The 24 Smallest Towns in Australia That You Must Visit

Australia is a massive country but is sparsely populated throughout the majority of it. Despite this, it is home to an incredible amount of biomes, animals, and human history. A rich segment of Australia’s heritage can be found within its amazing settlements, including Melbourne and Sydney. However, there’s a hidden charm in its smaller, lesser-known towns that simply can’t be missed.

That said, we invite you to take a tour of some of the more remote places in Australia, each of which is packed with surprises. Let’s discover the 24 smallest towns in the country (plus an honorable mention) and get a glimpse into the secrets they hold!

#1 Tarcoola, South Australia – Population: 0

Named after a famous racehorse, Tarcoola began after gold was discovered within the region. Officially established in 1901, the small town saw booming success for nearly 17 years, during which over 2 tons of gold were mined. After the long run of gains, though, the mine was closed in 1954 and the town’s significance shifted. For a while, Tarcoola served as a railway junction for the route between Adelaide and Port Darwin. Although still important, the town serving as a place of business and residence began to gradually dwindle.

Eventually, it was discovered that the town no longer had any permanent residents as of 2016. The place still sees railway traffic and occasional geographers, though. True to its gold mining history, the area nearby is still being surveyed for potential mineral deposits. Although currently empty, Tarcoola is anything but forgotten!

#2 Dunmarra, Northern Territory – Population: ?

Located along the Stuart Highway, Dunmarra is more of a wayside stop than a true town. It’s somewhat widely known for its roadhouse, fittingly named the Dunmarra Roadhouse. This place offers fuel and other necessities, including authentic Aussie meat pies. Rumor has it that the tasty treats available here are some of the best in the region – there’s only one way to see if that’s true, right?

There’s a bit of bizarre history behind the name of this remote destination. In the early 1900s, a telegraph engineer named Dan O’Mara explored the nearby area with the mission of constructing communication lines. He went missing, however, and wasn’t found until nearly 30 years later. Sadly, it was the remains of O’Mara that were discovered by rancher Noel Healy. He ended up in a conversation with the local Aborigines, whose accents made O’Mara’s name sound like “Dunmarra.” The idea stuck, and Healy proposed it as the name of the town in memory of the intrepid engineer.

A curious thing to note about tiny Dunmarra is that its “population” is likely the staff working at the roadhouse. While it’s not clear if they or the transient travelers to this locale count as residents, it truly earns its spot as one of the smallest towns in Australia!

#3 Betoota, Queensland – Population: 3

Having a meandering history, Betoota waxes and wanes between being a true ghost town and not. As far as amenities go, this town features the Betoota Hotel, an airstrip, a racetrack, and a cricket field. Established in 1887, this incredibly small town served as a checkpoint along a livestock route. Originally, it featured a customs office and police station, but they rarely saw any use and were shut down only a few years after being built. Two other hotels, a general store, and a post office were also added to the mix but similarly went into disuse. This didn’t stop the spirit of the rugged town from living on, though.

Recently, the single remaining hotel has been reinvigorated and sees yearly use during the Simpson Desert Carnival every August. The sizeable racetrack here attracts a program that includes multiple races, live music, and plenty of refreshments. Please don’t overlook the seeming insignificance of this little place, as these celebrations continue to leave their mark on the map and have made Betoota more than famous.

Nowadays, the puzzling but ongoing history of this place survives despite the odds. The yearly carnival hosted here shows no sign of slowing down and is regarded as an annual regional spectacle worth looking forward to. The Betoota Advocate, quoted as being one of Australia’s oldest newspapers, was also named after this curious town. Amazingly, it’s still in print to this day.

#4 Kingoonya, South Australia – Population: 4

Another historical railway stop that stands among the smallest settlements in Australia is Kingoonya. Once called “Kingoonyah,” this town was home to nearly 200 ranching families and was an invaluable fuel depot for trains back in the early 1900s. It saw sporadic growth and usage, though, as the necessity for such a waystation evolved alongside railway technology.

