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Well, we can’t believe it’s December, and here we are with our final edition for 2024. And we’re ending the year with a bang. The magazine in your hands is a bumper edition, with a special section created in partnership with Tourism Tasmania, packed with everything you need to make the most of our long summer days, including a massive events calendar and lots of inspiration.
On the cover, we’re pleased to feature swimmer Ariarne Titmus. In our interview, she shares insights from her Olympic experience and reveals what she loves doing in Tassie when she’s
back home. We’ve also got loads of community news, people and events from across the island. Think of this magazine as our Christmas gift to you. Have a merry one!
Want to let us know about something or someone? We love hearing from you, so drop us a line at editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au or tag us on social media while you’re out and about this summer.
All the best,
Steph, James and The Hobart Magazine team
Publisher Stephanie Williams editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au
Advertising advertise@thehobartmagazine.com.au 03 6295 3742
Cover main image: Ariarne Titmus by Aidan Haynes Inset: Home Base (Colony 47) Christmas Lunch
Publisher Information: While all care has been taken, some information may have changed since publication. The Hobart Magazine regrets it can’t accept liabilities from errors or omissions contained in this magazine. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or amend all advertisements without explanation. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in articles and advertisements are not endorsed by the editor or publishers. We welcome any questions, feedback or submissions, email editor@thehobartmagazine.com. au, or drop us a line at PO Box 315, South Hobart, TAS, 7004. The editorial partnership with Tourism Tasmania in this edition of The Hobart Magazine is paid editorial, undertaken on a commercial basis.
The Hobart Magazine acknowledges the Tasmanian Aboriginal People as the Traditional Owners and ongoing custodians of lutruwita/Tasmania. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to their Elders past, present and emerging. www.thehobartmagazine.com.au
Local is the New Luxe
Smitten Merino, a Tasmanian merino clothing brand co-founded by Nicola and Carl Mason in 2007, began as an online venture but quickly evolved into a storefront after customer demand for tactile experiences became evident. The brand is known for its luxurious, soft superfine wool clothing made from Australian sheep, hand sewn in Tasmania. Nic, who designs all the pieces, draws inspiration from her past, her grandmother’s style, and current fashion trends. Her daughter, Holly, also contributes creatively, while Carl handles marketing and operations.
Smitten Merino emphasises family involvement, and a small retail and customer care team, fostering a close-knit business culture. The Masons prioritise ethical practices, choosing a Victorian factory to knit their lightweight merino fabric that aligns with their environmental values. Smitten is then carefully hand cut and sewn in a northern Tasmanian factory.
The brand’s best-selling item, the Mary dress, was inspired by Princess Mary and reflects their community ties. Looking ahead, Smitten Merino plans to introduce tailored pieces and has gained international recognition, recently featured in publications like *Harper’s Bazaar* and *Elle*. Despite its growing presence, the Masons aim to enhance Tasmania’s wool processing capabilities, intending to keep manufacturing local. Ultimately, Smitten Merino embodies a deep passion for merino wool, resonating with customers who appreciate quality and personal connection.
this token for a discount in-store, valid until the end of December 2024
Phone: 03 6212 0197 | Free Shipping Australia Wide
Flagship Boutique | 47 Sandy Bay Rd | Battery Point www.smittenmerino.com
Brooke wears the pink Jenna dress.
Ashley, the farmer, brewer and height behind Two Metre Tall Brewery, has been running the place with his wife, Jane Huntington, for the past 20 years. Known for pushing the boundaries of beer, we asked Ashley about his process and what’s ahead for summer.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in country Victoria but that never really felt like home. I came to Tasmania for the first time for a vintage in 1998. As soon as I set foot on the soil and breathed the air for the first time, I had the strongest emotion that I had come home. I now live in the Derwent Valley and have no plans to leave.
When you and Jane moved here, you wanted to make wine, but you embraced beer instead. Tell us about that. With a specific wine project in mind, Jane and I looked at about 150 properties before we found the perfect farm, but it just happened to be across the river from Bushy Park, the home of hop growing! For a region with a history of growing an ingredient used only in brewing, it was gobsmacking to me that there had never been a brewery here in the Derwent Valley. We decided that needed to change. Some might say we got a little distracted!
