Bellingen

For a more laid-back New South Wales experience, visit the small town of Bellingen, located about halfway between the much more populated cities of Sydney and Brisbane. Here, you will witness three environments of Australia’s geography: valley, plateau, and coastal. Though the tree-lined town is viewed as tiny compared to other Aussie destinations, it’s the seat of the local government, the Bellingen Shire, and offers many endearing local shops, cafes, and a museum, giving travelers the chance to feel less like a tourist and more like one of Australia’s own.