10 Southern Hemisphere Countries You Need To Visit Before You Die

Each of the world’s hemispheres has countries you need to visit before you die. The Northern Hemisphere is famous for its vacation destinations, historical landmarks, and world wonders. You can experience everything from backpacking through Europe and the United Kingdom to partying all night in the United States in cities like Las Vegas and New York City.

Then you have both the Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere which offer some great locations that often overlap with the other hemispheres, such as Japan, Costa Rica, and Belgium. On the other side of the world is the Southern Hemisphere, an area full of breathtaking locations, historical sites, and tourist hot spots that’ll blow your mind. You truly haven’t traveled until you venture south and visit the Southern Hemisphere countries that make up this list.

Everything south of the Equator is part of the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia, Antarctica, and most of South America. You can also visit countries from Africa and Asia that fall into the Southern Hemisphere. At the center is the South Pole. These unique countries have everything a tourist needs for a perfect vacation.

Many Southern Hemisphere countries have phenomenal beaches for relaxing or sightseeing and iconic locations that showcase natural beauty. These countries are no slouches when it comes to fine wine and partying all night either, offering up some of the best cities to enjoy the finer things in life. So if you’re thinking about a trip south of the Equator, here are ten countries that should make your list. 

10 Southern Hemisphere Countries You Need To Visit Before You Die

1. Australia 

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A trip to the Southern Hemisphere would be incomplete without visiting the continent of Australia. As one of the most developed countries in the Southern Hemisphere and surrounded by the Indian Ocean on one side and the South Pacific Ocean on the other, Australia is essential for world travelers, be it solo adventures or family vacations. The country is famous for its deserts, tropical rainforests, and stunning mountain ranges. Although Canberra is the capital, it’s the city of Sydney in New South Wales that often attracts visitors. 

It’s a hot spot for tourists with its rich and fascinating history as a former British penal colony. Sydney is famous for its iconic Sydney Opera House, Syndey Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, Botanical Gardens, and relaxing beaches. Australia is also renowned for the legendary Australian outback and the Great Barrier Reef. These two locations alone are enough to travel to Australia for an unforgettable trip. 

2. Brazil 

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Brazil is undoubtedly one of those countries on everyone’s bucket list. It has everything a tourist is looking for in the ideal vacation. Spend the day on the beach, check out historical sites, and enjoy the abundance of biodiversity. Brazil also has wild nightlife, making it a true tourist hot spot.

Rio de Janeiro offers the hottest and most exotic beaches in the Southern Hemisphere. Cities like São Paulo and Minas Gerais offer a look at Brazil’s rich history and monuments, while the spectacular Iguazu Falls will leave you breathless. Brazil has the perfect blend of sightseeing, relaxation, and partying. 

3. New Zealand

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New Zealand is one of the most developed nations in the Southern Hemisphere and the closest to the Southern Ocean. It should also be on the top of every bucket list and vacation destination. Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, New Zealand consists of two main islands, North and South, and 700 smaller islands. The stunning country is famous for its breathtaking tourist attractions and biodiversity.

On the South Island sits the famous Aoraki Mount, part of the Southern Alps mountain range. Also known as Mount Cook, it’s a popular destination for tourists and climbers. New Zealand is also well known for its national parks, notably Fiordland National Park. Located on the South Island, the unforgettable Fiordland National Park is worth the trip to New Zealand. If you’re a fan of extreme sports, New Zealand has everything from bungee jumping to parasailing. 

4. Cook Islands

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The Cook Islands is the type of place that tourists never want to leave. Consisting of 15 islands, each offers something different for tourists, such as the Aitutaki Lagoon, the Tapuaetai (One Foot Island) Tour, and the town of Avarua, Rarotonga.

It’s the ideal vacation getaway with picturesque beaches overlooking the South Pacific Ocean, making it perfect for relaxing. The Cook Islands also has a free association with nearby New Zealand, meaning many Cook Islanders are also New Zealand or Australian citizens. With a small population, the Cook Islands is the best vacation spot to escape it all. 

5. South Africa

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In the southernmost part of Africa sits the nation of South Africa. With a population of 60 million, South Africa’s a diverse nation with a wide range of cultures. It’s located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere and is a vacation hotspot. While it’s still a developing nation, South Africa has scenic landscapes, historical landmarks, and famous parks. It’s best known for its national parks and having three capital cities; Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town.

The Kruger National Park is one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. It has an abundance of biodiversity and wildlife, including black rhinoceros, African bush elephants, giraffes, white rhinoceros, cheetahs, leopards, and lions. Furthermore, South Africa has a rich but troubled history spanning several centuries. It even has the most UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

6. Argentina 

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Argentina is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. In fact, the capital city of Buenos Aires is going through a significant tourist boom. The city has architectural marvels, historical landmarks, and a variety of wildlife and plant life you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

The country has many stunning national parks and awe-inspiring landmarks, notably the Aconcagua mountain. Famous landmarks in the town include Catedral Metropolitana, Plaza de Mayo, and the National Historical Museum. Known as the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires also has a legendary nightlife that puts other cities to shame. 

7. Tahiti 

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There are times when life is too much to handle. We all wish we could run away to Tahiti and never return to real life. There’s no better place to sit back and forget about all the stress of regular life than this island paradise. The French Polynesian island in the Pacific Ocean provides stunning views and landscapes, with plenty of activities and places to visit.

The gorgeous La Plage de Maui is the perfect tourist neighborhood with a beach so stunning you’ll want to move there permanently. It’s one of the first places tourists visit while traveling to Tahiti. Other notable places to visit include Fautaua Waterfall, Papenoo Beach, Faarumai Falls, and the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands. Without a doubt, Tahiti is one place everyone needs to visit before they die. 

8. São Tomé

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Founded in 1493, São Tomé sits on the Equator, dividing the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. It sits in Ana Chaves Bay with a long list of extraordinary places to visit.

Some of the famous locations include a cathedral, bustling markets, and the Presidential Palace. With a rich history and scenic landscapes, São Tomé is near the top of most bucket lists. It’s one of those places that everyone needs to check out once before they die. 

9. Solomon Islands

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As one of the least visited countries in the Southern Hemisphere, the renowned Solomon Islands hopes to increase tourism by 2025. The country has panoramic landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity, with the country’s rainforests made up of rare orchids, tropical flowers, birds, reptiles, and volcanoes. Furthermore, the Solomon Islands’ first settlers arrived around 30,000 BCE, meaning the country has a fascinating and deep history ready to be discovered by visitors. 

10. New Caledonia 

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New Caledonia is the perfect vacation destination. The French overseas territory of New Caledonia sits in the Pacific Ocean. It’s such a memorable sight that every person should visit once before they die.

With tropical weather, New Caledonia boasts some of the world’s most unique flora and fauna. The spectacular rivers and lagoons surrounded tourists at every corner, while the New Caledonian barrier reef is the third largest reef in the world. The UNESCO World Heritage site is just a tiny part of the beauty surrounding New Caledonia.