What do you all think of Tasmania as a vacation destination? Has anyone ever been there?

The author who wrote this article: http://tinyurl.com/lte3d5 …called it an "eco-paradise" and seemed to really like it!

Please advise!

I'm not sure why this poster, brand new to the board, would post a two year old article, unless to advertise the travel agency sponsor or the blog itself. Assuming, 2Maggie, you are not a troll, put "tasmania' in the search box and read the several hundred posts about Tasmania as a destination. Once you've done some research on your own, return here with your questions.

"What do you all think of Tasmania as a vacation destination? Has anyone ever been there? "

Answering your questions in reverse order, 2Maggie ... quite a few, since the first Brits started arriving in 1803.
I doubt they'd have thought much of it at all, nor experienced it as a vacation destination. Prior to that, a number of folk saw it as a sailing/cruising destination and liked it so much they stayed, pretty much undisturbed until the arrival of the said Brits.

With a lessening of travel restrictions and greater choices in accommodation options in the intervening years, Tasmania's reputation as a holiday destination has improved somewhat.

In the 08/9 fiscal year, just over a million people (double the island state's population) visited Tasmania.

This link might be a little more current than yours http://www.discovertasmania.com/abou...ts_and_figures

For most people, it's an ideal holiday destination - small, diverse, accessible. Whether it's for you would depend on your interests.

2Maggie, are you sorry you asked??
I would rather assume your enquiry is genuine and possibly you just jumped onto this site and decided to ask a broad question on the spot. Many people read here and don't post, and many post a lot yet seem to not read....
Yes there has been much typed up about Tasmania on this website and I would urge you to read it while keeping an open mind. Many of the people who write things about the place make me wonder if they have ever actually been here, but if you can keep that at the back of your mind you'll do fine.
Tasmania is by no means an eco paradise, but it is a wonderful holiday destination full of diversity and for the most part, fantastic people. It is cold when compared to the majority of mainland Australia but mild by north American standards. It has a lot of charm and character and something for everyone I think.
If it turns out your enquiry wasn't genuine then we are none the worse for answering politely

2Maggie has spammed many travel sites with the same post.

She was basically asking the same question I was thinking. The website that Bokhara listed was useful. I purposefully avoided 2Maggie's site.

My wife and I have been considering pairing Tasmania with New Zealand for a holiday this December/January. I'm wondering if the two destinations are a bit too similar. I'm an animal nut, so I'm interested in seeing some of Tasmania's interesting animals (as well as the landscapes). I'm also into backpacking/trekking.

I would appreciate any insights. As you can tell, I need to do more research.

Hi Gritty -

I've been to NZ some nine times and twice to TAS. Before my first TAS trip, I'd been told it was similar to NZ, but I didn't find that to be the case at all. You'll find much more wildlife in TAS than in NZ, and the flora is entirely different. The only similarities I can think of is that they're both relatively small, they both have loads of tramping options and they both have very winding, squiggly roads!

I think the main similarities are in the roads & bushwalking/hiking/tramping opportunities as Melnq8 says, and also in the lush green of both places, relatively small scale of rural properties, the British/English influence in things like architecture,stone fencing etc.

New Zealand has a rich Maori culture and quite different landscape.

It could be a really good pairing as both would be a little cooler than the mainland/Australia in December & January.

Thank you, Melinq8 and Bokhara2 for your replies.

Bokhara, I was also thinking that much of mainland Australia might be a little warm for our liking for December/January. For example, I'm very interested in Kakadu, but I was guessing that it might be unpleasantly hot in December, as well as a bit too far out of our way (we're relatively certain we'll spend much of our time in NZ). We're still very early in the planning process, however.

Hi Gritty,

I completely agree with Mel and Bokhara - and if you're an "animal nut" as you mention, Tassie abounds with them and with New Zealand, as Bokhara said, you have the Maori influence, different flora & fauna. It's interesting that people were comparing Tasmania and NZ - I'd not heard that before; I've had clients who've told me that New Zealand reminds them of Northern California though!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie & Kiwi Specialist