If you’ve been dreaming of your next big journey, it’s time to look north – way north – to the spectacular Flinders Ranges & Outback. This remarkable part of South Australia has just been named one of the world’s top travel destinations for 2026 by global travel authority Lonely Planet, taking its place among icons like Peru, Mexico City, and Sardinia.
A world-class destination
Available globally, the annual bestseller Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026 highlights the top 25 destinations and top 25 experiences to inspire travellers for the year ahead. For South Australia, this recognition is more than an accolade – it’s confirmation of what locals have known all along: that the Flinders Ranges & Outback offers an unforgettable blend of rugged landscapes, ancient history, and warm country hospitality.
The region’s dramatic scenery, rich Aboriginal heritage, and ancient geological formations have long captured the imagination of travellers. It’s also home to one of the world’s most important fossil sites, where scientists uncovered the earliest evidence of complex life on Earth.
Stories that span generations
Few people know the region more intimately than Ross Fargher, owner of the iconic Prairie Hotel and fourth-generation pastoralist. His family’s connection to the area stretches back to the 1860s.
“My family came to the Flinders Ranges in the 1860s,” Ross says. The experiences, recollections, relationships and multi-generational stories of the Fargher family create a memorable journey of 550 million years from the dawn of animal life, through aboriginal custodianship and pastoral heritage to the protection of country for all time.”
One of the world’s must-see places for 2026
The Flinders Ranges joins an illustrious global list that includes destinations such as Botswana, Jeju-do in South Korea, Cádiz in Spain, and Tipperary in Ireland. Each entry in Best in Travel 2026 is inspired by the real experiences of Lonely Planet’s global network of contributors and travel experts.
So, if you’re seeking your next great adventure – one that connects you with nature, heritage, and a touch of the extraordinary – make it the Flinders Ranges & Outback. There’s never been a better time to rediscover Australia’s heartland.
