World's Top New Travel Experiences for 2015: Must-See Adventures from Lonely Planet Experts
What groundbreaking travel experiences are topping your 2015 wishlist? Imagine venturing inside Iceland's ice cap, stargazing in Australia's outback, or zip-lining over Taiwan's verdant valleys.
Lonely Planet's expert destination specialists have explored the globe to curate these standout attractions for our New in Travel ebook, available for free download here. If you're tired of crowded beaches and repetitive sights, these fresh discoveries await.
Don't wait—be among the first to experience the planet's most thrilling new travel adventures.
Tackle Tasmania’s Iconic Three Capes Track
- Three Capes Track, Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Australia
- Opens late 2015
The second stage of this premier multi-day coastal walk on Tasmania's Tasman Peninsula opens late 2015. Spanning up to 82 km when complete, it offers hut-based lodging, boat excursions, and breathtaking scenery along Australia's tallest sea cliffs.
Choose self-guided trekking or a fully guided tour. Exceptional public facilities set it apart: huts with mattresses and kitchens mean no need for tents, stoves, or sleeping pads. End your days of epic ocean views in comfortable beds.
Gaze from New York's Tallest Skyscraper
- One World Observatory, New York City, USA
- Opens spring 2015
One World Trade Center's observation deck launches in spring 2015. Crowned at 1,776 feet—nodding to America's founding year—it's the Western Hemisphere's tallest building, equivalent to six Statues of Liberty stacked high.
The immersive journey begins in the lobby with construction history, then high-speed glass elevators ascend 102 floors to 1,250 feet. Enjoy dining, shopping, and panoramic 360-degree views of Manhattan and beyond from floor-to-ceiling windows.
Delve into an Icelandic Ice Cap
- Ice Cave, Langjökull ice cap, West Iceland
- Opens May 2015
Europe's second-largest ice cap, Langjökull in West Iceland, was once viewed from afar amid mist-shrouded valleys. Now, a pioneering 500m tunnel at 1,260m elevation offers unprecedented access, opening May 2015.
Traverse the glacier in 8WD vehicles, then don crampons for a walk into stunning blue-ice chambers. Day trips from Reykjavík or Húsafell reveal glittering walls, exhibitions, a café, and even a chapel for intimate weddings.
Traverse Spain's Revamped Caminito del Rey
- Caminito del Rey footpath, Garganta del Chorro, El Chorro, Spain
- Reopens February 2015
After a multimillion-euro restoration, the infamous Caminito del Rey—once among the world's scariest hikes—reopens in February 2015. Clinging 100m above the gorge on a narrow ledge built in 1905, it had deteriorated, closing after fatalities.
Now reinforced with new handrails, it's accessible to more adventurers. The sheer drama and jaw-dropping views remain as exhilarating as ever.
Cycle New Zealand’s Rimutaka Great Ride
- Rimutaka Cycle Trail, Wellington/Wairarapa, New Zealand
- Opened December 2014
Part of New Zealand's 22 Great Rides, this 115km trail connects Wellington and Wairarapa through diverse urban and wild landscapes. Mostly easy with intermediate sections, it's ideal for 2-3 days with en-route stays.
Highlights include the Rimutaka Rail Trail's gentle forested incline past railway relics, a thrilling descent to wine towns, rugged Pacific coast, and urban riverside paths showcasing Wellington's stunning mountains-to-sea scenery.
Stargaze in Australia's Outback
- Outback Astronomy, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
- New tours from 2015
Broken Hill's clear outback skies deliver dazzling starscapes free from pollution. Outback Astronomy's new 2015 tours use naked-eye and binocular views, captivating all ages with talks on space mining, tourism, and lunar colonies.
Future observatory plans ensure shows even on cloudy nights.
Discover Singapore’s National Gallery
- National Gallery Singapore, St Andrew’s Rd, Singapore
- Opens October 2015
In restored City Hall and former Supreme Court, this premier Southeast Asian art hub opens October 2015 amid Singapore's art boom. Highlights include Art Stage fair and Gillman Barracks galleries.
A 10-day festival ties into the nation's 50th birthday, featuring community art in linking spaces.
Zip-Line Over Taipei’s Valleys
- Flyway Taiwan, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Opens spring 2015
Taipei's wooded hills host Flyway's spring 2015 zip-line canopy tour: eight lines soaring through jungle and river valleys, plus swings, ladders, and free falls—like Tarzan meets helicopter.
Founded by experts, it brings world-class adventure to Taiwan.
Behold the Whitney’s Full Collection
- Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City, USA
- Opens spring 2015
After decades of space constraints, the Whitney unveils its 21,000+ American art treasures—including Hopper, Johns, O’Keeffe, Rothko—in Renzo Piano's stunning Chelsea riverside home spring 2015.
50,000 sq ft of galleries, NYC's largest column-free space, a theater, and High Line plaza elevate it among top museums.
