Hobart, reminding us elitist/insufferable mainland-dwellers that the Oz tourism industry extends farther than the 500km radius surrounding Canberra, has been named as one of the top ten travel destinations in the world by Lonely Planet. The Tasmanian capital was the only Australian city on the list taken from the Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2013 guidebook, coming in at seventh.
Much of that buzz has been attributed to the opening of millionaire art collector David Walsh’s Museum of New and Old Art (MONA), as well as its surrounding natural beauty and growing reputation for world class food and produce.
“Hobart’s allure has always been its natural beauty,” the book explains. “But the recent arrival of the world-class MONA museum has the waters rippling, hip tourists flocking and Hobart rousing from its slumber.”
Tourism Tasmania chief executive Tony Mayell agreed, saying that recognition for the city was overdue.
“Being named as one of the world’s top 10 cities to visit by such an internationally respected travel publication is a great accolade for Hobart,” he said.
“Hobart has flown under the radar for a while, so it’s pleasing to see the city finally getting the recognition it deserves. This announcement provides another good reason for Australian and international visitors to come and experience the state now instead of putting it off until later.”
All we need now is a popular fantasy fiction trilogy to start filming in Launceston.
Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
