Where the Australian Traveller team think you should travel in 2025

Buckle up for an unforgettable Aussie adventure.

The Australian Traveller team has, unsurprisingly, travelled all around Australia. From sun-drenched coastal havens to the rugged outback, the team has traversed the continent and been in awe of the diverse destinations. There are so many beautiful places to discover, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. So where should you put on your map for 2025?

Below, the team are using their expert knowledge to highlight where we think you should head this year—the special spots that embody Australia’s beauty and spirit.

Adelaide, SA

Quentin Long, Co-founder

Adelaide Fringe Festival — Adelaide Fringe transforms the city into a cultural playground (Image: joeyjoenes)

Adelaide is the forgotten, overlooked and flown-over Australian city no more. The place that has quietly promised so much for so long is tweaking my antennae as the next Tassie. Known for its embarrassing abundance of food and wine, it’s the kind of place where every pub has a wine list the envy of any Sydney or Melbourne restaurant but a lot is going on beyond just the plethora of gluttony opportunities.

With the incredible success of events like Gather Round, LIV Golf, and the Adelaide Fringe regaining its mojo, Adelaide is just one MONA away from becoming the top destination for Aussies seeking a great, indulgent long weekend away. I want to be part of this before the chattering classes of Melbourne and Sydney arrive and inflate prices by an extra 10-15 per cent.

Sunvale Lodge, Capertee, NSW

Katie Carlin, Head of Content

I’m continuing to lean into off-grid getaways in 2025 and a standout from my travels last year was a couple of nights spent just beyond the Blue Mountains in Capertee at Sunvale – a luxe eco-retreat nestled within the 2428-hectare Turon Gates property.

It’s perfect for group getaways (it sleeps eight people) and is nearly 100 per cent solar-powered (except for the gas stove) and features a large deck with a wood-fired hot tub.

I find being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Aussie bush such a refreshing experience and the bifold doors in the living area, bedrooms and main bathroom made it so easy to bring the outside in.

Aside from the gorgeous accommodation you get to spend your time kayaking, horse riding and hiking – it’s truly the mid-year refresher you need! I recommend booking in autumn so you can take full advantage of the fireplace and hot tub.

Kakadu National Park, NT

Imogen Eveson, Print Editor

Yellow Water Cruises sunset Kakadu — Join a sunset cruise with Yellow Water Cruises.

A vast living landscape in the Northern Territory’s Top End, Kakadu is Australia’s largest national park. Here, waterfalls tumble over soaring escarpments, floodplains stretch to the horizon, wildlife proliferates and at least 65,000 years of First Nations culture is felt vividly through age-old rock art and contemporary storytelling. It’s a bucket-list-worthy destination in our own backyard. And many of us don’t even realise it.

A cruise of the Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) wetlands encapsulates all that is magical here: water birds dance in a choreographed ballet. Buffaloes pad along the banks of the billabong. Saltwater crocs lurk in the shallows.

And, with Territory fresh in our minds (scenes from the Netflix hit were filmed here) and ever-expanding ways to experience Kakadu (from new cultural tours to accommodation), now is the time to go. Opt for a dry season adventure (May–October), when most of the top attractions are accessible, or a tropical summer sojourn (November–April), when rains turn the landscape lush and green and scenic flights offer windows over thundering cascades.

The icing on the cake? Kakadu is easily accessible from Darwin – which we’ve recently pegged as Australia’s coolest capital. Get there before the rest of the country cottons on.

Kangaroo Island, SA

Lauren de Sousa, Art Director

If getting back to nature and travelling slowly is high on your list for 2025, a trip to Kangaroo Island is a must for anyone seeking pristine landscape and an abundance of wildlife. Over a third of the island is protected national park, so be prepared for rolling green hills, white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and plenty of koalas, kangaroos, and sea lions. In fact, it’s the most I’ve seen in the wild anywhere in Australia.

Looking to experience a more adventurous stay? I recommend trying out one of the many great walking trails and hikes on the island (we checked out Remarkable Rocks on the south-west coast of the island). If a little luxury is more your pace, why not stay, dine or relax at the Southern Ocean Lodge, which celebrates local and native products and ingredients.

Be prepared to end each day with a vibrant sunset, enjoying a drink around an outdoor fire pit and sleeping to the sounds of the wild. Overall, total serenity.

