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BICHENO NAMED AUSTRALIA’S BEST TOWN FOR 2026

Tasmania’s east coast town of Bicheno has been crowned Australia’s ‘Best Town for 2026’ in Australian Traveller magazine’s annual ‘100 Best Towns in Australia to Travel To’ list. Bicheno also claimed the top spot in the ‘Emerging Towns’ category, further cementing its reputation as one of the country’s most exciting regional destinations. Tasmania was strongly represented across the national ranking, with nine other towns making the list, including St Helens (13), Stanley (17), Richmond (18), Launceston (26), New Norfolk (36), Bridport (39), Evandale (53), Strahan (85) and Sheffield (86).

KING ISLAND DISTILLERY WINS FIVE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

King Island Distillery has taken home five awards across two London-based spirits competitions in a single week. Leading the results was the distillery’s Gidley Pinot Noir Gin, which was named ‘Best in Australia’ at the 2026 Gin Guide Awards after also securing a Gold Medal and a Silver Cocktail Award in the ‘Negroni’ category. The success continued at the inaugural Spirits Guide Awards, where the distillery’s Waterwitch Vodka received Gold in the ‘Vodka Martini’ category.

LAUNCESTON NAMED IN EXPEDIA’S TOP 10 WINTER DESTINATIONS

Launceston has been ranked one of Expedia’s Top 10 Australian destinations for a winter getaway, as part of a national campaign encouraging Australians to swap their passport for a domestic winter escape. Drawing on booking data and traveller trends, the ranking highlights destinations offering value, fewer crowds and distinctive seasonal experiences, with Launceston recognised for its growing appeal as a winter holiday destination, underpinned by its UNESCO City of Gastronomy status, vibrant calendar of events and proximity to the Tamar Valley wine region.

ON BOARD’S NEW ‘PORT DAVEY HIGHLIGHTS’ EXPEDITION NAMED ONE OF TIME’S ‘WORLD’S GREATEST PLACES’ FOR 2026

One of Tasmania’s newest luxury wilderness experiences has made TIME magazine’s prestigious ‘World’s Greatest Places 2026’ list. On Board’s new two-night, three-day ‘Port Davey Highlights’ expedition through the remote wilds of southwest Tasmania – including the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and Southwest National Park – was selected for the annual round-up of destinations, hotels and experiences that TIME’s editors consider among the world’s most remarkable and innovative travel experiences.

WINEGLASS BAY RANKED AMONG THE WORLD’S 50 BEST BEACHES FOR 2026

Wineglass Bay has been named among the world’s finest beaches, securing the #21 spot on the prestigious ‘World’s 50 Best Beaches 2026’ list. Located within Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s east coast, Wineglass Bay was one of only three Australian beaches to make the global list, which draws on first-hand experiences and insights from more than 1,000 travel professionals worldwide.

CADBURY TO OPEN NEW CHOCOLATE FACTORY EXPERIENCE IN HOBART

Cadbury is set to open a new immersive visitor experience at its iconic Claremont factory in Hobart in 2028, following a $150 million investment in the site and recent council approval. Housed within a building inspired by a foil chocolate wrapper, the large-scale attraction will feature chocolate tastings, interactive exhibits, a chocolate lounge, a retail emporium and more.

SULLIVANS COVE WINS RECORD FOURTH ‘WORLD’S BEST’ TITLE AT WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS

Sullivans Cove Distillery has claimed a record fourth ‘World’s Best’ title at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards. The Hobart distillery was awarded ‘World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt’ for its 18-Year-Old French Oak ex-White Wine whisky, becoming the only distillery in the awards’ history to achieve the feat four times. The accolade further cements Sullivans Cove’s status as one of the world’s most celebrated whisky producers and reinforces Tasmania’s reputation as a globally recognised whisky destination.

NEW GATES MARK NEXT STEP IN HOBART AIRPORT’S GROWTH

Hobart Airport has reached another milestone in its $200 million terminal expansion – the largest redevelopment in the airport’s history. Designed to meet growing passenger demand, the project will double the size of the terminal and deliver additional departure gates, expanded lounges and upgraded security screening, increasing capacity and helping future-proof Tasmania’s southern aviation gateway when completed in 2027.

