Looking across the Yarra river from Southbank to the city of MelbourneGordonBellPhotography/Getty
Australia & Pacific Travel Guide
Destinations
Bali
The island riding an eternal wave
Sydney Travel Guide
Where swimming and surfing are more birthright than pastime
Melbourne Travel Guide
In flat whites we trust
Top 25 Resorts in Australia and The South Pacific: Readers' Choice Awards 2020
Condé Nast Traveler readers rate their top resorts in Australia and The South Pacific.
17 Best Hotels in Bali
From private island hideaways to bamboo treehouses, these properties offer extraordinary views, service, and amenities.
By Juliet Kinsman and Chris Schalkx
Editor Hotel Recommendations: Bali
- Further$ | Indonesia, Pererenan, l. Pantai Pererenan No.84Read full reviewGo-slow territory with palo-santo-scented mornings.
Hot List
Powered By: Booking.com - Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve$$$ | Indonesia, Bali, Jl. Raya Kedewatan No.Banjar, KedewatanRead full reviewThis jungle property, one of a few Ritz-Carlton Reserves in the world, achieves something rare—it feels pristine yet ancient.
Readers Choice Awards
Gold List
Powered By: Expedia - Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort$$ | Indonesia, Bali,Read full reviewA serene Bali escape on a stunning stretch of seaside property.
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - Alila Villas Uluwatu$$ | Indonesia, Bali,Read full reviewThe striking latticework rectangles of this all-villa resort, set high on a cliff, has become an icon for contemporary Bali.
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - COMO Shambhala Estate$$$ | Indonesia, Bali, Banjar BegawanRead full reviewThis property reigns as a five-star refuge for luxury travelers seeking to say farewell to stress and hello to spiritual development.
Readers Choice Awards
Gold List
Powered By: Expedia - Bisma Eight$$ | Indonesia, Bali,Read full reviewFollow a bumpy lane from Ubud’s center, and eventually you'll reach this tranquil all-suite hideaway, which is one with nature.
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Booking.com - Capella Ubud Bali$$$ | Indonesia, Ubud, Jl. RY DalemRead full reviewAfrican-style riverside jungle camp evoking spice-trade romance, in a tucked-away part of the island.
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, BaliIndonesia, Bali,Read full reviewSet within the larger, exclusive Nusa Dua resort region, and on one of Bali’s most beautiful beaches.
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - Hotel Tugu Bali$$ | Indonesia, Bali,Read full reviewTugu was the first hotel in Canggu, a pioneer in what was, at the time, just fields of rice paddies running up to the edge of the ocean.
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Booking.com - Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape$$$ | Indonesia, Buahan Kaja, JlRead full reviewExperience the jungles of central Bali in their purest form—without having to rough it.
Hot List
Powered By: Expedia - Lost Lindenberg$$ | Indonesia, Bali, Banyar Yeh Kuning, Jl. Ngurah Rai, Pekutatan, Kec. Pekutatan, Kabupaten JembranaRead full reviewThis Balinese hotel is unlike any other surfer hangouts in the region.
Hot List
Powered By: Table Hotels - Amankila$$$ | Indonesia, Bali,Read full reviewOn Bali's less explored and truly rural east coast, one of the original Aman resorts remains as charming as ever.