Broome, WA

Kassia Byrnes, Native Content Editor

Before heading to Broome, all I really knew about the place was its small size, affinity with camels and pearling history – but there’s so much more to discover. Don’t get me wrong, Cable Beach at sunset is truly magical with classic reds, whites and blues of the land. But add to that actual dinosaur footprints, an ever-growing number of delicious cafes and restaurants, a unique Indigenous history (and a vibrant town that is very open about it) and, of course, a Matso’s Mango Beer and this is hands down the best place in Australia.

The Tweed, NSW

Rachael Thompson, Evergreen Editor

If you’re a foodie, I can’t recommend heading to The Tweed enough. Lush green valleys meet the sparkling coastline in this underrated region, also a culinary destination thanks to its subtropical climate and fertile soils.

There is an abundance of brilliant places to eat and drink, but a few highlights are: Husk Distillery, known for its colour-changing Ink gin; Harvey Cheese, a dairy lover’s dream; and Bistro Livi, which has been recognised as one of Australia’s best regional restaurants. For something special, book an Indigenous Lunch Cruise where you will cruise down the Tweed River while tucking into a two-course bush foods-inspired lunch with local Indigenous flavours.

It’s also worth heading to the region for the Savour The Tweed festival which is slated to run during October/November and will celebrate local produce, chefs, distillers, brewers, and First Nations storytellers.

K’gari, Qld

Emily Murphy, Social Media Manager & Writer

Illumina uses cutting-edge light and sound technology to illuminate the island’s landscape. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

K’gari has always been a favourite destination of mine, with visits in both 2023 and 2024 igniting my love for this special place. But 2025 is the perfect year to rediscover this World Heritage-listed paradise. The launch of Illumina last year has reimagined the island, inviting both first-timers and past visitors to see it in a whole new light – much like Uluṟu after Field of Light. This immersive, storytelling installation, paired with the island’s Butchulla heritage, feels like stepping into a living legend. Add to that the magic of swimming with humpback whales and spotting marine life along its pristine shores, and K’gari is an adventure I can’t wait to revisit.

Red Centre, NT

Elizabeth Whitehead, Senior Writer

At Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, 550 million years of geological history meet the spiritual landscape of the Anangu people. (Image: Tourism NT)

Most Australians I speak to have travelled all over the world, but comparatively few have been to the Red Centre! I was in this demographic until last year when a last-minute trip to Uluṟu and the Red Centre completely blew me away. This journey to Australia’s spiritual heart was a truly transformative experience and I regret not taking it sooner. I know all the excuses. Yes, it’s far away and remote, but if you can get to Fiji or Bali, you can get to the Red Centre. If you haven’t been yet, no more excuses in 2025!

The Tarkine, Tas

Taylah Darnell, Editorial Assistant

The spectacular Trowutta Arch. (Image: Sean Scott Photography)

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest and recharge amongst nature, you should definitely be heading down to Tassie – particularly the stunning (and mostly crowdless) Tarkine/Takanya region in the state’s north-west. It’s around a three-hour drive from Launceston, which is an adventure in itself thanks to the pit stops along the way. I’d recommend dropping by the Ashgrove Cheese Dairy Door (think a winery, but for cheese). It’s 100 per cent Tasmanian-owned and run by a local family – truly the definition of fresh, hyperlocal produce.

Step out of the car once you reach the Tarkine and you’ll immediately understand why I love this place. With its ancient rainforests, crisp fresh air, craggy coastline and peaceful solitude, it’s a soul-healing kind of place. During my time in the Tarkine, I based myself in the tiny town of Stanley, known for its famed seafood restaurant , cosy BnBs and millennia-old rocky bluff called The Nut. Whether you trek it solo or go with a guide, I can almost guarantee you’ll leave a little piece of your heart here.

Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.

Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford , the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.

1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.

2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail

Macedon Ranges Walking Trail camel's hump lookout — Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)

The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.

3. Mount Alexander Traverse

Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.

4. Murmuring Walk

Murmuring Walk daylesford hikes — Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.

Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.

5. La Gerche Forest Walk

Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.

6. Sailors Falls Loop

Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.

7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk

Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.

8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk

An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.

The trails of Victoria’s Heartland offer a chance to reconnect with the landscape, local history and yourself. Start planning your next adventure at daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au.