Lonely Planet writer Jessica Lockhart names New Caledonia a 2027 must-visit

Lonely Planet guidebook commissioner and writer Jessica Lockhart details the grueling 45-day research schedules behind travel publishing and singles out New Caledonia as a top winter destination for 2027.

Researching Guidebooks on a Five-Am Schedule

Guidebook writing involves working from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM for roughly 45 days straight, Lockhart writes. Lockhart commissions guidebooks for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific alongside a team of about 50 local travel experts, while personally handling updates for New Zealand Aotearoa. Days on the road begin at 5:00 AM with writing and administration before packing bags at 7:30 AM to visit every single hotel, restaurant, attraction, and tour featured in the publications every two years. Lockhart describes finishing hotel check-ins around 8:00 PM to handle social media, laundry, and calls home before sleeping at 9:00 PM.

New Caledonia Named as a 2027 Must-Visit Destination

Lockhart points to New Caledonia as an up-and-coming destination for Kiwi travelers in 2027, featuring the location in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 guide. Having visited twice in a 12-month span, Lockhart reports experiencing pristine beaches and lagoons completely alone, alongside French food and connections with Kanak communities. The destination offers a winter getaway less than a three-hour direct flight from Auckland.

Exploring Cultural and Artistic Travel Landmarks

Travelers heading to Seogwipo encounter sites such as Lee Jung-seob Street, commemorating the artist who lived there as a Korean War refugee, and the Waljong Art Museum designed by Lee Wal-jong. Additional regional cultural stops include the Arario Museum Tapdong Cinema, the Arte Museum, and the Bunker of Light.

Best in Travel 2027 is available now for $34.99 RRP at Whitcoulls and through the Lonely Planet website.