Two Australian destinations have made it onto an influential global list of places to visit in 2026 ­– one for its stunning natural beauty, and the other because of a “must-attend” car race.

The New York Times is one of myriad publications highlighting travel hot-spots for the year ahead, but its list is more comprehensive than most.

The newspaper’s “52 places to go in 2026” offers a destination for every month of the year. At the top is “Revolutionary America”, a nod to the fact the United States celebrates its 250^th anniversary this year with events ranging from themed balls to battle re-enactments.

The rest of the list is a round-the-world adventure ­– and at No.14 sits the Northern Territory’s Top End, “where the rugged outback meets tropic abundance”.

“Kakadu National Park sits at its centre, preserving multiple ecosystems and some 5000 Aboriginal rock-art sites,” says the writer, adding that the park’s “crown jewel”, Gunlom Falls, has only recently reopened.

The falls, about 320 kilometres south-east of Darwin, were closed for six years because of a legal dispute between the Jawoyn traditional owners and Parks Australia over the disturbance of a nearby sacred men’s site.

The parks authority ultimately lost the court case and Gunlom Falls reopened last July, with one of the traditional owners telling ABC News at the time that it was a special place that had now “come back to life”.

 

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As well as the picturesque 85-metre waterfall ­– which Kakadu Tourism notes featured in Crocodile Dundee ­– Gunlom has a plunge pool at the summit for swimming, and offers panoramic views over Kakadu.

The Times article describes Darwin as the gateway to the falls, and references the new $58.6 million Larrakia Cultural Centre that is scheduled to open on the city’s harbour  later this year, showcasing Larrakia history and culture.

The other Australian destination to make it onto the “52 places to go” list is Melbourne ­– not so much for its coffee culture, galleries, shopping and laneways (although they do get a mention), but because it is revving up “for a racing debut”.

For those not in the know, this is a reference to the fact that new formula one team Cadillac will race for the first time at the Australian Grand Prix on March 8, which the Times reckons makes it “a must-attend event for speed demons from around the globe”.

The Grand Prix is considered a must for ‘speed demons’. Photo: AAP

“Beyond the track, the city offers cafe-lined lanes, the vendor-packed Queen Victoria Market and the riverside Royal Botanic Gardens, among other delights,” it says.

A couple of “auto-centric diversions”, including the Fox Classic Car Collection at Queen’s Warehouse in Melbourne’s Docklands, are also recommended, along with a road trip along the Great Ocean Road to the new Poombeeyt Koontapool lookout, which offers a view of the blowhole at Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell National Park.

For Australians looking to travel further in 2026, the full list offers plenty of inspiration ­– from Thailand’s Bangkok, which has gained recent attention for its greening projects and the opening of a contemporary arts hub, to India’s Bandhavgarh, where a new resort offers a chance to see tigers in the wild.

Some of the destinations, such as Japan, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, also appear in other lists of 2026 hotspots, but many are off the usual beaten track for tourists.

One that piqued our interest is Armenia ­(No.20). Apparently a drawcard for hikers, nature lovers and wine aficionados, it will host one of the world’s top wine competitions in May (the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles).

And what about Norway’s remote Traena Islands, at No.28, which apparently have only 500 inhabitants but also an annual offbeat music festival that includes performances in a cathedral-like cave?  According to another publication, it’s “one of the best festivals in Europe that you’ve probably never heard of”.

Traena Islands host a music festival with a view. Photo: Wikimedia Commons