Call us biased, but we reckon Australia is the most incredible and diverse place to explore on Earth. Covering almost 770 million hectares, our Great Southern Land is filled with so many breathtakingly beautiful landmarks that knowing where to go first can be quite the challenge. Luckily, TIME magazine has just released its annual round-up of the 100 greatest places to visit in 2024, and three lesser-known Aussie destinations made the cut.
Last year, Kangaroo Island and Brisbane were spotlighted on TIME’s 2023 list of the 50 greatest cities to visit on Earth. But for their sixth edition, the travel gurus shook things up by narrowing it down to the 50 greatest places to stay and 50 greatest places to visit. As you can imagine, compiling this list was no easy feat, with TIME collecting nominations of places from its international network of travel experts and through an application process, focusing on new and exciting experiences, including attractions, museums, parks, restaurants, hotels and cruises. So, which Aussie destinations earned a spot on the prestigious top 100 list?
A ’70s-inspired California ranch house in the rolling hills of Byron Bay was named Australia’s best place to stay in 2024. Dubbed the “Hotel of good times,” Sun Ranch is everything of your wildest dreams. Spread over 55 acres of regenerated farmland, the property offers adults-only pool suites, luxury off-grid barns and an ultimate private cowboy suite. Sun Ranch also doubles as a wellness retreat, featuring a 25-metre hinterland-facing pool, a wood-fired sauna, an ice bath, complimentary yoga classes, and cacao ceremonies and psychic readings as added extras. Don’t even get us started on the open Argentinian firepit where you could easily down a few Spicy Margs and still be in bed by 10pm.
Australia got two shoutouts on TIME’s list of the greatest places to visit in 2024, and they’re both pretty off the beaten path. First up is Tasmania's Wukalina Walk, a stunning four-day, three-night journey along the picturesque coastline of Wukalina (Mt William National Park) and Larapuna (Bay of Fires). These remote lands have been home to the Palawa or Tasmanian Aboriginal people for more than 65,000 years, with the Indigenous-owned and -operated walk providing visitors a chance to learn about their history and spiritual connection to these sacred lands.
Prefer to hit the open road? Australia’s longest electric vehicle network, the WA EV Network, also made the list of the greatest places to visit in 2024. Once complete, the 6,900 kilometres of roadway will connect Kununurra in the north of Western Australia to Eucla near the border of South Australia. And with 98 electric vehicle charging stations along the way, you have every excuse to stop and explore the best of WA, including swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Marine Park, sipping world-class wines at Margaret River and ticking off all the best things to do in Perth. Bon voyage!
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