This year, you celebrate 20 years of the Two Metre Tall Brewery. How does it feel? Very bloody satisfying! We were roundly considered the worst brewery in the country, principally by other brewers, when we first started 20 years ago. It was the dawn of craft brewing in this country and there were no small brewing businesses in Tasmania at all in 2004. Innovation doesn’t happen by just following the norm.
How do the seasons influence the flavours in your beers? We are specialists in wild fermentation. In short, we don’t add yeast. Our beverages are instead
defined by the microbiology of the site which is our farm-based brewery in the middle of the Derwent Valley. The maturation of these brews occurs over years, so the rhythms of the seasons over these long, slow fermentations has huge influence on how our farmhouse ale, cider and mead tastes. The most incredible example of seasonal influence belongs to our Sparkling Mead; this is literally the forage of bees mixed with water from the River Derwent. We don’t ever make a harvest decision! Therefore, this product is utterly reflective of a time and a place.
What’s the wildest idea you’ve had for a beer? I’m currently working on it! Even for Two Metre Tall, this is way out there! I’m using a technology from another beverage type, and when speaking to specialists from that industry in Japan, their jaws hit the floor. “That will be a very different beer,” they say. I have proof of concept but still don’t know if I’ll be able to bring this strange idea to a finished product.
Do you have anything coming up in the summer? We encourage people to pack the picnic basket and head out past New Norfolk to visit us, enjoy a free tasting, a drink or two and then take some bottles home with you. We’ve got some events in the planning too so follow us on socials. Our summer releases are epic this year in celebration of 20 wild years. Our beloved Sour Cherry Ale 2019 – yes, that’s right, a BEER released at five years. Our new Sparkling Mead – the perfect summer aperitif. Oh, and not forgetting the 20th Anniversary Original Soured Ale in a commemorative, embossed bottle!
Who do you admire? Sprout Tasmania.
Secret vice? I’m a brewer with a baking problem.
What are you reading now? The Biggest Estate on Earth, How Aborigines Made Australia by Bill Gammage.
Do you have any pets? No, but maybe my three pigs could be considered pets.
What was your first job? Paper boy on my Malvern Star with no gears and back pedal brakes, six days/week, $5/week.
Your favourite place for… Breakfast: My kitchen on bread baking day.
Lunch: The Agrarian Kitchen’s kiosk. Dinner: Tom McHugo’s R.I.P. (I’m still grieving).
Favourite team? Geelong Cats, although my allegiance will be tested when the Tasmanian AFL team runs out, hopefully onto York Park and not onto that god-awful, eyesore idea of a stadium!
Dream holiday destination? Binalong Bay, when not on my farm.
Favourite Tasmanian secret? The plethora of stunning places you can go and be absolutely alone, this is God’s gift to Tasmanians.
Parting words? Why is everyone so obsessed with wine? This is the Apple Isle! Please drink more cider. I know the good stuff is hard to find but it really is the ticket and is so underrated.
Aurora Energy customers have enjoyed over 1.2 million hours of free electricity with Power Hours this year.
Upcoming Power Hour events: December & January
Open aurora+, select your property and your preferred date and time. Then, use as much electricity as you want in your time slot. We’ll credit the cost of the electricity you used on a future bill. It’s easy and it’s free. Visit our website for all the details.
*Residential customers only auroraenergy.com.au/powerhours
Under the alias Pablo Pandani, Bec Hopson is a creative artist who hand draws beautiful house portraits, and she just wrote and illustrated a children’s book.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I’m originally from Cooma in the Snowy Mountains of NSW and moved around a lot until my family settled in Tassie when I was 14.
What’s the meaning behind your pseudonym, Pablo Pandani? Pablo is a nod to Pablo Picasso, and Pandani represents my home (the pandani is a unique Tasmanian plant).
