Andrew Nikolic (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to acknowledge the wisdom of that influential publication, Lonely Planet, which recently rated my home state of Tasmania as the fourth-most-desirable region in the world to visit in 2015. Not only were we rated fourth in the world, but Tasmania was the only destination in Australia or New Zealand to make the list. As we know in this House, the awards just keep coming for Tasmania, which has now gained three Lonely Planet rankings in the past five years and is variously described as 'fresh', 'hip', 'wild', 'dramatic', 'cultured' and 'quirky'. I would encourage those people yet to visit to Tasmania to book their holiday there. Check out and visit my home city of Launceston for Festivale, a gourmet's paradise, from 13 to 15 February 2015.

In close proximity to Launceston they can also visit the iconic Bridestowe Lavender Farm, or they can stop by the Janz, Pipers Brook, Clover Hill, Dalrymple, Delamere, Velo and Josef Chromy vineyards, just to name a few. Play a game of golf at Barnbougle Dunes, the 11th best golf course in the world. Join my bunch for road and mountain bike ride, including at the new Derby and Blue Tiers mountain bike trails, where the next two Australian championships will be held. I encourage those listening to make my home city of Launceston your entry point to Tasmania, a world-leading tourist destination.