Sydney has scored a double mention on Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2026—and it’s easy to see why.
This year’s picks spotlight two very different expressions of coastal cool: the freshly redeveloped Sydney Fish Market, and the effortlessly nostalgic Sea Sea Hotel up the coast in Crescent Head.
A Modern Icon Reborn: The New Sydney Fish Market
After a seven-year transformation, Sydney’s beloved fish market has been reborn—and now it’s making global waves. The newly opened Sydney Fish Market, designed by Copenhagen-based architects 3XN/GXN, is a shimmering new centerpiece for the city’s waterfront.
Billed as the largest fish market in the Southern Hemisphere, it buzzes daily with the trade of around 55 tonnes of seafood. The $800 million fish market spans 26,000 square metres, transforming it into a destination in its own right.
Moreover, the reimagined precinct combines working wharf authenticity with sleek design, sustainability, and serious flavour. Over 30 eateries now line the foreshore, from the sizzling Aegean grills at Hamsi to the bold Malaysian plates at Tam Jiak, while the inner workings of the fish auction remain on full display for visitors.
Beyond the food, the market now doubles as a civic hub. A 15-kilometre waterfront promenade connects Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo, creating one of the world’s longest pedestrian seaside trails.
Five new art installations also pay tribute to the area’s deep Indigenous heritage, bringing layers of culture and storytelling to a site once known purely for commerce.
“Sydney has been waiting for this,” said one visitor during the January reopening. “It’s not just about seafood anymore — it’s about a sense of place.”
Surf, Style, and ’70s Vibes: Crescent Head’s Sea Sea Hotel
A five-hour drive from Sydney, nestled on Dunghutti Country, another of Time’s picks is shaking up Australia’s coastal stay scene. The Sea Sea Hotel in Crescent Head—opened in late 2024—captures the golden glow of surf culture circa 1976 and repackages it for modern travellers craving authenticity over pretension.
The brainchild of George Gorrow, co-founder of Ksubi, and his partner Cisco Tschurtschenthaler, the boutique spot reimagines the classic roadside motel with meticulous design and laid-back charm.
In addition, each brown-brick suite nods to the town’s vintage surf roots— covered in timber panelling, embroidered linen robes, and turntables spinning The Stone Roses.
In the restaurant, chef Daniel Medcalf (ex-Icebergs Dining Room and Bar) serves a polished take on modern Australian cuisine, drawing from the region’s local produce.
Guests can rent classic surfboards, join yoga on the deck, or explore nearby dive sites like Fish Rock Cave, one of Australia’s most renowned underwater spots.
For land lovers, newly built mountain-bike trails and a soon-to-open hiking route linking four national parks promise new ways to see the wild Mid North Coast.
Sea Sea feels like the future seen through a nostalgic lens—a kind of cinematic version of Australian coastal life that still feels grounded in community and place.
A Global Spotlight on Local Brilliance
While Time Magazine’s annual list spans everywhere from Morocco’s desert lodges to Japan’s art islands, Australia’s entries stand out for how naturally they blend innovation, design, and sustainability.
So, from the Sydney Fish Market’s forward-thinking architecture to the Sea Sea Hotel’s slow-living ethos, both destinations share a distinctly Australian spirit—relaxed yet visionary, familiar yet fresh.
It’s clear the world is taking notice.