When steam locomotion was in primary use, Kingoonya was a thriving township and critical restocking station for trains. However, when newer technologies like diesel became the standard, the importance of the town began to decline. Post the 1990s, this small place is little more than an in-between for transient tourists, geologists, and hunters.

Now, that’s not to say that Kingoonya isn’t still an important regional cornerstone, though. All travelers who pass through are more than thankful for the rest and food available at the local Kingoonya Hotel. Even contemporary ranchers who homestead on the nearby lands appreciate the niceties of civilization it offers. Although modest, the town still adds to the array of colorful outback settlements for weary folks from all walks of life.

#5 Cooladdi, Queensland – Population: 7

Cooladdi shares a lot in common with Dunmarra, especially in that its entire locality contemporarily consists of a roadhouse. Known as The Cooladdi Road House, or possibly more infamously The Fox Trap, this intriguing little gem stands to this day as an iconic Aussie attraction. However, the town used to be a railway stop and therefore had a larger historical presence.

Previously called Yarronvale, Cooladdi was proposed as a different name for the town itself. Before this, it was sharing the name of a nearby railroad station. Despite naming confusions, the town itself had its own school, post office, and police station. However, these functions saw little to no use as Cooladdi gradually shrank, and eventually closed. Much like many other remote settlements in Australia, the town fluctuated in size as a result of the significance (or lack thereof ) that adjacent railways imposed.

Now, this remote stop has been combined into the multipurpose roadhouse, which is now a general store, restaurant, and post office. That being said, did you know that given its size and population, Cooladdi is the smallest area in Australia to get its own postal code? In addition, the sparse amount of residents that call it home more than likely live within the roadhouse itself!

#6 Nindigully, Queensland – Population: 9

Nindigully, whose name is thought to mean “small gully,” is a wee town with firm roots. Although the spelling of the place went through several revisions including “Nindi Gully” and “Nindigually,” its vision never changed. Once a stopover for stagecoaches, this town became popular enough to build its own post office and school. However, changing with the times, these commodities were shut down due to the town’s populace ultimately dwindling.

That didn’t stop this historical treasure trove from pressing on, though. Nindigully is still home to a handful of people, and annual events like pig races and live music bring more than just a few visitors. The local pub remains in business and also doubles as a hotel for anyone venturing through the area.

Lastly, if you’re an Australian movie buff, perhaps this place seems familiar. The 1999 film “Paperback Hero” was shot here, and the locals are more than likely eager to share the story behind it. In fact, the town features a memorial sculpture dedicated to the event!

#7 Kuridala, Queensland – Population: 10

Copper and gold mining was prevalent in the early days of Australia, and many settlements were created to facilitate these efforts. Kuridala is one such example, a town founded after nearby mineral deposits were discovered. Seemingly a given for some outback towns, this place was renamed a few times, with various epithets including Gulatten, Hampden, and Friezland.

Regardless of its name, this “gold rush” town once hosted a population of nearly 1,500 people and a bustling economy. At one point, Kuridala had a wealth of stores, hotels, schools, churches, and a hospital. It’s said that during its heyday, a glow surrounded this frontier town due to all of its ore smelting and metal production.

Copper prices crashed during the 1920s, however, which also hampered the town’s prosperity. The local businesses and schools struggled to stay open, and residents began to trickle out. Even the connected railway eventually ceased running through Kuridala, further limiting its potential. These days, a few households still remain, and the historical site of the town itself still attracts curious visitors.

#8 Cockburn, South Australia – Population: 12

Mining and rail accomplishments weave an unforgettable tapestry along Australia’s vibrant past, and Cockburn is a prominent feature. However, its origin story is a bit of a tumultuous one. In 1884, it became desirable to ship silver, lead, and zinc from newly discovered deposits in the nearby village of Silverton and the surrounding area. Political and business differences between South Australia and New South Wales caused quite a stir, though. You see, these two federal jurisdictions wouldn’t agree on how to handle the cargo and with which railways. As a result, the Silverton Tramway Company was established, and it needed a waystation within South Australia. Thus, Cockburn was born.