ACCESSIBLE BIRDS-EYE VIEWING PLATFORM PLANNED FOR BEN LOMOND

Plans are underway for a new accessible walkway and viewing platform at Ben Lomond National Park, designed to open up some of Tasmania’s most spectacular alpine scenery to visitors year-round. Part of a broader $2.8 million investment to strengthen Ben Lomond as a four-season destination, the project will feature a crow’s nest overlooking the Ford River Valley and a viewing platform showcasing the iconic Jacob’s Ladder and its dramatic dolerite landscape.

NEW CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE UNDER DEVELOPMENT NEAR LAUNCESTON

Tasmania is set to strengthen its reputation as a leading golf destination with the opening of a new championship 18-hole course at Country Club Tasmania in summer 2026–27. Designed by renowned golf course architect Mike DeVries, the course forms part of a major redevelopment of the Prospect Vale resort and features a parkland-style layout winding through creeks, lakes and mature trees. With several holes already complete and preview rounds generating interest among golfing enthusiasts, the development is shaping up to be a significant addition to Tasmania’s growing collection of world-class golf experiences.

New and Upcoming Tourism Offerings
New Stays

NEW SEA STACKS BICHENO RETREATS OPEN ON TASMANIA’S EAST COAST

Bicheno, East Coast Tasmania

Sea Stacks Bicheno has opened on Tasmania’s east coast, offering low-impact luxury accommodation through a collection of 12 architecturally designed retreats shaped by sustainability, privacy and a deep connection to place. Evolving from the original Sea Stacks Denison concept, the development has been carefully designed to tread lightly on the landscape, with elevated boardwalks protecting sensitive coastal habitat and locally sourced materials woven throughout. Two fully accessible studios, developed in partnership with accessibility specialists, ensure inclusive luxury without compromise, while a curated program of exclusive experiences connects guests with the region’s landscapes, producers and culture.

LITTLE BEACH CO ADDS HOT TUB VILLAS ON THE EAST COAST

Chain of Lagoons, East Coast Tasmania

From July 2026, Little Beach Co on Tasmania’s east coast will expand its accommodation offering with five new Hot Tub Villas designed to immerse guests in the region’s coastal landscape year-round. Located at Chain of Lagoons between the Bay of Fires and Freycinet, the architecturally designed retreats combine private wood-fired hot tubs, ocean views and outdoor fire pits with a low-impact philosophy that encourages guests to slow down and reconnect with nature. The new villas build on Little Beach Co’s growing reputation for wellness-focused coastal escapes, where whale watching, stargazing and long soaks beneath the stars are all part of the experience.

BOOKINGS OPEN FOR SAFFIRE FREYCINET’S NEW LUXURY VILLA

Freycinet, East Coast Tasmania
Bookings are now open for the Saffire Jewel, a new three-bedroom luxury villa set to open at Saffire Freycinet in late 2026. Designed for families and small groups, the villa offers a more private way to experience Tasmania’s acclaimed two-MICHELIN-Key lodge, with expansive indoor–outdoor living spaces, a private infinity pool and sweeping views across Great Oyster Bay to The Hazards. Complemented by dedicated concierge services, in-villa dining and bespoke experiences, the new accommodation adds a new dimension to Saffire’s luxury offering, providing guests with enhanced space, privacy and flexibility

NEW PRIVATE RETREAT OPENS ON BRUNY ISLAND

Bruny Island, Southern Tasmania

Perched above the D’Entrecasteaux Channel on North Bruny Island, Mabel’s Lookout is a new private retreat designed around the property’s expansive coastal views. Featuring a sauna, outdoor bath and seamless indoor–outdoor living spaces overlooking the water and surrounding landscape, the accommodation offers a peaceful base from which to experience Bruny Island’s natural beauty and relaxed island lifestyle.

KITTAWA LODGE LAUNCHES GUEST CHEF SERIES ON KING ISLAND

King Island, Tasmania

On King Island, award-winning Kittawa Lodge will host acclaimed chefs Jordan Clay and Darren Purchese as part of its 2026 Guest Chef Series. Limited to just eight guests per experience, the exclusive three-night experiences pair luxury off-grid accommodation with chef-curated menus showcasing King Island produce, premium Tasmanian wines and intimate dining experiences. Guests can also enjoy wildlife encounters featuring platypus, little penguins and Southern Rock Lobster, all set against one of Tasmania’s most remote and spectacular coastal landscapes.

