Locked-out Queenslanders lay on the snark over Tasmania’s beaches

Most Tasmanians know Queensland as the blisteringly hot home of coal mines, cane toads, crocodiles and Clive Palmer. Now they’re fighting back over an MP’s claim no one want to come here.

Tasmania’s beaches. Aren’t they just awful? Photo: Deni Cupit Photography

IT was the comment that made an entire state laugh: Queensland MP Steven Miles’s snarky parochial backhander about our scenic island has sparked a robust online defence from incredulous Tasmanians.

After Premier Peter Gutwein left Queensland out of Tasmania’s travel bubble, Mr Miles threw his toys out of the pram: “We don’t need any kind of travel bubble with Tasmania,” he told journalists in Brisbane.

“I don’t see any reason why anyone would want to go to Tassie,” he said.

“We’ve got lots of fantastic parts of Queensland to visit and I know that lots of Queenslanders are doing that right now.

“I’m sure Tassie’s a pretty place, but it’s no Queensland.”

Christopher Downes cartoon showing Premier Peter Gutwein responding to jibes from Queensland deputy premier Steven Miles over the border lockout.

Most Tasmanians know Queensland as the blisteringly hot home of coal mines, cane toads, crocodiles and Clive Palmer; a place that rejoices in the nation’s worst beer, most deadly jellyfish and a populace which considers daylight savings an elaborate plot by southern intellectuals to fade their curtains.

Mercury readers responded to Mr Miles’s jab with gusto, posting photographs of the state’s magnificent scenery and giving him a few tips on the top spots.

The Mercury received more than 400 photo submissions from beach-going Tasmanians.

Glaring omissions from the photos included gaudy high rise apartment towers, crowds, schoolies, toolies, quarantine dodgers, legions of leathery retirees who have baked for too long in the sun.

So here’s a special showcase of our readers’ photos to show Queenslanders what they’re missing.

50 of the best photos of Tasmania’s beaches

VIEW GALLERY

As local Labor MP David O’Byrne pointed out, there may come a time when Queenslanders are welcome again.

“How about you walk past the high-rise concrete jungle and when you can, come down for some air,” he posted on Twitter.

Tasmania, do not come here. Winter is horrible. pic.twitter.com/t00w6x53wf

— Surly Dave (@SurlyDave) July 25, 2020

Clifton Beach resident Bec Hill scoffed at the comments made by the Queensland Deputy Prime Minister Steven Miles.

“I’ve grown up and lived by the beach my whole life,” she said.

Cremorne resident Bec Hill with son Ziggy Polanowski and daughter Ivy Polanowski on the balcony of their home overlooking the beach. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“It wasn’t until we went on a holiday to Europe when we thought ‘yeah, we really do have some of the nicest beaches in the world’.”

Queensland resident Jenny Spencer is a surprising supporter of the Tassie vs Queensland beaches debate, and says Tasmania’s Southport definitely beats the Gold Coast’s beach of the same name.

“I’m a Queenslander who would much prefer to holiday in Tasmania and have been doing so for the last 20 years,” Ms Spencer said.