10 Australian destinations that are going to be big in 2018
The great thing about Australia is even if you’ve explored the country from top to toe, there’s still plenty to see. And if you’re clever you can beat the crowds.
Here are 10 Australian destinations that are going to be big in 2018. Get there before everyone else does!
1. Leura, NSW
One of Australia’s greatest natural wilderness areas is (almost) on Sydney’s doorstep. When you’re done exploring the Blue Mountains, check out the town of Leura. It’s a real hidden gem, lined with grand old homes, excellent book shops and antique stores, great restaurants and hardly any tourists.
2. Hobart, TAS
Hobart’s not exactly undiscovered, but it is having something of a Renaissance. The new Macq01 storytelling-themed hotel is one of the best in the country, the famed Agrarian Kitchen recently opened a new restaurant just outside of the city and there are a host of great new eateries right in the CBD.
3. Norfolk Island
This former convict settlement has a brutal past, but today it’s one of Australia’s best kept secrets. Rolling green hills lined with eponymous Norfolk pines are fringed with tropical-style beaches and it’s so laid back that cows have the right of way on the roads.
4. Esperance, WA
Esperance, on the south coast of Western Australia, might just be the most beautiful stretch of coast in the country. Bright wind sand, sparkling turquoise water, pink lakes and even kangaroos on the beach make for an unbeatable combination.
5. Proserpine, QLD
Right in the heart of the Whitsundays region, Proserpine has retained much of its original country charm and is largely untouched by tourism. Have lunch at an historic pub, wander along the art deco main street and then head out to discover the nearby beaches and islands.
6. Canberra, ACT
Lonely Planet just named Canberra as the third best place to visit in the world in 2018, the only Australian city to make the list. We like to make fun of Canberra for being boring, but in reality it’s home to plenty of trendy bars and restaurants, excellent boutique hotels and fascinating museums.
7. The Daintree, QLD
At an estimated 180 million years old, the Daintree is the oldest rainforest on earth. It’s a fascinating and complex ecosystem with plants and animals you won’t find anywhere else. Explore the forest on hiking trails or wooden boardwalks, swim in freshwater pools or kayak along the Mossman River (watch out for crocs).
8. Mornington Peninsula, VIC
The brand new $50 million Point Leo Estate has put the Mornington Peninsula back on the map. It brings together culinary and culture, showcasing the incredible food and wine of the region as well as a huge outdoor sculpture park.
9. Katherine, NT
A tiny country town with a remarkable indigenous and European history. Katherine is at the start of the ancient lands of the Jaywon people, which is centred around the stunning Nitmiluk Gorge.
10. Broken Hill, NSW
Most Australians forget that the outback actually starts in New South Wales. The former silver mining town of Broken Hill is a great jumping off point for adventures, as well as an interesting historic town in its own right. Don’t miss the murals on the walls of The Palace Hotel, featured in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Have you visited any of these destinations?