NOMA-TRAINED CHEF SET TO OPEN NEW HOBART RESTAURANT

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

Atlas and Vine is set to open on Hobart’s Liverpool Street in late August, bringing the experience of chef Nick Kavenagh – whose résumé includes Copenhagen’s Noma, London’s Core by Clare Smyth and Melbourne’s Vue de Monde – to a new restaurant and wine bar housed within a former coffin-making workshop. Built around seasonal Tasmanian produce and a philosophy shaped by some of the world’s best kitchens, the intimate venue is the latest example of world-class culinary talent choosing to put down roots in Tasmania.

ORANI RESTAURANT OPENS AT IRON CREEK BAY ESTATE

Sorell, Southern Tasmania

Just a short drive from Hobart, ORANI Restaurant has opened at Iron Creek Bay Estate, where Head Chef Jesse Allardyce brings a produce-led farmhouse philosophy to a spectacular waterfront setting overlooking Pittwater. Showcasing ingredients sourced from the estate’s orchards and gardens, alongside produce from Tasmanian growers, farmers and seafood producers, the restaurant celebrates seasonal cooking, house-made preserves and local provenance, with sweeping views across to kunanyi / Mount Wellington.

HENRY JONES ART HOTEL WELCOMES JAPANESE, FIRE-DRIVEN DINING

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

Hobart’s waterfront dining scene has welcomed Stone & Flame, a new Japanese-inspired restaurant at the historic Henry Jones Art Hotel. Centred on fire-driven cooking, the restaurant showcases seasonal produce through a contemporary share-style menu, with dishes building flavour through heat, smoke and carefully honed technique. The menu features everything from tempura and karaage to fresh seafood and grilled meats.

New Food and Drink

KITTAWA LODGE LAUNCHES GUEST CHEF SERIES ON KING ISLAND

King Island, Tasmania

NOMA-TRAINED CHEF SET TO OPEN NEW HOBART RESTAURANT

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

ORANI RESTAURANT OPENS AT IRON CREEK BAY ESTATE

Sorell, Southern Tasmania

HENRY JONES ART HOTEL WELCOMES JAPANESE, FIRE-DRIVEN DINING

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

HOBART’S ‘THE STILL’ ENTERS ITS ‘GOTHAM’ ERA

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

Just in time for winter, Hobart’s iconic LARK Distillery tasting room and cocktail bar, The Still, has been reimagined as GOTHAM – a moodier, late-night whisky and cocktail destination in the heart of the city. Retaining its Tasmanian soul while embracing a darker edge, the transformed venue features reimagined interiors, an immersive sound system designed by Hobart acoustic specialists Pitt & Giblin, and a menu inspired by New York’s legendary cocktail bars. Open from 3 June 2026, guests can settle in over freshly shucked local oysters, Robbins Island wagyu skewers, fried chicken and a signature cheeseburger, paired with bespoke cocktails including a freezer-pour Sweet Manhattan and LARK’s take on an Irish Coffee featuring its annual DARK LARK whisky release.

HELLFIRE BLUFF DISTILLERY OPENS NEW CELLAR DOOR IN BOOMER BAY

Boomer Bay, East Coast Tasmania

On Tasmania’s south-east coast, Hellfire Bluff Distillery has opened a new cellar door at its Boomer Bay farm, where visitors can sample award-winning spirits overlooking Marion Bay and the rugged coastline that inspired the brand’s name. Founded by the Daly family, who have farmed potatoes in the region for more than 30 years, the distillery is known for its small-batch spirits, including one of Australia’s few potato vodkas and a range of gins crafted using Tasmanian ingredients.

SMITH STREET OPENS ASIAN-FUSION WINE BAR IN NORTH HOBART

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

Founded by hospitality veterans Jimmy Winter and Teddy, Smith Street has brought a new Asian-inspired dining concept to North Hobart’s bustling food precinct. Located on the corner of Smith and Argyle streets, the restaurant and cocktail bar pairs Japanese-inspired hibachi cooking with share-style plates, grilled skewers and inventive cocktails designed for long lunches and late-night dining.

RESTAURANT MARIA LAUNCHES WINTER WEEKEND VINYL & APERITIVO SERIES

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

Hobart’s Restaurant MARIA is extending its weekend evenings with ‘Amalfi After Dark’, a new winter series inspired by Italy’s aperitivo culture. From 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays, walk-in guests can settle into waterfront seating and enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired menu of Tasmanian oysters, charcuterie and MARIA’s signature focaccia, paired with aperitifs, cocktails and wines designed for slow winter nights. As darkness falls, local DJs will provide the soundtrack with vinyl sets spanning Brazilian jazz, Italo boogie and rare grooves.

