It's all about service: Travellers name friendliest regional Aussie cities
One region is classed among the most welcoming on the planet.
Have you ever been to a regional Australian city and the locals welcomed you with open arms?
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It seems the rest of the world is catching on to what we already knew - Aussie regional cities are the friendliest.
But one in particular stands out as one of the most welcoming in the world - South Australia.
SA was named among 2025's top 10 Most Welcoming Regions on Earth in Booking.com's 2025 Traveller Review Awards.
The awards were based on over 360 million customer reviews, honouring Booking.com travel partners who deliver outstanding hospitality and service.
2025's Most Welcoming Cities in Australia were:
- Orange, New South Wales
- Mudgee, New South Wales
- Halls Gap, Victoria
- Daylesford, Victoria
- Ocean Grove, Victoria
- Bicheno, Tasmania
- Port Lincoln, South Australia
- Margaret River Town, Western Australia
- Montville, Queensland
- Maleny, Queensland
The most welcoming regions on Earth were determined by the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveller Review Award in a city or region.
2025's Most Welcoming Regions on Earth were:
- South Australia, Australia
- Osijek-Baranja, Croatia
- Kakheti, Georgia
- Madeira, Portugal
- Misiones, Argentina
- Graubnden, Switzerland
- Bretagne, France
- Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Kien Giang, Vietnam
- Drenthe, Netherlands
Booking.com regional manager for Oceania, Todd Lacey, said Adelaide is bursting with culture, flavours, events, and entertainment and is a fantastic first stop for travellers, consistently appearing as one of the top ten most-searched destinations on Booking.com for Australian travellers.
"Our 2025 Traveller Review Awards also recognised the "Most Welcoming" destinations specifically in South Australia," Mr Lacey said.
"This included Port Lincoln, followed by Victor Harbour, Robe, and Mount Gambier. These destinations offer fantastic alternative bases for adventurous travellers along the Fleurieu Peninsula and Limestone Coast."
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Mr Lacey said accommodation experiences in SA are diverse, from underground stays and caves in Coober Pedy to historic cottages in the award-winning wine regions of the Barossa and McLaren Vale.
As for why the top 10 most welcoming cities in Australia were all regional and not capitals, Mr Lacey said it came down to service.
"Regional accommodation providers understand how critical it is to create memorable hospitality experiences, and many smaller businesses often provide fantastic personalised and more localised experiences," he said.
My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me.
Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.
My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
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