Best places to travel in 2017

I don’t know about you, but my travel bucket list is already pretty long. I just picked up a couple copies of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017 book*, and now my list has gotten a whole lot longer!

Last financial year I set myself the goal to visit every state in Australia (that I hadn’t already visited). And guess what?! I’m off to Uluru in two weeks to tick off my final state; Northern Territory. Woo hoo! So keep your eyes peeled on Facebook and Instagram for the daily updates.

Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Can you see the tiny person in the photo for scale?
Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island, South Australia
The Remarkable Rocks are just massive and sit on the edge of a cliff on Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Obviously Australia is HUGE, and there is sooo much more to explore, but I’m pretty happy to have spent more time focusing on seeing my own beautiful country this year. It used to be a bit awkward travelling around the world with people asking, so what’s the Great Barrier Reef like? Errr, I haven’t been yet. But you’re from Queensland?! Yeahhh…

But that’s not the reason I went to the Great Barrier Reef. I went because it’s bloody amazing and Australia is absolutely worth exploring. And if you’re a Queensland local like me, then there’s definitely no excuse! For a whole list of amazing weekend getaways, head on over to Sally’s Lifestyle Journal for some great suggestions.

Views of Whitehaven Beach from Hill Inlet in the Whitsundays
Views of Whitehaven Beach from Hill Inlet in the Whitsundays

Whitehaven Beach at the Whitsundays

Whitehaven Beach at the Whitsundays

During the past year, I’ve checked out the street art and food in South Australia, I got lost at night at the Pinnacles in Western Australia, road-tripped it around Tasmania, conquered the world’s highest commercial abseil, watched the sunrise over the 12 Apostles in Victoria, and went speed-boating in the Whitsundays. This month I’m off to explore Uluru with lots of fun activities planned – but you’ll just have to wait and see what I’ve got in store. In the last year, over 4 million people have visited Australia for a holiday, and I’ll tell you why – because it’s ridiculously beautiful here. Time to get out and explore!

Incredible street art found around the streets of Adelaide city in South Australia
Incredible street art found around the streets of Adelaide city in South Australia
The Pinnacles in Western Australia and the Milky Way at night
The Pinnacles in Western Australia and the Milky Way at night
Looking down from above while I smile abseiling Gordon Dam
Abseiling down Gordon Dam in Tasmania

While flipping through my new copy of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017 book, I was interested to see that of the Top 10 Countries, Regions and Cities, Australia only features once! South Australia came in at number 5 on the Top 10 Regions list. I was glad to see Kangaroo Island got a mention, which I can definitely recommend. The sand is so white and nature so wild that it just has to be seen to be believed.

The pictures in this book make my travel feet so itchy, and I have to throw my wallet over the balcony so I don’t book any more flights! A few other destinations that have made this year’s Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Countries list have immediately been penned onto my travel list (and highlighted). Finland, Dominica and Oman.

Although Finland’s been on there for a while due to my Arctic-wanderlust, I’ve never checked out Dominica. The snow screams my name louder than the beach does, however after seeing the photos of Dominica, I may just dust of that bikini and trade in my Arctic jacket for a moment. I’m also super keen to get to Oman. I just got back from Abu Dhabi and Dubai and was absolutely awe-struck by the incredible architecture of the Middle East, the kind-natured people and, of course, living it up at The Ritz-Carlton. We totally spoilt ourselves and splashed out on a stay at this 5 star hotel and definitely didn’t regret one moment. (Posts coming soon!)

I better not give away any more of the top recommended destinations from Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017 book, so you’ll just have to pick up a copy for yourself HERE* and prepare to be inspired. Even better, I’m giving away a FREE copy as part of my Lonely Planet Travel Inspiration Pack this month! CLICK HERE or the picture below to enter – good luck!

Win a Lonely Planet travel inspiration pack

Win a Lonely Planet Travel book, Travel diary and luggage tag with Discovering New Skies

I’m heading down to Sydney at the end of July for a road trip, so let me know in the comments any picturesque destinations I should visit. There may also be another trip to Melbourne on the cards and I want to uncover all the delicious dessert places – all ideas welcome!

*Affiliate links are marked with an Asterix – if you make a purchase through these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, see my Contact page.

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8 Comments

  1. May 21, 2017 / 1:50 pm

    I’ve been wanting to go to Abu Dhabi and Dubai for awhile and also interested in Oman after a friend visited there and thought it was so awesome she went back again! I really am keen to check out Adelaide too. Most people say it’s boring which I think is pretty harsh haha. I’m sure there’s plenty to like about it and kangaroo island looks fantastic. Plus your photo of the pinnacles is insane!!

    • Bryanna
      Author
      May 21, 2017 / 3:35 pm

      Thanks Cassie! Totally got lost out at the Pinnacles that night I was photographing them. Ended up in the middle of no where with my sand tracks gone, no GPS and almost zero battery on my phone. Fun night haha. Feel free to read about the ridiculousness here
      Adelaide is pretty chilled, so I like that – but I prefer to get out of the cities usually, especially in Australia because we have so much crazy awesome nature to explore! Take me with you to Oman! Keeeeeeeen 😀

  2. May 21, 2017 / 1:52 pm

    Australia is a very beautiful country and you have captured it perfectly! South Australia is next on my aussie travel list, but I think Tassie has to be my favourite 🙂

    • Bryanna
      Author
      May 21, 2017 / 3:37 pm

      Agreed! Tassie is just beautiful – I can’t wait to go back. I’m tempted to go back during the winter time again (you know I’m a little obsessed haha). But I’d love to check out the beautiful lavender fields. I’m not sure what season they’re in blood <3 Let me know when you're heading to Adelaide for some tips!

  3. May 21, 2017 / 1:54 pm

    my bucket list is out of control! hit me up when you’re headed to Melbourne and we can desert together!

    • Bryanna
      Author
      May 21, 2017 / 3:38 pm

      Yummmmmmm! Sounds like a plan 😉 Any particular places you reckon are worth checking out?

  4. May 21, 2017 / 2:28 pm

    There are so many beautiful places in Australia, you have captured some amazing spots. Im always looking for the next place to travel too!

    • Bryanna
      Author
      May 21, 2017 / 3:45 pm

      Thanks Abby! Australia is just beautiful, I don’t know why I waited so long to get out and see my own country. In saying that, I feel very lucky that Australia is massive and there’s so much more to explore – I think it’s safe to say there are going to be many more road trips in my future 😛 haha.

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