Aotea/Great Barrier Island in New Zealand has earned a spot among the top 25 off-the-beaten-track destinations to visit globally in 2025, according to US-based travel media brand, Afar, Stuff has reported.
The brand, which promotes responsible travel, highlighted Aotea/Great Barrier Island in its annual 'Where to Go' list as "a paradise for nature lovers where residents live off the grid and the stars shine brightly above them." Afar’s deputy editor, Tim Chester, praised the island, known locally as The Barrier, for its rich natural offerings, including forests, wetlands, dark skies, and hot springs. He also commended the island’s strong focus on sustainability and mentioned it is one of the top destinations he plans to visit in the coming year.
The list is the result of months of research by Afar’s correspondents and editors, aiming to spotlight lesser-visited destinations that offer meaningful travel experiences and align with the belief that travel can be a force for good. Aotea/Great Barrier Island, located about 100 km north-east of Auckland within the outer Hauraki Gulf, was recognized as a Dark Sky Sanctuary due to its exceptionally clear night skies. It was one of only three destinations in Oceania to make the list, alongside Western Australia and Palau.
Western Australia was featured for its Aboriginal-led experiences that make it easier and more enriching for travelers to engage with the world's oldest living culture. Palau, in Micronesia, was noted for its pristine reefs, wild jungles, and hidden waterfalls, with a commitment to conservation where visitors are asked to sign a pledge to act responsibly during their stay.
The majority of the list was made up of destinations from the Americas, with ten featured locations. In North America, cities such as Columbus, Ohio, which is described as "the fastest-growing metro area in the United States," and Boone, North Carolina, known for its scenic trails and creative arts scene, were highlighted. Other destinations in North America included the Bold Coast in Maine, famous for its wild blueberry farms, lobster boats, and coastal cliffs, and Lititz in Pennsylvania, where "Amish culture and rock and roll happily collide." Oklahoma City and Prince Edward County in Canada were also included.
From Central and South America, Costalegre in Mexico, Patagonia Azul in Argentina, the Caribbean island of St Vincent, and the rapidly changing country of Guyana, known for its rare wildlife in rainforests and savannahs, were featured.
In Europe, the list included Belgrade, Serbia, with its vibrant nightlife and inventive restaurants, North Wales, Oxfordshire in England, the Danish Riviera, and the Greek island of Chios. Freiburg in southwest Germany, with its cobbled streets and fairy-tale architecture, also made the cut.
In Asia, the featured destinations were the Indonesian island of Sumba, praised for its cultural immersion and natural beauty away from the crowds of Bali, Toyama in Japan, known for its culinary delights, and the Karakoram Mountains in Pakistan, where new tours offer travelers an immersive cultural and adventure experience in "Little Tibet."
Finally, in Africa and the Middle East, Jordan, with its ancient archaeological sites, the Republic of Benin, which is becoming a cultural hub with new museums, and South Africa’s Wild Coast, renowned for its epic marine adventures, were highlighted.
Aotea/Great Barrier Island’s inclusion in this prestigious list further solidifies its reputation as a must-visit destination for those seeking both breathtaking nature and a commitment to sustainable tourism.
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