You don’t need glasses to see how beautiful Australia is. From sparkling turquoise beaches and secret emerald forests to large pink lakes and red dusty deserts, our sunburnt country shines in all colours, shapes and sizes. And it’s not just us proud locals who think Australia is incredibly stunning. Time Out recently updated its official list of the most picturesque places on Earth, and two remote Aussie islands have made the cut.
As with all of Time Out’s global rankings, our list of the world’s 44 most jaw-droppingly stunning spots features a mix of big hitters and lesser-known beauty spots from all around the world. While the list is by no means exhaustive, it spotlights what we reckon are the most beautiful places right now – chosen by travel writers who’ve seen them all IRL.
Located 600 kilometres off the NSW coast, World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island ranks as the 25th most beautiful destination – ahead of Milford Sound in New Zealand and Big Sur in California. Sir David Attenborough described this tiny speck in the Tasman Sea as “so extraordinary it is almost unbelievable”, and we reckon you need to witness its beauty for yourself. Half the magic of Lord Howe is that only 400 visitors are allowed on the island at once. The other half lies in its mesmerising beauty, featuring vibrant coral reefs, glassy blue waters, tropical cliffs and ancient volcanic peaks.
Another small island, located four kilometres off the coast of a bigger island (off the coast of an even bigger island), was named the 35th most beautiful place in the world. That title went to Tasmania’s Maria Island National Park, where honeycomb-coloured cliffs, pristine white beaches and native wildlife create a picture-perfect paradise. We’d give Maria bonus points for its incredibly adorable wombats, which can be found roaming all around the island. Cuteness overload!
If you’re looking for more pretty places to travel this year, you can check out our local guide to the most beautiful places in Australia. Don’t forget to pack the camera for some pretty surreal snaps!
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