Given its industrious nature, the town’s growth skyrocketed quickly and reached a peak population of nearly 2,000 people in 1892. Dozens of artisans, merchants, and rail workers contributed to the booming economy and residency of Cockburn. As a main thoroughfare for invaluable train cargo, there was little to hinder the town from enjoying runaway success. However, the trades of mining and locomotion moved on eventually, and Cockburn was set on a steady downward path to becoming a ghost town. Despite another rail system and highway being built nearby, little use was had for such a mining town, which quietly shrank into history.

Today, the current inhabitants of Cockburn proudly remain, more than aware of the rich heritage the area represents.

#9 William Creek, South Australia – Population: 17

Another railway town, William Creek is known for its hardy nature. This place didn’t see any heydays or booms in expansion but instead endured to this day as an infrastructural marvel. Originally chartered in the late 1880s along the path of rail construction, William Creek soon became an iconic checkpoint for train passengers. It’s also notable for its role in local telegraph line installments, although these were eventually removed during environmental conservation efforts.

One thing that this town has always boasted, and continues to do so, is the sheer natural beauty it sits within. Huge stretches of untouched outback surround William Creek, and they often sport a shockingly hot climate. Also, mound springs spot the nearby wilderness, and the impressive Lake Eyre is only a short distance away.

#10 Innamincka, South Australia – Population: 21

The Innamincka area has thousands of years of Aboriginal history seated within it, although much of which is shrouded in mystery. In somewhat modern times, the town of Innamincka is considerably young in comparison! Having been founded in 1890 and formed into a locality in 2003, the town has always been remote, much to its early disadvantage. Originally named Hopetoun, Innamincka was created as a waypoint between Queensland and South Australia. The primary function it served was charging taxes on cattle that were herded between the two territories.

This kind of involvement never provided the town with much of a strong economy, although it did have a police station and hospital at one point. However, difficulty in reaching the settlement paired with intense drought conditions led the town to be abandoned in 1951. Innamincka’s story doesn’t end there, though.

Thanks to natural gas and oil deposits being discovered nearby, a rush of renovation hit the town in the late 1960s. What was once shut down and forgotten about became a new frontier for the energy sector and tourism. A special feature the township has at its disposal is being backed up to Cooper Creek, a portion of Lake Eyre’s sprawling basin.

#11 Walhalla, Victoria – Population: 35

When thinking of ghost towns in Australia, ideas of barren expanses of desert and dated buildings may come to mind. That said, the stunningly lush setting and tidy appearance of Walhalla may be a shocker to some!

Originally the result of gold being discovered in a nearby creek in 1862, this town practically became a huge hit overnight. Walhalla rapidly filled with over 3,500 budding citizens, and the town itself started becoming a place of “firsts.” For example, it became the very first community other than Melbourne to feature electric-powered streetlamps. This marvel was an invention incidentally powered by the same technology used to power the nearby mining equipment.

However, as many mining settlements often run into, Walhalla eventually closed its mine in 1914, also sealing its own fate. For a while, the town was left completely abandoned. A modern interest in preserving its history wouldn’t stand for that, though, and efforts were made to restore this iconic place during the 1990s. Today, sightseers can visit a true recreation of this absolute wonder of Australia’s history.

#12 Gwalia, Western Australia – Population: 40

After being surveyed for rich mineral deposits in 1896, Gwalia was founded the following year to facilitate mine workers the following year. The excursion itself was funded by a well-off merchant from Coolgardie, who also served as inspiration for its name. Interestingly enough, one of the geologists who aided in the establishment of the town was Herbert Hoover, who later became the President of the United States.

Originally inhabited by Italian immigrants, Gwalia soon began a process of impressive growth and commercial output. The namesake mine, Sons of Gwalia, eventually produced over 80 tons of gold – by today’s standards, that’s worth nearly 6 billion Australian dollars! Given the robust economy of the town, it saw a maximum of 1,114 residents at one point in 1910. However, incidents in the mine led to several years of shutdown, which damaged the otherwise prosperous Gwalia. Slow progress was made in recovering both the mine and town, but production ceased in 1963. The closure of the mine caused Gwalia to quickly become a ghost town.

