There are certain destinations in Australia that truly live up to the hype – the magical underwater marvels of the Great Barrier Reef, the thundering waterfalls of the Blue Mountains, and the magnificent red rock known as Uluru. But drive a little further down the country’s most scenic highways and you’ll discover lesser-known gems that are equally deserving of your attention. Australia is full of spots like this, three of which have just been recognised among the top 20 most underrated travel destinations in the world.
The brand new list of underrated destinations was compiled by Time Out’s global network of expert editors and globetrotting travel writers, with the aim of providing inspiration to help ease the burden of overtourism worldwide. Shifting the spotlight away from Sydney and Melbourne, the list highlights under-the-radar destinations worth visiting in 2024 – with Tasmania, Newcastle and Gippsland all being named in the top 20.
Happily lodged in the ocean, about 240 kilometres from the mainland, it’s easy to see why Tasmania is often overlooked. Australia’s smallest and only island state is home to more than 800 hiking trails, 1,600 beautiful (and uncrowded) beaches, plus some of Australia’s best (and weirdest) art. Trust us, you don’t want to skip out on crossing the Bass Strait to visit the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, the UNESCO-listed village of Port Arthur, or the unspoilt landscapes of Bruny Island.
If you’re hoping for a stereotypical Aussie beach getaway, forget Byron Bay. Instead, hit up Newcastle. This coastal city, just a two-hour drive (or 2.5-hour train trip) north of Sydney, was named the ninth most underrated travel destination in the world. Once a mining town, Newcastle has undergone something of a gradual glow-up in recent decades – with hatted restaurants and globally-renowned hotels joining its low-key landscape of local diners and boutiques. Our favourite local gem here is Merewether Ocean Baths – the largest ocean baths in the Southern Hemisphere – closely followed by the adorably-named Nobby’s Beach.
Rounding out the list of underrated Aussie destinations was Gippsland in 20th spot. Located in Victoria’s eastern corner, around a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne, this vast region is a bountiful wonderland – think alpine roads, snaking waterways, fertile farmland and deserted stretches of white-sand beaches. If you’ve already ticked off the Great Ocean Road, we strongly urge you to explore Gippsland next.
Check out Time Out’s full list of the most underrated travel destinations in the world here.
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