Best Places to Visit in Australia and The Pacific

Australia and its Pacific neighbors are home to cosmopolitan cities like Sydney as well as awe-inspiring scenes like those found along the Great Barrier Reef. But costly airfare and plenty of time en route can be a deterrent for some travelers. Should you decide to make the trek, it's useful to know the best spots to visit in the region — that's where we come in. U.S. News ranked the top destinations in Australia and the Pacific based on factors like tourist-friendly accommodations, dining options, accessibility and diversity of attraction offerings. We also took into account user votes and expert opinions to compile the list below. Help us determine next year's ranking by voting for your favorite spots.

1.Fiji

   

With its turquoise waters, glittering sands, and luxe resorts, Fiji is similar to many other tropical getaways. Likewise, the set of 333 islands caters to lovebirds of all kinds, and we do mean all kinds: 2011's Bachelorette, Ashley even spent some time here with a few eligible beaus. Plus, adventure-seekers, like surfers and divers, appreciate the archipelago's decent waves and coral reefs. But Fiji differs from other sultry destinations in its otherworldliness. Since it's more than 1,300 miles from New Zealand's North Island in the South Pacific Ocean, Fiji affords you the delectable feeling of seclusion. You'll be as far from reality as possible when you're sipping Fiji Bitter Beer and watching the sun dip below the horizon. Fijian customs will make you feel a million miles away too: Ever tasted the dizzying kava drink? Or watched men defy fire and walk across scalding stones without burning their feet? If not, it’s about time you did.

2.Bora Bora

  

The small island of Bora Bora (just six miles long and 2.5 miles wide) overflows with beauty. Dormant volcanoes rise up at its center and fan out into lush jungle before spilling into an aquamarine lagoon. In fact, author James Michener, who wrote Tales of the South Pacific, called Bora Bora "the most beautiful island in the world." The 18th-century British explorer James Cook even coined it the "pearl of the Pacific." The very definition of a tropical getaway, blissful Bora Bora abounds with luxurious resorts, sunny skies, warm waters, and friendly locals.

As you might've already guessed, the main industry on this petite island in French Polynesia and its swarm of tiny motu (small surrounding islands) is tourism. To that end, you can snorkel, explore Vaitape (Bora Bora's quaint town), hike Mount Otemanu and more. But there's a catch: Bora Bora is expensive—very expensive. In short, visit Bora Bora for natural beauty, visit for utter relaxation, and visit if you have the money.

3.Sydney

  

Picture an easygoing seaside town: There are surfers riding the waves and beach bums lazing on the sands. Add to this landscape a horizon jagged with skyscrapers and iconic landmarks like an out-of-this-world opera house and a famously stunning bridge. Then, you must paint in the cosmopolitans—they're sun-kissed and fashion-forward, making their way to photo shoots, architecture firms and cafés. And of course you must hear their conversation: Even their English is laidback, unlike the posh clip of the Brits or the sometimes-brash American intonation. This is Sydney.

The most populous city in Oz, Sydney is a natural choice for a first-time Aussie visit. With its lovely beaches, world-class restaurants, and cache of interesting things to do, Sydney's personality is a mix of carefree Australia and sophisticated metropolis. So, whether you want a laid-back vacation surfing the giant waves of the Tasman Sea or a high-octane trip of dining, shopping, and partying, Sydney's got you covered.

4.Great Barrier Reef 

  

As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef holds a spot on every traveler's bucket list. Hugging the east coast of Queensland, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef extends from Cape York in the north all the way to Bundaberg in the south — a total of 1,250 miles. With roughly 3,000 coral reefs, 600 islands and 1,625 species of fish, the reef leaves its 1.6 million annual visitors enchanted.

But before diving in, it's important to get your bearings. The northern half of the reef runs from the Cape York Peninsula to Cairns, a popular home base for many reef visitors. Not only does Cairns provide the closest reef access from the mainland, but it also boasts a few attractions of its own, like the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas. Travel farther down the coast and you'll run into the southern half of the reef, which stretches from the Capricorn Coast (along the Tropic of Capricorn) to Gladstone and Fraser Island. Airlie Beach is a favored hub for travelers in the south thanks to its array of stylish resorts and its close proximity to a cluster of 74 islands known as the Whitsundays.

Wherever you decide to hang your hat, the Great Barrier Reef is a treasure trove of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you're gazing at marine life through a scuba mask, letting the tropical breeze unfurl your sail, or in a plane gliding high above it all, the possibilities for exploration are nearly limitless.

