Now in its 15th year, the annual list highlights 25 destinations and travel experiences worth adding to next year’s travel plans. Melbourne is the only Australian destination featured on the 2027 list.
Melbourne has been named one of National Geographic’s Best of the World 2027 destinations, giving travellers even more reasons to visit the Australian city.
Known for its diverse food scene, historic laneways and vibrant arts culture, Melbourne continues to attract visitors with its mix of city experiences and scenic escapes. New attractions, restaurants and cultural events across Melbourne and regional Victoria are also giving travellers more reasons to plan a visit.
New Attractions and Experiences to Explore
PS Australian Star (Now operating)
Australia’s first five-star overnight riverboat is now operating on the Murray River, offering three- to seven-night cruises from Echuca.
The vessel features 19 staterooms, a gourmet restaurant and a deluxe lounge, alongside excursions to local farms, wineries and heritage towns. Guests can also enjoy riverside barbecues and experience the Southern Hemisphere’s largest wood-fired paddlesteamer.
Ian Potter State Theatre (Now open)
The Ian Potter State Theatre has reopened following its first major refurbishment since opening in 1984.
Upgrades include new seating, improved heating and cooling, accessible facilities, and modern lighting and sound systems. The theatre will welcome My Fair Lady from 14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, marking 70 years since the musical’s Broadway debut.
Plant Life: The Nature of Design at the NGV (Until 7 February 2027)
This exhibition explores how plant-based materials could offer alternatives to plastics and other non-renewable materials.
Featuring more than 60 works, it covers furniture, architecture, photography, craft and film. Highlights include materials made from fungi and hemp, as well as innovative bio-design projects.
Moonraker Cruises (Operating year-round)
Formerly known as Moonraker Dolphin Cruises, Moonraker Cruises now offers year-round wildlife experiences from Sorrento Pier.
Visitors can choose between dolphin and seal snorkelling trips, sea dragon snorkelling experiences and scenic sightseeing cruises. A full-day guided tour of the Mornington Peninsula is also available on selected days.
Corcorans Lookout (Now open)
Located in the Yarra Valley, Corcorans Lookout is an adults-only retreat designed for guests seeking a peaceful escape. Its three private cabins each feature an outdoor sauna, open-air bath, fire pit and sweeping valley views. The retreat is also close to local wineries, Healesville Sanctuary and the Four Pillars Gin Distillery.
Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre, Twelve Apostles (Now open)
The newly transformed Twelve Apostles Precinct offers visitors more than just a quick photo stop along the Great Ocean Road.
Its 3,300-square-metre visitor centre features immersive exhibitions, native gardens and a rooftop lookout overlooking the Southern Ocean. Visitors can also learn about Eastern Maar heritage and sample local produce at the on-site café and kiosk.
Phillip Island Hot Springs (Opening in 2027)
Phillip Island Hot Springs is set to become a coastal wellness destination about 101km from Melbourne. The planned 13-hectare development will feature outdoor geothermal pools, saunas, steam rooms and cold plunges. Visitors can also look forward to family-friendly bathing areas, relaxation spaces and an ocean-view restaurant.
New Restaurants to Add to Your Food List
Petit Crenn (Now open)
Three-Michelin-starred chef Dominique Crenn has opened her first Australian venue at 495 Collins Street.
Inspired by the coastal region of Brittany, France, the 40-seat restaurant serves dishes such as steak tartare, croque madame and a changing daily special. Its intimate setting is designed to bring the atmosphere of Parisian dining counters to Melbourne.
Stokehouse and Marea Beach House & Bar (Marea now open; Stokehouse reopens 3 November 2026)
The iconic St Kilda dining destination is entering a new chapter under restaurateurs Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann.
Stokehouse will return with a refreshed dining room and seafood favourites, while Marea offers Southern European-inspired dishes, hand-painted murals and live music. A gelato and cocktail bar called Ultramarinos is also planned for the start of summer.
ÉN (Now open)
Located in Bligh Place near Flinders Lane, ÉN brings Kappo-style Japanese dining to Melbourne. Its menu includes Edomae-style nigiri, miso black cod and Kagoshima A5 Wagyu, alongside a rotating selection of sake. Later in the evening, the restaurant’s lower level transforms into a vinyl listening bar for a different dining experience.
More Reasons to Visit Melbourne in 2027
Beyond its new attractions and eateries, Melbourne continues to offer a mix of art, food, wildlife and outdoor adventures. The city’s cultural calendar also includes the NGV Triennial, running from mid-December 2026 to mid-April 2027, alongside exhibitions celebrating design and creativity.
Melbourne was also named the “Friendliest City in the World” in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. With new experiences across the city and regional Victoria, travellers will have plenty to explore in 2027.
For more information, visit Visit Melbourne.