HELLYER’S ROAD DISTILLERY LAUNCHES NEW DIRECT-FROM-CASK WHISKY EXPERIENCE

Havenview, North West Tasmania

Hellyers Road Distillery has launched a new ‘Distillers’ Choice’ experience, offering whisky enthusiasts rare access to some of the distillery’s most exclusive and long-aged expressions. The immersive behind-the-scenes experience invites guests to sample whiskies drawn from barrels aged between eight and 22 years before hand-bottling and labelling their own cask-strength whisky straight from the barrel.

SCARPETTA BRINGS A SHARED HOME-DINING EXPERIENCE TO NORTH HOBART

Hobart, Southern Tasmania
Set within the beautifully restored historic North Hobart home of chef Ivano Del Pio and his wife Jen, Scarpetta is emerging as one of Tasmania’s most intimate dining experiences, gathering guests around a shared table for a multi-course feast inspired by Italian home cooking and hospitality. Held fortnightly during curated seasonal runs, each sitting is shaped by local produce, family recipes and personal stories, creating a deeply personal celebration of food and connection. Blurring the line between restaurant and home, Scarpetta has quickly developed a devoted following for its warm hospitality and communal dining format, with its next series of dates, running from August through October 2026, set to be released this month.

IN GOOD CAMPANY TRANSFORMS PETROL STATION INTO DINING DESTINATION

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

Swapping bowsers for baristas, a former Sandy Bay petrol station has been transformed into one of Hobart’s hottest new dining destinations, with In Good Company serving bold South-East Asian-inspired dishes that have drawn comparisons to Melbourne’s Chin Chin. From the team behind Bear With Me, the all-day eatery operates from breakfast through to dinner, before evolving into a lively evening hotspot showcasing punchy flavours, inventive cocktails and vibrant neighbourhood energy.

SALAMANCA’S NEWEST OPENING PUTS PIZZA, MARTINIS AND VINYL ON THE MENU

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

Don Frico has brought fresh energy to Hobart’s after-dark scene, transforming the former Society Salamanca space into a late-night pizza bar, cocktail lounge and vinyl-driven hangout. Created by the team behind Grinners, the new hospitality concept pairs New York-style pizza by the slice with specialist martinis, cocktails and DJs, delivering the kind of laid-back late-night experience its founders felt was missing from the city.

ITALIAN INSPIRED EATERY POPS UP WITH RIVA IN SANDY BAY

Hobart, Southern Tasmania
Seagrass in Sandy Bay has stepped into the evening with Riva Wine Bar & Eatery, an Italian-inspired winter pop-up led by chef Luke Murray. Transforming the waterfront café into a more intimate after-dark setting, Riva offers a seasonal menu designed for sharing, pairing coastal charm with the warmth and generosity of Italian-style dining. The concept brings a fresh evening offering to Hobart’s southern suburbs, giving Seagrass a distinct second life beyond its daytime trade.

THE RICE CORNER OPENS ITS DOORS IN BATTERY POINT

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

A new South-East Asian restaurant has opened in Battery Point, with The Rice Corner bringing Thai and Vietnamese-inspired flavours to one of Hobart’s most historic neighbourhoods. Founded by Carl Nguyen, Tommy and Kaye, the restaurant is built around a simple philosophy celebrating food, family and connection, with rice serving as both a hero ingredient and a symbol of coming together around the table.

New Tours and Experiences

MONA SET TO OPEN DAVID WALSH’S PRIVATE LIBRARY

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is set to unveil the second phase of its landmark $100 million expansion this winter, marking the museum’s most significant development in more than a decade. Known as the Phrontisterion – or “thinkery” – the new wing will house founder David Walsh’s private library, an extraordinary collection of rare books, maps and curiosities, alongside major new works and installations by internationally acclaimed artists including Anselm Kiefer and Julian Charrière.

