What’s new in Tasmania

Steeped in history and blessed with a landscape of timeless beauty, Tasmania also has plenty of fresh accommodation, tours, experiences, restaurants and bars to keep you coming back. Check out these newcomers from the past year or so, and start planning your getaway.

Take bathing to the next Nordic level at The Floating Sauna, sweating in dry and steamy saunas then plunging into chilly Lake Derby. Or get wet with a helmet on – Cradle Mountain Canyons’ new Phoenix Gorge adventure includes abseiling, zip lining and solo slides down waterfalls. For kid-friendly fun, meet everything from pigs to peacocks at Wacky’s Animal Farm.

Choose your own adventure on three new self-drive, signposted Tasmanian Drive Journeys. Southern Edge, Northern Forage and Heartlands join the existing Great Eastern Drive and Western Wilds routes. Or try the GuideGuys app’s curated itineraries, complete with GPS directions and audio commentary.

Did you know Tahune Adventures, including their epic treetop AirWalk, is back better than ever after 2019’s bushfires? Or that Mona has many new works on show since re-opening late 2020?

Let a local take the lead for a few hours or a day – perhaps even taking to the sky in a Tasmanian Air Tours helicopter. From a short scenic flight to private beach picnic, treat yourself to affordable luxury. Or really indulge with Clover Hill winery’s new helicopter experiences, such as vineyard hopping or private oyster-farm tastings. It’s hedonism that always includes superb sparkling wine.

Other tasty new tours include Premier Travel Tasmania’s private Taste of Hobart walking tour and Tamar Valley winery day tour. Designated driver dilemma sorted! Or meet growers and producers who only open their doors for Unearthed Tours, which showcase outstanding food, wine and natural landscapes.

On Experiential Tasmania’s small-group Freycinet Walking Tour, put your best foot forward around Wineglass Bay, enjoy a secluded beach picnic, then cruise back to the starting point by boat. There’s more boots-plus-boat wilderness adventure with Gordon River Cruise’s small-group Pillinger Explorer tour, which includes a west-coast ghost town ramble.

The capital’s hotel scene is hotting up! Among the recent openings is Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, the first Australian property for the swish Swiss brand. It includes Italian restaurant Tesoro and also offers a daily ‘chocolate hour’. Nearby, Crowne Plaza Hobart marks another first with Tasmania’s only rooftop bar. Enjoy alfresco views of harbour and mountain, or step inside to the restaurant-bar.

Other capital newcomers include classy contemporary Vibe Hotel Hobart and home-away-from-home Hobart City Apartments, while The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, opens its doors soon. A mix of old and new, it will include a restaurant led by top Tassie chef Massimo Mele. Meanwhile, in Launceston, ‘industrial luxe’ Hotel Verge was recently unveiled.

In addition to Cradle Mountain Lodge’s big renovation, and newly opened spaces in Stanley’s charming old Ship Inn, regional Tasmania’s new accommodation includes The Keep. Perched on a rocky north-eastern peak, this luxurious, modern take on Scottish fortresses is a secluded escape for two. Nearby, beside some of the world’s best mountain-biking trails, River Cabins Derby deliver stylish post-adventure comforts.

Minutes from Devonport but a world away, The Cove’s new seaside cabins, chalets and villa will soon be joined by glamping tents too. Prefer mountain views? Get an eyeful of the Great Western Tiers from Cedar Cottage’s outdoor hot tub. There’s a grand view of the Huon River from elegant, self-contained Villa Talia’s alfresco bath, hand-carved from volcanic rock. Other Huon Valley newcomers include Abbey on Main, an 1858 church transformed into a gorgeous holiday home, and vintage-inspired Huon Valley Glamping.

Tamar Valley winery Stoney Rise has opened a new kind of cellar door: it’s a tasting room, bar and bottle shop in one, offering wines not just from their vineyard but around the world too. Nearby in Launceston, minimalist-meets-cosy Havilah wine bar enhances the city’s delicious reputation.

Forty Spotted distillery has opened Gin(bar) in Hobart, where you can taste their range, plus gins from near and far. Relax over cocktails, or get serious with a masterclass. Up the road, Dunalley Bay Distillery’s beach house-inspired tasting room showcases their gins – including a blue one that turns pink with tonic water.

Tasmania has another regional destination fine diner: Van Bone. With sweeping east coast views, design that favours local artisans and materials, and produce from their own garden and orchard, it’s an instant classic.

For casual bites (and original artworks too), pop into the old bank that’s now Tellers Swansea. Or Port Cygnet Cannery, a former Huon Valley apple-canning factory now serving good food for good times, like wood-fired pizzas and four-course Sunday lunches made with produce from their farm. Richmond’s charming Wattlebanks cafe now has a sister venue, Wattlebanks Coastal Cafe & Providore, where the sea air might inspire you to find Tasmania’s best fishy business with the new Seafood Trails app.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.