When we think of tourist destinations, we often conjure images of excitement, adventure, and awe-inspiring experiences. However, a recent analysis of Google reviews has shed light on a less glamorous side of tourism – the world’s most boring attractions. Surprisingly, seven Australian locations have found their way onto this list of monotony, including Perth’s Bell Tower and Luna Park in Melbourne.
The rankings, meticulously curated by Solitaired, delved into over 66.7 million Google reviews of more than 3,000 tourist attractions across 71 countries. The methodology focused on identifying keywords indicating tedium, lifelessness, and boredom, painting a rather drab picture of some of the world’s supposedly captivating sites.
Australia, unfortunately, clinched the third spot for the most boring tourist attractions, lagging behind the United States and Canada. The US dominated the list, claiming the top seven positions and a staggering 62 out of the 100 featured spots.
Sitting at the pinnacle of ennui with a perfect “boredom score” of 5 out of 5 was the Branson Scenic Railway in Branson, Missouri. Notably, Legoland Discovery Centres garnered a significant share of disdain, with four different centers making the list, including one in Melbourne, all ranking within the top 25.
Perth, known for its laid-back charm, contributed two attractions to the list. The WA Museum Boola Bardip claimed the 16th spot, while the city’s iconic Bell Tower also made an appearance. Joining the Legoland Centre, Melbourne added two more attractions to the catalog of boredom – the original Luna Park in St Kilda and the Immigration Museum.
Further down the list, the Museum of Sydney and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart, Tasmania, made their mark as Australian locations to be mentioned. Surprisingly, museums emerged as common contenders for boredom, although all Australian spots featured in the top 100 boasted predominantly positive reviews from visitors.
Take, for instance, the WA Museum Boola Bardip, praised for its diverse range of exhibits, family-friendly atmosphere, and interactive displays, with an impressive average rating of 4.5 stars from over 3,500 Google reviews. Luna Park, steeped in over a century of history, maintains a respectable average rating of 4.1 stars from more than 8,000 reviews.
Hobart’s MONA, renowned for its provocative and avant-garde collections, has garnered widespread acclaim across 11,000 reviews, boasting an average rating of 4.4 stars. Similarly, the Immigration Museum (4.4 stars), the Bell Tower (4.2 stars), the Museum of Sydney (4.1 stars), and LEGOLAND (4 stars) all received predominantly positive feedback from visitors.
While these rankings may raise eyebrows, they serve as a reminder that perceptions of boredom are subjective. What one traveler finds dull, another may find captivating. Perhaps, in the eye of the beholder, lies the true essence of travel – to discover the extraordinary in the seemingly mundane.
