Latest news with #TourismTasmania
7NEWS
5 days ago
- 7NEWS
Exploring Tasmania by air meant facing my biggest fear, and loving it
As I watched the pilot take the doors off the red four-door helicopter on a crisp, clear May morning in Tasmania, a part of me still didn't believe I would be getting in — let alone flying in — the embodiment of one of my greatest fears. 'An aircon will cost you $40,000, or you can just take the doors off,' pilot Greg Ross joked. Greg and his wife Gabby live in the idyllic Friendly Beaches within the Freycinet National Park on the island state's east coast. I'm welcomed to their home by their teenage son and a big, friendly golden retriever named Dash. Warmed by a wood fire burner, the cabin is dotted with family photos and a telescope perfect for star-gazing in the dark skies that are typical of Tasmania. The home also serves as the headquarters of their family-operated aviation company, Freycinet Air Tasmania. After introductions, Greg excitedly discusses the upcoming 25-minute doors-off experience while I try to distract myself from the pit forming in my stomach. The moment I change my mind and agree to brave my fears was not due to a burst of adrenalin or even FOMO. It was the quiet confidence of Gabby in her husband's 25 years of experience, his abilities as a pilot, and in her surety in him to bring us home safely. It was also thanks to how comfortable and calm I felt in their space. Heart racing, I donned a beanie to brace against the wind and buckled up for what was to become one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. We gained altitude, heading out over the turquoise waters of Wineglass Bay, the dramatic pink granite peaks of The Hazards coming into view, before following long stretches of pristine white beaches more common on the Gold Coast. Escaping the summer crowds and opting instead for the 'clear, crisp skies' of the cooler months makes for some of the best flying experiences, according to Greg. 'The lower sun makes it feel like a sunrise or sunset throughout the whole day. The reflections on the pink granite showcase the best colours during this time of year,' he said. After turning around and heading back towards home, Greg spots a whale in the water. Although it takes us over our 25-minute time limit, he doesn't want us to miss the moment and slowly circles to give us the best view of one of the world's largest mammals making its way north on migration. Tourism Tasmania's CEO Sarah Clark said Australia's most southerly state is no ordinary place. And Tasmanians are no ordinary people. I couldn't help but agree, and heading down to the Apple Isle during the traditionally quieter travel periods between May and August is when the region truly comes alive. Back on solid ground, Greg and Gabby wave me off as I leave, setting off on a high to enjoy a well-deserved tasting at Waubs Harbour Whisky in Bicheno. 'Did that really just happen?' I thought as I swipe through photos on my phone, unable to wipe the smile off my face. I call my family to crow over my victory, my face flush with excitement — or maybe whisky. Tasmania in the off-season Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a photography buff, enjoy a full-bodied wine or a freshly shucked Tasmanian oyster, it is as easy as stepping off the plane and breathing the air down here to become a winter convert. What to do: Walk a wombat at East Coast Nature world Roast marshmallows on vines and learn how to shuck fresh oysters at Devil's Corner at Apslawn Take to the skies for a doors-off experience with Freycinet Air Tasmania What to eat and drink: Whisky tasting at Waubs Harbour Whisky in Bicheno Devour a famous lobster roll at the Lobster Shack Lunch and wine tasting at Frogmore Creek Winery in Cambridge Where to stay: Spot the Aurora from the decks of your private cabin at the Piermont Retreat in Swansea. Cozy up with incredible views at Freycinet Lodge in Coles Bay Enjoy a touch of luxury at The Tasman Hotel in Hobart The writer travelled to Tasmania as a guest of Tourism Tasmania.
