Home > Our Publications > Travel Australia and New Zealand > September 2002

AUSTRALIA has just been voted the best tourist country in the world, with New Zealand at seven only a few points behind. And to cap a great year, Sydney was voted Best City, level with little old New York.
Its varied scenery was also voted best in the world and helped to get Australia over the line, just beating exotic Thailand.
Australia also rated well when it came to culture, range of accommodation, climate, hospitality, safety, environmentally friendly, and value.
The poll was held among the readers of Conde Nast Traveller UK magazine, and its readers certainly know something about travel - and are pretty critical.
They also know a good thing when they see it and Huka Lodge on Lake Taupo, in New Zealand's North Island, was voted best leisure hotel in the Asia/Pacific region, while Queensland's Bedarra Island came second.
Australia really rated well in this section with the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney, coming in third and stunning Hayman Island, in the Whitsundays, fifth. Just behind were the little-known Kirketon Hotel, in Sydney's Kings Cross, at sixth; Sydney's upmarket Park Hyatt at seven and the amazing Sails in the Desert Hotel, at Ayers Rock (Uluru) ninth.
Sydney did well among the world's leading cities, with three stars for family; activities and beaches but only one for romance and culture. You can't be the best at everything but there's plenty of both if you look for them.
Sydney and Auckland airports also rated well at fifth and eighth respectively, while Auckland's airport food and restaurants were rated the world's best. A long way from only a few years ago.
New Zealand did just edge out Australia in the best beach houses section, with the First Light Temple, at Eagles Nest Resort, just outside Russell, in the North Island's Bay of Islands, coming in 13 in the world. Blue Pools
Cottage, at Spooky Beach, with great surfing, at Angourie, just outside Yamba, in Northern New South Wales, came in at 14, with Thirty-One Degrees, at Oak Beach in tropical Port Douglas, Far North Queensland, rated at 15.
So, Australia may be at the other end of the world to Europe, but it's up with the world's best in so many tourism facilities and activities. And you can drink the water; get top medical care (if needed) and get around this huge country easily and be safe, in both the major