How did you start creating custom house portraits? During the pandemic I took a course in urban travel sketching with ink and watercolour. I loved creating artworks that evoked a fun memory –like the bright orange Tokyo restaurant I stumbled into after late-night karaoke in 2011. Having an original painting was so much more interesting than a photo of the place and sparked a lot of conversations, which meant I could tell my funny travel stories more. Pretty soon people were asking me to paint their homes and I realised how sentimental this was. Having an artist capture all the little details of your home in watercolour makes people feel special, and they are quite meaningful gifts. Clients were gifting my portraits for birthdays, anniversaries, settlements, and even bereavements, and the recipients were often overwhelmed with emotion. I like to say that I paint happy places, and sometimes I make people cry.
Which buildings in Hobart do you particularly enjoy illustrating? I actually love painting shops/restaurants and really want to do more! Hobart has such interesting architecture – bold and colourful
frontages intermingled with older heritage features.
You recently published a children’s picture book, Dinosaurs Can’t Wear Yellow. What motivated you to create a picture book, and how did this story come to life? This book is for my son Ari. On maternity leave I wanted a project that had nothing to do with my legal career, or being a new parent, and decided that making a picture book would be creative and challenging. It’s a rhyming story, and the illustrations are quite bright and a bit silly. I was inspired by a Brene Brown quote: “if I have to be like you I just fit in, but if I get to be me then I truly belong”. My book teaches children the importance of both staying true to yourself, and also finding the right group of friends that lets you shine. And it comes with a bonus singalong!
Who do you admire? Bri Lee (author of Eggshell Skull), for so many reasons. She spoke in Hobart recently about her ten-year plan for turning herself from a lawyer into an author / public intellectual and I find it inspiring that someone around my age has committed to such a major life shift – it’s audacious and courageous! I’m trying to do the same thing on a much smaller scale and can now call myself an author and an artist as well as a legal professional.
Favourite podcast or tv show? I’m bingeing the Shandee’s Story podcast –it’s even better than The Teacher’s Pet! Australian TV is making me laugh right now – I recommend Fisk and Colin From Accounts.
Secret vice? A large cappuccino in the morning and a lot of ice cream at night.
What are you reading now? Julia Fox’s memoir and Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton.
Do you have any pets? I have a seven year old groodle called Hopey Jane. She’s the only dog I know who is allowed to sleep on the bed but chooses not to.
What was your first job? McDonald’s Kingston. Back in my day, we flurried the McFlurrys!
What are your daily news/social media habits? Instagram is where I spend my time on socials – it’s great for sharing my work visually and connecting with my community.
Your favourite place for… Breakfast: Eggs benny at BoHo at the Beach.
Lunch: Yum cha at Hometown Secret. Dinner: Anywhere with a chef’s menu and a good cocktail list. Pancho Villa is a standing favourite and Maria was a recent special treat!
Favourite team? Sorry I am not a sports person.
Dream holiday destination? I’d love to go back to Egypt and take my whole family. It’s a spectacular place with the most amazing history on earth.
Favourite Tasmanian secret? A drive along the Southern Edge journey in summer. Bring coins – you can buy bread, berries, cherries, honey and flowers, all on the side of the road, as long as you have cash.
Parting words? Read a book to your children every day! If anyone wants to chat after reading this, my website is www.pablopandani.com.au and my Instagram is @pablopandani.
Just in time for summer, Hopfields Brewery (1640 Channel Highway, Margate) have just opened their new bar, restaurant, and beer garden with a cracking fire pit. There’s loads of beer styles and ciders on tap, a Tassie-centric wine list, and a kitchen that serves up snacks and burgers from Wednesday to Sunday, midday until late. After opening their first Tasmanian store in Rosny Park earlier this year, Cheeze Louise Sandwich Deli (20 Magnet Court, Sandy Bay) has opened their second store in Sandy Bay, serving sandwiches and toasties. New dining experience Amaranta Grill & Bar (42 Murray Street, Hobart) is coming soon, sure to scratch the authentic Indian cuisine itch. Specialty coffee shop Little Fire (56a Cambridge Road, Bellerive), from the team at District B in Moonah, also opens soon, promising good music and good vibes. It’s a beautiful day in paradise—formerly Zest Café & Bakehouse, Last Paradise (11 Oldaker Street, Devonport) is a café by day, but as night falls, it becomes an atmospheric modern restaurant. Encore Store (355 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart) is the latest addition to North Hobart’s thriving vintage and second hand scene, with a quality selection of clothing, collectibles, furniture, and more. A must-visit for wine and book lovers, Fives Leaves Left (41-43 Victoria Street, Hobart) is a boutique shop offering a curiously curated selection of low-fi wines and new and used books. Mismo Cielo (30 Murray Street, Hobart) is coming soon, offering a selection of high-end accessories, from exquisite jewellery to elegant handbags. Need a Christmas gift idea? There’s a new florist in town, Florage Tasmania (126 Murray Street, Hobart), not only selling beautiful, eco-friendly flowers, but gift hampers too. Hobart’s longest running locally owned coworking space, Parliament Coworking (107 Murray Street, Hobart) has moved into the CBD. There’s two floors of coworking and private offices, plus meeting rooms, kitchen, toilets, shower, lounge areas and secure bike storage…and lots of coworkers to socialise with.
