18th March 2026

Off-the-Beaten-Path Holidays: Remote Destinations Worth Travelling For

More travellers are turning away from crowded hotspots and looking instead for something quieter, more meaningful, and a little harder to reach.

Search trends and booking patterns are shifting toward remote, experience-led travel.  The kind of trips where you disconnect, reset, and come back with stories that actually feel personal.

If you’re wondering where to go this year, three destinations are standing out for all the right reasons: New Zealand, Tasmania, and French Polynesia.


New Zealand Holidays. Space, Adventure and Total Reset

New Zealand continues to top the list for travellers looking for adventure holidays combined with space and tranquillity.

But what’s changing is how people are experiencing it.

Instead of rushing through highlights, more travellers are opting for:

It’s the balance that makes New Zealand so powerful — adrenaline when you want it, and complete stillness when you don’t.

This year, it’s one of the best destinations if you’re looking for:

  • Adventure travel

  • Scenic road trips

  • Active holidays with depth


Tasmania Adventure Travel. Remote Wilderness Without the Crowds

If New Zealand feels expansive, Tasmania feels untouched.

This is one of the last places where you can genuinely disconnect — where landscapes feel raw, weather shapes the experience, and nature is completely in charge.

The appeal is growing fast, particularly for:

And yet, it still flies under the radar.

For those who’ve “done” the usual destinations, Tasmania offers something far more original. A sense of discovery that’s increasingly rare.


French Polynesia Holidays – Luxury, Culture and Escape

French Polynesia has always been iconic, but right now, it’s being rediscovered in a more meaningful way.

Beyond the overwater villas, travellers are drawn to:

  • The warmth of Polynesian culture

  • Slower island-hopping experiences

  • A deeper sense of escape

It’s not just about luxury — it’s about how it makes you feel while you’re there.

For 2026 (and even 2027), it’s one of the strongest choices for:

  • Honeymoons and special trips

  • Remote island escapes

  • Warm-weather winter sun destinations


Why Remote Travel Is Trending this year

There’s a clear shift happening in travel:

  • Less interest in crowded, overdone locations

  • More focus on meaningful, immersive experiences

  • A desire for space, nature, and authenticity

People aren’t just booking holidays. They’re choosing how they want to feel when they’re away.

And increasingly, that means:

  • Calm over chaos

  • Depth over speed

  • Experience over itinerary


A Quiet Word on Timing

Trips like these aren’t the kind you leave until the last minute.

They’re often small-group, carefully curated experiences, and availability can be limited,  particularly in more remote destinations.

If something here has sparked your interest, it’s well worth exploring sooner rather than later.


Planning Your Adventure

Whether it’s:

  • A New Zealand adventure road trip

  • A Tasmanian wilderness expedition

  • Or a French Polynesian escape

The common thread is simple. These are the trips people remember.

Not because they’re the most famous.

But because they feel the most different.


Final Thought

The world is still full of extraordinary places.

Right now, the real magic lies just a little further off the map.

by Hamish McMaster

Hamish McMaster is the Water By Nature owner. He has spent the past 25 years exploring and playing on the world's great rivers. He still loves nothing more than getting out there and sharing adventures.


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