As we approach the new year, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has updated its Smartraveller service to include “do not travel” advisories for 23 nations.

Unsurprisingly, the list features countries embroiled in conflict, such as Ukraine, Palestine, and Yemen, as well as Myanmar under its military regime, and North Korea’s authoritarian state. Parts of Africa, where terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime are prevalent, also make the list.

Additionally, Australia warns against travel to Russia, along with its allies Iran and Belarus, where Westerners face threats of arbitrary detention and the enforcement of strict laws.

DFAT notes, “Russian authorities view Australia as an ‘unfriendly’ nation and respond accordingly,” highlighting concerns regarding the world’s largest country.

The advisory strongly recommends Australians in Russia to “leave immediately using commercial options.”

The starkest warning, though, is saved for Afghanistan.

After re-seizing power in the country in 2021 following the disastrous US exit, the Taliban has promoted itself as a tourism destination in an attempt to bolster its fragile, war-ravaged and aid-dependent economy.

“Tourism brings many benefits to a country.

“We have considered those benefits and aim for our nation to take full advantage of them.”

“Nowhere in Afghanistan is safe… understand that you could die and make a will before you go,” it states.

While the “do not travel” countries are unsurprising, travellers may be a little shocked to see the advice for some of the safer nations on Smartraveller’s list.

France and the United Kingdom are the only Western European countries to be marked as “exercise a high degree of caution” – the second level of advice.

Thailand, another popular destination for Australians, also has the same warning, while travellers to Rwanda and Zambia, which both have Mpox outbreaks and border “do not travel” areas, are told to “exercise normal safety precautions” – the first and lowest tier of Smartraveller advice – although specific parts of those nations have higher advisories.

The advice for each country is based on a range of factors, including intelligence from ASIO and Australia’s allies, and objectively reflect the risks travellers would face there, according to DFAT.

“We frequently review our travel advisories. However, we don’t change them for all issues and incidents,” Smartraveller states.

“We update travel advisories if there are new or increased risks to Australians.”