Sydney the only Australian city to make world’s top 25 best destinations as voted on TripAdvisor

Sydney has flown the flag for Australia in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards. Source: Supplied

SYDNEY has been emerged as the star of the southern hemisphere in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards for the world’s best destinations.

It was the only Australian city to earn a listing in the world’s top 25 best cities as determined by TripAdvisor reviewers.

Full list: World’s top 25 destinations

The Harbour City took top honours in the South Pacific region, beating Queenstown, New Zealand, and fellow Australian cities Melbourne and Brisbane.

Notable omissions included Adelaide, Perth and the Gold Coast – with Cessnock, NSW, among the surprise inclusions at No.12 in the South Pacific.

Travellers’ Choice Destinations honour top travel spots worldwide based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers.

Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, attractions and restaurants in destinations worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events George Souris said he was delighted with the news that Sydney had won TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for the top Australian and South Pacific destination and the only Australian city to make the top 25 best destinations in the world.

“Sydney has so much to offer, from our golden beaches for surfing and world class dining and shopping, to the diverse, scenic regional areas such as the magnificent Blue Mountains and Hunter wineries,” he said.

“New South Wales is blessed with a range of natural wonders and urban attractions which entices 28.5 million international and domestic overnight visitors each year.”

Top 10 Travellers’ Choice South Pacific Destinations:

1. Sydney, Australia

2. Queenstown, New Zealand

3. Melbourne, Australia

4. Brisbane, Australia

5. Rotorua, New Zealand

6. Port Douglas, Australia

7. Taupo, New Zealand

8. Blenheim, New Zealand

9. Nelson, New Zealand

10. Hobart, Australia

11. Port Vila, Vanuatu