Rodney Stevens
The Lower Clarence town of Maclean has been named first on Airbnb’s Tiny Towns Guide of the top 50 small towns across Australia, winning a $30,000 grant that will help the future of the town’s famous Highland Gathering.
With the new guide showcasing 50 charming Aussie towns, Airbnb aims to put Australia’s tiniest – and best – towns on the map, with new research conducted via YouGov revealing 80 per-cent of Aussies want to visit a regional town they’ve never visited, 1 in 3 people assume these towns have poor accommodation options, and 40 per-cent of Aussies have never heard of even 1 of the top 10 tiny towns on the list.
The top 50 Tiny Towns selected have a population of less than 3,000 people, they are within a 4-hour drive of a major city or regional town, and they offer something unique such as stunning landscapes or a thriving arts community.
While Maclean is the most recognisable Tiny Town on the list, 74 percent of Aussies admitted to having never heard of the northern NSW town.
“Maclean offers a unique blend of cultural heritage on the banks of the picturesque Clarence River,” an Airbnb spokesperson said.
“Enjoy the charming streets of town, indulge in fresh local prawns or explore the surrounding countryside with a trek through the subtropical rainforest.”
Lower Clarence Scottish Association Chief, Peter Smith said they were delighted Maclean was included in Air BnB’s Tiny Towns Guide and receiving the $30,000 grant will ensure the town’s famous Highland Gathering continues.
“The Lower Clarence Scottish Association would like to thank Airbnb Australia for its very generous support and for including our town of Maclean in its Tiny Towns Guide,” he said.
“Our Association was established in 1893 to promote and nurture the Scottish culture in our local region, and in April 2025 we will hold our 120th Maclean Highland Gathering.
“The financial assistance and publicity that inclusion in the Tiny Towns Guide brings will help us ensure our event can continue, including assisting in our efforts to bring some of the world’s best international guest pipers and performers and raising our profile so that more people can enjoy the Gathering, support our local businesses, and spend time in our wonderful town.”
The research also found 28 per-cent of travellers tried a new food or drink when visiting a tiny town, one in five bought a piece of art or antique that they love and nearly 20 percent made a good friend from their travels.
Other locations in the Top 10 Tiny Towns are Scamander Tasmania, Monto QLD, York WA, Myrrhee Victoria, Taranna Tasmania, Bremer Bay WA, Lake Bennett NT, Glen Alice NSW, and Tumby Bay SA.
A full list of the towns featured in the Tiny Towns Guide plus more information on why to visit and where to stay, can be found at www.airbnb.com/tinytowns