Today, several households still remain in the area, and a museum captures the rich local history. Multiple attempts throughout the years, primarily during the 1980s and early 2000s, have been made to reopen the mine. Unfortunately, these ventures have often been met with mixed fiscal gains.

#13 Tilpa, New South Wales – Population: 44

Although a possibly confusing acclaim, Tilpa was historically notable as a port town. For clarification, the adjacent Darling River used to be a critical shipping lane for textiles, and Tilpa functioned as a docking station. Also, the bridge accompanying the town allowed for easy transport across the river itself. If that wasn’t enough to put Tilpa on the map, a local ferry business was commonly used to carry livestock between the banks.

Founded in the late 1880s, Tilpa has always been as useful as it is curious. The local hotel, which also serves as a pub, is decorated with autographs from decades of travelers. An oddity of the town is its incredibly short heritage trail, which is only a few steps long. And lastly, Tilpa features a completely empty cemetery – although it was built, nobody has ever been interred in it.

#14 Larrimah, Northern Territory – Population: 47

Larrimah, which means “meeting place,” has seen many interesting developments over the years. The surrounding region has been home to Aborigines for thousands of years, who believe the landscape was made by a great cuckoo. More recently, the area was charted out as a great location for a railway station during World War II.

The town of Larrimah came into being in 1940 and was the base of operations for transporting army supplies until the war’s end in 1945. Afterwards during the 1960s, its position along rail lines was integral for trains carrying iron ore for nearly a decade. That market didn’t survive long, however, and the railways through Larrimah stopped running in 1981.

All of these changes never stopped Larrimah from standing strong, though. Today, it’s home to a quirky Pink Panther pub complete with a statue of the cartoon icon. Also, some of the original military communication installations still stand today, capturing a snapshot of the era’s technology.

#15 Silverton, New South Wales – Population: 50

As you may recall from the entry of Cockburn above, Silverton was the location of a monumental silver deposit. Subsequently, lead and zinc were also found to be rich in the area, leading to a very fast explosion of growth. The town became a loading area for extracted minerals, which were sent via locomotive to the nearby settlement of Cockburn. As productive as Silverton and its mining ventures were, though, the once-abundant reserves were eventually depleted. This led to a gradual decline in the town’s population, but couldn’t stand in the way of Silverton’s cultural significance.

Speaking of culture, hundreds of movies have been filmed in and around Silverton at this point. Its era-styled buildings and beautiful arid backdrop have been sought after for ages, and have been featured in over a hundred different productions. Famous Hollywood titles including Mad Max 2 and Mission: Impossible 2 were produced using Silverton as a setting!

#16 Daly Waters, Northern Territory – Population: 55

Named after nearby water springs in the early 1860s, Daly Waters quickly became a crucial waypoint through the Northern Territory. It was later explored by the intrepid John Stuart as a notable area due to its plentiful water sources. Shortly thereafter, a small settlement including a hotel and a pony express stopover was established.

Eventually, an airstrip was built that served as an important mail depot and refueling location for overland flights. Then, it saw vital use during World War II during the Pacific Theater. Although more than showing its age these days, the facilities are still occasionally used by the military. Visitors can stop by the historic installation and peruse a museum that showcases the thrilling past it underwent.

Today, the town of Daly Waters itself still provides similar amenities as its vintage self, with the original hotel being refitted into a quaint pub. Exhausted travelers are always welcome to stop in and enjoy the local history and unique brand of humor that it extends.

#17 Oodnadatta, South Australia – Population: 102

The Oodnadatta locale has existed as a critical crossroads for thousands of years, as Aborigines hiked through it for purposes of trade. You see, plenty of fresh water can be found within the area, which is a rarity throughout vast expanses of the outback. After being spotted by John Stuart for similar reasons, it was decided that a railhead town would be perfect for this area. Thus, Oodnadatta was born.