WORLD-FIRST LIVE UNDERWATER VR EXPERIENCE COMING TO TASMANIA

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

Launching in November 2026, ‘Southern Reef Submersion’ is a world-first immersive marine experience from Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures, combining virtual reality technology with ocean-to-plate seafood. Departing Hobart aboard a luxury catamaran, guests will be transported beneath the surface of Tasmania’s pristine southern waters through the eyes of professional divers as seafood is harvested in real time, before watching the catch return onboard to be prepared and enjoyed as part of a unique dining experience.

NEW ‘SAFFIRE AFTER DARK’ EXPERIENCE

Freycinet, East Coast Tasmania
Saffire Freycinet has launched ‘Saffire After Dark’, a new signature experience inviting guests to explore Tasmania’s extraordinary night skies from a purpose-built open-air stargazing sanctuary overlooking the Freycinet coastline. Guided by expert astronomers, the one-hour experience combines high-powered telescopes, rare meteorites – including fragments of the Moon and Mars – and immersive storytelling beneath some of the clearest winter skies in the Southern Hemisphere.

THE AGRARIAN KITCHEN WELCOMES GUEST CHEFS FOR WINTER

New Norfolk, Southern Tasmania
The Agrarian Kitchen is bringing some of Australia’s most respected food personalities to New Norfolk this winter, with its guest chef series welcoming acclaimed cooks and authors including Annie Smithers, Analiese Gregory, Jo Barrett and Nadine Ingram. Covering everything from whole-hog butchery and game cookery to baking, fermentation and seasonal produce-led cooking, the hands-on workshops are shaped by the expertise, techniques and philosophies of each visiting chef.

NEW GUIDED CAPE HAUY WALK OFFERS TASTE OF THREE CAPES TRACK

Cape Hauy, Southern Tasmania

Tours Tasmania has launched a new guided day walk to Cape Hauy, offering travellers a taste of the iconic Three Capes Track without the multi-day commitment. One of Tasmania’s ‘60 Great Short Walks’, the 9.4km return hike winds through forest and coastal heath to dramatic sea cliffs overlooking the Tasman Sea, where the Candlestick and Totem Pole sea stacks rise from the ocean. The experience concludes with a stop at Bangor Vineyard Shed overlooking Boomer Bay for a well-earned glass of Tasmanian wine, coffee or bite to eat.

NEW PRIVATE SMALL-BOAT EXPERIENCES AT BRUNY ISLAND

Bruny Island, Southern Tasmania

Designed and hosted by locals, Islander Adventure Co is offering a new way to experience Bruny Island, with private boat journeys that take guests beyond the well-trodden tourist trail and into the heart of island life. Tailored to each group’s interests, the bespoke experiences combine sightseeing, local knowledge and access to lesser-known corners of the island, creating a highly personalised way to explore one of Tasmania’s most loved island destinations.

STARLIT TASMANIA LAUNCH SMALL-GROUP STARGAZING EXPERIENCES

Sorell, Southern Tasmania

Winter’s long, clear nights make Tasmania one of Australia’s premier stargazing destinations, and Starlit Tasmania is helping travellers make the most of them through new guided astronomy experiences near Sorell. Offered as both small-group and private sessions, the experiences combine telescope viewing of planets, star clusters and nebulae with constellation storytelling and seasonal sky highlights, providing an immersive introduction to Tasmania’s remarkable dark skies and, on the right night, the chance to witness the Aurora Australis.

NEW NATIVE BUSH FOODS GARDEN OPENS AT PIYURA KITINA / RISDON COVE

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

A new chapter in Tasmanian Aboriginal food sustainability is taking shape at piyura kitina / Risdon Cove, where Palawa Kipli has opened a thriving bush foods garden. Accessible as part of the ‘kipli takara’ cultural experience, the garden features more than 30 native food species and will supply ingredients for community programs, catering and educational initiatives. It also serves as a living space for sharing knowledge of Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) food traditions, sustainable harvesting practices and ongoing connections to Country.

Upcoming Festivals and Events – Winter and Beyond

DARK MOFO

11–22 June 2026 
Hobart, Southern Tasmania 

Following record-breaking first-week ticket sales, Dark Mofo returns to Hobart this June with its signature mix of large-scale public art, boundary-pushing performance, live music, fire-lit ritual and after-dark revelry. Festival favourites including Winter Feast, Night Mass, the Ogoh-Ogoh burning and the Nude Solstice Swim will once again transform the city, while a bold new program of exclusive works explores the strange, provocative and unexpected. Highlights include ‘SOLAS’, a hypersexualised algorithmic dance performance; ‘Stasis’, featuring 32 men supporting dining tables using only their jaws; and ‘Perros Chaos’, an installation in which autonomous mechanical dogs attempt to break free and roam through Dark Park.

