Should we hold out hope for our trip to Tasmania?

Simon Calder answers your questions on travel amid a wildfire crisis, visiting ex-Soviet states and the worsening service to Cairo

The state hasn’t been so badly affected by bushfires as Australia’s mainland (iStock)

Q We’re in our sixties and organise our own escape from UK fairly cheaply each February. We were thinking of exploring Tasmania in 2020 as our only experience of Australia has been a few days in Sydney.

We haven’t booked anything yet and are wondering whether it’s wise in the light of the bushfire situation?

We had hoped to do some walking along the coast, and in national parks etc. It appears from the maps that only the southeast of Tasmania is affected, but the rest of the southeast of the country seems pretty terrible. Any advice appreciated.