Australia, New Zealand and Fiji have rated amongst the hottest destinations on the planet this year, with multiple regions across our destinations having featured on prestigious international lists of the Best Places to Travel in 2026 including:
ULURU
Featuring on Conde Nast Traveler, Nat Geo and the BBC’s must visit in 2026 lists, Uluru is possibly one of the hottest places on the planet right now.
From April 2026 Australia’s ancient outback landscapes and spiritual Red Centre will welcome an exciting new multi-day guided, catered and accommodated hiking experience, developed in partnership with the local Anangu Traditional Owners.
Those with less time, can also still enjoy the recently revamped ‘Field of Light’ exhibition as it celebrates 10 years in 2026.
MARGARET RIVER
Also making Conde Nast Traveler’s top places to visit in 2026, Western Australia’s Margaret River entices visitors with a wonderful combination of beautiful beaches, fabulous food, coastal walks, indigenous culture and world-class wines. The region is also preparing to welcome a collection of new boutique hotels in 2026.
NEW ZEALAND
Travel+Leisure has named New Zealand as one of its top places to visit in 2026 for nature lovers. Whether you’d prefer to be stargazing from an alpine hot tub or picknicking bedside a tranquil lake, walking with kiwis or whale-watching by heli our Travel Designers can introduce you to New Zealand’s spectacular nature and wildlife in style.
MELBOURNE
Australia’s sporting capital also made Travel+Leisure’s must-visit list this year for ‘big city thrills’ and its year-round calendar of exciting events. Not only does the city annually host the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam, Australia’s Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Melbourne Cup horse race, the Aussie Rules Football season and Boxing Day Cricket Test, in 2026 visitors can also see the NFL’s first ever regular season game in Australia, with the Los Angeles Rams taking the field at the MCG (dates and details yet to be confirmed – October 2026).
QUEENSTOWN
Meanwhile, Forbes has named New Zealand’s adventure capital as one of the best places to visit in 2026. Queenstown has recently added a new level of lakeside luxury to its accommodation offering (with the opening of the fabulous new ROKI Collection Queenstown in September 2025) and a collection of fabulous new bathhouses and wellness offerings. Our Travel Designers can also curate a collection of immersive Queenstown experiences for foodies, art-lovers, wine connoisseurs and more.
FIJI
Fiji makes this year’s Nat Geo list of Best Places to Travel for its ability to seamlessly and meaningfully weave luxury and world-class sustainability initiatives together. Ask our Travel Designers about the opportunity to participate in coral planting, mangrove restoration or manta ray studies whilst exploring the idyllic islands of Fiji.
IKARA-FLINDERS RANGES OUTBACK AND NATIONAL PARK
Lonely Planet has named South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges outback and national park as one of the best places to visit in 2026 for its dark skies and bright stars, breathtaking sunsets and dramatic outback landscapes. Looking a little further ahead, Australia’s iconic Ghan rail journey will include a stop in the Flinders Ranges on their Adelaide to Darwin itineraries from 2027.
NEW ZEALAND’S NORTH ISLAND
Lonely Planet has also called out New Zealand’s North Island among its Best Places to Travel in 2026. Whilst the South Island’s dramatic landscapes often steal the limelight, the depth and diversity of experiences across the North Island delight travellers with fascinating history and Māori culture, wonderful wines and world class golf, stunning private villas and iconic luxury lodges, fly-fishing, kiwi spotting and more.
Australia and New Zealand are also both in Wendy Perrin’s 10 most popular countries for 2026 trips already booked the ‘WOW Way’.
Hot right now or under the radar, whatever your interests and whenever you choose to visit, Southern Crossings’ travel designers can pair you with your perfect place.
Header image: Uluru, Outback Australia
