World of the Bizarre

Chaos as AI sends tourists to attraction that doesn't actually exist

By T.K. Randall
February 7, 2026 ·  4 comments

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) According to reports, an Australian tourism firm found itself embroiled in controversy earlier this year when it put out an article about an idyllic destination known as the Weldborough Hot Springs.

Described as a "secluded forest retreat" with an "authentic connection to nature", the hot springs were depicted in an included photograph and even made it into the site's list of "7 Best Hot Springs Tasmania Experiences for 2026".

"Its reputation as a tranquil haven has made it a favourite among local hiking groups, wellness retreat organizers, and anyone wanting to experience one of the more untouched hot springs Tasmania has to offer," the description on the Tasmania Tours website stated.

Keen to visit the hot springs but with no idea how to actually get there, tourists headed to the general area and then asked local businesses for directions.The trouble was, the hot springs didn't actually exist.

It turned out that the company had been using an AI to write some of its articles and the system had 'hallucinated' the entire thing.

The firm's owner explained that they had turned to AI to help compete with larger companies by providing new articles on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, in this particular case, the decision seems to have backfired spectacularly.

Source: ABC.net.au | Comments (4)

Tags: Artificial Intelligence