hero media

2 Aussie cities just ranked among the world’s top 5 for book lovers

Credit: Getty/Tmprtmpr

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
Your next literary pilgrimage may be closer than you think.

Some people travel for culture and history. Others for food, family or simply just for fun. But if you’re anything like me, you travel for books. Whether it’s inspired by a favourite novel, a literary festival or a beloved author, books are always part of the itinerary.

Literary tourism
Books are increasingly inspiring where and how we travel today. (Credit: Getty/Imgorthand)

It seems the rest of the world is catching on, too. Literary tourism is well and truly on the rise, with studies by travel eSIM provider Holafly identifying a 2372 per cent spike in searches over the past year. So what better time to track down the best places around the world for book lovers?

Holafly has done the hard work for us, analysing a range of global destinations with strong literary ties – from iconic bookshops and historic libraries to author hometowns and places that’ve inspired famous stories – to reveal the 25 best literary destinations in the world for 2026.

The Aussie cities that made the list

In a big win for Aussie bookworms, not one but two Australian cities ranked among the world’s top five literary tourism destinations for 2026.

In 3rd place: Melbourne

The Paperback Bookshop, Melbourne
Melbourne landed among the top five literary tourism destinations for 2026.

Coming in at number three is our unofficial capital of cool, Melbourne. The Victorian metropolis became Australia’s first UNESCO City of Literature when it was designated in 2008, joining an exclusive list of just 63 worldwide. Tasmania followed some 15 years later, when Hobart was awarded the same prestigious title in 2023.

Reserved for cities with strong publishing industries, literary infrastructure and educational programs, the UNESCO ranking is a sure sign of serious creative cred, acting as a siren song for travelling bookworms.

Hills of Content Bookshop, Melbourne
The Victorian capital is home to more than 270 bookshops, including historic Hills of Content. (Credit: Tom Blachford)

With that kind of literary pedigree, it’s hardly surprising that Melbourne made Holafly’s top five. The city lays claim to some of Australia’s best bookshops, with more than 270 dotted across its suburbs – from national favourite Dymocks to hidden gems like Paperback Bookshop. Don’t miss Hills of Content either; opened in 1922, it’s the oldest of its kind in Melbourne.

State Library of Victoria, Melbourne
Melbourne oozes literary charm, attracting book lovers from across the globe. (Credit: Getty/Tmprtmpr)

But the appeal goes well beyond the bookshelves. Melbourne’s literary calendar is packed year-round, spanning writing workshops, book launches, author talks, poetry readings and bookish festivals.

Time your trip to coincide with annual events like the Melbourne Writers Festival, Emerging Writers’ Festival and Festival of the Photocopier. Or turn it into a classic Victorian road trip with regional fixtures like Bendigo Writers Festival, Port Fairy Literary Weekend, Clunes Booktown Festival, Words in Winter and more.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

In 5th place: Sydney

Gleebooks, Blackheath, Blue Mountains
Sydney’s literary scene stretches from the beach to the Blue Mountains, where you’ll find Gleebooks at Blackheath.

It may not have a fancy title to go with it, but Sydney is just as well-versed when it comes to the written word. Home to upwards of 320 bookshops, its literary grasp spans beach to bush and everywhere in between, from the independent boutiques of Bondi to the beloved Blue Mountains Bookshop Trail.

It’s not just bookstores that beckon bibliophiles to Sydney, though. You’ll find some of the country’s coolest libraries here, including the architecturally designed Marrickville Library and the State Library of NSW, which dates back to the early 1800s.

State Library of NSW, Sydney
Be sure to explore the Research Room inside the State Library of NSW. (Credit: Getty/Imamember)

Sydney’s literary landscape has also been shaped by some of Australia’s most iconic writers – a living history that can still be explored today. Luminaries like Thea Astley, Banjo Paterson, Miles Franklin, Liane Moriarty and Markus Zusak have all found inspiration in Sydney, leaving plenty for modern-day book lovers to uncover.

If you’re short on time, make a beeline for the Sydney Writers’ Walk in Circular Quay. Starting at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, the one-kilometre wander traces the water’s edge all the way to the Opera House, passing 60 plaques dedicated to those who have contributed to Australia’s literary legacy.

Sydney Writers Festival, Sydney
The Sydney Writers Festival is a must for all literature lovers. (Credit: Jacquie Manning)

And let’s not forget the city’s annual line-up of literary festivals, either. Eager readers simply must attend the Sydney Writers Festival at least once, where a jam-packed program spans live talks, book signings and interactive workshops.

Held each year around May, the one-week event welcomes both homegrown and international talent. Previous iterations have seen the likes of Kazuo Ishiguro, Ann Patchett, Tim Winton and Helen Garner all make an appearance.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

The top 25 literary tourism destinations of 2026

  1. New York City (NY), USA
  2. London, England
  3. Melbourne, Australia
  4. Tokyo, Japan
  5. Sydney, Australia
  6. Stratford-Upon-Avon, England
  7. Cartagena, Colombia
  8. Buenos Aires, Argentina
  9. Paris, France
  10. Dublin, Ireland
  11. Prague, Czech Republic
  12. Edinburgh, Scotland
  13. Bath, England
  14. Oxford, England
  15. Lisbon, Portugal
  16. Savannah (GA), USA
  17. Porto, Portugal
  18. Key West (FL), USA
  19. Oxford (MS), USA
  20. Annapolis (MD), USA
  21. Hay-on-Wye, Wales
  22. Concord (MA), USA
  23. Verona, Italy
  24. Tofina (BC), Canada
  25. Matamata, New Zealand

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
View profile and articles
quantam of the seas on the sea
Australia

Royal Caribbean’s five-day sale has seven-night cruises from $1099

From Queensland’s tropical coast to New Zealand’s unbeatable views, booking your next cruise holiday just got a little more tempting.

