We may be among the unhappiest folk in the world but at least we’re surrounded by amazing landscapes. A recent study has ranked some of the most unspoilt destinations on the planet from the pristine waterfalls of Costa Rica to the rugged beauty of Tanzania. Not only did Australia make the top 3, but NSW was also said to have the highest number of unspoiled spots in the country followed closely by Queensland. Australia ranked behind Iceland which is famed for its volcanic vistas, picturesque hot springs and road trips.
Most unspoiled landscapes in the world
The study was conducted by walking holiday experts Inghams based on the number of hashtags on over 100,000 posts on Instagram which included the words unspoilt, unspoiled and off the beaten path. While every country has something unique to offer, in terms of unblemished beauty that has remained intact over time, some have an edge over others.
With natural wonders that date back millions of years, expansive canyons, turquoise beaches and national parks galore, Australia is saturated with picture-perfect places.
Ireland, Cyprus and Costa Rica rounded out the top 3 with Tanzania, New Zealand, Peru, Greece and Georgia making the top 10.
The locations most tagged under the hashtag #unspoilt included NSW’s Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Kiama and Queensland’s Noosa National Park and the beautiful Daintree Rainforest.
See the full list here.