No reason NOT to go! Australia's Red Centre is named one of the top spots to visit in the WORLD - as 10 countries on the 'must travel' list for 2019 are revealed

  • Lonely Planet has revealed the world's top 10 regions to visit in 2019
  • An Australian location took fourth spot thanks to its rich culture and spirituality
  • The area also boasts otherworldly landscapes and incredible natural geography
  • The travel giant also shared the 10 countries you should travel to next year

Global travel giant Lonely Planet has revealed the world's top 10 countries, cities and regions to visit in 2019 and one Australian destination has made the cut.

Australia's Red Centre in the Northern Territory came in at number four in the best regions category for the annual 'Best in Travel' series. 

The Red Centre was recognised for its otherworldly landscape of desert plains, mountain ranges and rocky gorges, as well as its spiritual connection to some of Aboriginal Australia's most sacred sites.

Lonely Planet named Australia's Red Centre as the fourth hottest region to travel to for 2019 (pictured, travel blogger Elise Cook at Uluru in the Red Centre) 

Lonely Planet named Australia's Red Centre as the fourth hottest region to travel to for 2019 (pictured, travel blogger Elise Cook at Uluru in the Red Centre) 

'At the spiritual heart of Australia's Red Centre is the country's most recognised wonder, Uluru,' Lonely Planet said.

'In 2019 this sacred site is finally closing to climbers, almost 150 years after explorers decided to conquer the rock.

'Instead, visitors will find that this World Heritage site, renowned for its outstanding natural and cultural values, conquers them.'

Top attractions in the Red Centre include Uluru-Kata Tjuta (Ayers Rock and the Olgas), Watarrka National Park and nearby Alice Springs.

Given special mention was the Northern Territory's newly opened Litchfield National Park, which is the 'most visited park in Australia's Top End'.

Australia's Red Centre is described as the 'spiritual heart of the country' by Lonely Planet

Australia's Red Centre is described as the 'spiritual heart of the country' by Lonely Planet

LONELY PLANET'S RECOMMENDED ITINERARY FOR ONE WEEK IN THE RED CENTRE 

A week long trip:

The Red Centre offers a plethora of ways for visitors to explore indigenous Australia, from guided walks and bush-tucker lessons around Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to astronomy tours and do-it-yourself barbecues with native ingredients like kangaroo, emu and barramundi.

A great way to spend the first day of your trip is to soak up the local culture in the main town of Alice Springs, which boasts quirky cafes, art galleries and year-round events.

Next, head to Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges just outside the town to watch for black-footed rock wallabies around the waterhole.

Take one of the Red Centre's challenging hikes (some as long as 223km), helicopter flights or mountain biking tours from Alice Springs.

For a more leisurely experience, garden talks, nature walks, Segway tours and cycling are also available around Uluru.

Journey to Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) in a 4WD for iconic views of the sheer 100m-high red cliffs.

Head to bed early in preparation for a pre-dawn pilgrimage to watch the sun rise over the massive sandstone structure of Uluru, followed by a guided walk around the base.

You'll also be treated to folklore and 'dreaming stories' of Aboriginal law, religion and custom, as well as inspecting millennia-old rock art.

Round off your trip at the Field of Light, the stunning desert installation by British artist Bruce Munro.

Unmissable experiences in the region include:

· Watch the sun rise over Uluru, followed by a guided walk at its base where you can explore the pockmarked rock up close.

· Discover the history of European colonisers and the Afghan cameleers who explored the vast interior of Alice Springs and Hermannsburg, famous as the one-time home of celebrated Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira.

· Take a meandering bush walk across the colossal landscape of crimson rocks and azure skies, or try an early morning bike ride to enjoy the epic terrain all to yourself.

Best time to visit:

· May to September is the best time to catch a festival, and also for cooler weather. Summer months (November to February) are blazing hot and often unbearable.

From October 2019, visitors will no longer be permitted to climb the rock.

