TIME World’s Greatest Places 2025 lists 3 unique Aussie experiences

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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Three unique Australian experiences have been included in this year’s list.

TIME has just revealed its annual list of the World’s Greatest Places, highlighting 100 exciting destinations to visit or stay at in 2025. Australia has once again earned its spot among the world’s must-visit locations, with three wonderful experiences being included in the mix.

The list features a diverse selection of destinations that stand out for offering new, exciting, and unforgettable experiences to travellers. TIME editors explain, “Each year, TIME solicits nominations—including hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, parks, and more—from its international network of correspondents and contributors, as well as through an application process, with an eye toward those offering fresh and thrilling experiences. The result: 100 extraordinary destinations to visit and stay at this year."

Here are the Australian places that made the list this year:

The Ghan

The Ghan Time World's Greatest Places List 2025
The Ghan is one of the most famous and scenic train journeys in the world.

As Australia’s most famous and historic train journey, it’s easy to see why The Ghan has made the list. Since its first cross-country journey in 1929, the 2979-kilometre, 54-hour Ghan route has whisked passengers from Adelaide to Darwin through the heart of the Red Centre. Adventurers travel past sacred Aboriginal sites, vast deserts, ancient mountain ranges, and remote outback landscapes. The recently updated Art Deco cabins bring an extra layer of romance and luxury to the experience, making this unforgettable journey even more extraordinary.

The Lodge Wadjemup

The Lodge Wadjemup Time World's Greatest Places 2025
Experience the beauty of Rottnest Island from this luxurious resort.

Rottnest Island: home to the adorable quokka and some of Australia’s most spectacular beaches and bays. This tiny island off the coast of Perth has recently been gifted with a revitalised accommodation offering to enhance guests’ experience of its natural beauty. Named after the traditional owners’ name for Rottnest Island, The Lodge Wadjemup resort has received a $40 million redevelopment with 46 new boutique-style rooms and 56 refurbished rooms. While the island’s idyllic landscapes encourage exploration, the resort’s two pools, coffee and soft-serve ice cream kiosk, and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant serving fresh Western Australian produce might tempt you to stay put a little longer.

Stage 1 of the development is now open, with Stage 2 coming mid 2025.

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

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Bluey’s World

Time World's Greatest Places list 2025 Bluey's World
Bluey’s World offers an immersive experience into the playful Aussie universe.

Bluey may be a children’s show, but you’re not alone if you’ve found yourself glued to the couch watching it too. In fact, it was the most-watched show in the United States in 2024, according to Nielsen. The Australian setting and culture give it a distinct charm, and the opening of Bluey’s World in Brisbane offers fans a chance to experience the beloved show in real life. This immersive event celebrates the phenomenon with activities like a dance party in Bluey and Bingo’s wardrobe and decorating jumbo-sized pavlovas in the family’s kitchen. It’s easily the cutest addition to this year’s list. (Watch our first look in the video below).

 

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and gin connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, along with an English major from The University of Sydney, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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8 insider experiences to discover the offbeat in Newcastle

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

    Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

    1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

    The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP.

    Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour.
    Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    2. Underground jazz scene

    Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground. The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel, King Street Newcastle, Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

     

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    3. The city as a canvas   

    The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery, adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

    Friends take in Newcastle Street Art.
    Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

    4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

    There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up, which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

    5. Newcastle after dark

    The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity.  Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude. 

    A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background.
    Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    6. Indulge in great gastronomy

    Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos, through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle. Visit during Newcastle Food Month to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug, Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

    The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW.
    Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

    7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

    Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor.  Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

    The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection.
    Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

    8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

    Save the date for New Annual, a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

    Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra.
    Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

    Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.

    TIME World’s Greatest Places 2025: Where to go in Australia