10 Natural Wonders From Around the World

Nature lovers and adventure seekers alike, look no further than these natural wonders of the world.

Travelling to new places is incomplete without immersing yourself in nature. If you love getting lost amongst towering trees, breathtaking landscapes and indelible vistas, pack your rucksack and make tracks for these natural paradises.

1. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Canada

Travelling with: Alexis Buxton-Collins

At 700 metres above sea level, the aptly named Big Lookout gazes out from a flower-filled alpine bog over brooding mountain ranges, windswept volcanic beaches and glacier-carved fjords. Across the bay lies a tall granite dome erupting from a sea of trees. This is the mountain that gives the World Heritage-listed Gros Morne National Park its name.

the Western Brook Pond — Western Brook Pond is a spectacular glacier-cut freshwater fjord.

I’m visiting as part of World Expeditions’ Gros Morne Adventure, a week-long walking trip that takes me to the heart of this remote and staggeringly beautiful park perched high up on the north-western tip of Newfoundland. Adrift in the wild Atlantic Ocean, this remote island didn’t join Canada until 1949 and the locals still have a fiercely independent streak and take evident pride in the beauty of their surroundings. It is hard to express the remoteness of this place. Gros Morne doesn’t just feel like another planet; it contains multiple worlds, each of them somehow more beautiful than the last.

2. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, USA

Travelling with: Katie Carlin

I am camped on the bow of Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, anticipating the thunderous crack of a tidewater glacier as we cut a path through the icy-cold waters of Glacier Bay National Park. “The brilliant blue of the ice will shine bright in this fog," reassures the park ranger over the speaker as we journey closer to Margerie Glacier.

Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park — Snow-capped mountains surround Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park.

Alaska is warming twice as fast as the rest of the Earth and 95 per cent of its 100,000 glaciers are thinning, stagnating or retreating at an alarming rate. Jagged chunks of ice float past, a sea otter appears briefly and tufts of fog hover as we take the last bend. Margerie doesn’t disappoint. Her face towers 60 metres above sea level and stretches around 1.4 kilometres wide – but for how long? Even something this grand could disappear if we can’t correct our course in time.

A brown bear (Ursus arctos) walking along the shore of Glacier Bay National Park in Southeast Alaska — Brown bears (Ursus Arctos) inhabit the Glacier Bay National Park.

3. Aareschlucht, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

Travelling with: Emily Murphy

Dreamlike landscapes are the norm when traversing Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland region but even still, Aareschlucht (Aare Gorge) is a phenomenal outlier. Formed by glaciation over thousands of years, the limestone gorge and icy-blue glacial water of the Aare River are mystical and oddly enticing. But that 200-metre drop-off is somewhat of a disincentive. The hike through the gorge winds its way through 1.4 kilometres of footbridges and tunnels. Start in the east entrance and finish with a crescendo of waterfalls and rapids at the narrowest parts of the gorge.

the mystical Aare River in Aareschlucht, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland — The icy-blue glacial water of the Aare River is dreamlike.

4. Antarctica

Travelling with: Angela Saurine

Standing alone on the deck of an expedition ship admiring the reflection of jagged icebergs and snow-capped mountains cutting into a soft pastel sky in the silky water below, tears begin to stream down my face.

a humpback whale appears near the inflatable boat — See a humpback whale breach the surface before your very eyes.

After days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, with the roaring sound of glaciers calving, whales swimming beneath our Zodiac and penguins nibbling at our camera straps, the magnificence of the frozen continent has moved me like nowhere else on Earth.

Expeditions - Zodiac cruises through Antarctic iceberg landscape at Portal Point — Journey through the Antarctic with Expeditions – Zodiac cruises.

5. Great Blue Hole, Belize

Travelling with: Sarah Reid

It’s a thrillingly eerie feeling descending into the cobalt abyss of the Great Blue Hole, a giant marine sinkhole near the centre of Lighthouse Reef some 70 kilometres off mainland Belize.

Recreational dives descend to 40 metres, meaning most divers will experience the discombobulating effects of nitrogen narcosis as you make your way down, along and back up a section of the limestone sinkhole wall adorned with stalactites. If you’re lucky, you might spot some sharks patrolling the depths.

an aerial view of Blue Hole in Belize — Off the coast of Belize lies the majestic Blue Hole.

6. Abisko National Park, Swedish Lapland, Sweden

Travelling with: Taylah Darnell

It’s 1am when I pull on my hiking boots. Abisko National Park in the heart of Swedish Lapland is only a two-kilometre walk from my accommodation and I’m taking advantage of summer’s midnight sun to hike part of its well-known but rarely trodden Kungsleden trail. The rushing of Abiskojåkka’s ice-laden water is the only sound I hear as I gaze up at Abisko Sky Station in the distance. It’s in this moment that I bookmark the spot in my mind; vowing to return for aurora borealis in winter.

a scenic wooden path in Abisko National Park — Stroll along the scenic wooden path in Abisko National Park.

