Beyond Sydney: NSW names its best small towns — but where exactly is Gulgong?

Perhaps overshadowed by the sheer pull of Sydney, the small towns of New South Wales have long kept a low profile — but of late they have been stepping up their tourism marketing in earnest.

Hundreds of these destinations shine like hidden gems, yet many still remain largely unknown to the wider traveling public.

Each corner of the state offers its own distinct appeal: the dramatic coastal scenery and water activities of the South Coast below Sydney, the relaxed beaches and lakes of the Central Coast to the north, and the wineries and gourmet experiences of the Hunter Valley — giving travelers the flexibility to plan a trip around their schedule and tastes.

In Mittagong, fresh mushrooms sprout inside a tunnel once meant for trains. In Wollongong, a lighthouse perched on coastal cliffs, rolling teal waves that sweep toward Antarctica, and a stretch of green parkland beside a golf course combine to leave visitors breathless. Every town has its own character, and they are scattered throughout the state.

The NSW Tourism Association announced the results of the 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards on Monday.

Winners were announced across three categories based on population size — Top Tourism Town, Small Tourism Town and Tiny Tourism Town — alongside the NRMA People's Choice Award, which reflects votes cast by visitors.

This year's honorees range from coastal towns south of Sydney, such as Kiama and Wollongong, to inland destinations with their own distinct character, including Orange and Gulgong, as well as wine and food destinations in the Hunter region such as Broke.

Adding just one or two days to a Sydney itinerary opens up a richer experience of New South Wales, taking in coastal towns, wine country and inland villages alike.

In the Top Tourism Town category (population 5,000 and above), Kiama took gold, Orange silver and Wollongong bronze. Orange also claimed the People's Choice Award.

In the Small Tourism Town category (population between 1,500 and 5,000), Gulgong won gold, Gloucester silver and Thirlmere bronze, while Shoal Bay took the People's Choice Award.

In the Tiny Tourism Town category (population under 1,500), Broke claimed gold, Millthorpe silver and Mungindi bronze. Millthorpe also won the People's Choice Award, determined by visitor votes.

Kiama, Gulgong and Broke will go on to represent New South Wales at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards, to be held in Canberra later this year.

Kiama, about 120 kilometers south of Sydney — roughly a two-hour drive — is one of the state's signature coastal destinations. Its blowhole, formed by volcanic activity along the sea cliffs, shoots columns of water up to 20 to 30 meters into the air each time a wave surges in. Kiama Blowhole ranks among the largest natural blowholes in the world, and the town's name derives from an Aboriginal word meaning "place where the sea makes a noise." Beyond the blowhole, visitors can enjoy beaches, surfing, food and wine, local markets and historic architecture.

Gulgong is a historic small town in the Mudgee region that preserves the legacy of the gold rush era. Visitors can explore heritage buildings and national parks alongside sites connected to celebrated Australian author Henry Lawson, taking in the area's history and culture.

Broke sits within the Broke Fordwich wine subregion of the Hunter Valley and offers boutique and biodynamic wineries, restaurants and access to Yengo National Park.

NSW Tourism Association CEO Natalie Godward said the awards "shine a light on the small towns and local communities that make traveling in New South Wales so special," adding that now is "a perfect time to hit the road and discover the diverse experiences on offer right across the state."

NRMA Parks and Resorts CEO Paul Davies said the People's Choice Award "reflects the destinations that visitors genuinely love and return to," and called it "a great honor to sponsor awards that celebrate communities driving visitation, local pride and vitality right across New South Wales."