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Skylark
- On Location: 'Furiosa' Hurtles Through the Outskirts of the Australian OutbackLifting the curtain on the season's most exciting new releases.By Charlie Hobbs
- Where to Eat, Stay, and Surf in Yamba, AustraliaA blink-and-you'll-miss-it surf town on Australia's east coast south of Byron Bay is now a chic weekend getaway.By Chloe Sachdev
- The Best New Hotels in Australia and Asia: 2024 Hot ListThe best new hotel openings in Australia and Asia of the past year, from Bhutan to Kangaroo Island.By CNT Editors
- How I Booked a Free Stopover in Sydney With the United Excursionist PerkThe United Excursionist Perk is the points and miles trick even pros forget about—here's how it works.By Callie Radke Stevens
- How Australia's Kangaroo Island Is Recovering With Conservation-Minded HospitalityFour years after its wildfires, the pendant of primordial land churns onward.By Chloe Sachdev
- The Blue Mountains of Australia Are Ready to Welcome Tourists BackAfter weathering years of relentless fires and biblical floods, the rugged region outside of Sydney has been reborn, with a booming food scene and new ways to access nature.By Adam H. Graham
- On Its 50th Anniversary, the Sydney Opera House Remains a Beacon of Sustainable DesignFrom heat-reflecting tiles to a pioneering heating and cooling system, the Aussie landmark has always embraced sustainable thinking.By Rachel Chang
- Sydney Is Going Greener—Here's How Visitors Can Get in on the ActionThe city is becoming a host for responsible tourism, thanks to eco-eateries, accessible cultural and historical resources, and thoughtful native ecosystems.By Callie Radke Stevens
- A First Look at Seabourn's New Expedition Voyage Through the Kimberley, AustraliaIn 2024, the cruise line will set sail to this rugged region, home to some of the most unique land formations and wildlife on Earth.By Meena Thiruvengadam
- Rose Byrne on the Euphoria of Snorkeling the Great Barrier ReefThe Aussie actress had not yet visited what is arguably her home country's most famous attraction.By Charlie Hobbs
- The Best New Hotels in the World: 2023 Hot ListThe best openings of the past year, from sprawling eco resorts to design-focused boutique options.By CNT Editors
- Ask a Local: Artist Gabrielle Penfold Shares Her Favorite Weekend Hangouts in SydneyFrom ocean-pool swimming to secondhand shopping—and the best gelato in the city.By Noo Saro-Wiwa
- United Airlines Is Launching Dozens of New Flights to New Zealand and AustraliaSwitchings hemispheres will soon be even easier.By Rachel Chang
- My Favorite Airbnb: A Three-Bedroom Apartment in Sydney's Ultimate Surf 'BurbThe beachside abode had a wraparound balcony and incredible ocean views.By Zoe Westman
More from Australia & the Pacific
Destinations
In Tasmania, Bushwalks Help Conserve Native Flora
On a trek along the Australian state's scenic coast, Jayme Moye discovers how connecting with nature can help protect it.
By Jayme Moye
Women Who Travel
Meet the Indigenous Women Leading Conservation Efforts in the Great Barrier Reef
The Queensland Indigenous Women Rangers Network is forging a path for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to protect the region's land and sea.
By Alicia Erickson
Air Travel
Why United's Polaris Business Class Is Worth the Upgrade on Its New Nonstop Flight to Australia
Here's what impressed me on the 17-hour flight.
By Chris Dong
Destinations
An LGBTQ+ Guide to Sydney's Best New Dining, Hotels, and Clubs for World Pride 2023
Cool new hotels, accessible dining, and a revived nightlife scene are making Sydney the Southern Hemisphere's hottest city.
By Chloe Sachdev
Air Travel
This WorldPride Flight From L.A. to Sydney Comes Packed With In-Flight Experiences—and Starts at Just $727
It also comes with a ticket to a sold-out concert with Kylie Minogue and Charlie XCX.
By Rachel Chang
Destinations
In Tasmania, Indigenous-Led Walking Tours Are Sharing Ancestral Stories With Travelers
“Telling the story is one way of working towards understanding and reconciliation,” says guide Cody Gangell.
By Nina Karnikowski
Destinations
At One of Australia's Oldest Museums, A New Emphasis on Indigenous Artists
The groundbreaking Sydney Modern Project boldly redevelops and expands the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
By Daniel Browning
Style & Culture
Actor Rose Byrne’s Favorite Cure for Jet Lag Is the Ocean
Tourism Australia's new partner on her favorite Sydney beaches, a breathtaking visit to Uluru, and the simple pleasure of a coffee at Bill's.
By Charlie Hobbs
Style & Culture
On Location: In ‘Ticket to Paradise’, the Serene Beaches of Australia's Gold Coast Stand in for Bali's Turquoise Waters
Lifting the curtain on the destinations behind the season’s most exciting new releases.
By Emily Zemler
Destinations
In Australia’s Daintree Rainforest, Indigenous Sovereignty Marks a Watershed Moment for Travel
It’s one of the longest continuously occupied regions on Earth. Now, the descendants of the Kuku Yalanji who lived there first are shaping how the world interacts with their ancestral homeland.
By Lizzie Pook
News & Advice
Why the Great Barrier Reef Can Be a Model for Destinations Threatened by Climate Change
A new citizen science project hopes to preserve one of the world's most treasured places.
By David Prior
Destinations
Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Tasmania, the Fast-Transforming & Flourishing Australian Island State
These game-changing culinary adventures, hotel openings, and outdoor experiences are shattering this Australian getaway's sleepy reputation.
