With a whole new year of adventures awaiting, we asked Karryon‘s crack editorial team for their pick of destinations in 2026. Recommendations, dream lists, firm travel plans… they’re all here. But one thing’s for sure: you’ll walk away inspired to make 2026 another big year of travel. So pack your bags.
Mark Harada – Editor
Tōhoku, Japan
Japan hardly needs another endorsement. Then again, as the country’s most popular (and even less popular, but still well-visited) spots now contend with mass tourism, perhaps there’s never been a better time to give a shout-out to some of Japan’s less-frequented regions. One such destination is Tōhoku (Northern Honshu).
From Fukushima in the south to Aomori in the north, this massive, yet less crowded region of Japan offers everything you could want from a Japanese holiday, from relaxing onsen to samurai culture, castles and temples.
Then there’s the boundless seafood, sake and underrated cities like Sendai (my Japanese father’s favourite town), where nature, history and modern city collide in a typically seamless Japanese way. Tōhoku is also home to magnificent Matsushima Bay, where hundreds of pine-covered isles form one of the country’s most spectacular seaside settings.
And while Hokkaido and Nagano draw the attention (and the queues) at Japan’s most popular ski spots, prefectures like Aomori and Yamagata offer equally superb snow and experiences. Plus, it’s all within easy reach of Tokyo via the famous Shinkansen.
Anywhere in Taiwan
Taiwan is still under the radar for many Australians, which is part of its appeal. Yet with non-stop flights (and only minor time-zone shifts) it’s easy to reach… and even easier to love.
What hooked me on my first visit in 2013 was the contrast in such a compact place: night markets perfumed with peppery noodles, busy Taipei streets giving way to quiet tea hills within hours, and a coastline that bends from soaring cliffs to even surf beaches.
Taiwan also offers high-speed trains – making travel around the country quick and easy – with some of the friendliest locals you’ll meet at every turn.
Then there’s its value, safety and food-first focus Australians crave. And if there’s anywhere that’ll sate your appetite, it’s here, with a combination of Southern Chinese, Japanese and local indigenous flavours (you may even give the stinky tofu I try!). I also found Taiwan to be one of the most vegan-friendly destinations I’ve visited.
Kirstie Bedford – Editor, Luxury
Sardinia’s south, Italy
While Sardinia’s north is renowned for its resorts, superyachts and glamorous vibe, four hours south you’ll find a quieter pace with medieval villages, rolling vineyards, bunting-streamed quiet towns and beaches so blue, you’ll be instantly reaching for the camera.
It’s here time seems to slow, meals are to be savoured, and you’ll soon come to know why part of this untouched Mediterranean island region is a Blue Zone, where people live their longest and healthiest lives.
Marlborough Sounds, South Island, New Zealand
Famed first for its fruity sauvignon blanc, and later as a film location for The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Hobbiton thanks to its beauty, the Marlborough region at the top of New Zealand’s South Island has largely avoided the crowds of its southern cousin, Queenstown.
Here, luminous green hills cleave into turquoise waters where dolphins play. Home to the Queen Charlotte Track, if you’re not among native bush, you’ll be on the water exploring the Sounds, a collection of ancient sunken river valleys with water like glass.
Gaya Avery – Editor, Features
Coron, The Philippines
Last year, I was in Coron, floating on my back in a cavern of seemingly sunken limestone cliffs where the water was so clear it barely registered as water. I have been thinking about it ever since, and now I want to experience El Nido next.
More Australians are heading to Palawan for the same reason. I guess reality still has a few advantages.
Canada
Canada is a greatest hits album of natural wonders. The Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, polar bears, puffins. All chart-toppers. They look exactly like the photos, which is to say, slightly implausible and unedited. Every track holds.
But there is something else. The relationship between you and the land, long articulated by Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Not scenery as backdrop, but land as presence.
Cassie Tannenberg – Journalist
Finland
It’s consistently voted the world’s happiest country, yet many Aussies never visit Finland – with just 1,200 arrivals/departures recorded for Australians in October 2025. Helsinki was also voted the world’s most sustainable city, so I’m calling 2026 the year that more Aussies should check out this Scandi nation.
There’s much to love about a trip to Finland, which touts balance, contentment and time spent in nature – all attributes that contribute to wellbeing. Think Finnish sauna culture (heat, ice, repeat), wild swimming, foraging and other wholesome activities.
