Tassie On My Mind, December 2009
- Lots to think about

Welcome to the December 2009 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.

The end of the year is a busy time for many of us. We are running around - attending social events, entertaining kids, preparing for festivities and of course shopping.

Not a lot of time for reflection.

So maybe you welcome the opportunity...

This issue:

  • One Day In Tasmania
  • Hit us with your best shot
  • East Antarctica losing ice too
  • Tasmania excels again
  • Flooding on Maria Island


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.


East Antarctic losing ice too

Scientists used to think that East Antarctica, comprising 75% of the continent, was safe from climate change.

It was recently discovered that this area has actually lost almost 60 billion tonnes of ice each year over the past 3 years.

That does not sound good.

It had been thought that ice here was forming at roughly the same rate as it was melting. So the net effect did not include loss of ice.

According to Nathan Bindoff, professor in physical oceanography at the Antarctic Climate Ecosystems Cooperative research centre in Hobart:

"our state of knowledge about Antarctica isn't as good as we would like and it's becoming clearer to us that there is a very significant risk of quite large sea level contributions into the future."

This is another reminder that we should work together to address climate change, for the sake of our future.

Did you know that you can visit Antarctica from Hobart? I would love to do that some day.


Tasmania excels again

According to a September 2009 Reader's Digest Australia article by Winsor Dobbin, Tasmania is well placed to be a wine growing region of choice in the future.

The climate of Tasmania was once considered as not conducive to the making of great wines.

At present however, almost all the major wine providers in Australia source their sparkling wine fruit from Tasmania.

At the Climate Change & Wine Congress in Barcelona, it was said that:

"narrow coastal regions where cool ocean breezes provide relief from rising temperatures, such as Tasmania, will be premier wine areas in the future."

So Tasmania excels yet again, this time as a wine-growing region.


Flooding on Maria Island

Maria Island National Park has been closed for a week due to safety concerns relating to flooding. Already there has been damage to roads, bridges and the water supply.

Heavy rain over the weekend lead to the flooding. Visitors had to be evacuated.

It is planned for facilities to be restored as soon as possible, in time for the busy summer period ahead.

I certainly found Maria Island to be a beautiful place. I hope the park is re-opened soon as planned, as I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on visiting the island.

Well that's it for this issue.

As the end of the year draws near, the Sydney to Hobart race comes to mind. I love watching the yachts line up, then see how they go over the next day.

Best wishes for safe travel to all participants.

Wouldn't it be great to be at Constitution Dock in Hobart watching the winners come in?

Hope you have a safe and happy festive season.

See you in 2010!



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