Launceston & Tamar Valley In Tasmania Ranked 4th Best Place To Visit Worldwide By Lonely Planet

The Best in Travel 2025 showcases Lonely Planet’s expert predictions for the coming year, featuring 30 must-visit destinations from across the globe.

Now in its 15th edition, the annual guide highlights the Top 10 Countries, Top 10 Cities, Top 10 Regions, and Top 10 Emerging Travel Trends.

Ranked 4th in the prestigious Top 10 Regions worldwide, Launceston and the Tamar Valley offer a perfect blend of nature and culture. From the rugged beauty of Cataract Gorge and immersive natural experiences to some of Australia’s finest wineries, artisanal producers, and top-notch dining, this region showcases the best of both worlds. Visitors can further enhance their stay by choosing from a range of Launceston serviced apartments, providing the comfort and convenience of a home away from home, ideal for both short and long-term stays while exploring this captivating region.

Other Australian and ANZ inclusions in the Emerging Trends category were Whitehaven Beach, which was crowned the best beach in the world, and Victoria’s Squeaky Beach, which placed second. Additionally, the cassowary was named the No. 1 bird species to watch for.

In the Top 10 Countries category, Australia's Pacific neighbours were also recognized, with Fiji securing 2nd place and Vanuatu 8th.

Here’s the full list of cities, regions, and countries:

Top 10 Cities

• Toulouse, France
• Pondicherry, India
• Bansko, Bulgaria
• Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Genoa, Italy
• Pittsburgh, USA
• Osaka, Japan
• Curitiba, Brazil
• Palma de Mallorca, Spain
• Edmonton, Canada

Top 10 Countries

• Cameroon
• Lithuania
• Fiji
• Laos
• Kazakhstan
• Paraguay
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Vanuatu
• Slovakia
• Armenia

Top 10 Regions

• Low Country and Coastal Georgia, USA
• The Terai, Nepal
• Chiriquí, Panama
• Launceston and the Tamar Valley, Australia
• Valais, Switzerland
• Giresun & Ordu, Türkiye
• Bavaria, Germany
• East Anglia, England
• Jordan Trail
• Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, USA