By Travis Levius
Ski & Snow
Where to Ski in the Southern Hemisphere—From Australia to Chile
Take advantage of the Austral Winter and keep skiing year-round.
By Josh Laskin
Destinations
To Experience Australia’s Best New Food Scene, Leave Sydney Behind for These Country Towns
In the flood- and bushfire-ravaged Northern Rivers of New South Wales, pandemic-era domestic tourism turned a burgeoning regional dining scene into a must-visit culinary destination.
By Riley Wilson
Air Travel
Qantas’ New First-Class Suites Will Make Flying Nonstop From New York to Sydney a Breeze
Coming in 2025, the suites will fly nonstop from New York to Australia and feature a separate bed, lounge chair, personal closet, and more.
By Jessica Puckett
More Destinations
- Our Ultimate France Travel GuideAll of our best hotel, restaurant, and activity recommendations in one place.
- Cape Town Travel GuideAt the edge of the earth—and the cultural cutting edge
- Venice Travel GuideTrust us, you'll want to get lost
- Our Ultimate Italy Travel GuideAll of our best hotel, restaurant, and activity recommendations in one place.By CNT Editors
- Bangkok Travel GuideHow to do it right
- Tokyo Travel GuideSushi is just the beginning
- Hong Kong Travel GuideThat skyline though...
- Rome Travel GuideThe world's greatest outdoor museum
- Singapore Travel GuideThe Lion City is roaring these days
- Madrid Travel GuideBarcelona’s big rival has its mojo back
- Lisbon Travel GuideTiles, tiles, tiles
- Florence Travel GuideGet to know your Davids
- Edinburgh Travel GuideMore than just Fringe
Featured
- Rewilding Experiences Are on the Rise—But Are They Making a Difference?From Chile to the Scottish Highlands, travelers are participating in efforts to return environments to their natural state.By Chloe Berge
- A Coast-to-Coast Guide to the Best New Things to Do in AustraliaAustralia re-opened to American travelers on February 21 with a host of new restaurants, hotels, museums, and more.By Ashlea Halpern
- Australia Border Opening: International Travelers Will Be Allowed to Visit This MonthAfter nearly two years of being closed to international travelers, Australia is lifting restrictions and welcoming tourists once again.By Rachel Chang
- Australia’s Borders Could Open By Christmas—Here’s What That Means for TravelersThe just-announced plan requires 80 percent of Australians to be vaccinated before borders can fully reopen to international travelers.By Rachel Chang
- A Local’s Guide to AustraliaModel Nathan McGuire on his love of Western Australia and the rise of Indigenous fashion.By Chloe Sachdev
- Going Off the Map in Tasmania’s Highlands and Forest LodgesWhere trees live for millennia, trout surf on lakes, and modernist hotels stitch together the past and future.By Steve KingPhotography by Adam Gibson
- 22 Best Things to Do in SydneyWhat to do when you're in town, from the best neighborhoods to wander to the coolest seaside strolls.By Sophie Davies
- In Manly, Australia, Love for the Surf Goes DeepThough Manly, just a quick ferry ride from Central Sydney, has morphed in the last two decades from a scruffy commuter hub into the picture of antipodean easy living, it's still defined by the people who thrive along its shores.By Toby Skinner
- How Australia Is Rethinking Tourism While Borders Are ClosedIt's created an opportunity for travel providers to rebuild from the devastating wildfires in an even more meaningful way.By Jen Murphy
- A Museum of Underwater Art Is Opening on the Great Barrier ReefThe art installations are among the latest—and most exciting—in a series of new attractions in the area.By Kris Fordham
- How a Wildlife Sanctuary Is Dealing With Australia's BushfiresVets and nurses are working around the clock to save koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, kookaburras, and more.By Claire Gallam
- Despite Fires, South Australia Is Open for TravelersThe state is a microcosm of the entire country—and tourism dollars can help it recover from the devastating fires.By Mark Ellwood
- 15 Best Hotels in MelbourneOur picks for where to stay in Australia's second city.By Dan F. Stapleton
- Australia's First Underwater Hotel Lets You Sleep Next to Fish in the Great Barrier ReefAs exciting new developments crop up, the question about their impact on one of the world's most fragile environments remains.By Kris Fordham
- The Australian Bushfires: What You Need to Know if You Have a Trip PlannedFind out what areas have been affected and if you need to adjust your Australian itinerary below.By Carrie Hutchinson