LIGHT UP THE WEST

18-21 June 2026 
Strahan, Zeehan, Rosebery, West Coast Tasmania 

Tasmania’s rugged West Coast will come alive this winter with Light Up the West, a region-wide celebration of the winter solstice spanning Strahan, Zeehan, Rosebery and more. Showcasing the creativity, resilience and character of the West Coast, the program features a diverse mix of events including long-table dinners, live music, winter swims, markets, workshops and immersive light installations. Set against a backdrop of wild landscapes and rich mining heritage, Light Up the West offers a distinctly local take on winter, inviting visitors to experience one of Tasmania’s most unique regions at its atmospheric best.

BICHENO BEAMS
27 June–25 July 2026 
Bicheno, East Coast Tasmania

Returning to Tasmania’s east coast this winter, Bicheno Beams will once again transform Lions Park into an open-air celebration of light, colour and sound. Free to attend and set against the backdrop of one of Tasmania’s most loved coastal towns, the nightly experience sees powerful beams illuminate the night sky in synchronisation with music, with two alternating programs encouraging visitors to return and experience the spectacle from different perspectives.

PERMISSION TO TRESPASS
1–15 July 2026 
Table Cape and Wynyard, North West Tasmania

Permission to Trespass unlocks Tasmania’s North West coast, offering rare access to private properties across Wynyard and Table Cape. Set against dramatic coastal landscapes, the series of events invites visitors to step beyond the gate and experience places usually closed to the public. The program spans ‘Moonlight Stories’ – a projected light and sound experience at Table Cape Lighthouse – alongside long table dinners, twilight markets, art exhibitions, local pub choirs, creative workshops and more.

ISLAND ESCAPE WINTER FESTIVAL
3–5 July 2026   
Launceston, Northern Tasmania

Launching in Launceston this July, the inaugural Island Escape Winter Festival will transform the Inveresk Precinct into a winter playground for three days of music, locally sourced food and drink, art and community events. The program features live music from Spiderbait, Hot Dub Time Machine and Birds of Tokyo, alongside glowing art installations, fire-lit activations, family-friendly workshops, roaming performers and seasonal culinary experiences that bring Northern Tasmania’s winter flavours to life.

FESTIVAL OF VOICES
3–12 July 2026 
Hobart, Southern Tasmania

Australia’s premier celebration of singing returns to Hobart this winter, with Festival of Voices bringing together acclaimed performers, mass choir events, intimate concerts, workshops and the community singalongs that have become a hallmark of the festival. Spanning choral, cabaret, classical, comedy and contemporary music, the program offers something for seasoned singers and first-time participants alike, transforming venues, streets and public spaces into stages for one of Tasmania’s most uplifting and inclusive cultural events.

TASMANIAN WHISKY WEEK
1–9 August 2026 
Statewide, Tasmania

Tasmanian Whisky Week returns this August, celebrating the island’s status as Australia’s whisky capital with a statewide program of tastings, tours, masterclasses and exclusive distillery experiences. Bringing together many of Tasmania’s most acclaimed producers – including Lark, Sullivans Cove, Hellyers Road and Overeem – the week-long festival offers rare access to both established and emerging distilleries, complemented by curated food events, live music and immersive experiences.

HADLEY’S ART PRIZE

1-23 August 2026

Hobart, Southern Tasmania

Finalists in the annual Hadley’s Art Prize will be exhibited throughout the historic Hadley’s Orient Hotel this August, showcasing works by leading and emerging contemporary landscape artists from across Australia. Celebrating the best portrayal of the Australian landscape, the nationally significant prize highlights the breadth and diversity of contemporary practice, with this year’s finalists including acclaimed artist Ken Done and multidisciplinary Indigenous artist Brenda Croft.

TASSIE SCALLOP FIESTA

2 August 2026

Bridport, North East Tasmania

As scallop season reaches its peak along Tasmania’s north-east coast, Bridport’s annual Tassie Scallop Fiesta returns with a full-day celebration devoted to the island’s renowned seafood industry. The Fiesta transforms Bridport’s foreshore into a vibrant showcase of Tasmania’s maritime heritage, with sizzling scallops, seafood chowders and local produce alongside Tasmanian wine, beer and spirits, live music and community festivities. The region’s deep connection to the sea sits at the heart of the event, with cooking demonstrations, seafood experiences and local storytelling offering insight into local industries and the coastal communities shaped by them.