Read more
two people from outback spirit tour sit overlooking mitchell falls in the kimberley
Australia

Outback Spirit are offering free return flights on 2027 tours

Your 2027 adventures just got easier, with Outback Spirit offering free return flights on all-inclusive tours.

Read more
meteor shower
Australia

Trails from Halley’s Comet: when to see the Orionid meteor shower

The Orionid meteor shower peaks in October – here's how to dodge a bright moon and still catch it.

Read more
uluru starry sunset
Australia

This iconic Aussie landmark has been crowned one of the world’s top sunset spots

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has earned a place among the world’s best golden hour destinations in a new global ranking.

Read more
hero media

The secret Sydney suite life: a luxury under-the-radar stay right on the harbour

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Continue
    This winter, these secret Sydney harbour suites are the staycation we’ve been looking for.

    Whether it’s the crisscrossing ferries or the white sails of the Opera House rising out of blue depths, Australia’s biggest city lives for its harbour. But while locals might glance at that watery expanse on their daily commute across the Bridge, it can still be hard to truly connect with Sydney’s maritime soul. The secret: seeing the harbour eye-to-eye, right at water level. And what better place to submerge yourself in that energy than sleeping there? That’s where Pier One Sydney Harbour comes in (and with new all-inclusive bed and breakfast benefits, there’s even more to love).

    All-inclusive VIP benefits

    Who Is Elijah Amenities at Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Book in for the all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The hard truth is that it will be very difficult to tear yourself away from your ultra-luxurious harbour home-away-from-home to explore the city. If you want to make leaving even harder, opt for Pier One’s all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The Bed and Breakfast with Suite Benefits package turns up the volume on what is already the ultimate staycation, with complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and turndown service. The biggest perk? Enjoy a bottle of French champagne every day during your whole stay

    Pier One Sydney Harbour

    Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Step into a piece of history with all the modern comforts. (Credit: Dave Wheeler)

    The five-star Pier One Sydney Harbour is quite literally old Sydney through and through. Built on what was once a working cargo wharf and the passenger terminal for those heading to the North Shore before the bridge was constructed, the heritage building sits right between the tangle of cobblestones, pubs and alleyways of The Rocks and the historic docking zone of Walsh Bay – at the centre of the city’s old sea trade.

    If knowing the hotel’s history isn’t enough to get your sea-longing going, the interior design certainly will. As soon as you step up to the concierge desk in the lobby of the restored building – which underwent a $15 million redevelopment in 2019 – you’re immersed in Sydney’s seafaring tale. Weathered wood panelling and white marble floors surround you, while loop lighting installations hover above the bar island just beyond, ringed with stools ready for intimate, martini-tinted conversations. Steel rivets and timber beams speak to its past, and glass-walled views anchor you firmly in the present-day life on the harbour.

    Pier One Suites

    Pier One Sydney Harbour admiral suite
    Enjoy incredible views from your suite.

    Across the 189 rooms and suites built on and over the water, the maritime theme continues. Sculptural aged brass fittings, exposed girders, colour schemes that evoke shifting currents, and mirrors that reflect ripples that – depending on your booking – sit just metres from your pillow.

    United on theme yet unique in set-up, each room or suite is different. On the ground floor, dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the pier are all prepped for pampered pups, while others have views and even balconies overlooking Walsh Bay, the Bridge and the Harbour.

    But the 19 suites step things up even more. Gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows, or get even closer. Your private balcony is made for sipping a Nespresso coffee on as the sun comes up – or soaking in the bathtub of the Admiral Suite on the deck, a drink from the locally stocked mini bar in hand. This mini bar was recently completely transformed, so you have more Aussie favourites to choose from, including alcohol and snacks.

    Dining at Pier One

    Pier Bar Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Settle in for an afternoon of good drinks and views.

    Once you’re checked in, start your afternoon with a spritz at PIER BAR – or arrive by boat via the private pontoon if the occasion calls for it – and settle into one of the cabanas. Weekdays bring Happy Hour (or ‘sunset hour’ at Pier One); weekends bring the DJs. After an even sweeter experience? The Everyday Creamery and Matcha Kiosk is slinging mango and vanilla soft serve – classic and those spiked with Midori and gin alike.

    PIER Dining is an ode to contemporary Australian flavours across the terrace, pier and dining room. On its seafood-leaning menu are Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, potato scallops with salmon roe and crème fraîche, chicken with melting sundried tomato butter, vodka rigatoni with Shark Bay prawns. And the ‘Pierlova’ – that’s pavlova with chocolate, dulce de leche and banana is worth saving room for. Make sure to ask for the wine list – it’s 100 per cent Australian drops.

    Around town

    luna park, sydney opera house and sydney harbour bridge
    Explore the neighbourhood during your stay. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    If you’re strong enough to polish off just one last pastry from the breakfast buffet and walk out the door, we applaud you. Luna Park across the harbour beckons with its wide grin, while a glance upward might spur you to climb the Bridge’s famous iron arches. The Opera House – just across Circular Quay from the Museum of Contemporary Art – sings out for a concert.

    You’ll want to book ahead for those hot-ticket performances at Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, just a few minutes’ walk south of the hotel. Ten minutes further brings you to the waterfront bars, restaurants and clubs of Barangaroo, or the karaoke, gardens and dim sum of Chinatown further afield.

    Keep the mellow of your weekend getaway going with a stop at Barangaroo Reserve, watching the yachts go by – all before returning for that Sydney sundowner at Pier One.

    Ready to make that Pier One stay a reality? Book the ultimate Sydney staycation at pieronesydneyharbour.com.au