It's not often that the city of Lismore is mentioned in the same breath as New York, the Southern Alps of New Zealand, Shanghai, London and Venice but this is the case for Qantas' Best Places in the World to Visit in 2024.

Without this story appearing like a shameless plug for Qantas, it is an opportunity to celebrate our flood-recovered city as we approach not only Christmas but the second anniversary of the February 28 2022 big flood.

Other Australian destinations to make the list are the Adelaide Hills, Tasmania, the Scenic Rim in Queensland, Ballarat, and the spectacular Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley's.

The story starts, "The new year is just around the corner so it’s time to start planning your next getaway. Whether you’re after exciting events, intriguing tours or a bucket-list adventure, we’ve rounded up the best places to visit in 2024.

Page 11 of 25 says Lismore, New South Wales

While the area is still recovering from the floods of 2022, Lismore has been brought back to life with the reopening of several beloved venues.

There’s the Hotel Metropole that dishes up elevated pub fare and The Sherwood Hotel, with its huge outdoor dining area, has been reborn. Henry’s Bakery Cafe remains a must-visit for the fresh-baked goods it has been crafting for 40 years.

This charming northern NSW town is also a creative hotspot – there are buskers everywhere and The Back Alley Gallery, which runs behind the CBD, is filled with street art by local and internationally known talents.

Outside of Lismore, there’s incredible scenery to discover. Whian Whian Falls, a 25-minute drive north, has crystal-clear swimming holes amid old-growth rainforest.

Head 30 minutes east of town and you’re in Ballina, watching the whales from the breakwater. 

While the photo used to sell our city to tens of thousands of tourists, both national and international, can be questioned, any publicity is good publicity.

Now we wait for the tourists to roll into town in 2024.