I have a secret to tell you...
I really do love Tasmania.
It's one of the most beautiful places on earth, where secluded beaches roll into swathes of luscious green country side, with dirt so rich you could eat it. There are spectacular rugged mountains, canyons, waterfalls, and postcard worthy landscapes everywhere you look.
It takes five minutes to get anywhere (okay, slight exaggeration) and when you arrive there's usually a vacant car park out the front. Shop owners greet you by name and you're guaranteed to run into someone you know every time you leave the house.
There are hidden gems in every town, quirky shops, homey cafes and restaurants using delicious local produce.
For those who are lucky enough to have friends and family nearby, plus a good job, it is perfection.
It's horrible I felt the need to keep this secret in the past for fear of being shot down by my peers.
The truth is, you don’t hear many young people pronounce their love for Tasmania. Instead it’s often looked down upon as the mainland's ugly, stunted sibling (think Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones).
It's "expected" that anyone with enough talent will book a one-way trip on the Spirit of Tasmania and sail away to better opportunities.
After I graduated Uni people seemed to leave the state in droves. The thought crossed my mind but I had good job opportunities here and loved the lifestyle too much to leave.
There was a time I thought I'd failed for not moving to a big city somewhere, but now I realise it's the best decision I have made and it’s time to own that choice.
There are the haters to contend with though..
A few years ago the Lonely Planet gave my home town Devonport a really bad wrap. It said this:
"Locals line the riverbanks to watch [the Spirit of Tasmania], wave and hope that something bright, special and glamorous from the Australian mainland might stay here to cultivate and grow... they only ever come to leave again to other more interesting places."
The review went on to say this:
"Devonport remains a sedentary, mildly menacing place: speeding rednecks in muscle cars hurl abuse at unsuspecting pedestrians before lining up at the McDonald’s drive-thru."
It still makes me mad to read this.
I'd love to give this travel writer a guided tour and show him/her everything I see when I look around this patch of paradise. To show them all the "hidden" treasures that make this place so amazing.
Unfortunately, we're our own worst enemies when it comes to promoting Tasmania. We simply don't do it enough and prefer to keep it the “best kept secret” that only the locals know about.
We need to start being advocates for Tasmania and being proud to be here – then hopefully we can shake the ‘three headed bogan’ stereotype.
While visiting my sister in Queensland recently I happily told people I am from Tassie - shop keepers, randoms at pubs, people in the street - everyone!
It was a bit of an experiment after some rude reactions I received a few years ago, leading to my sister to tell me “whatever you do don’t tell anyone you’re from Tasmania.”
But this time I discovered perceptions are changing.
"Oh you're from Tasmania, cool. I've heard it's really beautiful."
"I've always wanted to go to Tasmania, it sounds amazing!"
I liked hearing those comments and felt proud that people recognise the good aspects of my home.
Tasmania is the place to be – and I’m glad to be here!
Even BuzzFeed agrees - check out 26 Reasons You Wish You Were In Tasmania Right Now!
