The annual 52 places report is a highly coveted list, and Australia has made the cut in 2025 – twice.
At the start of every new year, prestigious American newspaper the New York Times shares its list of the 52 places worth travelling to that year.
When you think about the Earth’s vastness and all the magnificent places that call it home, making it into the top 52 is no small feat. And in 2025, Australia has managed to nab not one, but two spots.
Which Aussie destination made the list first?
Coming in at number 10 is Sydney, snagging a relatively high spot on the esteemed list. It’s often recognised as one of the country’s best cities, thanks to its world-class restaurants, stunning beaches and close proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains.
But that’s not the only reason the NSW capital has been named one of the best places to visit in 2025. The $836-million redevelopment of the iconic Sydney Fish Market has been credited as a major factor, offering a taste of some of the world’s freshest seafood straight from the source.
Once finished, the impressive new foodie complex will feature a diverse range of restaurants, retail outlets and produce stores across four floors, as well as a harbourside park outside. While Aussie seafood will remain a core component of the Sydney Fish Market offering, visitors can expect Louisiana-inspired sandwiches, Vietnamese street food, dumplings from China and more.
The city’s expansive new Metro network was cited as another reason Sydney made the list, as well as the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth’s $43-million refurbishment and the renowned Museum of Contemporary Art. But visitors in 2025 will discover the city has so much more to offer, too.
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What other Aussie hotspot earned a place on the list?
It’s not a town or city that took out the second spot on the list, it’s an entire state. Sitting pretty at number 42 is Western Australia – all 2.5 million square kilometres of it. This won’t come as much of a shock to Aussies though, as the expansive state is known for its incredible raw natural beauty.
However, the main drawcard in 2025 is WA’s new EV (electric vehicle) highway, a 7000-kilometre stretch of road due to be completed later this year. Developed by Synergy and Horizon Power in conjunction with the State Government, the route features an impressive 110 EV charging points across 49 locations.
What’s so special about this new highway, you may ask? Well, not only does it take in some of Western Australia’s most beautiful and remote locations, but it also encourages sustainable and eco-conscious travel. So whether you’re cruising along the stunning Coral Coast, making your way around Margaret River’s wineries or road-tripping it from Perth to Esperance, you’re barely leaving an environmental footprint.
Many of the charging stations, which span from Mundrabilla near South Australia‘s border to Kununurra in the state’s far north, are now live. The others are planned to open throughout 2025, allowing visitors further access to this incredible state whilst keeping it protected, too.
Where else in the world made the list?
Taking out the top spot on the New York Times’ 52 places to go in 2025 is the southwest of England, mainly owing to the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth this year. In second place is the Galápagos Islands, followed by the museums of New York City, India’s remote Assam region and Thailand (thanks to The White Lotus effect) rounding out the top five.
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