Bora Bora, Fiji… Tasmania? How the Apple Isle rates against Pacific …
Updated
Photo:
The Bay of Fires at Larc Beach, Tasmania. (Nicolas Emmanuel-Emile/Flickr)
Tasmania has taken out honeymoon favourites, including Bora Bora and Fiji, to be named the best island destination in the Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific region.
International travel publication Travel and Leisure named the Australian state in its World’s Best Awards for 2015, compiled on its website and to be published in its August edition.
Tasmania placed fourth in the world overall (88.32), behind the Galápagos Islands (90.82), Bali (88.98) and Maldives (88.53).
It ranked number one for its region ahead of Moorea (87.9), Great Barrier Reef (87.31), Bora Bora (86.11) and Fiji (84.78).
Take a closer look at the islands honoured in the list:
Galápagos Islands
Photo:
The Blue-footed Booby found on the Galápagos Islands.
(Dave Govoni/Flickr)
The Galápagos Islands, a province of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, is considered one of the world’s best destinations for wildlife viewing.
Charles Darwin studied the islands’ endemic species, and his observations played a part in the inception of his Theory of Evolution.
Bali
Photo:
The Besakih temple in Karangesam on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali. (AFP)
The Indonesian island of Bali is a popular tourist destination with young Australians who flock to Kuta for the cheap experiences and the friendly people.
The island is also known for its forested volcanic mountains, beaches and meditation retreats.
Maldives
Photo:
Madlives, November 2014 (Prince Marsoon/Flickr)
The Maldives is known best for its beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs.
It is a hotspot for honeymooners seeking the ultimate relaxation experience, with over-water villas and an impressive underwater world.
Great Barrier Reef
Photo:
Aerial shots of skydivers over the Great Barrier Reef. (supplied)
The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland is the largest living object on Earth.
The eco-system, compiled of thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands, stretches over 2,000 kilometres and is visible from space.
Earlier this month the World Heritage Committee decided against declaring the Great Barrier Reef as “in danger”.
Bora Bora
Photo:
Bora Bora in 2013. (Joe Palm/Flickr)
Bora Bora is an island of Tahiti in French Polynesia, and like the Maldives, is famous for honeymooners and romantic getaways.
At the centre of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks.
Tasmania a repeat winner
It is the fifth time Tasmania has been named the best island for its region in the Travel and Leisure awards, having previously won in 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2009.
The magazine has a readership of almost 7 million people.
It compiles the awards using a questionnaire made available to its readers with rankings based on ratings across five characteristics.
Island characteristics included natural attractions/beaches, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people/friendliness, value and optional: for romance.
Social media reaction has been overwhelmingly positive to Tasmania’s achievement.
Topics:
travel-and-tourism,
lifestyle-and-leisure,
tas,
qld,
fiji
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