US magazine’s embarrassing gaffe about Bindi Irwin’s visit to Tasmania

The Irwins recently headed off to Tasmania for a family holiday. 

But one American magazine mistook the Australian island state for a country in Africa, leading to an embarassing gaffe. 

Robert, mum Terri, sister Bindi and her husband Chandler Powell all went to Tassie with Bindi’s little girl, Grace. 

The family shared a series of photos to Instagram taken at Cradle Mountain, an iconic landmark in the state. 

US Magazine mistook Tasmania for Tanzania, in Africa, writing about the  ‘family vacation in the East African country’ and said the group tagged ‘the resort where they stayed, Cradle Mountain Lodge’. 

Some Aussies were amused by the error, not least of all the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania. 

Amy Hills, from the council, told the ABC in a statement that Tasmania was happy to accept the promotion, even if it came at the expense of an error. 

‘While it appears this an unfortunate mistake, as clearly Tasmania is a long way from Tanzania, in an odd way it gives us an ability to create even more buzz about our iconic Cradle Mountain,’ Hills said.

‘When influencers like Bindi Irwin share snapshots of our island, especially while enjoying it with friends and family, it has great reach and potential impact.

‘Hopefully those reading the article will visit Bindi’s actual post and see those snow-capped mountains and the iconic cradle landscape, sparking them to investigate their own trip to Tassie, during the winter months.’ 

Many commenters on Facebook found it funny too, with one writing: ‘In the ’80s a tourists mistakenly flew to Tasmania instead of Tanzania. I remember reading it in The Mercury at the time.’ 

‘When I was studying in the US, almost everyone I met thought Tasmania was Tanzania. They also thought of our NZ classmate as Australian,’ another said. 

‘Takes me back to the time when I told the in-laws we were moving to Tasmania, Mother-in-law nearly passed out thinking we were moving to darkest Africa,’ one more wrote. 

Yet another said: ‘It still amazes me that Austria has a “I meant to fly to Australia” service desk. It could always be worse’. 

Someone else commented: ‘People often come into my shop in Burnie asking where they can get Tanzania souvenirs’. 

‘I remember being in USA 30 years ago, constantly had to explain “TASMANIA” and that a “Tasmanian Devil” wasn’t a Disney cartoon character!! Seems nothing has changed!’ one more added. 

It comes after Robert revealed his two favourite places to holiday around his home country of Australia.

The 20-year-old conservationist said that he likes to head to either Far North Queensland or Tasmania to relax. 

‘I know what you’re thinking – two of the most polar opposite places, but they both have such rugged and raw natural beauty,’ he told news.com.au this week. 

When in Tasmania, he loves to visit Cradle Mountain, an iconic site rife with natural beauty. 

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‘There are so many stunning hikes and incredibly friendly wildlife,’ Robert explained.

‘I also enjoy the Tasman Peninsula, Launceston, Swansea and the stunning Tarkine Wilderness just to name a few spots.’

In the Far North Queensland he likes to visit the mangroves and estuaries, as well as taking various mountain biking trails. 

‘At a good distance away from the water’s edge of course,’ he joked, referring to the many crocodiles in the area.