UPDATE: Thursday, March 28 at 12:45 p.m. ET
Welcome to TravelPulse's inaugural March Travel Madness Bracket: The Ultimate Journey Tourney. Pick your winners in the Asia, Australia, Antarctica and Oceania region now through March 31 to see which destinations advance to the Elite Eight!
There isn't a Cinderella to be found in the loaded Asia, Australia, Antarctica and Oceania region as each of the top four seeds advanced to the Sweet 16.
Top-seeded Australia cruised past Fiji in round two while number four Thailand was an overwhelming winner against Hong Kong. The two will meet next to see which will advance to take on the winner of number two New Zealand and third-seeded Japan.
Don't forget to vote on the other regions of The Ultimate Journey Tourney Bracket, including the Americas and Caribbean, Europe and Africa and the Middle East .
UPDATE: Monday, March 25 at 1:55 p.m. ET
Welcome to TravelPulse's inaugural March Travel Madness Bracket: The Ultimate Journey Tourney. Pick your winners in the Asia, Australia, Antarctica and Oceania region now through March 27 to see which destinations advance to the Sweet 16!
A favorite to win it all this spring, Australia steamrolled in the opening round, earning nearly every vote against underdog Delhi, India. It'll take on number nine Fiji in the Round of 32.
Second-seeded New Zealand also cruised in round one and will face number seven French Polynesia next.
After disposing of an entire continent in Antarctica, 3rd-seeded Japan will battle Singapore in round two. The region's final matchup will pit 4th-seeded Thailand up against number five Hong Kong.
Don't forget to vote on the other regions of The Ultimate Journey Tourney Bracket, including the Americas and Caribbean, Europe and Africa and the Middle East.
What do you get when you combine Asia, Australia, Antarctica and Oceania? A whole bunch of once-in-a-lifetime vacation destinations.
Unfortunately, we had to narrow the list down to the region's best 16 and, when it's all said and done, only one can emerge as the region's best place to visit.
The good news is that travelers can let their voice be heard by voting on the region's top destinations in the inaugural March Travel Madness: The Ultimate Journey Tourney Bracket.
First-round voting ends on March 24. Don't forget to vote on the other regions of The Ultimate Journey Tourney Bracket, including the Americas and Caribbean, Europe and Africa and the Middle East.
Here's how the Asia, Australia, Antarctica and Oceania region lines up:
1) Australia vs. 16) Delhi, India
Australia barely edged out New Zealand in terms of first-place votes by our TravelPulse staff of writers and editors but that doesn't change the fact that it'll be a mighty favorite in the first round against Delhi, India.
2) New Zealand vs. 15) Siem Reap, Cambodia
New Zealand projects to be the biggest challenger to Australia in this region but marching on to the second round will be no easy task as it drew the Cambodian resort town of Siem Reap in round one.
3) Japan vs. 14) Antarctica
Japan is the top-seeded Asian representative. The reward? Opening up against an entire continent in Antarctica. Not many people can say that they've been to the latter but it's an underdog nonetheless.
4) Thailand vs. 13) Seoul, South Korea
Thailand's wide array of attractions and offerings give it an undeniable edge over Seoul. Still, the South Korean capital isn't lacking in exciting things to see and do, from the 14th-century Gyeongbokgung Palace to sprawling markets.
5) Hong Kong vs. 12) Beijing, China
Will Beijing's remarkable history and modern architecture be enough to top Hong Kong's hustle and bustle in the opening round? This one truly could go either way.
6) Bali, Indonesia vs. 11) Singapore
Where do Instagram users go when they want to show off? Bali, of course. The Indonesian island enters March as a 6 seed in this region and will square off with Singapore, a multicultural city-state offering visitors a whole lot in just under 280 square miles.
7) French Polynesia vs. 10) Maldives
Comprising more than 100 islands in the South Pacific, including Tahiti and Bora Bora, French Polynesia is a paradise unlike any other. And yet, it's likely to find itself in a dog fight with the 10th-seeded Maldives in round one.
8) Vietnam vs. 9) Fiji
TravelPulse founder Mark Murphy says now is the best time to visit Vietnam, the 8 seed in this region. However, the Southeast Asian hotspot will have to get past more than 300 islands to reach round two as Fiji is its first opponent.
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