Nine bucket-list trips you need to take in your lifetime

1. Take an epic Australian train journey

The land of sweeping plains is best viewed from a train, to fully appreciate its vast majesty. Choose an epic journey from north to south, or explore an outback corner.

HOW TO DO IT

The Ghan: Darwin to Adelaide in the top-class Australis Suite might set you back more than $16,000 but you could also do one night between Adelaide and Alice Springs in the next-level Platinum Suite for $4690.

Spirit of the Outback: This adventurous train trip travels between Brisbane and Longreach over 26 hours, and guests have their own twin or single sleeper cabins, with drinks and snacks from the Tuckerbox Restaurant.

2. Be awestruck  by Antarctica

There’s no wilderness on Earth like the White Continent. Its massive glaciers, extraordinary wildlife – penguins, whales, orcas – and pristine beauty are unforgettable.

HOW TO DO IT

Wallet-friendly: TripADeal’s 14-day, all-inclusive cruise from Buenos Aires for $9499 won’t have you making footfall on ice but you will see towering icebergs and wildlife from the comfort of Celebrity Equinox.

Splurge: Silversea’s 10-day Puerto Williams to Puerto Williams voyage on Silver Cloud includes Zodiac and hiking excursions so you can meet penguins and seals up close. It’s about $24,000.

3. Do a great American  road trip

Cruising America’s highways – ideally in a top-down Cadillac or Chevy to really look the part – is movie-star romantic. Speed past prairies and character-filled small towns, but remember to stick to the right-hand side of the road.

HOW TO DO IT

DIY Route 66: This most fabled of US highways, which cuts directly through the heart of America from Los Angeles to Chicago, celebrates its 100th year in 2026. The section through Arizona and Texas is some of the most iconic, with notable stops including the Cadillac Ranch in Texas and the Painted Desert in Arizona.

Tour together: Get someone else to do the driving on a 12-night Great American West tour with Intrepid, which includes Yellowstone and Glacier national parks.

4. Dive into the  colour of India

If you truly wanted to fully experience the diversity of enormous, energetic, exhilarating India, you’d have to set aside years. But there are ways to explore the country’s heartbeat on shorter trips that still give you a sense of total immersion.

HOW TO DO IT

Go in a group: Trafalgar’s 11-day Best of India tour takes in the Golden Triangle (including the Taj Mahal) and the sacred Ganges. From $3291.

Do it solo: Busy and chaotic, India can be daunting for a solo traveller, unless you pick a base and explore from there. The new Raffles in Jaipur looks like a Rajasthani palace, and your concierge can arrange daytrips to the nearby Amber Fort, luxe vegetarian restaurants such as The Johri and the city’s famous shopping bazaars.

5.  See the Northern Lights

The aurora borealis with its neon wisps is one of the world’s great        natural wonders. It’s best spotted close to the Arctic Circle between December and March, when the nights are longer. Wherever you hunt it, ask locals for their favourite aurora-spotting app to determine the best night to stay up and scan the skies.

HOW TO DO IT

On a cruise: Princess Cruises’ 14-day Search for the Northern Lights journeys are round trips from Southampton in the UK, with an itinerary that heads northwards along the Norwegian coast. A standout stop is the city of Alta, known as City of the Northern Lights. From about $2700.

In Alaska’s capital: The boutique Wildbirch Hotel opens in Anchorage, Alaska, in mid-May, and will make the perfect base for a colourful astral display, either in town itself or on a late-night wilderness tour. Rooms from about $200.

6. See the Big Five on safari

Watching a lioness protecting her cub or a leopard scanning  the veldt for prey is an exhilarating travel experience. South Africa is one of the best places to spot the Big Five, thanks to its large population of lions, leopards and rhinos.

HOW TO DO IT

On a tour: The 12-night Explore Southern Africa with G Adventures/National Geographic tour begins in Cape Town and includes a trip to Kruger National Park.

Settle at one place: The luxurious Royal Malewane group is opening a new tented safari camp, Masiya’s Camp, in Kruger National Park in April. It will comprise just six lodgings and visitors will have access to some of the best tracking guides in the region.

7.  Live like a queen in England

If you’ve maxed out on London’s palaces and pubs, the coolest way to see Cool Britannia in 2025 is by staying in a countryside manor or castle, for a taste of how the landed gentry live.

HOW TO DO IT

Luxe: Set on 35ha in Oxfordshire on the edge of the Costwolds, Estelle Manor is a Jane Austen novel come to life. Feel like a minor Windsor by spending the day indulging in archery, fishing, or at the lavish Roman-style spa. About $1200 a night.

Less: Hever Castle in Kent, an hour south of London, was the childhood home of the ill-fated Anne Boleyn. Guests can stay in the castle’s luxury bed and breakfast wing. A stay includes tickets to the castle, as well as a proper English breakfast. About $300 a night.

8. Explore beyond the big cities in Japan

There is so much more to Japan than the well-worn Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka circuit. Head out of the cities and into Japan’s mountains, lakes, tranquil coastline and micro-seasonal cuisine.

HOW TO DO IT

On a walking tour: Kochi and Ehime, on the diminutive island of Shikoku in Japan’s west, are known for their farming villages, citrus and rice groves and excellent seafood. Walk Japan’s seven-day walking tour of the region is from about $4400 twin share.

In a boathouse: Ine in northern Kyoto prefecture sits on a sheltered bay and visitors can stay in a funaya, or boat house, right on the water. Many provide daily seafood meals fished straight from the sea outside. From about $160 a night.

9. Visit stunning Siem Reap

According to Skyscanner, Cambodia’s Siem Reap is set to overtake Japan as Australia’s favourite travel destination for 2025. Famous for its breathtaking temples – including the Unesco-listed Angkor Wat – it’s a spiritual and cultural destination unlike any other.

HOW TO DO IT

In a group: Wendy Wu’s all-inclusive Cambodia and Mekong Uncovered tour includes exploration of Cambodia’s temples, a Mekong River cruise and visiting the palaces of Phnom Penh. Prices from about $9000 per person.

At a resort: Amansara, Cambodia’s former royal residence just 10 minutes from Angkor Wat, reopened in late 2023 after a sparkling renovation. After a day of temple-hopping, book in for a massage at the serene spa. About $1700 a night.

This article first appeared on escape.com.au