Two Australian regions make Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list

Two very different Australian holidays have caught Lonely Planet’s attention for 2027, with northern NSW’s The Tweed and the Northern Territory’s Red Centre earning places in its annual Best in Travel selection.

The Tweed is the only Australian entry among the 25 top destinations, while immersing yourself in the Red Centre’s arts scene features among the 25 best experiences. Together, they offer plenty of inspiration for anyone planning a holiday closer to home, whether that means exploring regional towns and cycling through the countryside or watching stories unfold beneath an outback night sky.

For Chris Zeiher, Lonely Planet’s Senior Director of Global Trade Sales & Marketing, The Tweed’s appeal starts with its position between two much better-known holiday spots.

“The Tweed sits between two pretty significant tourism hotspots – Byron Bay to the south and the Gold Coast to the north – but it has a completely different feel,” he says.

“It’s much more relaxed and laid-back, and it’s the kind of place where you naturally slow down a bit.”

That slower pace comes with plenty to fill a holiday. Zeiher points to the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, mountain biking around Uki and day and multi-day walks, alongside the opportunity to explore towns such as Murwillumbah and Burringbar.

Travellers can build their days around outdoor activities, or spend them discovering locally run businesses, stopping for something to eat and getting to know the smaller towns that make up the region.

“I hate to overuse the word ‘authentic’, but that’s probably what appeals to me about The Tweed,” Zeiher says.

“It doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard to be a tourism destination. It’s just a really lovely part of Australia with a lot to discover – and you can experience it at your own pace.”

For those whose idea of a good holiday involves leaving a few gaps in the itinerary, his assessment is reassuring.

“The Tweed is one of those places that gives you plenty to do, but also gives you permission to do absolutely nothing.”

Further inland, the Red Centre’s inclusion encourages travellers to explore its arts scene, with experiences in Yulara, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs bringing another dimension to a visit.

“Lonely Planet has always loved the Red Centre, and I’m personally really excited to see it back on our Best in Travel list,” Zeiher says.

“But this time we’re encouraging travellers to experience it through a slightly different lens – via this really fascinating meeting of ancient storytelling, art and modern technology.”

Among the experiences he highlights is Wintjiri Wiru at Yulara, where drones, light and sound tell the Mala story across the night sky. At Kings Canyon, Bruce Munro’s Light-Towers adds an illuminated art experience to the landscape, while Alice Springs hosts Parrtjima, an Aboriginal-led festival of light.

For someone planning a Red Centre trip, the selection offers a reason to look beyond daytime sightseeing and consider how art and storytelling could shape the visit.
“I think there’s something really powerful about using technology in that way,” Zeiher says.

“Against the landscape and night skies of the Red Centre, it can be pretty spectacular.”

The wider list includes destinations such as Okinawa in Japan, Šibenik in Croatia, New Caledonia and Dunedin and the Waitaki in New Zealand. Experiences range from riding India’s Darjeeling Himalayan Railway to sailing the Aeolian Islands in Sicily.

Asked what the selection reveals about how people want to travel in 2027, Zeiher points to Okinawa, where subtropical islands, beaches and local food offer a different Japanese holiday from the big-city itinerary many Australians know.

“Travellers still want to visit the destinations they love, but they’re increasingly looking for ways to step away from the crowds and find experiences that feel a little more personal and unexpected,” he says.

“You’re still experiencing Japan, but you’re getting off the well-trodden tourist trail … and hopefully coming home with a few stories that not everyone else has.”
Even someone who works in travel finds his own plans changing after looking through the selection. For Zeiher, Kazakhstan has moved high up his wish list, particularly its capital, Astana, whose architecture features among the top experiences.

“Personally, I love to explore a destination via its architecture and the Kazakh capital Astana looks mind-boggling.”

For Australian travellers, though, two of this year’s picks offer a starting point much closer to home. The choice might come down to a leisurely afternoon exploring The Tweed’s towns or an evening taking in the Red Centre’s art beneath the stars.

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