Timely and accurate fault location in active distribution networks is of vital importance to ensure the reliability of power grid operation. However, existing intelligent algorithms applied in fault location of active distribution networks possess slow convergence speed and low accuracy, hindering the construction of new power systems. In this paper, a new regional fault localization method based on an improved northern goshawk search algorithm is proposed. The population quality of the samples was improved by using the chaotic initialization strategy. Meanwhile, the positive cosine strategy and adaptive Gaussian–Cauchy hybrid variational perturbation strategy were introduced to the northern goshawk search algorithm, which adopted the perturbation operation to interfere with the individuals to increase the diversity of the population, contributing to jumping out of the local optimum to strengthen the ability of local escape. Finally, simulation verification was carried out in a multi-branch distribution network containing distributed power sources. Compared with the traditional regional localization models, the new method proposed possesses faster convergence speed and higher location accuracy under different fault locations and different distortion points.