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Australia just landed 5 spots on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2026 list

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
These Aussie destinations, experiences and operators just got the world’s attention.

Every year, TIME puts out its World’s Greatest Places list and the whole travel industry holds its breath. 100 destinations. Global nominations. The full weight of one of the world’s most recognised mastheads behind each pick.

This year, Australia didn’t just make the cut – it made a statement. Four spots landed on the official list, up from the three inclusions last year. A fifth, from an Australian-owned expedition operator, snuck in under a different category. Together, they’re a pretty convincing argument that this country is doing something right.

Sea Sea Hotel, Crescent Head, NSW

Bedroom at Sea Sea Hotel
Head back in time at Sea Sea Hotel. (Credit: Tommaso Riva)

Sea Sea Hotel is a love letter to Crescent Head’s 1970s surf culture – retro in the best possible way, considered in every detail and sitting on Dunghutti Country near one of the coast’s most uncrowded breaks. TIME’s judges were taken by the whole package, but the kitchen deserves its own mention: former Icebergs chef Daniel Medcalf has built a modern-casual dining room around the native produce of the Macleay Valley.

On Board, Southwest Tasmania

Odalisque III in Bathurst Harbour
Board Odalisque III and sail into Bathurst Harbour.

No roads. No towns. No hotels. The southwest corner of Tasmania is one of the most genuinely remote places in the country and On Board – a family-run operation that has known these waters since 1998 and is also now part of Luxury Lodges of Australia – is one of the only ways in. Its new Port Davey Highlights cruise starts the way all great adventures should: a 40-minute seaplane flight from Hobart over wilderness that looks like it was designed by someone who’d never heard the word ‘development’. From there, guests board the 12-passenger Odalisque III into Bathurst Harbour for three days of sea caves, Indigenous rock art, coastal hikes and possible sightings of the endangered, orange-bellied parrot.

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Murujuga Cultural Landscape, Burrup Peninsula, WA

Murujuga Cultural Landscape
Murujuga holds hundreds of thousands of ancient petroglyphs.

There are places in the world that make you feel small in the best possible way. Murujuga is one of them. Spread across the Burrup Peninsula in the Pilbara, this extraordinary landscape holds hundreds of thousands of ancient petroglyphs – rock engravings that represent one of the most significant concentrations of ancient rock art anywhere on Earth, and the continuous cultural practice of Aboriginal people across tens of thousands of years. The Ngarda-Ngarli people have cared for Country for more than 50,000 years; etched into its rusted boulders are prehistoric megafauna and early human life. UNESCO recognised it with World Heritage status in 2025 – only the second Australian site recognised solely for its First Nations cultural heritage.

Our print editor, Imogen Eveson, visited Murujuga shortly after the UNESCO inscription and came back changed. “It was one of those experiences that recentres you, offering a new appreciation not only for Australia – its natural and cultural history and the living heritage that continues today – but for the planet more broadly," she says.

“The more people who are able to experience Murujuga responsibly, as I did on an expedition cruise, the more people will come to understand and want to protect this extraordinary place."

Sydney Fish Market, NSW

Sydney Fish Market exterior
Visit Sydney Fish Market. (Credit: Tom Roe)

The old fish market had charm, seagulls and limited parking. The new Sydney Fish Market has an $836 million price tag, a wave-shaped roof and 40 restaurants under one address. The redesigned Blackwattle Bay precinct isn’t really a market anymore – it’s a waterfront destination that happens to sell excellent seafood, alongside Malaysian, Aegean and everything in between. TIME’s panel noted the ambition of what’s been built here: a place that genuinely integrates harbour life with serious dining. Sydney already had the Opera House. Now it has this.

Aurora Expeditions’ Douglas Mawson

It’s not officially in the Australia category – but Aurora Expeditions is an Australian-owned company, and its newest ship is too good to leave off this list. The Douglas Mawson launched in November 2025, named after the Antarctic explorer who would absolutely have approved of what’s been built in his honour. Small by design (just 130 expeditioners in polar regions), it’s equipped with a wave-piercing hull that tames the Drake Passage, a forward observation lounge, a citizen science centre and Zodiac platforms for getting off the ship and into the thick of it fast.

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Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
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After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
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    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.