Time Out
26-05-2025
- Time Out
This Australian island is looking for people to babysit Tasmanian devils this winter
We've just found the dream job you never knew you wanted… babysitting Tasmanian devils. And that's just one of ten quirky jobs up for grabs on Australia's only island state this winter. As part of Tourism Tasmania's annual 'Winternships' campaign, those eager to brave the cold could score gigs doing everything from shredding down mountain bike trails and foraging for wild mushrooms to sizzling away in a floating sauna. Bliss! Having all your travel expenses covered for these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities sounds almost too good to be true, and that's because it kind of is. Only ten Aussies will be chosen for these exclusive winter jobs, designed to turn even the biggest sun-seekers into bona fide 'winter people'. Fun fact: Tourism Tasmania found that only one-third of Aussies currently call themselves that. Our favourite role is the devil sitter gig at Devils@Cradle, where the lucky wintern will clock in at a cool 4pm to keep an eye on the cheeky little devils, who'd rather pull an all-nighter than nap through their social lives. Maybe steer clear of the bedtime kisses, as they've got some pretty sharp teeth. Animal lovers can throw their hat in the ring to be a goat doofer at Hideaway Farmlet in Penguin (yep, that's legit the name of the town), where they'll be tasked with putting on a mini music festival for a herd of vibe-seeking goats. Honestly, this could be the first goat bush doof in the world! Meanwhile, Borradale Stanley is hiring a calf concierge to stay on maternity watch in case of any grand calf arrivals. You'll be on bottle-feeding duty, too! Those who crave warmth can apply to be a sauna skipper at Kuuma Nature Sauna, where you'll be responsible for keeping Australia's first fully mobile sauna pontoon boat nice and toasty. And for those fearless of heights, there's the scenic seat-warmer role at the famous Cataract Gorge Scenic Chairlift – so get those butts ready for some serious defrosting! Other jobs up for grabs include as a fragrance forager at Undersong Perfumery; a splinter specialist at Huon Pine Shop and Creative Paper Tasmania; a tunnel-to-table taster at the award-winning Tunnel Hill Mushrooms; a barrel butler at Australia's southernmost distillery, McHenry Distillery; or a trail trialler at Blue Derby Pods Ride. Think you've got what it takes? You can apply for one of these ten winternships from May 27 to June 17 via the Discover Tasmania website. All you need to do is tell them in 50 words or less why you want to become a winter person. The lucky winterns will have all their travel expenses covered and will also score a selection of Tasmania's best seasonal produce and goods, handpicked by their hosts. You can find out more here.
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Straits Times
Spend a relaxing winter in nature on an all-expense paid trip to wild Tasmania
Curringa Farm spans over 300ha of land, with around 3,000 sheep that roam free. PHOTO: CURRINGA FARM SINGAPORE – For the first time, Tasmania is inviting one Singapore resident to embrace winter life Down Under on a week-long, all-expenses-paid trip in August. The trip, dubbed a 'Winternship', is part of a campaign run by Tourism Tasmania and travel booking platform and will feature an itinerary of Tasmanian experiences. The winner will visit three establishments in Australia's southernmost state – Kuuma Nature Sauna, Devil's Corner Cellar Door winery and Curringa Farm – where he or she will take part in hands-on activities that showcase Tasmania's tourism offerings. Kuuma Nature Sauna offers sauna cruising in Hobart on a custom-made pontoon vessel with a wood-fired sauna on board. PHOTO: KUUMA NATURE SAUNA For instance, at Kuuma Nature Sauna – dubbed the 'first Australian sauna boat' – the winner will spend a morning loading a floating wood-fired sauna before heading to the Southern Ocean for a cold plunge. The pontoon vessel is custom-designed for sauna cruising and can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests, who can enjoy the sauna on board and dive into the ocean, which is a brisk 9 deg C in winter and 17 deg C in summer. At Devil's Corner Cellar Door, a two-hour drive from Hobart, the winner will shuck fresh oysters and learn how Tasmania's terroir contributes to its rich agriculture. Shear sheep at Curringa Farm. PHOTO: TOURISM TASMANIA And on the roughly 303ha Curringa Farm – where around 3,000 sheep roam – he or she can wrangle livestock in sheep-shearing demonstrations and sessions to hand-feed herds. The itinerary will include tours of other popular sites in Tasmania, such as Bruny Island, Cradle Mountain and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. The Winternship campaign follows the success of a previous edition, dubbed Odd Jobs, where Australia