5.Queenstown

  

You come to Queenstown for adventure. Imagine this. One day, you're bungee jumping: Your feet leave the ledge, and gravity drags your body downward. Then you're whitewater rafting: You're plummeting over waterfalls, the river water slapping your skin. And the next day, you're on a mountain bike traversing the greenest hills you've ever seen. Later in the week, your stomach drops because you've just leapt off an airplane into the blue sky: skydiving. And before you head home, you're grinding down a snowy mountain, a board strapped to your feet: snowboarding. What an adrenalin rush!

If these visions seem more like a dream-come-true—and less like a horrifying nightmare—your fantasy destination is the easygoing daredevil, Queenstown. And at the end of a rip-roaring day, you can toast to yourself with some of the best Pinot Noir around. So, visit for adventure, for friendliness, for wine, and ravishing vistas. And do bring your bucket list: You'll definitely be able to check a few things off.

6.Brisbane

  

When mapping out your Australian vacation, a visit to Queensland's capital may not be your first choice. The country's third largest metropolis is often overlooked in favor of Australia's more well-known tourist hot spots, like Sydney and Melbourne. But Brisbane's subtropical climate, thriving arts and live music scene and bevy of outdoor to-dos make it a worthy destination for your next trip Down Under. 

Tucked into the southeast corner of Queensland (aka the Sunshine State), Brisbane is as easygoing as it is sophisticated. The city's riverside setting makes it an ideal getaway for adventurers, but its trendy restaurant and nightlife scene will also appeal to those seeking a big-city ambiance. Thrill-seekers will delight in the abundance of heart-pumping activities, like the Story Bridge Adventure Climb and the Riverlife Adventure Centre. Meanwhile, those craving relaxation will find it at the Parklands at South Bank, the Roma Street Parklands and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.

7.Melbourne

  

More than three million people call this big small town home. Yes, it's a big small town, and no, it's not an oxymoron. See, it contains all the trappings of a major metropolis—vibrant neighborhoods, prize-winning cuisine, notable things to do—but Melburnians manage to do their urban hustle at a leisurely pace. Burrowed in wine country beside the Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne's natural landscape anchors its laid-back personality. When you're sipping wine in the nearby Yarra Valley or listening to waves roll into St Kilda Beach, there's no way you can't relax.

That said, don't be mistaken: There are some high-octane activities awaiting you. The nightlife is epic, with diverse venues ranging from bumping clubs to hole-in-the-wall concerts stages. It's also a powerhouse for sports; one visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground will cement that in your mind. For travelers who want a seemingly paradoxical vacation—a stress-free vibe in an exciting metropolis—Melbourne is the place for you.

8.Auckland

  

The City of Sails is New Zealand's largest and most cosmopolitan city. So along with the soaring skyscrapers and the trendy nightclubs on Karangahape Road (aka "K'Road"), you get laid-back beaches and the blue-green waters of the island-studded Hauraki Gulf. You'll also experience a mesh of cultures: Asians, Europeans, and indigenous Maori people. The latter make up a significant part of the population and gift Auckland with their beautiful language, festivals, and customs. Auckland is a great place to taste several different worlds. You have the relaxed beauty of a Polynesian vacation and the up-tempo excitement of a big city with its requisite fine restaurants (try the mussels and oysters!) and shopping. You even have the intriguing cultural residue of a medieval land that once clashed with British invaders.

9.Tahiti

  

Miles of shoreline, dozens of resorts, French cuisine to die for—Tahiti has all the making of a honeymoon destination. But beach bums often pass over Tahiti's dark sands in favor ofBora Bora's ivory shores. Despite its idyllic reputation and accessibility, Tahiti is more of an off-the-beaten-path stop than a romantic getaway. However, that doesn't mean Tahiti deserves to be ignored.

Leafy forests sit beside sandy shores, French crêpes are served alongside Tahitian poisson cru(raw fish)… If there ever was a place that embodies the beautiful duality of the French Polynesian archipelago, it's Tahiti. Here, the quirky, often chaotic atmosphere of the island's capital, Pape'ete, rubs elbows with uncorrupted natural beauty. In fact, Tahiti—the largest of French Polynesia's 118 islands—is often referred to as two separate islands despite them being joined by a tiny land bridge. Tahiti Nui is the larger, northern section where Pape'ete can be found. Tahiti Iti (the smaller half) is less accessible, although many visitors make the trek here for a taste of seclusion. Just note that spending a week on either part of Tahiti will cost you beaucoup bucks. But travelers agree that the warm waters, the lush jungles, and the luxurious resorts are worth the splurge.