96 of the world's best trails have been named, along with ideal months to go

Plus, three other things Explore is loving this month.

The Cape to Cape Track in Western Australia.

By Sarah Falson, and Akash Arora

Updated May 12, 2026, first published May 10, 2026

Lonely Planet's latest travel tome, Where to Go When Hiking, features 96 trails from around the world, with suggestions on the best months to experience each of them. Experiences range from a month-long pilgrimage across the much-loved Camino Frances in February to the week-long 88 Temple Pilgrimage route on Japan's Shikoku island in March. Eleven trails from Australia have made it to the list, with May the best time to tackle the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk in Queensland and September the ideal month to embark on the Cape to Cape Track in Western Australia. Four routes in New Zealand are part of the guidebook, too, with the Rakiura Track on Stewart Island the perfect adventure for December. From $55; shop.lonelyplanet.com

Milky Way is the limit

Regional NSW has a new star, thanks to the opening of the Mallanganee Observatory-Lookout in the Northern Rivers region. Located on the highest point of the Richmond Range, the armillary-like observatory will frequently find itself located right under the densest, brightest part of the Milky Way, offering visitors dazzling views at the right time of the year and night, transforming the region into one of Australia's top dark-sky sanctuaries. visitnsw.com

Travel shrugs off crisis

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Airlines around the world have trimmed flight numbers and increased airfares on the back of the Middle East crisis, but that hasn't stopped Aussies from heading overseas. The nation's biggest airport has revealed the March quarter was its strongest for international travel in its history, despite the outbreak of the US-Israel war against Iran on February 28. Sydney Airport funnelled 4.57 million passengers through its terminals at Mascot in the city's south, up 5.8 per cent on the same quarter last year.

The year of the underdog

Roy Morgan has unveiled the winners of its annual Customer Satisfaction Awards, across sectors such as finance, retail, telecommunications, automotive and utilities, with some surprising results in the travel category. The Domestic and Regional Airline of the Year award hasn't gone to Qantas or Virgin Australia. It's gone to small embattled carrier Rex Airlines (Regional Express). Meanwhile, the market research company's International Airline of the Year award for 2025 went to Singapore Airlines.

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.

Words byAkash Arora

Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.

My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.

Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.

My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.