Getaway's Top 10 destinations of all time

It wasn't an easy task. With Getaway celebrating 30 seasons on air we thought it was time to name our Top 10 destinations — Australian and International.

We've had a lot of favourite destinations over the years. In Australia we've probably spent more time in Queensland than any other state but had amazing experiences all over the country, starting with the very first story ever seen on Getaway — swimming with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef in WA.

RELATED: How Catriona Rowntree faced her fears and swam with stingrays

Close to home we crossed the ditch countless times to New Zealand, became very fond of Fiji and joined in Australia's love affair with Bali. Further afield, we saw a lot of Thailand, visited the US countless times and criss-crossed the UK and Europe.

RELATED: Charli Robinson opens up about filming her first Getaway segment while still in children's group Hi-5

In the end, though, after long discussion with the senior editorial team we have landed on 20 destinations we feel best represent Getaway and three decades of reminding Australians of how great our own backyard is and revealing the wonder that awaits in the world beyond.

(In no particular order)

Australia — Top 10

Lord Howe Island, NSW

A World Heritage site and natural wonder. Stunning beaches, mountain peaks, a pristine lagoon and only 400 visitors allowed at any one time. Unspoiled and unbelievably beautiful.

Uluru, NT

Culturally and geographically the heart of Australia. Case closed.

Mitchell Plateau, The Kimberley, WA

You may not know the name but you'll recognise the photo. If you thought The Kimberley was remote, well, this is the remote Kimberley. Not easy to get to but worth every kilometre.

Great Ocean Rd, Victoria

One of the great drives in Australia that leads to one of the country's most famous icons — The Twelve Apostles. Very accessible. Do it in a weekend or a week.

Arnhem Land, NT

Its limited visitor numbers mean it doesn't have the popularity of Kakadu or Uluru but at 100,000 square kilometres it is packed with a huge diversity of landscape and unbroken Aboriginal settlement going back 35,000 years.

Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers NP, Tasmania

Another World Heritage wonder and one of the most untamed places on the planet. Rainforests, rivers & mountains. The whole package.

Daintree Rainforest, Qld

The only place on the planet where two World Heritage sites meet. The oldest tropical rainforest on earth houses a unique collection of plants and animals and nudges the shores of the Great Barrier Reef.

Sydney Harbour, NSW

The Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Sydney Opera House — two of the world's great structures in one selfie. Enough said.

Barossa Valley, SA

In a country of great wine regions this is a classic. Period.

The Whitsundays, Qld

If you're looking for an easily accessible Great Barrier Reef experience this is the one. 74 islands including headliners Hamilton & Hayman plus dazzling Whitehaven Beach. For the family-focused or romantically inclined.

International — Top 10

Icefields Parkway, Canada

One of the world's most spectacular drives from Lake Louise in Banff National Park through the Rockies to Jasper passing a hundred glaciers along the way. Breathtaking.

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Pound for pound on a world scale it's hard to beat New Zealand for natural beauty and this may just be the best of the bubble.

Petra, Jordan

In 2007 it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. An ancient city carved out of rock in the Jordanian desert. An awe-inspiring sight.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

World's largest temple complex built in the 12th century but lost to the west until 1860 when a French explorer "re-discovered" it. Put it on your list now.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

The world's largest collapsed volcano has created a Garden of Eden for over 30,000 animals making it one of the most concentrated and spectacular wildlife viewing experiences on earth.

Jellyfish Lake, Palau

The least known location on the list but has to be seen to be believed. Snorkel with five million Golden Jellyfish. Best of all they don't sting.

Santorini, Greece

Picking one Greek Island wasn't easy but the picturesque villages clinging to the exposed cliffs of this sunken volcano get Santorini our vote.

Cinque Terre, Italy

The string of five fishing villages on the Italian Riviera is an absolute must on any visit to Italy. Even better than the photos.

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

The world's most beautiful lagoon. Full stop. Sorry Bora Bora.

Paris, France

Only one modern city made the list so it would want to be good. It's not. It's great. The city of lights. The city of love. The No. 1 reason France is the world's most popular tourist destination.

John Walsh is the Executive Producer of Getaway. Rebecca Johns is the Series Producer. Between them they have over 40 years' experience on Getaway.

Getaway airs on Nine and at 5.30pm on Saturday.