Home to just under 600 residents, Stanley is a charming, historic fishing town in northwest Tasmania that boasts spectacular views, impressive colonial architecture, and incredible eats. Hike or take a seasonal chairlift ride to the top of “The Nut,” a volcanic landform rising more than 450 feet, where you can enjoy 360-degree views from the top, including the gorgeous rugged coastline below. Keep an eye out for birds like peregrine falcons and Australian kestrels that nest in the reserve.

Delight your senses at the Stanley and Tarkine Forage Festival, planned for August 2024, with more details to come. Enjoy the local bounty of seafood like oysters, scallops, abalone, and more, along with the famous grass-fed Cape Grim beef. Explore Northwest Tasmania’s Tasting Trail, then enjoy delicious Tasmanian wine at the Stanley Wine Bar.

History buffs will love the Stanley Discovery Museum and Highfield Historic Site, which is now managed by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. In town, stroll the Main Road, pop in at the cafes and galleries, and use the self-guided Stanley Heritage Walk to learn about the town’s rich local history by visiting 15 sites.

Located in a historic building, Ship Inn Stanley is a lovely inn with beautiful gardens. The Stanley Seaview Inn‘s hillside location provides gorgeous views of the ocean, town, and The Nut. The Inlet Stanley offers self-contained units on the beach less than three miles from town.

New Zealand’s tiny but mighty Queenstown—known as the adventure capital of the world to those in the know—sits on the shores of South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, flanked by the dramatic Southern Alps. The activities are endless here for thrill-seekers who want to push their limits: where else can you go bungee jumping off Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge (home to the first ever recorded bungee jump in 1988) before the sun rises, spend an afternoon white-water rafting before you drop into a craft brewery for lunch, and embark on a jet-boat ride on the Shotover River before dark? Not just a summer hot spot, the town is a hub for Aussies during the winter as well, with epic slopes found on The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.

Despite its high-spirited and intense reputation for adventure sports, Queenstown is a place for deep relaxation as well. The region has a steady collection of wellness retreats and is also a perfect spot for wine, with over 100 wineries located within a 40-minute radius in the Queenstown region. The cool climate definitely makes great powder for skiers, but it also does the same for pinot noir production, and the best ones to visit for first-timers would be NZ’s largest wine cave and historical vineyards, Gibbston Valley Winery (which recently opened a new lodge to the winery) or Chard Farm for a family-owned cool climate wine. With the city just announcing its plan to be carbon neutral by 2030, Queenstown is proving to be more than just a place for fun but innovation and creative ingenuity.

Queenstown is preparing for an influx of travelers post-pandemic and with this rise in tourism, the city has invested in new hotels, villas, and campsites to meet demands. Popular accommodations in the city include The Spire, The Rees, and even an upscale private townhouse—worth the splurge for the on-call concierge alone. The relatively new Sudima Hotel, and The Carlin are fine options as well, and if you don’t mind being a little out of the way, the Dairy Private Hotel’s laid-back glamour and eccentric design is an excellent choice.