Speak to another Tasmanian about how much they love the state and they will tell you how much they love it. 

It is Australia’s most underrated state, and Tasmanians know it. 

But, that’s the way we like it. We don’t want the secret getting out. 

While watching the Hurricanes get a terrific win in the Big Bash League last week it dawned on me just how much Tasmanians love Tasmania. 

The friend I was watching with – an absolute hater of anything sport – actually got into it. 

When I said ‘I can’t believe you’re enjoying this’, she looked at me like I was stupid. “Of course I’m loving it, they’re Tasmanian,” she said. 

While Tasmanians don’t want the secret getting out, they will be the first people to defend the state’s honour. 

“Tasmania? Why would anyone want to go there?” Mainlanders say. “Well. Have you actually ever been?”. “Nah.”

And deep down, Tasmanians know they’ve won the internal fight at that stage and the secret will stay safe. 

There is nothing more rewarding than saying “I told you so” to mainlanders when they realise Tasmania’s beauty. 

But, the secret about just how great Tassie is is starting to get out. 

More tourists are coming, they’re staying longer, spending more money and are travelling further. 

More than 307,000 international visitors came to the state in the last financial year.

That figure is up 21 per cent.

The world stage is Tasmania’s oyster. 

Tourists aren’t the only ones that are coming and staying. Mainlanders are coming, and they’re not leaving. 

The seachange phenomenon is normally linked to retirees.

But now, three of the largest age groups that are choosing lifestyle advantages associated with regional and coastal locations are under 35. 

Mainlanders are leaving due to housing affordability, traffic and other things affecting lifestyle. 

But I guess the better question is why wouldn’t you want to come here? 

Despite our sometimes long winters, summers are great, autumn is stunning and spring leads us into a ripper time of year. 

The reason young people move away, but always come back is because it’s true – you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.