Worlds most magical natural attractions travel spots 20240709 p5nehm.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Advertisement
Advertisement
This was published 2 years ago

New research reveals the most magical and 'otherworldly' travel destinations

Jemima Skelley
Jemima Skelley

1 / 11

One of the best parts about travel is going to places that are incredibly unique, like nowhere else on Earth.

New research from Slingo has ranked the most 'otherworldly' and magical tourist destinations around the globe - and one Aussie spot just made it into the top ten.

Read through for some of the most magical spots you can actually visit. 

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest travel news and deals via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.

Attribution: Getty
10. Lake Hillier, Western Australia
2 / 11

10. Lake Hillier, Western Australia

A bubblegum pink lake is always going to look spectacular, but WA's Lake Hillier is even more stunning thanks to the bright blue ocean surrounding it.

Found on an island off the state's south coast, the lake is ten times saltier than seawater.

It owes its bright pink hue to a unique mix of colourful algae and bacteria.

Attribution: Tourism Australia
9. La Digue, Seychelles Islands
3 / 11

9. La Digue, Seychelles Islands

This island in the Seychelles looks like an oil painting come to life.

It's known for the granite boulders and cliffs that surround the island, along with white sand beaches and thousands of palm trees.

Home to 3000 residents, there are only a handful of cars on the small island, which is the perfect place for a low-key getaway.

Attribution: Getty
Advertisement
8. Vatnajökull, Iceland
4 / 11

8. Vatnajökull, Iceland

Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe, covering eight per cent of Iceland's landmass, with a surface area of approximately 8,100 square kilometres.

If it looks familiar, you may have seen it on screen in James Bond, Tomb Raider, and Game of Thrones. 

Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
7. Seljalandsfoss, Iceland
5 / 11

7. Seljalandsfoss, Iceland

Seljalandsfoss is a 60-metre-tall waterfall on Iceland's south coast. Visitors can walk in a full circle around the falls, into the caves behind it for a stunning view.

On clear days, you can expect to see rainbows refracted from the water stream. 

Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
6. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
6 / 11

6. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand

Known as the Glowworm Cathedral, this cave system in NZ's North Island is home to a special glowworm called Arachnocampa luminosa.

Visitors can take a boat ride down the underground river system for an experience that makes you feel like you're on another planet.

Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
5. Zhangjiajie, China
7 / 11

5. Zhangjiajie, China

Zhangjiajie is a province and national park in China, home to thousands of jagged quartzite sandstone columns and an extensive cave network.

A beloved travel spot for hikers and adventure enthusiasts, it's reported that the landscapes in Avatar were modelled after the region.

Attribution: Getty
4. Socotra, Yemen
8 / 11

4. Socotra, Yemen

The island of Socotra isn't a very well-frequented tourist destination, but those who do are rewarded with amazing sights that are largely untouched by humans.

Along with pristine beaches, the island is covered in Dragon blood trees, which have a very distinct silhouette.

Attribution: Getty
3. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
9 / 11

3. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Found in the Andes, Salar de Uyuni, is the world's largest salt flat.

Nearly 11,000 square kilometres, it's the remnants of a prehistoric lake that dried out and left nothing but white salt as far as the eye can see.

Covered in a thin layer of water, it provides a striking reflective effect that stuns visitors.

Attribution: Getty
2. Antelope Canyon, USA
10 / 11

2. Antelope Canyon, USA

One of the most photographed destinations in southwest USA, you can walk through this spacious slot canyon which looks like it belongs on Mars.

Made of sandstone, it has been has been carved into the landscape by many years of wind and water.

Attribution: Getty

View more galleries

Most viewed in Travel

More to explore