The best places to visit in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in 2026

Remote, rugged and strangely overlooked, King Island, an island off another island, sits in the middle of the wild Bass Strait like a sentinel of the Southern Ocean. Battered by wind and weather, it has long been something of an enigma: easy enough to get to in under an hour, with direct flights from Melbourne and mainland Tasmania, but with very few places to stay. And there are plenty of reasons to go, thanks to a sparkling coastline, rich dairy heritage and more kangaroos than people – not to mention three spectacular coastal golf courses, two of which are regularly ranked among the best in the world.

For years, King Island felt like a destination hiding in plain sight. The turning point came with the 2019 arrival of Kittawa Lodge, a pair of elegant one-bedroom luxury hideaways on the edge of salt-licked cliffs. In early 2025, Kittawa expanded its presence with a new two-bedroom retreat that has the same signature features—fireplaces, deep ocean-facing tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows that routinely draw the noses of curious wallabies to the glass—but with some elevated extras, including an outdoor magnesium hot tub, a top-of-the-line wine cellar, and more spread-out space. Even more important news from the island arrives late 2026: ocean dunes The golf course, ranked as one of the best public courses in Asia-Pacific, will debut its new on-course restaurant, clubhouse and hotel rooms: 64 elegant glass-fronted rooms and suites just off the first and ninth fairways that will have clean-lined floor-to-ceiling windows framing uninterrupted views of the ocean. The course, which stretches along the island’s wild western edge, is a sea-washed, windswept drive, best followed by a dram of Tasmanian whiskey and a plate of local cheese. Don’t miss a single round Cape Wickham to the north, or a tasting in King Island Dairyone of Australia’s most iconic producers, which recently returned to Australian hands. By 2026, factory visitors will be able to enjoy a wider range of experiences. The cheese shop will be expanded and a wine bar offering premium Tasmanian wines will be added. Additionally, King Island Dairy farms will open their doors for a new “farming experience”; Guests will be able to witness the state-of-the-art automated milking system in action. Once completed, it is expected to be among the largest in the world for a free-range, pasture-based dairy herd, offering a rare behind-the-scenes experience, from paddock to plate. —Chloe Sachdev