DARWIN, Northern Territory, Australia – Red earth, blue skies and the golden eyes of watchful crocodiles in the flower-tangled waterways of Kakadu National Park have won the Northern Territory the only Australian mention on a list of the best tourist destinations in the world.
The NT is listed in National Geographic’s 2014 top 20 Best of the World.
“This is fantastic news for the Territory,” Tourism Minister Matt Conlan said.
“It means now the whole world knows the Territory is the place to visit if you want an unforgettable holiday like no other.” The list says that apart from the NT’s undeniable physical beauty, the people make the place come alive.
The Best of the World list reflects what is authentic, culturally rich, sustainable and superlative in the world of travel.
The top 20 destinations for 2014 (in alphabetical order):
โข Alentejo, Portugal
โข Arbil, Iraq
โข Bolaven Plateau, Laos
โข Cacao Trail, Ecuador
โข Cape Verde
โข Cathar country, France
โข Cordoba, Argentina
โข Derawan Islands, Indonesia (readers’ choice)
โข Guyana
โข John Muir Trail, Scotland
โข Liechtenstein
โข Nahanni National Park, Canada
โข New Orleans, Louisiana
โข Northern Territory, Australia
โข Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda
โข Puglia, Italy
โข Ranthambore National Park, India
โข Riga, Latvia
โข Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
โข Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
โข Sochi, Russia