Tiny regional NSW hotel makes Time magazine's greatest places to visit in 2026 list

Four of the greatest places in the world are right here in Australia.

Retro vibes at Sea Sea Hotel in Crescent Head, NSW.

Updated March 13 2026 - 3:57pm, first published 12:09pm

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Forget the usual tourist traps: a retro hotel three hours' drive from Newcastle has just been named one of the greatest places to visit in the world.

The World's Greatest Places of 2026 by Time Magazine celebrates destinations for their innovation, soul and sheer wow-factor - and four of them are right here in Australia.

Whether you're looking for a deep dive into 50,000 years of history or a retro road trip three hours north of Newcastle, these are the home-grown spots officially trending on the global stage.

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1. Sea Sea Hotel, Crescent Head, NSW

Located in a sleepy surf town north of Newcastle, this hotel is the newest global star no-one's heard of. The retro hotel celebrates the area's 1970s surf culture, and the judges said it was one of the best retro revivals they had seen. Think brown brick studios and surf photography on the walls. The world is listening - maybe you should, too, and add it to your next road trip. seaseahotel.com

2. Sydney Fish Market, Sydney, NSW

Sydney Fish Market.

Forget the old, gritty market full of seagulls stealing your fish and chips. The new $836 million waterfront masterpiece with a wave-like roof in Blackwattle Bay is not just a place to buy prawns - it's an area integrating the city's harbour life with its high-end dining scene. The judges particularly liked the 40 dining outlets under one roof, from Malaysian favourites to Aegean charcoal grilling. sydneyfishmarket.com.au

3. Murujuga Cultural Landscape, Pilbara, WA

This ancient, spiritual and deeply significant region in Western Australia is home to an extraordinary collection of rock engravings, some dating back 50,000 years. The landscape, within Murujuga National Park, earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2025 after decades of campaigning and is part of a shift toward "deep time" tourism that puts the world's oldest living culture front and centre. And that's worth celebrating. murujuga.org.au

4. On Board Tasmanian Expedition Cruises, Tasmania

On Board's expedition vessel Odalisque III in Bathurst Harbour. Picture by Tim Grey

This boutique cruise company's two-night Port Davey Highlights cruise aboard the Odalisque III takes only a handful of guests at a time into the remote, roadless wilderness of Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour. This is truly on the edge of the world and if you're looking to escape the chaos right now, this could be a good place to start. The journey begins with a seaplane flight before heading to Tasmania's Southwest National Park where you will find Indigenous rock art, remote islands and sea caves. onboardexpeditions.com.au

Time Magazine's list also recognises two places in New Zealand. Tala, an intimate 20-seat restaurant celebrating Samoan fare in Auckland, tells stories of home through food. Flockhill, a retreat set on a 36,000-acre historic sheep station in Craigieburn Valley in the Southern Alps, offers a wellness spa and meals made on foraged ingredients. tala.co.nz; flockhillnz.com

Words bySarah Falson

Sarah is ACM’s travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.

My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me.

Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.

My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.