It’s no secret that NSW is home to some exceptionally beautiful destinations. From world-class beaches to infinitely Instagrammable waterfalls and magical hot springs hidden in dusty outback towns, our sunburnt state shines in all colours, shapes and sizes. And it’s not just us proud locals who think NSW is incredibly stunning. Time Out recently updated its official list of the most picturesque places on Earth, and a remote island 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 (the southern-most coral reef in the world), glassy blue waters, tropical cliffs and ancient volcanic peaks. The magnificent island escape topped our NSW travel hit list for 2025. Given its limited visitor numbers, we suspect it will keep that crown for a while.
The other Aussie destination that made this year’s list was another remote island – Maria Island National Park, located off the coast of Tasmania, which came in 35th place.
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, and if you're hunting for a quirky place to stay in the state, here's our guide to the most unusual places to stay in NSW. Don’t forget to pack the camera!