Tasmania's a top state, mate, as Lonely Planet continues love affair with State

THE international travel bible Lonely Planet's latest Australian edition details Tasmania's charms chapter and verse.

Lonely Planet rating

THE international travel bible Lonely Planet's latest Australian edition details Tasmania's charms chapter and verse.

From Hobart's best boutique bolt-hole at the Islington Hotel, across to the magical coastline of Bruny Island and up to the "gorgeous goblet of Tasmanian sand" that is Wineglass Bay, the island state walks tall as a destination for domestic and international visitors alike.

"Lonely Planet's love affair with Tasmania continues, and our publication has long been an endorser of the state for Australian and overseas tourists," Lonely Planet spokesman Chris Zeiher said.

"In our 35th anniversary edition, we really want to highlight the best Australia has to offer, and that includes the best beaches, best islands and best luxury stays. Tasmania has an abundance of those things and is worthy of being highlighted on our must-do lists."

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Mr Zeiher said he was especially keen that international visitors not make the mistake of leaving Tasmania off their Australian itinerary, and hoped the latest edition would help convey the message that Tasmania was "brilliant, beautiful and totally accessible".

The key point from the 17 authors' independent recommendations, he said, was that Tasmania had attractions the mainland did not.

"Sometimes Lonely Planet does want to go with the iconic and really important for people making that one trip of a lifetime," Mr Zeiher said.

"But sometimes we also want to do the unexpected to get people thinking about some sparkling ideas when they are planning their trips."

The Islington Hotel

As well as Bruny Island, Wineglass Bay and the Islington, Lonely Planet highlights Hobart's Gourmania Food Tours, which, it says, allow visitors the chance to meet top artisan producers, restaurateurs and wine experts.

"You find these tours are starting to become a trend globally, because these experiences are so interesting for travellers and often are the reason for them deciding to extend their stay from a couple of days to a week in many cases," Mr Zeiher said.

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