For First Nations cultural immersions, world-class wines, and top surfing spots.
15 November 2023
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The Best Places to Go in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific in 2024
Brisbane and the Surrounding Area, Australia
Go for: a pivotal waterfront development, slick hotels, and superstar chefs
The Brisbane skyline is set to be transformed when Queen’s Wharf, a shiny new entertainment hub, opens in spring.
No longer playing second fiddle to Sydney or Melbourne, Australia’s lush, subtropical New World City is in the midst of an enormous boom. Offering a piece of the journey for travelers, United Airlines is continuing to push into the city with direct Brisbane – Los Angeles flights launching in December 2023. Meanwhile, cranes swing across the skyline, putting the finishing touches on Queen’s Wharf, a shimmering entertainment precinct set to open in April 2024 with three luxury hotels, including the six-star Rosewood and five-star Star Grand, and more than 50 restaurants, cafés, and bars. Then, in mid-2024, the 1,500-seat New Performing Arts Venue, a $100 million addition to a Queensland Cultural Centre, will enhance its cultural offerings.
The city’s thriving food scene is attracting major culinary talent such as Marty Boetz, the previously Sydney-based chef who recently opened Thai diner Short Grain, and Melbourne’s superstar chef Andrew McConnell, who will soon unveil a northern outpost for his enormously popular pan-Asian restaurant Supernormal. They’ll join heavy hitters such as Agnes, Essa, and Southside. The giddiness extends down the highway to the Gold Coast, where picture-perfect Burleigh Heads will welcome Mondrian Gold Coast, and in the hinterland on Tamborine Mountain, Sol Elements is set to open its elegant, wabi-sabi-inspired bathhouse in early 2024.
Fiji
Go for: boutique lodgings, top surfing, and coral planting
The nature at the 25-room Kokomo Island in Fiji’s untouristed south is exceptional.
The staff at Kokomo Island burst into traditional farewell Fiji songs when guests leave.
Fiji has wasted no time building back its tourism industry and is well on track for 2024 arrival numbers to surpass pre-pandemic levels. Several major resort refurbishments are underway, such as the revitalization of Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, expected to receive guests in early 2024. An extensive refurbishment of the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa is also scheduled for completion in November 2024.
Visitors to Fiji can look forward to playing a meaningful role in its ocean conservation efforts. The InterContinental Golf Resort & Spa and the upcoming Cloud 9 day-club pontoon are among the latest to launch coral-planting experiences. Not-for-profit Counting Coral is preparing to launch its next coral sculpture park at Vomo Island Fiji in early 2024.
Moreover, connectivity with Los Angeles and San Francisco has improved, allowing travelers to enjoy the return of the Fiji Pro to the WSL Championship Tour for the first time in seven years.
French Polynesia
Go for: Olympic surfing, sublime flora and fauna
Next year, Tahiti’s deadly waves will play host to the surfing competition of the Paris Olympics amid the territory’s larger focus on regenerative tourism.
Tahiti is preparing to host the 2024 Paris Olympics surf competition at Teahupo’o, prominently known for its powerful waves. The rest of French Polynesia, composed of 118 islands, continues to focus on sustainability over mass tourism, with Coral Gardeners aiming to plant one million heat-resilient corals worldwide by 2025. Hotels across the islands are undergoing rejuvenations, with Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora launching a botanical tour highlighting its preserved native flora and fauna.
Huon Valley, Australia
Go for: slowed-down living in charming hideaways
At Hunter Huon Valley, architecturally designed luxury cabins are nestled within rugged Tasmanian bushland.
Most visitors who venture to Tasmania start their trips in Hobart. However, for a true understanding of what makes this area so special, make your way to the Huon Valley, just 45 minutes south. Here, a host of new luxury hideaways are making a compelling case for slowing down to Tassie time. Hunter Huon Valley opened with striking cabins hidden in the wilderness; Clifton Homestead, a charming B&B, offers four rooms and two cottages set alongside the Mountain River. Furthermore, in early 2024, a new art-filled luxury villa will debut.
Kangaroo Island, Australia
Go for: a nature-soaked island’s remarkable second coming
Kangaroo Island is home to new sustainably minded hotels like Wander, built in nature-soaked surroundings.
Kangaroo Island has seen a remarkable recovery after devastating wildfires in recent years. The opening of new off-grid cabins like Wander has sparked renewed interest in the island, leading up to the highly anticipated reopening of Southern Ocean Lodge in December 2023, which will offer luxury accommodations overlooking pristine beaches.
The Kimberley, Australia
Go for: pristine wilderness newly accessible by cruise, First Nations cultural immersions
The Kimberley’s hard-to-reach waterways will welcome fresh visitors, thanks to an influx of new cruise lines.
Western Australia’s remote Kimberley is set to welcome an influx of cruise lines in 2024 due to its untouched wilderness, featuring towering cliffs and ancient Aboriginal rock art. On the ground, tourism projects are heating up with new cultural experiences like the Aboriginal Culture Expedition, set to premiere in May 2024, offering opportunities to participate in First Nations experiences.
Northern Rivers, Australia
Go for: adaptive surfing, immersive hiking, and stylish ranches
Spread across 55 acres in Byron Bay, Sun Ranch pays homage to the iconic Californian ranch houses of the 1970s.
Despite the floods in 2022, the Northern Rivers region is on the mend. The area will soon feature a new multiday hiking trail, known as the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, opening in mid-2024. This region is also set to host the 2024 Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championship, making it a delightful destination for both thrill-seekers and nature lovers.
South Island, New Zealand
Go for: laid-back wilderness experiences, immersive Māori history
At the end of the year, the ultra-luxury Flockhill will unveil 14 new villas and an onsite restaurant under the direction of an acclaimed chef.
With snow-capped peaks and stunning landscapes, New Zealand’s South Island offers immersive experiences steeped in Māori history. In late 2024, the ultra-luxury lodge, Flockhill, will expand and invite travelers to experience its unique charm.
Sydney, Australia
Go for: a gussied-up icon, trendy hotels, and an evolving business district
Sydney’s hotel scene has recently gained a new sheen with the additions of Ace Hotel and Capella.
As Sydney prepares for further enhancements in 2024, including the rejuvenation of the iconic Sydney Fish Market, the city continues to evolve its appeal. With new boutique hotels and dining experiences opening, visitors will find even more reasons to explore Sydney.
Torres Strait Island, Australia
Go for: idyllic islands embedded in rich Aboriginal culture
A new majority-owned Indigenous tour company is taking visitors to untouched parts of Torres Strait Islands for nature and cultural immersions.
The Torres Strait Islands are becoming more accessible with the establishment of new tours emphasizing sustainability and cultural heritage, including a variety of experiences that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the unique traditions of the local communities.
Yarra Valley, Australia
Go for: world-class wines, delicious dining and luxury wellness experiences worth staying awhile
With new boutique hotels, destination restaurants, and luxury wellness experiences, Yarra Valley is worth much more than just a day trip from Melbourne.
The Yarra Valley is evolving as a premier gastronomic destination, with recent openings enhancing its appeal as a getaway that offers exquisite dining and luxurious accommodations amidst beautiful vineyard landscapes.
