Tasmania’s Bay of Fires has been named the ‘hottest” travel destination for 2009 by the well-known international guide book publisher Lonely Planet. This remote destination off the southern coast of Australia leads the publisher’s annual Blue List. Other top destinations include the Basque Country in France and Spain; Chiloe in Chile; Ko Tao in Thailand; Languedoc in France; Nam Ha in Laos; The Big Island of Hawaii; San Andres and Providencia in Colombia; Svalbard in Norway; and Yunnan in China.
Located on Tasmania’s northeast coast, the Bay of Fires is a small, narrow bay that ends in the old whaling town of St. Helens. On the southern side of the bay is a 29 kilometer long strip of land that is spectacular. According to Lonely Planet, the Bay has “White beaches of hourglass-fine sand, Bombay Sapphire sea, an azure sky – and nobody.”
“This is the secret edge of Tasmania, laid out like a pirate’s treasure map of perfect beach after sheltered cove, all fringed with forest.”
“It’s not long since the Bay of Fires came to international attention, and the crowds are bound to flock. Now is the time to visit.”
The easiest way to get to Tasmania is to fly into Hobart, the capital city, through any number of connecting cities. You can also take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne across the Bass Straight. The ferry runs overnight and takes about 10 hours, landing in Devonport on the north coast.
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