its unusual opal pineapples. Look out for the quirky Stubbie House, built from glass beer bottles, and the old solar power station. For a change of scenery, head to nearby Paroo-Darling National Park to explore Peery Lake and its remarkable birdlife.
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