With a 14 per cent uptick in international overnight stays for Finland this year, why not lean into happiness and chase serotonin highs naturally in 2026?
India
While the world eyes India as an outbound tourism market, 2026 could be the year that the Sub-Continent steps into the spotlight as a budget-friendly, culturally rich destination for Australians.
India saw a significant jump in Australian visitation in 2025 and is actively growing its tourism infrastructure and touring options to appeal to more international travellers. It’s got the lot: history, culture, cuisine and wellness. And on a state-by-state basis, India offers a wildly different experience from popular destinations, such as Rajasthan, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Goa, to lesser-known states like Tamil Nadu.
While direct flights to India are only available from Sydney and Melbourne at the moment, fingers crossed that more uplift means more travel opportunities in 2026.
Dani Tuffield – General Manager
The Dolomites, Italy
They work in summer and winter, but winter is the real draw for my family and me. We love skiing and the Dolomites offer genuinely great skiing in Europe without the eye-watering price tag you get elsewhere. The scale of it is impressive, but it also somehow feels cozy and warm with beautifully groomed runs, easy connections and then the food – the food is insane. Italian food in the mountains somehow tastes even better!
The ski safari is next on our bucket list. Being able to move between valleys in a single day feels like a proper adventure, but one that’s well organised and enjoyable rather than any real hard work!
Norway
Ahhh Norway. It’s calm, spacious and just impressive, wherever you go in the country. Oslo is a favourite for the food scene alone – it’s local, seasonal and interesting without being pretentious. The vintage and second-hand shopping is genuinely good and often with a lovely cafe attached. It’s a city that’s easy to spend time in without needing a packed itinerary, which I love.
Then there’s the Fjords and the Arctic Circle, which are both on a completely different level. It really is one of those places that doesn’t need selling once you know about it. The light, the landscapes, the people and the scale of it are genuinely special in a way that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
Between the two they sum up how I want to travel in 2026. Good food, great scenery, experiences that are not overdone and connecting with people and local culture.
Matt Leedham – Founder
Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
Though its stunning beaches, baes and barefoot ease are still the drawcard, Byron is revealing a more layered, confident destination beyond the boho vibes.
Hinterland-led experiences from Arakwal and Bundjalung-led cultural walks around Cape Byron and Broken Head to slow-stay escapes at Frida’s Field, where thoughtfully designed accommodations are immersed in nature and grounded in calm.
Wellness has evolved well beyond the traditional spa, with Navia Bathhouse in Byron and Banya Bath House in Mullumbimby anchoring a new social bathing culture centred on ritual, recovery and connection, alongside a growing focus on sleep, longevity and nervous-system reset.
There’s renewed energy after dark, too. The outdoor rooftop bar at Hotel Marvell adds an elevated social layer, while Paradiso Nightclub signals a return of late-night culture done right. MasterChef and Vu de Monde in Mobourne star Shannon Bennett’s new venture, The Belongil, reinforces the region’s food credentials. At the same time, the soon-to-open Bonobo by Raes, Basq House, and Aalto reflect a shift toward intimate, design-led stays. I may be biased as a local, but Byron hasn’t lost its magic; it’s simply growing up.
Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
Ideally positioned around an hour’s drive between Vancouver and Whistler, Squamish has long been a convenient stop along the Sea to Sky Highway, but now, it’s firmly a destination in its own right. Set on lands stewarded by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), the rhythm here is simple: hike, climb, bike, plunge, snowshoe or ski, then slow it all the way down. Mind-blowing granite peaks, ancient forests and glacial rivers shape the days, with the Sea to Sky Gondola offering effortless access to alpine trails and panoramic viewpoints. New immersive experiences, such as Squamish Canyon, with its suspension bridges and dramatic canyon walks, deepen the connection to place.
Known as the Eagle Capital of Canada, Squamish pairs unforgettable wildlife encounters with a growing, low-key wellness scene, including sauna and cold plunges, river swims, and forest bathing. Mornings often begin at Fergie’s Café after a stay at Sunwolf, while Howe Sound Inn & Brewing and Executive Suites Squamish offer comfortable bases for more extended, more intentional stays. Squamish is a place worth lingering any time of year.
Read Matt’s end-of-year message to Aussie travellers and the travel trade here.
