Regional glow-ups: The towns and cities having their moment

Regional towns and cities across Australia are having their moment, welcoming trendy eateries and upmarket hotels, giving us more reason to explore our backyard.

The local pub is more than a place to swill a beer. It is often the heart and soul of a community. A gathering place of familiar faces. The setting for core memories. Regional towns are often built around these institutions – and when the local pub is reinvented, so too is the entire community.

When last drinks were called at Kirra Beach Hotel in 2021, many of its salt-of-the-earth patrons farewelled their second home, marking the end of an era. The original pub, which opened in 1956, was bulldozed and a cool $380 million was injected into its resurrection. The humble low-rise hotel was replaced with a chic multi-storey complex designed by global architectural studio Woods Bagot featuring curves, natural stone and lush greenery.

The hotel is part of the larger Kirra Point precinct, which includes a stylish bar and restaurant on the first floor and premium holiday apartments above that. According to KTQ Group development director Jeremy Holmes, everyone is vibing to the “new Kirra rhythm”. Slated as the Gold Coast’s hottest new destination, the first stage of Kirra Point “brought the Kirra Beach Hotel back to life”, he says, while the second stage will “showcase the best of the southern Gold Coast all in one location”. It will include a retail laneway with restaurants, a fresh food marketplace, wellness facilities and a separate luxury hotel with a rooftop pool and restaurant.

Regional ‘glow-ups’ are a growing trend, according to the Unpack ’24  global consumer survey by Expedia Group. Some 34 per cent of Aussies express a desire to travel to a regional destination based on new openings of iconic restaurants and world-class hotels. On the list of hot-right-now regional destinations are Victoria’s Geelong (thanks to the Geelong Quarter food and beverage precinct), Lorne (which has welcomed Sydney institution Totti’s to its dining scene) and Bellingen in northern NSW (the latest locale for iconic restaurant Three Blue Ducks).

NSW’s second-largest city, Newcastle, was also earmarked as a regional destination luring in travellers this year. The former industrial city has been riding a rollercoaster of renewal for decades, propelled by its unique drinking and dining scene.

First came a string of multimillion-dollar makeovers of renowned pubs The Lucky Hotel, The Prince of Merewether and the 160-year-old Great Northern Hotel. These watering holes bid farewell to their beer-stained carpets and smoky pokie rooms for sleek interiors and local produce-led menus. Small bars and restaurants began to spring up thereafter, many in lovingly restored heritage spaces around the city.

But what really cemented Newcastle as a destination worth lingering in is the addition of luxury hotels in two of the city’s most iconic buildings in 2021 and ’22. The 1970s Brutalist-style building that once housed the council administrative offices was transformed into Crystalbrook Collection’s The Kingsley and the century-old former David Jones store on Hunter Street was reimagined as QT Newcastle.

Some 100 klicks down the freeway, the Central Coast is another region that has seen significant change in recent years. Much like Kirra and Newcastle, the beachside locale just north of Sydney has long been loved for its beaches, surf culture and scenery. Its beachside enclaves, such as Terrigal, have moved with the times, welcoming sophisticated restaurants and happening bars that could easily slot into a big city.

Over in Gosford, the multimillion-dollar opening of Bon Pavilion (now Railway Hotel) in 2019 reignited interest in the languishing CBD. The project was backed by entrepreneur John Singleton, who has long advocated for the city and continues to invest in its growth.

Shortly after, a glamorous $13-million Art Deco makeover of the century-old Hotel Gosford really gave locals new hope. Two years on, Gosford’s skyline is full of cranes – with developments including a new regional library, high-tech University of Newcastle campus and waterfront precinct. The most exciting addition is The Archibald, a $375-million development by ALAND that will feature a 130-room voco hotel by IHG and restaurant led by Sydney chef Dany Karam.

This glow-up is set to change the face of Gosford with ALAND founder and director Andrew Hrsto saying the development will “enliven the CBD” and “reposition Gosford as a major destination for holidaymakers”.

Whether it be the reimagining of a local pub, a newly built hotel or a collective run by cool and clever tastemakers, here are the regional towns, cities and regions being given a glow-up.

1. Kirra, Queensland

A stone’s throw from Coolangatta, this southern Gold Coast enclave has shied away from attention, thanks to its boisterous neighbour Surfers Paradise taking much of the limelight. But holidaymakers in the know have long been lured by its chilled-out charm and world-class waves. Home to the famous Kirra Surfriders Club, which has fostered pros such as Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson, Kirra is a place rooted in surfing culture.

The addition of Kirra Point – comprising Kirra Hotel, chic restaurant and bar Kirra Beach House, and premium one- to three-bedroom holiday apartments above – has thrown the town into the spotlight. Sleek pan-Asian diner Billy Chow, mod-Oz beachside restaurant Siblings, boho-style cafe Love Street and premium bathhouse Native State are also worth a visit.

2. Huon Valley, Tasmania

Just 40 minutes from Hobart, this is a region of incredible natural beauty, shaped by the Huon River, mountain ranges and tall forests.

Of late, this bucolic food bowl – known for its apples, cider, wine and salmon – has had an influx of new accommodation, tours and dining options, such as a soon-to-open diner by Analiese Gregory, The Kiln Eatery set in a restored oast house (a building designed for drying hops), and architecturally designed cabins at Hunter.

3. Townsville, Queensland

With a similar climate to Cairns, less rain and close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, Townsville is a destination that has flown under the radar. Until now. With big-city offerings and a small-town feel, Townsville boasts a lush 2.5-kilometre waterfront promenade and a historic town centre, both brimming with cool places to eat and drink. In 2020, however, the multimillion-dollar transformation of its casino, now The Ville, introduced a luxe destination to stay and play.

