What’s new in Tasmania?

GoTasmania4 years ago

From forest bathing to island hopping, anticipate the thrill of the new in Tasmania.

Credit: discovertasmania.com.au

Mount Field National Park

At the end of a day’s hike in Mount Field National Park, along trails flanked by tall trees and waterfalls, is a deep, open-air tub beside a river. Book an hour of tranquil forest bathing at Left of Field Caravan Park for full immersion in one of Tasmania’s most popular national parks. Photo:australiangeographic.com.au

Mount Field National Park

66 Lake Dobson Rd, National Park TAS 7140, Australia

Turner Stillhouse

Fancy a gin tasting? This distillery at Tamar Ridge, near Launceston, stages tastings, tours and DIY gin distillations. If you’re heading further north to Beaconsfield, Miners Gold Brewery is a weekend venture with a tap room and restaurant. It’s next door to Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre. Photo: australias.guide

Turner Stillhouse

1A Waldhorn Dr, Grindelwald TAS 7277, Australia

In The Hanging Garden

This cultural precinct of live music, international gigs and good times in Hobart’s city centre has been redesigned recently as a community green grocer featuring local stallholders on rotation selling fresh produce, baked goods and takeaway meals. Photo: treatlightly.com

In The Hanging Garden

112 Murray St, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia

Sonny

Food lovers know to book fast for a meal at Hobart’s 20-seat Templo. Its chef, Matt Breen, runs a similarly small and memorable venue named Sonny, an inner-city bar where the priorities are listed in this commendable order: “Wine, vinyl and food”. Photo: Chris Crerar

Sonny

120a Elizabeth St, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia

Bay of Fires

There aren’t many places in the world where you can ride from the mountains to the sea. The 42-kilometre Bay of Fires trail starts at Blue Tier, a trail near the north-east town of Derby, and ends on Swimcart Beach on the east coast. Also in the region, St Helens Mountain Bike Trails has scenic routes for all skill levels on 66 kilometres of trails with eight stacked loops and four descents. Photo: Stu Gibson

Bay of Fires

Bay of Fires, Tasmania, Australia

Liberty Balloon Flights Tasmania

See things from a different perspective – why not with a bird’s eye view? From Launceston, explore the north by basket with Liberty Balloon Flights or Hot Air Balloon Tasmania. Let the prevailing wind carry you over the Tamar Valley, or west to Deloraine, or into the Northern Midlands. Photo: libertybaloonflights.com.au

Liberty Balloon Flights Tasmania

10 Kimberly Ct, Trevallyn TAS 7250, Australia

Queenstown

More than a biennial contemporary arts festival, The Unconformity is a collection of unique arts-led community development and tourism projects in Queenstown, on the west coast, and an expression of grassroots pride and boldness. The festival, named after a rare geological formation and inspired by the non-conformist nature of the community, has focused international attention on the region. Put 15-17 October 2021 in your calendar now. Photo: We are explorers

Queenstown

Queenstown TAS 7467, Australia

Harvest Market

At her warehouse bakery-café-factory in Launceston near Harvest Market, Olivia Morrison’s hand-churned cultured butter stars in pastries, cakes and pies and accompanies sourdough and breads - all baked on site and featuring local produce such as Mount Gnomon ham in toasties. Photo: Kelly Stater

Harvest Market

71 Cimitiere St, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia

Cygnet

This 1930s apple canning factory in the historic port town of Cygnet, in the Huon Valley, has been transformed as a hub of good food and drink and new enterprises. In the cannery’s new guise, expect special events such as producer dinners, festivals, live music, movie nights, guest chef pop-ups, high teas, ping-pong comps and much more. Photo: themercury.com.au

Cygnet

Cygnet TAS 7112, Australia

Furneaux Restaurant & Comptoir

Head to St Helens on the Great Eastern Drive for coastal views and French-modern Australian cuisine. Expect the likes of creme brulee flavoured with Bridestowe lavender and local scallops served as coquilles Saint-Jacques. Photo: tripadvisor.com

Furneaux Restaurant & Comptoir

2 Tasman Hwy, St Helens TAS 7216, Australia

Strahan

Experience the mirror reflections and majesty of World Heritage wilderness on Tasmania’s west coast – in silence. Based in Strahan, Gordon River Cruises’ purpose-built catamaran Spirit of the Wild has a drive system with both diesel and electric engines, and the latter is used to cruise silently when the boat enters the Gordon River.