7. Waipoua Forest, New Zealand

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Admire the bark of the kauri trees twisting and curling on trunks that soar out of reach while walking among the giants of the Waipoua Forest. The mighty Tāne Mahuta (Lord of the Forest) stands an impressive 51 metres tall, presiding over a grove of kauri trees that is said to be among the oldest and largest in the world. The towering trees are intertwined with the lives of Māori in Aotearoa/New Zealand and part of the largest remaining tract of native forest in Northland.

a giant kauri tree in Waipoua Forest, New Zealand — A giant kauri tree in Tāne Mahuta, also called “God of the Forest". (Image: Miles Holden)

8. Guyana, South America

Travelling with: Sarah Reid

It’s any wonder how one of the most biodiverse corners of the planet remained off our radars for so long. But now this English-speaking South American nation is becoming a go-to destination for wilderness adventure.

the stunning Kaieteur waterfall in Guyana — Kaieteur Falls is a wondrous sight to see in Guyana.

From hiking for days (or braving a small plane ride) to marvel at the thundering glory of Kaieteur Falls to spotting giant anteaters by horseback, Guyana’s dense tropical rainforests and sweeping savannahs, largely untouched by logging and mining, are ripe for exploration.

a Scarlet Macaw perched on a branch in the rainforest of Guyana — Scarlet Macaws are native to the evergreen forest of Guyana.

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9. Scottish Highlands, Scotland

Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

The Scottish Highlands have inspired countless folklore tales and poems. The landscape is as harsh and dramatic as it is beautiful, captivating humans throughout history with its green glens, glittering lochs and toothed mountains. Throughout the seasons, the landscape shifts.

sunrise at Quiraing on the Isle of Skye, Scotland — Majestic sunrise views at Quiraing on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Come summer, flowering heather colours the hillsides with a dreamy purple hue. In winter, the stark mountains are frosted with porcelain-white snow. In all iterations, the Scottish Highlands enthral visitors with magic, magnificence and mysticism.

a furry highland cow in Isle of Skye, Scotland — Meet the gentle giants of the Scottish Highlands.

10. Atacama Desert, Chile

Travelling with: Catherine Marshall

Miracles are visited upon this brittle wasteland stretched between the Andean Plateau and the pampas of northern Chile. Lakes blush with flamingos’ reflections; mesquite trees appear like sudden cloudbursts on the plains; quinces and pomegranates grow fat on snowmelt drifting down from the Andes.

Occasionally, wildflowers paint the desert in primary colours. There’s beauty, too, in the monochrome renditions of the world’s driest place (besides the polar regions): salt-crusted pans glittering in the sunlight, chalky wastes rippling towards a line of volcanoes, skies so unsullied the world’s leading astronomers use the desert as their terrestrial base for heavenly studies.

pink flamingos at the Laguna Colorada in Bolivia — Spot pink-coloured flamingos at the Laguna Colorada.

We have curated the ultimate list of wonder-filled travel experiences; keep reading the 100 Wonders of the World for the full list.

Why travellers are increasingly dreaming of a white Christmas – and the best places to experience one for yourself.

If the Euro summer has long been Australians’ defining holiday, the white Christmas may well be emerging as its frosty successor.

Booking data from APT Travel Group has revealed that Australians are planning long-haul travel further in advance and increasingly swapping summer at home for a white Christmas abroad.

Why more travellers are booking a white Christmas

tallinn winter — Find festive spirit in abundance in Tallinn, Estonia. (Credit: Unsplash/Dmitry Sumin)

Part of the shift is practical. With the Australian Government recently downgrading its travel warning for parts of the Middle East, travellers’ confidence in long-haul travel is returning as key transit hubs for Australians travelling to Europe reopen.

But accessibility alone isn’t the reason we’re seeing an incline in festive winter holiday bookings.

This year, Australia has experienced a particularly patchy start to the snow season, reminding travellers of how unpredictable winter has become and leading them to look overseas for their next wintry escape. At the same time, rising global temperatures are making reliable snowfall less certain across many parts of the world. Ironically, the rarer a classic white Christmas becomes, the more alluring it feels.

finland snow — Travellers are increasingly looking overseas for guaranteed snowy escapes. (Credit: Unsplash/Joni Kuusisto)

Behavioural psychologists have long observed what they call the ‘scarcity effect’: we tend to assign greater value and desirability to experiences that feel limited or increasingly out of reach. A white Christmas – once an annual tradition for many – has evolved into a bucket-list experience.

It’s also a novel antidote to the Australian festive season. Rather than scorching pavements and beachside barbecues, travellers want to experience the Christmas they’ve spent their whole lives watching in films: snow-dusted pines, chestnuts roasting over an open fire and streets glowing beneath tinsel garlands and fairy lights. Nostalgia sells, but even more so when we feel like it might not always be available to experience.

