What’s new in Tassie

Take off with Tasmanian Air Tours, whose Delicious Tasting Flight sees you zipping from distillery to wineries in a helicopter enjoying breathtaking birds-eye views along the way. Reach for the stars with Walk on kunanyi, whose latest Mount Wellington experience is a 90-minute stargazing session with Aboriginal or Astronomical Society of Tasmania guides.

After an extensive redevelopment, Hobart’s Cascades Female Factory has re-opened with a new visitor centre and experiences that reveal its dark convict past. Up the road in New Norfolk, discover a rotating line-up of local, national and international artists at experimental gallery space Haus of Vovo.

Want to explore Tasmania’s wilderness in comfort while taking a few days break from driving? Consider guided small-group experiences like Walk Into Luxury’s hiking adventure based at Lake St Clair’s Pumphouse Point, and Southern Sea Ventures’ Tasman Peninsula sea-kayak and whale-watch escape. Heal in nature with everything from cold-water immersion to fireside journaling on Wild Wellness Method’s retreats – or just try their half-day Mount Wellington/kunanyi walk.

The Tasman is Australia’s first Luxury Collection hotel, joining an elite club of 110 unique properties operated by this international brand. Uniting three buildings from the 1840s, 1940s and today, the capital’s new design-forward hotel has it all including waterfront views.

Another old-meets-new accommodation to check out is The Rox, where you can choose apartment-style accommodation in the original 1880s building or sleek new wing – with room service from cool wine bar Sonny.

Out of town, creekside Kombi Kamp is a new take on glamping where you snuggle up in a 1975 Volkswagen Kombi van. Also in the Huon Valley, Villa Franklin is a spacious, contemporary holiday house made for luxury stays.

Another stunning architect-designed sanctuary on acres of private land, The Point has massive windows overlooking a quiet bay near Hobart. Also close but so far away from civilisation is Arc Pavilion south of Devonport. It’s a self-contained, off-grid ‘tiny house’ that’s big on art, design, comfort and views of farm and bushland.

On the east coast, experience zen-like bliss at SABI. Inspired by the Japanese aesthetic of ‘wabi-sabi’ which sees beauty in imperfection, this Bay of Fires cabin features reclaimed and handmade items, from an old wine barrel reinvented as an onsen-style bathtub to a ceremonial tea set.

Just up the coast, 1840s sandstone buildings for housing soldiers and horses have been transformed into a luxe escape for a lucky few. Triabunna Barracks has three big suites plus a common area with chef-standard kitchen.

Didn’t we say The Tasman had it all? That includes Peppina, one of Tassie’s best new restaurants, headed by the island’s own Massimo Mele. Nearby at art destination Mona, indulge in a very fancy high tea for two with Champagne, caviar and butlers.

Head out of Hobart with Eat the Wild, whose tour van is also a mobile kitchen and the guide is a chef too. Their small-group day tours offer an authentic taste of nearby wineries or Bruny Island. Go your own way to The Kentish, Oatlands’ 1832 pub that’s got a fresh look and locally focused menu, or the east coast’s Tasman Sea Salt. On the Salt Sommelier tour see their unique clean-energy harvesting process and taste the exceptional results paired with regional produce.

Tasmania just gets more tempting for whisky fanciers. In Hobart, pioneering Lark distillery has opened The Still to showcase 150 of the island’s best whiskies for tastings and purchase. In Oatlands another golden oldie has been re-born: the 1837 mill is now the impressive Callington Mill Distillery complex’s centrepiece. Bicheno’s former oyster hatchery has also had a whisky makeover: say hello to Waubs Harbour distillery!

Wine lovers have more to explore too, including a major expansion of Devil’s Corner vineyard’s cellar door. Enjoy fine wine with seafood, wood-fired pizza and east-coast views. Or sample newcomer Mewstone’s pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling in a pretty place called Flowerpot south of Hobart.

Need another reason to visit The Tasman hotel? They’ve also got a cool cocktail bar, Mary Mary, which champions native ingredients and local craft spirits.

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