Australia’s red centre has been named as one of the 25 best places in the world to visit in 2026 by National Geographic.
The iconic publication listed the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park as a must see, stating that in April visitors would be able to stay overnight within the park for the first time.
“The Anangu Traditional Owners collaborated with the Tasmanian Walking Company to develop five-day, fully guided treks,” it said.
“After long days on the trail between Kata Tjuta and Uluru, hikers will sleep in eco-friendly lodges, stargaze by campfires, and learn from Indigenous guides about how to take care of the land, which connects to the well-being of the people and the environment.”
The magazine listed the National Park, home to “the world’s largest monolith, Uluru, formed over 500 million years ago and sacred to the local Anangu people for tens of thousands of years”, among other global attractions, such as the Dolomites, in Italy, Quebec, Canada and Rabat in Morocco.
The National Geographic listing also called out Uluru’s Gallery of Central Australia, which focuses on the work of contemporary Indigenous artists and the permanent drone installation Wintjiri Wiru which uses Uluru and the surrounding desert as a backdrop to tell ancient Anangu stories using modern tech.
“The show relies on 1200 drones, six 30-watt lasers, seven 12-kilowatt projectors, and more than 30 bright field lights.”
The full list, and why to go:
- The Dolomites, Milan, Italy: The excitement of the Winter Olympics is just the start.
- Québec, Canada: A new wilderness park stands out with Indigenous-led experiences.
- Beijing, China: For epic history, cultural treasures, and exciting excursions.
- Dominica: The world’s first sperm whale reserve.
- Rabat, Morocco: Experience an age-old city now on the rise.
- Hull, Yorkshire, England: A port town goes all in on more than 800 years of maritime history.
- North Dakota Badlands, U.S: The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library reflects a complex man, and an enigmatic landscape.
- Manila, Philippines: A palate-pleasing tour of a surprisingly diverse food scene.
- Black Sea Coast, Türkiye: An adventurous, less travelled alternative to the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
- Khiva, Uzbekistan: A farther-flung Silk Road city outshines its more famous neighbours.
- Akagera National Park, Rwanda, East Africa: A big five safari destination with a fraction of the traffic.
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: The best place to catch the FIFA World Cup.
- Yamagata Prefecture, Japan: Age-old tradition and otherworldly outdoor experiences, without the crowds.
- Route 66: Oklahoma, U.S.: Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with a road trip.
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia: One of the world’s oldest living cultures.
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A South American megacity having a moment.
- Oulu, Finland: Find out what makes the far northern city Europe’s Capital of Culture.
- South Korea: Be the first to hike a diverse new coast-to-coast trail.
- Guimarães, Portugal: An up-and-coming city of tomorrow that keeps its history close.
- Basque Country, Spain: An eclipse shines a light on a less-travelled region of Spain.
- Maui, Hawaii, U.S.: The island is rebounding from wildfires in spectacular fashion.
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.: A post-industrial city with a thriving cultural scene—and a head of steam.
- Coastal Oaxaca, (Costa Chica), Mexico: It’s a surfer’s dream, but on a quieter coastline.
