In breaking news, beloved national treasure Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park has just been selected by National Geographic as one of the best places to visit in the world in 2026, making it the only Australian mention in the well-renowned list.
In their annual Best of the World feature, National Geographic's team of editors, photographers and travel writers thoughtfully pull together the most colourful, obscure and dreamy destinations across the globe that they think are worth exploring in the new year. For 2026, the list is popping with wild and far-flung destinations from every corner of the planet, all the way from a sperm whale reserve in Dominica to the Black Sea Coast in Turkey.
In exciting news for Australians, our very own magnificent Uluru made the cut – and we're obviously not surprised. Chosen by National Geographic because of its immense Indigenous significance and ability to viscerally connect you with the world's oldest living culture, Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa is a unique and deeply special place that has been sacred to the Anangu people for at least 30,000 years.
Adding to the excitement, in 2026, visitors will get the first-ever chance to sleep inside the national park overnight. While people have always been able to camp *near* Uluru, it's been heavily prohibited to pitch a tent within the park bounds. Now, through a collaboration between Anangu Traditional Owners and Tasmanian Walking Company, there's an amazing opportunity to head off on a five-day, 54-kilometre guided hike. You'll walk from the crimson peaks of Kata Tjuṯa all the way to Uluru, hearing the ancient stories of the Anangu people, deep in the most sacred heart of Australia itself.
Plus, with the resident, glowing Field of Light art installation, glorious hikes and a plethora of precious artistic and historical sites from millennia past on offer, it's clear that Uluru is a place that deserves top place on all self-respecting traveller bucket lists.
While Australia failed to crack more than one mention on the National Geographic round-up this year, we're crossing our fingers that we'll come through swinging with even more next year. After all, we bloody deserve it.