Hello
Tassie On My Mind, December 2013
- love affair
Welcome to the December 2013 issue of Tassie On My Mind, a free monthly newsletter keeping you informed of the latest news on what makes Tasmania such an attractive travel destination.
While Lonely Planet continues the love affair with Tasmania, there is so much to get excited about as we head toward the end of the year and the beginning of a bright shiny new one.
Read on to see what I mean...
This issue:
- Love affair
- Tasmanian flavour
- Festival time
- Christmas ghosts
- Animal emblem
Plus... your chance to be a part of tasmania-attractions.com!
Love affair
That's how Lonely Planet spokesman Chris Zeiher describes the relationship with Tasmania.
Top Tasmanian destinations recently named by Lonely Planet include:
- Islington Hotel, Hobart's best boutique hotel
- Bruny Island
- Wineglass Bay
Zeiher himself described Tasmania as:
"brilliant, beautiful and totally accessible"
having
"...an abundance of...(Australia's)...best beaches, best islands and best luxury stays...
He pointed out that Tasmania had attractions the mainland did not.
Based on my own experiences of Bruny Island and Wineglass Bay as well as other beautiful Tasmania locations, I certainly agree!
Nice that Tasmania gets the recognition of Lonely Planet in their 35th anniversary edition.
Tasmanian flavour
And now for two very special Tasmanian flavoured presentations:
Simon's final sound
This is a performance featuring the comedic talent of four Tasmanian actors. Apparently it's about "people who try, fail, try again, and fail better". Oh well, it's only a "fail" if you see it that way right?
The four main characters embark on a South Seas adventure in search of... guess what?
Go see it for yourself to find out!
For more information, visit the Theatre Royal website.
The Call of Aurora
This is a chamber opera composed by Tasmanian, Joe Bugden.
It marks 100 years to the month since Douglas Mawson sailed on the Aurora, leaving Antarctica to return to Hobart. It tells how Mawson and some of his crew endure the Antarctic Winter, while wireless operator Sydney Jeffreys goes mad!
Interesting, I never knew about that... Although you can understand how that could happen under those conditions.
Learn more at the Call of Aurora website.
Festival time
This being the festive season, here are some exciting festivals coming up in Tasmania:
Taste of Tasmania
This festival not only celebrates Tasmanian food and produce, it also showcases Tasmanian arts, culture and sporting activities.
You will get to taste some of Tasmania's best food, wine, beer and beverages, plus learn about the journey from paddock to plate!
There will be opportunities for family fun including family outdoor board games, cooking classes for children, jumping castles, children's rides and
face painting.
To find out more, visit the Taste of Tasmania website.
Falls Music and Arts Festival
This is a major Australian music festival held annually - with the Tasmanian location being beautiful Marion Bay.
Imagine the Tasman Sea as your backdrop while you enjoy wonderful acts from a range of top bands, DJs and comedians.
Imagine camping on site for 3 days and nights, surrounded by native forest, with a short walk to the beach.
Sounds almost too good to miss...
For more information visit the Falls Festival website.
Christmas ghosts
Many of us are familiar with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet To Come from the well-known Charles Dickens novel, A Christmas Carol. Even as a child I have seen plays and movies based on the novel. Those ghosts are not too scary for kids.
Neither are the Family Friendly Ghost Tours being held at Port Arthur Historic Site.
These "PG-rated" tours have been designed with younger visitors in mind. Though these tours are lantern-lit they do take place before dark, and offer loads of fascinating history I'm sure.
The tours are running from 28 December - 26 January, starting at 7.30pm.
For more information, visit the Port Arthur Historic Site website.
Maybe watch A Christmas Carol with the family first, to get everyone in the mood!
Animal emblem
I was just reading about the push for Tasmania to declare an official animal emblem like how other states have formal recognition for their iconic animals.
So which Tasmanian native animal would be your pick? Suggestions I've heard so far are the eastern quoll, the bettong and of course, the Tasmanian devil.
I like what was said by a couple of people who believe it should be the devil.
Liberal Denison MP Matthew Groom, who ran the New York marathon in 2009 to raise money for the Tasmanian Devil Appeal:
"It might be small, but it is feisty and it is known to punch above it's weight".
Bonorong Wildlife Park owner Greg Irons:
"It is representative of so many animals that are struggling around the world".
I agree with Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin that the devil would be the obvious choice.
Yes - for me, the devil is definitely one of the top icons of Tasmania.
Well that's it for this issue.
Liberal Denison MP Matthew Groom also noted that:
"outside the Tasmanian tiger, it (Tasmanian Devil) has the strongest global recognition of any native animal of Tasmania.
Amazing how the Tasmanian tiger is still so well known even though it's been declared extinct...
Some still believe it's alive and kicking though...
See you in 2014!
To contact me, click here.
Here's your chance to be a part of
Tasmania-attractions.com!
One Day In Tasmania
What if you had just one day in Tasmania? Where would you go? What would you do?
Share your dream with us.
If selected, your dream will appear as a page at tasmania-attractions.com
It doesn't matter if you have never been to Tasmania. I would love to hear your thoughts too. It's easy to find out about Tasmania, at tasmania-attractions.com or elsewhere.
This is your chance. Join in the fun. Share your thoughts with us.
We all gain so much from each other's ideas.
Hit us with your best shot
Your best wildlife shot, that is...
Have you ever been in just the right place at just the right time and snagged a great wildlife photo?
Share that photo with us.
We would love to see it. Not only that, we would love to get your tips on how you got the photo.
How did you manage not to scare the animal away? What did you do to prepare for the shot?
If selected, your photo and story will appear as a page at tasmania-attractions.com
This is your opportunity to shine. Let's share our stories around.