The City of Hobart has launched a $1.1 million project to reduce the risk of fallen crack willow tree branches blocking stormwater channels and causing damaging flood events in Hobart. The project will also help rewild Hobart’s rivulets by removing destructive willows and replacing them with native habitat. The project builds on earlier willow tree eradication work along the Hobart Rivulet, but with an expanded scope, from Sandy Bay to New Town and surrounds. The willow tree is officially a weed in Australia. It’s highly invasive, pushing out native trees and shrubs, and takes over rivulet beds, making it hard for aquatic wildlife like platypus to find food and dig nesting burrows.
“This three-year project will reduce the risk and harm of major flood events to people, nature, built infrastructure and businesses,” Climate, Sustainability and Biodiversity Committee co-chair Councillor Ben Lohberger said. “This project is a step in the journey to rewild Hobart’s precious rivulet system, which will improve the environment for our much-loved platypus while also providing better protection for the community during major flood events.”
Kids Helpline has teamed up with Instagram to launch a new campaign aimed at helping young people
recognise, report, and get support for bullying. This comes as a recent survey reveals that 85% of Australian teens have experienced bullying, with our country ranking second highest for teen bullying among 24 OECD countries. To address this, the “How Do You Mean?” campaign is encouraging teens to take action against bullying and to create safer, more compassionate online and offline spaces. The campaign features popular Australian content creators Ben McIntosh, Brock Valesini, Sasha Tyers, Taz Zammit, and Alessia Allfree, who share their own experiences with bullying and offer advice on how to respond to it. The campaign also highlights tools available on Instagram to help teens manage their wellbeing online. Kids Helpline offers practical steps for managing bullying. The service is available 24/7 by calling 1800 551 800 or visiting www.kidshelpline.com.au.
Sculptures big and small were recently celebrated at Art Farm Birchs Bay as part of their annual Sculpture Prize. The 2024 large sculpture winner is Deep Textural by local emerging artist, Jess Knight. Crafted of plants and grasses, you can walk through and gently touch the winning sculpture and it is one of the first artworks you encounter on the trail. With a large spotted handfish, a dragonfly, and all kinds of sculptures to discover, the Art Farm Birchs Bay sculpture trail is a family friendly stroll.
Dr Martyn Sweet (Principal Dentist)
Dr Ram Pandey
Dr Emma Grubb
Dr Gavin Quek
Dr Justin Huang
Hannah Colantoni (Oral Health Therapist)
Abbi Mulholland (Oral Health Therapist)
Finalists for this year’s Tasmanian Athlete of the Year includes an impressive mix of world champions, world record holders, and Olympians. They include our former cover person Max Giuliani (swimming), Sarah Hawe (rowing), Eddie Ockenden (hockey), Alanna Smith (basketball), and this month’s cover person, Ariarne Titmus (swimming). Judging is based on athlete performance, contribution to the athlete’s sport and the Tasmanian sporting community across November 2023 to October 2024. The winner will be announced on 5 December.