residents could win a winter stay in Tasmania taking on quirky roles like wombat walker, stargazer and truffle hunter. The Odd Jobs campaign recorded more than 12,000 applicants for 10 jobs in 2024 . In 2025, 10 Australia residents will win trips based on such roles. According to Tasmanian Visitor Survey data in December , Tasmania welcomed around 1.3 million travellers in 2024, of which around 254,000 were international visitors. Among its top Asian visitor markets were China (9 per cent), Hong Kong (9 per cent) and Singapore (4 per cent). Ms Sarah Clark, chief executive of Tourism Tasmania, says: 'Singapore has been a longstanding inbound market for Tasmania, with travellers drawn to our pristine wilderness, rich food culture and slower pace of life. Ultimately, we want the 'wintern' to return home with stories to tell, a fresh sense of clarity, and maybe even a newfound love for winter. ' Eat fresh oysters, drink Tasmanian wines and learn more about the terroir at Devil's Corner Cellar Door winery. PHOTO: ADAM GIBSON To participate, you must be a Singapore resident aged 18 or older and state, in 50 words or fewer, why you want to be Tasmania's first wintern from Singapore. The winner will enjoy return flights, six nights' accommodation and transport, and can take along one person on the trip. They must travel between Aug 1 and 31 . The contest runs from May 27, 5am, to June 17, 9.59pm. For more information, go to Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Straits Times
Next stop, Australia: Chase the ethereal Southern Lights in Tasmania
From Goat Bluff Lookout, around 30 minutes from Hobart, you can catch stunning views of the natural light phenomenon. PHOTO: LUKE TSCHARKE Thanks to longer nights during winter in Tasmania, there is a higher chance of catching the aurora australis, also known as the Southern Lights. Between May and August, the Australian island-state not only gets colder – with temperatures ranging from 3 to 14 deg C – but also darker earlier, as the sun sets at around 5pm. Similar to the aurora borealis in the north, the Southern Lights are created when charged solar particles interact with Earth's magnetic field. The result? Ethereal waves of pink, green, yellow and blue dancing across the night sky. Tasmania's southern location makes it one of the few places in the world where this spectacle can be spotted with some regularity. 'The aurora has this amazing movement and I always say it's like seeing music,' says 71-year-old artist and author Margaret Sonnemann. Originally from the United States, she has been living in Australia for about 40 years. In 2012, she founded the Facebook group Aurora Australis Tasmania to create a channel for community alerts about upcoming light displays, after realising that there were hardly any such online groups. Today, the 359,200 -member group is a noteworthy source for regular updates and aurora sightings. As sightings depend on factors such as solar activity, weather and light pollution, Ms Sonnemann suggests checking the group for updates or using the Glendale App – a free web-based app for aurora alerts – before heading out to chase the lights. While it is possible to catch the aurora from almost anywhere in Tasmania, tracking and photographing it often require patience and skill. For a smoother experience, travellers can join guided tours led by locals. Longer nights in winter often bring about higher probabilities of catching the aurora australis. PHOTO: LUKE TSCHARKE Tourism Tasmania recommends local tour company Ossa Tours, which offers a three-hour aurora experience from A$60 (S$50) a person. The package includes transportation and photography assistance, making it ideal for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Ms Sonnemann says guided tours for chasing the aurora are few and far between due to the unpredictability of its appearance. Experienced photographers and guides offering aurora- or night sky-viewing tours from A$50 an hour can also be found on her other Facebook group, Aurora Australis Noticeboard. Alternatively, book a stay at accommodation like Cambridge House Breakfast and Bed in Geeveston, one of the most southerly towns in Tasmania, where the aurora can be seen from your room window. Some of the most popular spots to catch the display are just a 30- to 40-minute drive from Hobart, the state's capital city. These include Goat Bluff Lookout on South Arm Peninsula (about 35km south-east of Hobart), Carlton Beach (40km east of Hobart) and Tinderbox (20km south of Hobart), according to Tourism Tasmania's official website. But Ms Sonnemann says even without an aurora sighting, Tasmania's glittering night sky is a sight to behold. She adds: 'It's not disappointing even if there's no aurora, because the stars and the Milky Way are really quite stunning.' Brought to you by Tourism Australia Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