While steam-powered trains were at their peak, the path to and from the town served as a transit hub of sorts. Not only did trains pass through, but so did the regional telegraph line as well as camel caravans. Locomotive technology surpassed the need for this route, though, but the town still stayed relevant.

Today, it contains the famous Pink Roadhouse, a large Aboriginal school, and an impressive water desalination plant. Due to its key location and services, Oodnadatta may be somewhat small, but it easily thrives. Cargo, farm, and mining ventures utilize the town’s handiness to survive the otherwise harsh journey through the neighboring lands. True to its ancient roots, Oodnadatta is still the gateway to the Simpson Desert and beyond!

#18 Birdsville, Queensland – Population: 110

The history of Birdsville and its surroundings was definitely not without struggle, as landowners tussled with native folks for ownership. These quarrels were dispelled by the 1880s, however, and the area became a hotspot for ranching activities.

Similar to other remote outposts in Australia, the name of this town shifted from Diamantina Crossing to Birdfield, then to Burtsville, and finally to Birdsville. Although the true etymology has never been pinned down, it’s colloquially thought that several mistakes happened until its final name was decided upon. Errors in sending mail, merchants naming the area for themself, and even remarking about the number of native birds are all theories that exist!

If you recall from the entry of Betoota above, the famous race shows that take place yearly extend to Birdsville, as well. The carnival consists of races within Betoota, Birdsville, and Bedourie, which all mesh together into a festive journey through the outback!

#19 Eromanga, Queensland – Population: 115

Founded during the 1860s, Eromanga remained a quiet town for some time. It has been the site for generations of family-owned livestock farms since that time. Other interesting discoveries were lying in wait for this homestead, though, in the form of opal deposits and rare fossils. That’s right – Eromanga became the home of fascinating titanosaur remains, thanks to its location near an ancient sea.

Even more natural resources came into Eromanga’s inventory once an oil reserve was found nearby. The refinery that was installed in 1986 has since been an abundant provider for both land and air vehicle industries. As an aside, they also supply regional mining ventures, which benefit from investing in domestic suppliers.

#20 Amoonguna, Northern Territory – Population: 275

Although small, the indigenous community of Amoonguna is a well-maintained and serviced town that’s home to many native Australian peoples. Featuring dedicated education, health care, and shopping facilities, this vibrant town serves as a center for the preservation of local culture. Many of its residents are considered to be descendants of the Arrernte people.

#21 Andamooka, South Australia – Population: 262

Originally discovered as a promising area for ranching, Andamooka has been an energetic town since its inception in 1857. Although it had a relatively straightforward outlook for several years, the discovery of rich veins of opal in 1930 rapidly changed it from a general pastoral zone into a true town.

For a while, it had a bad reputation as a frontier destination, complete with shady characters. However, the subsequent influx of mining efforts saw Andamooka stabilize into a modern, industrialized settlement. During its highest moments, Andamooka housed over 2,000 fearless pioneers who hiked out to its remote promises of fortune.

Today, many of its historical buildings including houses and restaurants have been preserved. Although finding opals here isn’t quite as simple as it was in the past, tourists can still enjoy the history via a multitude of museum exhibits. And, if you’re lucky enough to visit during August, the still-enduring tradition of the Andamooka Cookout is available to all!

#22 Pine Creek, Northern Territory – Population: 318

Spotted as a potential site for gold during a telegraph line installation, Pine Creek was named after its abundance of pine trees. As gold fever struck the area, the town itself quickly swelled into a true mining complex. Not just a single mine was opened due to the natural wealth of the region – a total of 15 were operating at the town’s peak during the 1890s.

Thanks to becoming a speedy destination for prospectors and miners alike, Pine Creek was home to over 3,000 residents in just a few short years. An interesting early demographic element of this town was that a large majority of workers were Chinese immigrants. This isn’t reflected in today’s population, though, as most of them are descendants of Australian Aboriginals.

