Travel news: Winter 2025
Nola James gives us the low down on the latest travel adventures around Tasmania.
Key to it all
Luxury Hobart hotel The Tasman, number 49 on the World’s 50 Best Hotels list, has launched The Keys, a selection of signature guest-only experiences. Craft your own scent from locally harvested botanicals and distil it into a candle with The Tasman’s “scent sommelier”, take a guided wellness walk on Kunyani/Mt Wellington or chase adrenaline as you traverse private mountain-bike trails by the River Derwent (followed by a luxe lunch).
Birds-eye view
An eco-friendly farm retreat high on the plateau fields of Table Cape, Aquila Barn is just minutes from Wynyard. The magnificently renovated century old hay barn offers a bedroom, open-plan living-kitchen area, wood-fire heater, sweeping views and a herd of friendly cows for neighbours.
Fáilte (Welcome), OIRTHIR
Scottish couple Jillian McInnes and Bob Piechniczek long dreamed of moving to Tasmania, so when the site for their Marion Bay restaurant Oirthir (pronounced orr-heid) came up, they jumped on it. The duo brings French techniques sharpened in Michelin-starred restaurants to a nine-dish degustation menu that, yes, features haggis. “We live right by the oyster farm, so we collect them every morning,” Bob says, while line-caught mackerel is in the kitchen within an hour of leaving Port Arthur waters. Open for long lunches Sat-Mon and lighter dinners Fri and Sat (fortnightly); bookings essential.
Guided Palawa tales
This winter, join proud palawa man Jye Crosswell for Tunapri Patuyala, a 1.5- hour walk on Country highlighting the natural and cultural wonders of northwest Lutruwita. Based around Patuyala/ Boat Harbour Beach, participants will get hands-on with a cultural craft activity (a rough translation for the Palawa word tunapri is “to understand”). Mon, Wed and Fri until 31 Aug; $35-$55 per person
In a pickle
Tokyo's listening bar trend - bars with high-end sound systems where guests can enjoy carefully curated music – has made its way to Launceston with Dill Pickle Club. Perched above St John Street, the Workshop Architecture-designed space catches the afternoon sun, with an open-air courtyard to be ready next summer. Owner-operators David Micallef and Robyn Schorn spin an eclectic mix of vinyl on their Luxman turntable that ranges from jazz, soul and swing to rock, new wave, punk and disco. David found the American-made Heathkit AS-101 speakers in an op shop in Burnie, upgrading the electronics and replacing the diaphragms to bring them back to life. The drinks list features mostly local wines, classic cocktails and whiskies.
Three to try - Wild winter experiences
Sauna and cold plunge - Elsewhere Sauna will be in residence at Drip Beach, near Cygnet, on Sundays this winter. Soak in the heat, then run across the sand to dip in the refreshing ocean. Bookings essential.
Snow and ice - On the slopes of Ben Lomond Alpine Resort, tobogganing, snowball fights and snowman-building await. Hire everything you need at Ben Lomond Base on the way up.
Adventure by night - Southern Sea Ventures will host Dark Paddle, a twilight kayak tour around Hobart’s waterfront, during Dark Mofo (5-21 June).0
