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The best Aussie 'hidden gem' places you may never have heard of

Sarah Swain
Sarah Swain

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It's a mission most travellers dream of - unearthing 'hidden' gems which remain undiscovered by the hoards.

And with summer underway it's vital to do some research if you don't want to battle crowds on holidays and day trips.

Car insurance experts at ROLLiN crunched the data to reveal Australian spots still flying under the radar and not saturating social media.

They assessed details including attractions, weather and places to stay.

Here are their top ten undiscovered havens in Australia.

Attribution: Supplied
10. Littlehampton, SA
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10. Littlehampton, SA

The small town of Littlehampton is in the Adelaide Hills.

However it's less known than neighbouring spots like Hahndorf and Mount Barker.

It's famous for a pair of picturesque railway tunnels and also has a pub, restaurant, café, bakery.

Littlewood Agapanthus Farm and nursery as well as Four Oaks Farm are other places to visit.

Of course the wineries the area is famous for are close by, too.

READ MORE: Virgin Australia's tough new baggage rules amid carry-on crackdown

Attribution: Getty
9. Woonona Beach, NSW
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9. Woonona Beach, NSW

Close to Wollongong and south of Sydney, Woonona offers a peaceful escape away from the crowds.

It's popular for surfing and swimming in the rockpool while kids can enjoy the play area.

Attribution: Instagram/qaffasy
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8. Watervale, SA
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8. Watervale, SA

The Clare Valley near Adelaide in South Australia is a countryside haven.

Head to Watervale to get away from the crowds.

The small town has 19th-century heritage buildings to see as well as wineries to enjoy.

The Watervale Hotel and the Watervale General Store are among the dining options.

Pictured is Watervale Old Uniting Church.

Attribution: Clare Valley Tourism
7. Pialligo, ACT
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7. Pialligo, ACT

A suburb of Canberra, Pialligo offers a slice of the country within the city.

Close to the city's airport, you can chill out at Pialligo Estate, a winery and venue which boasts events such as Shakespeare in the Vines.

A garden centre and galleries are also on offer to get away for a day or a weekend.

READ MORE: Tourists are getting duped by 'super wrong' travel advice - what to watch out for

Attribution: Instagram
6. Aldgate, SA
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6. Aldgate, SA

A twenty minute drive south-east of Adelaide the leafy village of Aldgate is home to historic Stangate House.

It's famous for its gardens, especially the camellias, which are internationally renowned.

Stay in a cute bed and breakfast and peruse the handful of shops on a weekend getaway.

Attribution: Supplied
5. Dawesville, WA
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5. Dawesville, WA

Tourism bosses call Dawesville "a boating, fishing and bushwalking playground".

An hour south of Perth, it has unspoiled beaches, a golf course, and birdwatching opportunities.

You can also find curious living fossils known as thrombolites.

READ MORE: 10 Airbnbs with the coolest pools in Australia

Attribution: Getty
4. Manyana, NSW
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4. Manyana, NSW

New South Wales has some pretty busy holiday spots but Manyana on the South Coast seems to be one which remains a little undiscovered, the data showed.

The small Shoalhaven town offers a quiet, old fashioned beach holiday, with fishing, snorkelling and swimming popular.

Attribution: Getty
3. Mintaro, SA
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3. Mintaro, SA

Mintaro is an historic town in South Australia between the Clare and Gilbert Valleys.

It has indigenous history as well as relics remaining from early settlers.

Mintaro was declared the state's first rural State Heritage Area in 1984.

Visit Martindale Hall, a Georgian style mansion, plus enjoy the food and wine the area is known for.

Attribution: Getty
2. Killcare Central Coast, NSW
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2. Killcare Central Coast, NSW

While the NSW Central Coast of Sydney has long been a holiday spot for Sydneysiders, some places remain quieter than others.

Killcare remains an enjoyable place for bushwalking in Bouddi National Park as well as swimming, surfing, fishing and whale watching. Don't miss the 8km Bouddi Coastal Walk.

It does have a well-known hotel, Bells at Killcare.

READ MORE: These are the countries where your Aussie dollar will go furthest in 2026

Attribution: Getty

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