SMALL TOWNS OFTEN
get a bad rap from their big city cousins, who are prone to assuming that just because they are diminutive in stature, they must also be devoid of cultural diversions and a decent flat white. But what city folk are starting to cotton on to are the infinite drawcards and advantages that town living also presents: the sense of community, the slower pace of life, the affordable housing and lifestyle... Towns, the ‘official’ definition of which seems to hinge on population (a small town has fewer than 10,000 residents; a medium town, 50,000; and a large town, 100,000 according to an Australian Bureau of Statistics report on the 2016 census results), are also a delightful proposition when it comes to exploration. Spending time in a small, medium or large town allows visitors to tap into a more laid-back way of life at the same time as they are discovering new delights, from uncrowded beaches to locals-run cafes and restaurants, to breathtaking experiences that most don’t even know about. For all of these reasons (and a lot more besides) we decided to concentrate our attention on our fabulous Aussie towns in this issue, searching out quaint, thriving communities that are definitely worth your time. Places like Tathra on the NSW South Coast, the hamlets and villages of the Sunshine Coast’s Mary Valley and our gorgeous cover star Yallingup in WA’s Margaret River region. They’ve all got myriad tales to tell – all you have to do is visit and ask. Enjoy!