BEAKER STREET FESTIVAL
6–17 August 2026 
Hobart and statewide, Tasmania

Returning for its 10th edition in 2026, Beaker Street Festival has earned a reputation as Australia’s most imaginative celebration of science, art and culture, known for its genre-defying ideas and boundary-pushing experiences. This year’s milestone program will transform Hobart and locations across Tasmania into a laboratory of ideas, connection and controlled chaos, bringing together scientists, artists, musicians, cultural leaders and storytellers for more than 70 events. From debates on artificial intelligence and addictive technology to immersive First Nations sky stories, fermentation workshops, Antarctic parties, dark-energy concerts and even a live wedding, the festival blends discovery, humour and wonder in ways few events in Australia can match.

CHOCOLATE WINTERFEST

9 August 2026

Latrobe, North West Tasmania

For one gloriously indulgent winter day each August, the town of Latrobe transforms into Tasmania’s chocolate capital as Chocolate Winterfest returns with a packed program dedicated entirely to cocoa in all its forms. Held across multiple events and venues throughout the town, the long-running festival brings together artisan chocolatiers, makers, bakers and local producers for a day of tastings, workshops, sweet treats and family-friendly festivities.

UNWIND FESTIVAL
13–23 August 2026 
Launceston, Northern Tasmania

A winter wellness festival in Launceston, Unwind invites visitors to embrace a slower pace through a curated program of restorative experiences. Across ten days, the city becomes a hub of saunas, yoga, meditation, nourishing food, beauty rituals and nature-based experiences, with highlights including waterfront saunas and cold plunges at Cataract Gorge, candlelit yoga, ice baths and intimate workshops. Blending movement, mindfulness and connection, Unwind offers a distinctly Tasmanian way to reset, recharge and lean into the rituals of the cooler months.

WINTER CHALLENGE TASMANIA
16 August 2026 
Orford, East Coast Tasmania

Set against the clear waters and coastal landscapes of Tasmania’s east coast, the Winter Challenge Tasmania is a community-driven multisport event that pairs endurance with a distinctly local sense of character. The course moves from sea to shore – kayaking in open coastal waters, cycling between beaches, mountain biking through forest trails and finishing with a run along the coast. Alongside the main event, the Egg and Spoon Racing National Championships bring a playful counterpoint, welcoming all ages and abilities.

JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL

17-20 September 2026
Launceston, Northern Tasmania
Junction Arts Festival is northern Tasmania’s premier multi-arts celebration, transforming Launceston’s streets, public spaces and unexpected corners into immersive creative experiences each spring. Since 2010, the festival has brought together contemporary art, live music, performance and large-scale installations, inviting visitors to experience the city through a playful and boundary-pushing lens. Timed to coincide with the spring equinox – the seasonal turning point that marks the arrival of longer days and new beginnings – this year’s festival will continue its tradition of showcasing Tasmania’s vibrant creative culture in surprising and memorable ways.

WYNYARD TULIP FESTIVAL 
10 October 2026
Wynyard, North West Tasmania 
Each spring, the Wynyard Tulip Festival celebrates the spectacular bloom of Table Cape, transforming Tasmania’s north-west coast into a vibrant celebration of colour, food, music and community spirit. Held in Wynyard’s riverside gardens, the free festival brings together live entertainment, local produce, market stalls, family-friendly activities and a fireworks finale, while the surrounding month-long ‘Spring Loaded’ program encourages visitors to explore the region’s tulip fields, coastal landscapes and seasonal experiences throughout October.

TAMAR VALLEY WRITERS FESTIVAL

15-19 October 2026

Tamar Valley, Northern Tasmania

Set among the vineyards and historic towns of Northern Tasmania, the Tamar Valley Writers Festival brings together acclaimed Australian and international authors for a tightly curated program of talks, panels, readings and workshops. Intimate by design, events unfold across cellar doors, heritage venues and character-filled spaces throughout the valley – pairing big ideas with a strong sense of place. Between sessions, long lunches and local wines invite a slower pace, making it as much about where the stories are told as the stories themselves.