Queenslanders fly in for cool change

A BRISBANE family is among the mainlanders who wasted little time coming to Tasmania when borders reopened.

John Manly and Megan Preece have been in Tasmania enjoying their first holiday in more than 12 months.

Ms Preece booked flights for herself, Mr Manly and their ten- month- old son Idris after seeing Premier Peter Gutwein’s announcement earlier this month that borders would open on October 26.

“We were initially thinking we’d go somewhere else in Queensland, but when I heard the [ Tassie] borders were opening I booked flights straight away,” she said.

“It’s the only state I haven’t been to as an adult, and it seemed the furthest place from Brisbane.”

The family initially planned to travel to Japan and South Korea but were stopped by COVID- 19 restrictions on international travel.

On day one of their 12- day Tassie vacation, the family drove far south to Cockle Creek before returning to Hobart to have dinner at Urban Greek restaurant.

On Wednesday, the family intends on heading to Bruny Island, with trips to visit friends in Launceston and to see the historic site Port Arthur also on the cards this week.

“We’re hoping to do a ghost tour if our baby behaves himself and stays asleep the whole time,” Ms Preece said.

Meanwhile, Qantas has launched a new route between Sydney and Launceston for summer.

Starting on December 4, the airline will operate three return services a week, lifting to four services the following week until February 1.

This marks the first time Qantas has flown Launceston to Sydney since 2004.

Qantas will also restart flights between Hobart to Sydney, with 11 return services per week starting November 6.