The town also served as a critical rail, aviation, and wartime center, as well. It originally had its own system of local railways and was considered as part of an expansion for larger routes. However, these plans never came to fruition because other transit options, like the Stuart Highway, were focused on instead. The railroads that serviced Pine Creek and the surrounding regions did provide vital paths for cargo during World War II, though. The town, along with its airfield and railway, became essential to war efforts within the North Territory.

Visitors today can enjoy multiple heritage celebrations including a gold rush festival and gold panning contests. If that’s not enough, the old railway station has been converted into a museum that tells the story of Pine Creek.

#23 Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia – Population: 1,181

The lush area surrounding the mouth of the Fitzroy River was the traditional home to many Aboriginal peoples, thanks to the plentiful natural resources. Australian explorers caught wind of these benefits as well, and the area became home to several notable ranches as early as 1882. However, the area itself didn’t become properly settled until 1886 and saw further urban development for many years to follow. Much later, in 1975, the town of Fitzroy Crossing became officially recognized, although it had been frequented for decades.

As one of the largest entries on this list, Fitzroy Crossing may be physically small but offers a wide variety of commodities. Even for outback standards, this town has a wide assortment of shopping and service providers. It also acts as one of the largest civilization centers for the surrounding area, due to its central location. Eager visitors can look forward to multiple roadhouses, hotels, and naturally, stops for authentic Aussie cuisine. With all of the conveniences available here, Fitzroy Crossing would make for a wonderful base for exploring the Kimberley region of the country!

#24 Coober Pedy, South Australia – Population: 1,566

The sizeable town of Coober Pedy could be the top producer of opals in the world – not exactly a small claim! Although the eventual location of the town was noted in 1858 by overland explorers, the call for settlement came much later. In 1915, prospectors went looking for gold, and although unsuccessful, they found none other than opals instead! This discovery made the area a hot destination for miners looking for work, and by 1920, the township of Coober Pedy was made official.

An interesting characteristic of this once-pioneer town is its underground structures. Several buildings, including hotels, stores, and churches, are actually underground. This unique take on architecture allows tourists a different view of outback-style settlements. In addition to that, the local mine is open for touring and also has an accompanying museum. Travelers to Coober Pedy can also look forward to an opal festival every June, which features a dazzling array of events. There’s no shortage of entertainment here, with a parade, fireworks show, live music, car races, and more!

Honorable Mention

Wittenoom, Western Australia – Population: 0

Sometimes something so bad goes down, a town has to be written off the record. That’s exactly what happened at Wittenoom, one of Australia’s more controversial ghost towns. Founded in 1950, this small, out-of-the-way town used to be a mainstay for blue asbestos mining. The nearby Wittenoom and Yampire Gorges were found to contain incredible amounts of the dangerous resource. The naturally occurring abundance of the mineral made the region the country’s only source for extraction.

As you might be thinking, this once economical venture spelled the eventual doom of the place. Firstly, the town’s mining operations were ruled as unprofitable, causing operations to cease in 1966. Then, after the dangers of the substance were discovered, the entire town was deemed unsafe. Due to the amount of contamination, the surrounding area was zoned off and strict discouragement policies were enacted. In total, the closure of Wittenoom blocked off 120,000 acres of Western Australia.

Bizarrely enough, although the town was officially condemned in 2007, residents remained until 2021. It wasn’t until 2023 that every last citizen was evicted from the area. To finalize the total erasure of Wittenoom, demolition of all related structures began after everyone had left. So, you could say, it’s the smallest and most nonexistent town in the country!

Summary of the 25 Smallest Towns in Australia

Each town we’ve seen here offers its very own, unique take on Australia. Nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike will never find a dull moment while on tour across the marvels of this wonderful country. It’s critical to keep in mind that, no matter the size of something, its significance can impact knows no bounds!

In closing, please always remember to prepare thoroughly before heading out to these remote locations, or any others. The harsh outback demands travelers to be ever-alert and appreciate the oftentimes treacherous conditions that come alongside the sheer natural beauty!