THE BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL TO AVOID JANUARY BLUES
Escape the January Blues: The Best Places to Travel in January 2027
Christmas is over, the decorations are down, your bank account has seen better days and suddenly January feels like it’s lasting approximately 74 days.
Sound familiar?
While everyone else is heading back to work, battling freezing temperatures and counting down the days until summer, there’s a much better way to start the year.
Swap the January blues for blue skies, tropical beaches and unforgettable adventures.
January is actually one of the best months to travel, especially if you’re dreaming of sunshine, new experiences and meeting people from around the world.
From Australia’s iconic East Coast to Thailand’s tropical islands, we’ve rounded up the best places to travel in January to help you start 2027 the right way.
Australia – Swap Winter Coats for Beach Days
Best for: Sunshine, backpacking, group tours and the ultimate summer adventure. If you’re wondering where to travel in January for sunshine, Australia deserves the top spot on your bucket list. While the UK and Europe are experiencing winter, Australia is right in the middle of summer. Think beach days, coastal road trips, rooftop bars, surfing lessons and sunsets with your new travel mates. January is a particularly exciting time to explore Australia’s East Coast, with a lively backpacker atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to meet other travellers.
The best places to visit in Australia in January
Sydney: Start your adventure with iconic beaches, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, coastal walks and summer events.
Byron Bay: Learn to surf, watch the sunrise at Cape Byron Lighthouse and embrace the laid-back beach lifestyle.
Noosa: Explore beautiful beaches, coastal walking trails and the famous Noosa National Park.
K’gari (Fraser Island): Discover freshwater lakes, 4WD adventures and incredible natural landscapes.
Whitsundays: Sail around tropical islands, snorkel and experience the famous Whitehaven Beach.
Travel Australia with ULTIMATE Travel
Want to explore Australia’s East Coast without worrying about planning every stop?
ULTIMATE Travel’s East Coast group tours bring together like-minded travellers to experience Australia’s bucket-list destinations, with organised activities, accommodation and group leaders along the way.
It’s the perfect way to start the year, especially if you’re travelling solo or heading overseas for the first time.
Explore our Australia group tours and make January the beginning of your biggest adventure yet.
Thailand – Tropical Islands, Street Food and Sunshine
Best for: Warm weather, affordable adventures, island hopping and backpacking.
If your idea of beating the January blues involves turquoise water, beach bars and delicious street food, Thailand is calling.
January is generally one of the best months to visit much of Thailand, particularly the Andaman Coast, where destinations such as Phuket, Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands typically experience drier weather.
Imagine swapping grey skies for island hopping, snorkelling, incredible viewpoints and sunsets over the ocean.
Why visit Thailand in January?
Enjoy warm tropical temperatures.
Explore beautiful islands and beaches.
Experience incredible Thai food and night markets.
Meet backpackers from around the world.
Discover temples, culture and unforgettable adventures.
Thailand is also a fantastic destination for first-time solo travellers thanks to its established backpacker routes and wide range of accommodation options.
Explore Thailand with ULTIMATE Travel
With ULTIMATE Travel’s Thailand group tours, you can discover incredible destinations, experience local culture and make new friends while exploring Southeast Asia.
Whether you’re planning a gap year, your first solo adventure or simply escaping winter, Thailand is an unforgettable place to begin.
New Zealand – The Ultimate Summer Road Trip
Best for: Adventure, hiking, road trips and incredible landscapes.
Not everyone wants to spend January lying on a beach. If you’d rather start the year hiking through mountains, exploring lakes and ticking off adrenaline-fuelled adventures, New Zealand should be high on your list. January is summer in New Zealand, bringing long daylight hours and excellent opportunities for outdoor adventures. From Queenstown’s breathtaking scenery to the beaches of the North Island, there’s something for every kind of traveller.
The best places to visit in New Zealand in January
Queenstown: Adventure activities, mountain scenery and beautiful lakes.
Wanaka: Incredible hikes, scenic viewpoints and relaxed lakeside days.
Rotorua: Geothermal landscapes, Māori cultural experiences and outdoor adventures.
Abel Tasman National Park: Golden beaches, kayaking and coastal walks.
Auckland: City experiences, nearby islands and summer activities.
Why January is a great time to visit New Zealand
January offers some of the country’s warmest weather and plenty of opportunities to explore its famous landscapes.
It’s also one of the busiest months for domestic and international travel, so booking accommodation and transport in advance is recommended.
Travelling solo? ULTIMATE Travel’s New Zealand adventures are a great way to experience the country while meeting other travellers along the way.
Bali, Indonesia – A Tropical Reset for the New Year
Best for: Wellness, surfing, cafés, culture and tropical adventures.
Sometimes the best cure for the January blues is a complete change of scenery.
Enter Bali. Think tropical cafés, lush rice terraces, beautiful temples, yoga classes, surf lessons and sunset beach clubs. Bali is a popular destination for travellers looking to unwind, experience a different culture and kick-start the year somewhere exciting.
The best places to visit in Bali
Canggu: Surfing, cafés, beach clubs and social backpacker spots.
Ubud: Rice terraces, waterfalls, temples and wellness experiences.
Uluwatu: Dramatic cliffs, beaches and incredible sunsets.
Ubud’s surrounding villages: Cultural experiences and beautiful natural scenery.
Fiji – Island Time Is the Best Time
Best for: Island escapes, snorkelling, relaxation and tropical scenery.
If your New Year’s resolution is to slow down, spend more time outdoors and make unforgettable memories, Fiji might be exactly what you need. Picture palm-fringed beaches, turquoise lagoons, colourful marine life and laid-back island days. Fiji is a dream destination for travellers wanting to disconnect from everyday life and experience the beauty of the South Pacific.
Why visit Fiji?
Discover stunning tropical islands.
Snorkel among colourful marine life.
Experience Fijian culture and hospitality.
Relax on beautiful beaches.
Enjoy a slower pace of travel.
Why January Is the Perfect Time to Book a Group Tour?
Starting the year with a group tour is about more than just escaping winter.
It’s an opportunity to travel somewhere new, step outside your comfort zone and meet people who could become lifelong friends.
And if you’ve never travelled solo before, joining a group tour can make the whole experience feel much easier.
5 reasons to start the year on a group tour
1. Meet new people: Travel with like-minded adventurers from around the world.
2. Less planning, more exploring: Accommodation, transport and selected activities are organised for you.
3. Tick off your bucket list: Experience iconic destinations without having to plan every detail yourself.
4. Travel with confidence: Enjoy the support of experienced group leaders.
5. Make unforgettable memories: Start the year with new experiences, friendships and stories to tell.
Whether you’re planning a gap year, a working holiday or your first big overseas adventure, travelling in January could be the best decision you make all year
Can I join an ULTIMATE Travel group tour in January?
ULTIMATE Travel offers group travel experiences across destinations including Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Check the ULTIMATE Travel website for available January departures, tour itineraries and current prices.
Say Goodbye to the January Blues and Hello to Your Next Adventure
Who says January has to be the most depressing month of the year?
Forget the cold mornings, dark evenings and endless countdown to summer.
This year, make January the month you finally book that trip, explore somewhere new and create memories you’ll be talking about for years.
Whether it’s surfing in Australia, island hopping in Thailand, hiking through New Zealand or discovering tropical paradise, your next adventure is waiting.
Start 2027 the ULTIMATE way.
Explore ULTIMATE Travel’s group tours, find your perfect destination and book your next adventure today.
The January blues can wait. Your bucket list can’t.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!