For decades, Australians have sought to escape winter in search of a European summer. Now, the pendulum is swinging the other way. Below are the top places to have yourself a very Merry Christmas in the snow.

The best places to have a white Christmas

Finland

best places for white christmas — Finland is one of the best destinations for a white Christmas. Credit: APT)

When you’re set on experiencing a blanket-white Christmas, your best bet is to go north. Thanks to its chilly temperatures and geographical proximity to the Arctic Circle (nearly one third of the country’s landmass lies within the Arctic region), travellers are guaranteed to see snow during Finland’s winter months. Plus, the possibility of witnessing the northern lights ribboning across the sky makes the experience all the more magical.

Tallinn, Estonia

tallinn old town — The city of Tallinn has a UNESCO-listed medieval town. (Credit: Unsplash/Ilya Orehov)

While places like Finland and Norway are coveted Christmas destinations, they certainly aren’t easy on the wallet. Estonia’s charming medieval capital of Tallinn is one of the best places to have a white Christmas on a budget, boasting Gothic spires, an intimate atmosphere and toasty market stalls selling everything from handicrafts to sugar-coated almonds. While snow over the Christmas period isn’t guaranteed these days, the country is further north and generally colder than Western European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands.

Canada

whistler christmas — Explore the Christmas lights of Whistler. (Credit: APT)

With its festive spirit, friendly locals and picturesque landscapes, Canada is a top contender for the best place for a white Christmas. Victoria in British Columbia has just about every Christmas tradition covered in one town: a main street of snow-frosted stores, a gingerbread competition, a visit to see the reindeer and horse-drawn trolley rides; while Alberta will see you embracing cosy holiday traditions with the spectacular Canadian Rockies as your backdrop.

If you can’t choose just one destination, the Twelve Days of Christmas tour by APT includes Christmas in Banff, sleigh rides at Lake Louise, Vancouver’s Canyon Lights and the Canadian Rockies. “It’s a relaxed, accessible way to get a proper white Christmas, snow guaranteed rather than hoped for,” says Sarah Latimore, international GM Product & Operations at APT.

New York, USA

new york winter — Central Park dusted with snow is all but magical. (Credit: Unsplash/Caitlyn Wilson)

Yes, films have been romanticising Christmas in New York for decades, but there’s a reason: the cool shift transforms the grand metropolis into what feels like a cinematic village where families glide over ice skating rinks in Central Park, dazzling displays illuminate the streets and carollers sing outside cosy bars with crackling fireplaces.

Germany

Browse bountiful Christmas markets in Regensburg. (Credit: APT)

Germany does Christmas with all the trimmings, especially the Christmas markets; there are hundreds (if not thousands) to choose between in picture-postcard historical towns across the country. Dresden has one of the oldest markets in the country, while Regensburg offers four fairy-light festooned markets within its UNESCO-listed medieval old town.

London, UK

london snow — Cosy up in London for the winter. (Credit: Unsplash/Zhang Kaiyv)

London is a prime place to celebrate a white Christmas with little people: Hamleys alone is worth getting on a plane for! Not only do many hotels offer holiday packages for families, but the sight of latticed snowflakes drifting from the sky on a rugged-up stroll along the Thames is nothing short of enchanting.

Prague, Czech Republic

prague snow — Escape to the charming city of Prague. (Credit: Unsplash/Lukas Konvica)

Offering Gothic architecture, charming cobbled streets and spiced pastries in spades, Prague is among the best places to spend a white Christmas. Come Advent season, when a dusting of snow may cover its ancient castle, and the smell of roasting ham rises from the market stalls, it becomes utterly unforgettable.

Niseko, Japan

niskeo skiing — Hit the slopes for a Christmas spent skiing in Niseko. (Credit: Unsplash/Kristian Klausen)

You don’t need to fly all the way to Europe to enjoy a wintry Christmas abroad. On Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko is a wonderland for travellers wishing to spend the Christmas season carving up the ski slopes. Promising festive events such as fireworks and giant illuminated trees, as well as plenty of the fluffy white stuff, this ski resort town doesn’t disappoint.

Is Europe or Canada better for a white Christmas?

Europe and Canada are the two most popular destinations among Australian travellers booking wintry Christmas escapes. But which is right for you? Sarah Latimore, international GM Product & Operations at APT, says the answer hinges on your travel interests and preferences.

“Europe suits travellers who want depth, variety and a bit of indulgence, moving through centuries-old Christmas market traditions city by city,” Latimore says.

“Canada is for travellers chasing that classic, snow globe white Christmas. Think twinkling lights and decorations through Whistler and Banff, evenings by an open fire in a Fairmont hotel, and the kind of moments that define the season: dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow underfoot rather than sand.

“Neither is the ‘right’ choice universally; it comes down to matching the traveller. Someone chasing romance and heritage will lean Europe. Someone chasing a classic, white Christmas will lean Canada.”

10 natural wonders for adventure seekers around the world