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THE TOP 10 COUNTRIES, CITIES, REGIONS AND BEST-VALUE DESTINATIONS FOR 2019 

Countries

1. Sri Lanka

2. Germany

3. Zimbabwe

4. Panama

5. Kyrgyzstan

6. Jordan

7. Indonesia

8. Belarus

9. São Tomé and Príncipe

10. Belize

Regions

1. Piedmont, Italy

2. The Catskills, USA

3. Northern Peru

4. The Red Centre, Australia

5. Scotland's Highlands and islands

6. Russian Far East

7. Gujarat, India

8. Manitoba, Canada

9. Normandy, France

10. Elqui Valley, Chile  

Cities

1. Copenhagen, Denmark

2. Shēnzhèn, China

3. Novi Sad, Serbia

4. Miami, Florida, USA

5. Kathmandu, Nepal

6. Mexico City, Mexico

7. Dakar, Senegal

8. Seattle, USA

9. Zadar, Croatia

10. Meknès, Morocco

Best value 

1. Southern Nile Valley, Egypt

2. Łódź, Poland

3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA

4. Maldives

5. Houston, USA

6. Argentina

7. Bangladesh

8. Albania

9. Ecuador

10. Slovenia 

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The Italian province of Piedmont took first place in the regional hot list, thanks to its wealth of historical and cultural offerings including Lake Orta, Museo Egizio and the Borromean Islands.

Piedmont's capital Turin also boasts acclaimed automobile and Egyptian museums, and is known for its sophisticated fusion cuisine inspired by neighbouring France and Switzerland.

The rugged region of the US Catskills came in second while Northern Peru nabbed bronze.

The Red Centre beat off stiff competition from internationally renowned areas including the Scottish Highlands (5th), Russia's Far East (6th), Gujarat in India (7th), the Canadian province of Manitoba (8th) Normandy in north western France (9th) and Chile's Elqui Valley (10th). 

The Italian province of Piedmont (pictured) took first place in the regional shortlist

The Italian province of Piedmont (pictured) took first place in the regional shortlist

Sri Lanka took the trophy in the Best Country category thanks to its varied attractions, including the ancient ruins of Sigiriya, the sacred Temple of the Tooth, Yala National Park and the famed scenic train from Kandy to Ella.

'Sri Lanka,' says Lonely Planet, 'is decidedly having its moment in the equatorial sun and change is coming swiftly. After decades of civil conflict, this is a country revived.'

In the silver spot on the countries ranking is Germany, which Lonely Planet says 'will plunge you into a stirring alchemy of tradition and vision'. 

It says that 'scaling a mountain, holing up in a medieval castle, cycling through wine country or knocking back beers in a cosy pub are all equally worthy pursuits'.

Zimbabwe has been named as the third-best country for 2019, with Lonely Planet lauding it as 'one of Africa's safest destinations… blessed with ultra-friendly locals, Big Five-filled national parks, World Heritage-listed archaeological ruins, forested mountains and the mighty Victoria Falls'.

Sri Lanka took the trophy in the Best Country category (pictured, surfers on Narigama Beach near Hikkaduwa in the south west of the country)

Sri Lanka took the trophy in the Best Country category (pictured, surfers on Narigama Beach near Hikkaduwa in the south west of the country)

Sri Lanka boasts a wealth of attractions including the ancient city of Sigiriya and the scenic train from Kandy to Ella

Sri Lanka boasts a wealth of attractions including the ancient city of Sigiriya and the scenic train from Kandy to Ella

Panama came in fourth, with the mystical eastern destinations of Kyrgyzstan and Jordan taking fifth and sixth respectively.

Despite recent natural disasters, Indonesia was awarded seventh spot while eastern Europe received a nod with Belarus taking eighth.

The volcanic island nation of Sao Tome and Principe off the African coast came in ninth thanks to its incredible biodiversity, including rainforests, beaches, striking rock and coral formations.

The tiny coastal nation of Belize in Central America rounded out the top ten.