New Zealand, Tasmania and Brisbane listed by New York Times as among top 2024 destinations

New Zealand by train, Tasmania and Brisbane are the three ‘Down Under’ destinations listed by global news outlet, the New York Times, as among the top destinations to visit in 2024.

The much-anticipated list is compiled annually by NYT Travel Editors and Travel Experts, who select the most desirable travel destinations currently from across the globe.

Following 2023's list which included Auckland, Kangaroo Island and Australia's Red Centre, 2024's counterpart features New Zealand by train (4th place), the entire state of Tasmania (29th) and Queensland capital city Brisbane (39th).

The list is topped by North America's path of totality, where a total solar eclipse will be take over the skies in April.

The NYT ranked the 17-day journey across New Zealand for being "a simpler and more sustainable way" to see the country, calling out stops at "transcendent sites like the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park and Te Papa Tongarewa Museum" to begin with. Also earning a mention: getting the ferry to the South Island, then taking "a ride through world-class vineyards and along the jagged coast", plus whale- and dolphin-watching in Christchurch, before hitting the Southern Alps for "views to white-capped peaks, rushing rivers and alpine lakes".

Tasmania earned its placing for enabling visitors to get out in nature via guided walks, celebrate Indigenous culture and focus on local produce. Taking a three-day trek across Bruny Island, foraging for wattle seeds and pepperberries, and chef Analiese Gregory's wild-cooking dishes all received a special mention.

Tasmanian Acting Premier, Michael Ferguson, said to be recognised once again by the NYT as one of the best places to visit in the world is a huge achievement for Tasmania.

Acting Premier Ferguson noted "not only is the NYT one of the most influential publications in the world, but it also has a massive global following far beyond the US readership.

"This list will be an essential, trusted source of travel inspiration for many global travellers, and we have no doubt it will influence readers to come and visit Tasmania.

"We know Tasmania has what the world wants, with our world-class produce and beverages, our beautiful regions, festivals, world heritage sites, events and rugged walks offering something for everyone.

"Tasmania welcomed 1.26 million visitors in the year ending September 2023, up 31 per cent from the same period last year, and we want to continue to sustainably grow the industry.”

For Brisbane, NYT focussed on The Queen's Wharf precinct and its towering Sky Deck, restaurant Agnes and the Brisbane Powerhouse - including eating dinner hanging off the side of the building at vertical dining experience Vertigo, and the upcoming Melt OPEN queer arts fest. The Calile – one of Brisbane’s more famous hotels was also noted.

Topping the '52 Places to Go' rankings for 2024: North America's path of totality, where a total solar eclipse will be take over the skies in April, followed by Paris — the host of the 2024 Olympics — and Yamaguchi in Japan. Maui in Hawaii rounded out the top five, while Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni in Arizona (the sacred Indigenous land around the Grand Canyon), Singapore, O'Higgins in Chile, Ladakh in India and Geneva in Switzerland filled the rest of the top ten.

Singapore is ranked at number seven for its cuisine, architecture and world-class airport and also for having transformed itself with a luxury hotel boom. Edition recently opened a 204-room property in the downtown Orchard Road district, while the Standard will open later this year. Famed hotels such as the Mandarin Oriental and Grand Hyatt, which closed in recent years for major renovations, will also return.

For the New York Times' full 52 Places to Go list for 2024, visit the publication's website.

Image top: Christchurch Dolphin Watching Credit: NZ Tourism; image centre: Tasmania's Bruny Island Credit: Zachary Ferguson/unsplash; image below: Credit: Calile Hotel Brisbane