Home » News » Tasmania, Brisbane and NZ by train all featured in NYT’s 2024 travel list

10 January, 2024

Tasmania, Brisbane and NZ by train all featured in NYT’s 2024 travel list

Cape Bruny Lighthouse at the southern tip of Bruny Island, Tasmania, is the second oldest extant lighthouse tower in Australia, as well as having the longest (158 years) history of being continuously manned.

Tasmania, Brisbane and New Zealand by train have all been included in The New York Times’ ‘52 Best Places to Visit in 2024’ list.

The list is compiled annually by The New York Times’ travel editors and travel experts and is viewed internationally as a distinguished selection of the most desirable global travel destinations.

This year, Tasmania was recognised in the list for its rich indigenous culture, abundance of nature and elevated dining experiences, profiling several Tasmanian operators.

Contributor to The New York Times, Nora Walsh, wrote: “Venture outside and help protect vulnerable species in Tasmania, Australia’s southernmost state, with several new guided walks. Tasmanian Walking Company, in partnership with the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, offers a three-day trek across rugged Bruny Island to map flora and collect seeds for the garden’s seed bank.

“To get a taste of the island’s Indigenous culture, join members of the local Palawa community on multi day treks through the powder white sands of Wukalina (Mount William National Park) and orange-lichen-covered rocks of Larapuna (Bay of Fires). Or to get an actual taste of the island, forage for ingredients like wattle seeds and pepperberries with guides from Palawa Kipli, a company that is Indigenous-owned and operated — the experience ends with a tasting menu that includes smoked payathanima (wallaby).”

Taste the timeless palate of piyura kitina. kipli takara is a 90-minute bush tucker tour offered on Aboriginal land at piyura kitina/Risdon Cove.

Sarah Clark, CEO, Tourism Tasmania praise the inclusion, saying it is one of the highest accolades for a destination.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be included and have so many unique experiences represented. We know Tassie has been top of mind for Australian travellers for a while, and it’s great to see that now, it will be on the bucket lists of international travellers as well,” Clark said.

Tasmania featured in the list alongside Queensland’s capital city Brisbane, which was spotlighted for its food, art and vertiginous views in a city gearing up for its Olympic moment. Writer Stephanie Pearson highlighted the facelift Brisbane is undergoing, which includes the restoration of historic buildings, four new hotels, parks and public spaces, and an 820-foot-long Sky Deck with bars and restaurants overlooking the Brisbane River.

Brisbane’s lord mayor, Adrian Schrinner, said making The New York Times’ ’52 Places to Go in 2024′ is just the latest in a string of recent accolades for Brisbane.

“Our time has come. The world is recognising Brisbane keeps getting better and this latest accolade from The New York Times is further proof,” Schrinner said.

“Last year, both Time Magazine and travel bible Frommer’s recognised Brisbane as a must-do destination and we won awards for having Australia’s best restaurant and hotel.”

Schrinner continued: “Our relaxed outdoor lifestyle, clean and green suburbs and vibrant economy have also made us the fastest growing capital city in Australia with huge numbers of people from southern states eager to call Brisbane home.

“All this success is no accident and I’m confident our emergence as a must-do destination and great place to live will boost local business, create jobs and help make Brisbane even better.”

Alongside the Aussie selections, New Zealand by Train came in at fourth on the list with the NYT highlighting a 17-day journey on the Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific and TranzAlpine trains offered by Great Journeys New Zealand.

GJNZ’s TranzAlpine beneath the Waimakariri Bridge (K. McManus)

“We’re extremely proud that New Zealand by Train has been featured by the prestigious New York Times publication,” general manager of Great Journeys New Zealand, Tracey Goodall, told Travel Weekly. “Our multi-day tours and rail journeys show case the lesser-known regions that lie off the beaten track and provides our customers with an immersive experience while they travel through New Zealand.”

Other diverse global destinations featured on the list included Grenada in The Caribbean, the Albanian Alps and Geneva in Switzerland.

Check out the full list here.

(Featured Image: Cape Bruny Lighthouse at the southern tip of Bruny Island, Tasmania – Tourism Tasmania)

Advertise with us

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au