Some four years on, the arrival of five-star hotel The Ardo next door has upped the ante even further. The city itself is also undergoing huge changes, namely with the redevelopment of the former Reef HQ – the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium – into a state-of-the-art educational, immersive and sustainable experience. The Global Great Barrier Reef Centre of Excellence will be the first of three new waterfront precincts for Townsville. Watch this space.

4. Newcastle, NSW

By day, Newcastle’s sparkling coastline and charming ocean baths draw in those seeking sun and surf. Its thriving arts scene lures in creatives, from The Lock-Up contemporary art gallery in a 19th-century former police station, to the ever-expanding outdoor gallery (and correlating Big Picture street art festival) that has given beauty to formerly empty spaces. And, after dark, the city’s iconic pub and live music scene has been enriched by a flurry of small bars popping up in historic spaces that have been charmingly reimagined.

The city’s Victoria Theatre is the oldest surviving heritage theatre in NSW and is undergoing an extensive restoration to reopen as a live performance space. And its once lacking accommodation offering has been boosted by an influx of new stays including QT Newcastle, The Kingsley and the recently opened Little National Hotel in the city’s waterfront precinct.

5. Lorne, Victoria

When a big-name restaurant enters the scene, it gains attention from the beau monde. And so, a domino effect is triggered. As the fifth outpost from hospitality juggernaut Merivale, the opening of Totti’s Lorne in the renovated Lorne Hotel was highly anticipated. The town has always been a drawcard for its position on the Great Ocean Road and its natural beauty – waterfalls, beaches and coastal walks – but the seaside town really packs a punch for its food offerings. Totti’s joins Greek diner Ipsos, hole-in-the-wall pizzeria Pizza Pizza and Little Picket – the bowling club bistro that was awarded a Good Food Guide hat.

6. Central Coast, NSW

This beachside region smack-bang between Sydney and Newcastle has come into its own in recent years, with a smattering of sophisticated new restaurants, bars and accommodation options increasing its relevance to tastemakers.

There’s hatted restaurant Osteria il Coccia, located in the quaint seaside town of Ettalong; the complete overhaul of The Beachy at Toukley with chic accommodation and a happening drinking and dining scene; and a plethora of establishments rejuvenating the nightlife in Terrigal (playful diner Maew Maew, grungy bar Lost Souls, uber-chic Meribella restaurant, and plans for a $5-million makeover of Terrigal Pavilion by the same folk behind Queensland’s Burleigh Pavilion in Burleigh Heads).

But perhaps the most dramatic change is still to come, with multimillion-dollar developments now dominating the Gosford CBD skyline.

7. Bellingen, NSW

Once known as a hippie hideout, this small hinterland town between rainforest and coast has been described as the new Byron (or perhaps good ol’ Byron). The town is an idyllic base for exploring the Waterfall Way and Dorrigo National Park, with well-preserved heritage-listed buildings and an impressive culinary scene. Joining the likes of stylish Italian osteria Fiume and Mediterranean kitchen Brunos, the farm-to-table restaurant group Three Blue Ducks has now moved in. Housed in motel-turned-luxe stay The Lodge on 6.5 hectares, the restaurant has uninterrupted views of Dorrigo Mountain and serves its signature ethical, local and seasonal food from breakfast to dinner. The news gives city folk reason to drop in and linger a little longer while driving along the east coast.

8. Geelong, Victoria

Things are happening in Victoria’s second-largest city, a seaside hub with wide-open beaches lined with palm trees, Art Deco architecture, a bounty of new restaurants and a brand-new hotel. Within the new Geelong Quarter, Holiday Inn and Suites is playful and stylish accommodation with onsite restaurant Maestro headed by master-of-meat chef Adrian Richardson (ex-La Luna Bistro and Bouvier).

Little Malop Street is a bustling dining precinct, with a host of small speakeasies such as the new Non Disclosure Bar. In the 173-year-old Sawyers Arms Tavern, Southeast Asian restaurant Two Noble and Eileen’s Charcoal Grill, a Euro steakhouse, are two exciting additions. And the century-old Eureka Hotel recently reopened after an extensive refurbishment, drawing in the crowds for classic pub grub in a modern setting. The Geelong Arts Centre also just opened its doors after a $140-million redevelopment, which includes theatres, studios, events and dining spaces and is slated to be Victoria’s boldest cultural asset.

9. Rottnest Island, WA

Wadjemup, or ‘Rotto’ as it’s known colloquially, is a long-time favourite destination for Perth locals (and visitors alike), returning time and time again for laid-back no-fuss getaways. In 2020, however, the island got a polish with its first luxury resort – beachfront stay Samphire Rottnest – the epitome of barefoot indulgence. The Lodge Wadjemup is a brand-new low-rise build set to open later this year. Newcomers on the culinary scene add to the excitement, including Italian restaurant Isola Bar e Cibo and relaxed Mediterranean eatery Havza.

10. Bendigo, Vic

In 2019, Bendigo became Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy for its diverse and sustainable food culture and creative industries – a huge accolade for the former gold rush town. Since then, Bendigo has carved a niche for itself as an epicentre for art and design, hosting some of the world’s largest fashion and design exhibitions including Marilyn Monroe and Elvis: Direct from Graceland in its regional art centre. The buzz about town got even louder when Wotif named Bendigo ‘Australia’s best town to visit for 2024’.

Bendigo Ernest Hotel, a 10-suite boutique housed in the town’s oldest bank, makes for an elegant stay. And discerning tastebuds can be satisfied with on-trend eateries such as North American-inspired The Woodhouse, Melbourne-style speakeasy The Dispensary, chic rooftop bar Nimbus and Bendigo Brewing, opening soon.

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