The 10 Best Countries on Earth, According to The Telegraph – And Where Australia Ranks in 2025
Australia just scored a spot on The Telegraph’s list of the world’s top 10 countries for 2025 – and while we didn’t snag the top spot, we’re still rubbing shoulders with some excellent company.
In The Telegraph Traveller Awards, more than 20,000 readers cast their votes. The result? Australia landed at number six.
It’s a slight drop from last year’s fifth-place finish, but hardly a disappointment.
We’ve consistently ranked in the top 10 for over a decade – described by The Telegraph as “a picture of reliability” when it comes to world-class travel.
So, who beat us in 2025? The top five were New Zealand, Japan, India, South Africa and Greece – all firm favourites with Aussie travellers.
New Zealand reclaimed the number one spot (again), continuing their reign as the long-time favourite, with only one recent blip when South Africa briefly knocked them off the podium in 2023.
And while we’re talking travel bragging rights, Sydney made its mark too – climbing from eighth to third on the list of the world’s best cities.
Only Seville and Cape Town beat it out, but Sydney’s been a top-ten staple since 2014, and this leap shows it’s as dazzling as ever.
Here’s the complete list of The Telegraph’s best countries on Earth for 2025:
- New Zealand
- Japan
- India
- South Africa
- Greece
- Australia
- Peru
- The Maldives
- Costa Rica
- Botswana
Australia might not be number one, but we’re still one of the world’s favourites—and proudly holding our own.
If you’re planning your next big trip, maybe it’s time to explore who cut… or rediscover why our backyard is still one of the best.
