Only Aussie destination to make world ‘cool list’

One state in Australia has done Aussies proud after it was named among the 30 must-visit destinations in the world for 2024.

Victoria has made it on to National Geographic’s “cool list” – naming the most exciting destinations in the world to visit in 2024.

The southern state was the only destination in Australasia to make the list.

The 30 destinations on National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s ‘Cool List’ are places that are expected to make headlines in the year ahead.

While the magazine notes Australia is known for its beaches, Victoria made the cut for having “the country’s steamiest new road trip”.

The Great Victorian Bathing Trail is a tourism route which plans to link existing and new hot springs and bathing spots across the state.

The vision is for it to be a 900km trail with Melbourne at the centre.

Victoria has been named one of the most exciting destinations to visit in the world next year because of its hot springs. Picture: Metung Hot Springs

Six spots are already open: Peninsula Hot Springs, Metung Hot Springs, Alba Thermal Springs & Spa, Geelong Eastern Sea Baths, Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs, and Hepburn Bathhouse.

The yet-to-open Phillip Island Hot Springs and 12 Apostles Hot Springs & Resort are expected to join the trail next.

“Australia’s beaches feature high up on many travellers’ itineraries, but Victoria’s lesser-known hot springs might be about to tempt travellers away from the surf and sand,” the magazine states.

A new hot spring is planned near the iconic 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road. Picture: istock

There were plenty of European destinations that made the ‘Cool List’, including the Albanian Alps, Belfast in Northern Ireland, the Emilia-Romagna region and Pompeii in Italy, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire in Scotland, Nordland in Norway, North Yorkshire in England, Saimaa in Finland, Tartu in Estonia, Valletta in Malta, and the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland.

More broad tourism drawcards such as whisky in Wales, Europe by train and the euros in Germany also made an appearance.

Over in the US, New York State, Texas and Miami are considered places to watch next year.

Elsewhere in North America, Nova Scotia in Canada and the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico made the list.

In South America, the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Iberá Wetlands in Argentina, and Lima in Peru were named the coolest destinations.

The Caribbean island nation of Dominica was also named.

In Africa it was Akagera in Rwanda, the Andrefana Dry Forests in Madagascar, and Sierra Leone.

Sikkim in India, Tainan in Taiwan, and Xi’an in China were the Asian destinations expected to gain attention in 2024.

Hepburn Springs Bathhouse & Spa in Daylesford, Victoria. Picture: Supplied

The ‘Cool List’ will be published in the December issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).

It gives Australia hope for a mention on National Geographic’s 2024 ‘Best of the World’ list, which will launch early next year.

That annual list, which names 25 of the world’s best destinations for travellers, is chosen by the global editors of National Geographic and has five categories: Community, Nature, Culture, Family, and Adventure.

Australia was not included on the 2023 list.