South Island, New Zealand
#1 in Best Places to Visit in Australia and The Pacific
New Zealand’s largest island is a haven for outdoorsy types keen on soaking up the country’s jaw-dropping scenery. Whether you’re hiking around Lake Tekapo, bird-watching on the Otago Peninsula, stargazing from the University of Canterbury’s Mount John Observatory, diving in Milford Sound or kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, you’ll enjoy impressive panoramas. When you need a break from nature, check out Christchurch’s eclectic street art or Dunedin’s 19th-century Larnach Castle.
Tahiti
#2 in Best Places to Visit in Australia and The Pacific
Visitors travel from around the world to catch a glimpse of Tahiti’s beautiful natural landscape, which features everything from tumbling waterfalls to soaring mountains. This French Polynesian island in the South Pacific is also home to unique stretches of sand, such as La Plage de Maui (with proximity to a shallow lagoon ideal for swimming and snorkeling), Papenoo Beach (a black sand beach that attracts surfers in droves) and Taharuu Beach (another black sand option that’s popular with families).
