Looking back on 2024, it’s incredible to see how many huge stories we’ve packed into just one year. From Australia’s ranking among the world’s richest cities to the launch of ‘Adult’ Happy Meals, plus guides on how to watch the Olympics or see the brightest supermoon, we’ve tackled a variety of topics that kept you hooked.
In case you missed any, we’ve rounded up the ten most popular news stories of 2024. Save this for your holiday reading!
1. The world’s richest cities – here’s where Australia ranked
There’s no denying that most Aussies haven’t been swimming in cash this year. Yet, in the midst of this wallet-wringing chaos, our readers were most interested in finding out about the world’s wealthiest cities. In 2024, four Australian capital cities made the rich list, with Sydney and Melbourne both ranking in the top 20.
2. The Olympics Opening Ceremony
It’s hard to believe that another Olympic year has come and gone. But it’s no surprise that our readers were keen to tune into the world’s biggest sporting event, particularly the Opening Ceremony on July 27. Aussies were most curious about the start time in Australia, which fell between 1.30am and 3.30am.
3. The brightest supermoon of the year
If there’s one trend we’ve noticed in 2024, it’s that our readers love celestial events. Our third most popular story was all about spotting the Hunter’s Moon in Australia on October 17, and it was packed with handy tips on how to see it with the naked eye.
4. Australian adventure trail named world’s second-best thing to do in 2025
Just last week, Time Out released a fresh list of the 25 best things to do around the world in 2025. We were stoked to see a brand-new multi-sport adventure trail along Australia’s longest river –the Murray – take second place, and clearly, so were you.
5. Australia voted as one of the world’s most beautiful countries
In May, Australia was voted as the eighth most beautiful country on the planet – trumping countries like Greece, the USA, Croatia and Indonesia. We’ve always known it, but it’s nice to have others think we’re beautiful, too.
6. Should we still be visiting the Great Barrier Reef?
While the world’s largest coral reef system is under greater threat than ever, the upside is that we’re in the best position to tackle climate change and save the Great Barrier Reef before it’s too late. Our readers were keen to learn about the reef’s current state, its biggest threats and whether visiting is helping or harming it.
7. The most beautiful place in Australia
Mirror, mirror on the wall, which Aussie town is the most beautiful of them all? Spoiler alert: the charming Tasmanian town of Richmond claimed the crown, with Byron Bay and Noosa securing runner-up spots.
8. How to see the once-in-a-lifetime Devil’s Comet
Aussies love a good astronomy moment, and the super rare Devil’s Comet in April really captured your attention. At triple the size of Mount Everest, it was visible to the human eye for the first time in more than 70 years – and won’t return again until 2095.
9. The best tiny towns in Australia
This year, Airbnb released a brand new Tiny Town Guide spotlighting 50 pocket-sized destinations perfect for your next Aussie getaway. Maclean, the self-proclaimed “Scottish town of Australia” in NSW’s Northern Rivers region, came out on top with only 26 per cent of Aussies having ever heard of it. After all the clicks on this story, we're sure that number’s a little higher now.
10. McDonald’s launches ‘Adult’ Happy Meals in Australia
This next viral news story proves we’re all big kids at heart. In February, Maccas launched a limited-edition ‘Adult’ Happy Meal in Australia, including Chicken McNuggets or a Big Mac, fries, a drink and a collectible McNugget Buddies toy. Sadly, these grown-up goodie boxes have come and gone – but here’s to hoping they’ll make a comeback in 2025.