12 local councils are working together to update the Southern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy (STRLUS). If you live and/or work in one of those councils, you can share your thoughts on the future of land use in Southern Tasmania. STRLUS is a plan to manage how land is used and developed in Southern Tasmania over the next 25 years. The 12 council areas covered by the STRLUS are Brighton, Central Highlands, Clarence, Derwent Valley, Glamorgan Spring-Bay, Glenorchy, Hobart, Huon Valley, Kingborough, Sorell, Southern Midlands, and Tasman. The survey asks questions like, how they
can ensure Southern Tasmania remains a great place to live, and how to keep communities safe. The online feedback will be open until 11:59pm on Wednesday 18 December. To get involved, visit www. shapingtasmania.com.au.
The City of Hobart has just launched Voices of the Southern Ocean: A Nipaluna/Hobart Anthology, a collection that celebrates Hobart’s strong connection to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. This project, now available online, includes contributions from over 50 local authors and illustrators, who share their thoughts on the people, creatures, and future of the Southern Ocean. The e-book version is now available to the public on the City of Hobart’s website.
Colossal Biosciences, the U.S. company working to bring the thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) back from extinction, is inching close to success. You might remember they teamed up with Leonardo DiCaprio earlier this year. Well, the team has just announced they’ve reportedly created a genome that’s 99.9% accurate,
making it the most complete genome of any extinct species so far. There are only 45 gaps in the genome, which they plan to fill with more sequencing over the next few months. To put this together, the team used samples from a preserved thylacine head stored in ethanol, along with genetic material from several thylacine pelts. They chose the thylacine for this de-extinction project because it went extinct relatively recently.
New data recently released shows there are more mental health-related patients needing acute care, and waiting times for patients in emergency departments (ED) are now the longest on record. The Australian Medical Association’s (AMA) Public Hospital Report Card: mental health edition reveals more patients with mental health-related conditions are arriving at emergency departments by ambulance or police services, and more are arriving in a critical condition needing urgent care. AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said the latest figures showed the length of time spent in ED for patients presenting with mental health-related conditions was the highest on record in 2022–23. On average, these patients spent seven hours in ED before being admitted to hospital, with 10 per cent of patients with mental health-related conditions spending more than 23 hours, in ED before receiving a hospital bed. “Our public hospitals are under more strain than ever, and this is a direct result of the public hospital logjam,” Dr McMullen said. “Australia has just 27 specialised mental health beds per 100,000 Australians—the lowest per-person capacity figure on record.” The report also shows the number of Australians presenting to ED with a mental illness triaged as an emergency has more than doubled since 2010–11. “The solution to the growing mental health burden on our hospitals is additional resourcing and real reform to the delivery and availability of mental health support at all levels,” said Dr McMullen.
The Hobart International, a tennis tournament for some of the best female players in the world, is happening at the Hobart International Tennis Centre from 4-11 January. The first two days (4-5 January) are the Family Fun Weekend - packed with summer activities for the kids, along with plenty of court action, featuring 18 matches over the two days. There will also be prizes, giveaways, and competitions, and it’s free to enter. For an extra treat, tennis players will be making appearances for signings both mornings of the family weekend. The hot tip is to arrive by 10am when the gates open, as player signings will likely start shortly after that. On-court action kicks off at 11am.
If you’re planning on heading along, you can also enter the Family Fun Weekend Ultimate Experience Competition. The prize includes a oneon-one coaching and hitting session with a player, a photo opportunity and a merchandise pack signed by the player. To enter, simply RSVP to the event page on Facebook, fill out the competition entry form, and check in with the Hobart International 2025 Kids Zone Crew on either Saturday 4 January, or Sunday 5 January. The competition closes at 11:59pm on Sunday 5 January 2025.
Upgrades to the Walls Circuit Track in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park have commenced, to provide visitors with an improved walking experience. “The project involves the upgrade of a one kilometre section of boggy and braided track on the Walls Circuit Track between Lake Adelaide and Trappers Hut,” Great Western Tiers Ranger Daniel Johansson said. “The project will deliver a key outcome of the park’s Recreation Zone Plan. An elevated walking track structure will help prevent braiding and damage to sensitive vegetation including cushion plants.” It should hopefully be completed before the end of the year.
The Libby app - borrow ebooks and audiobooks, just like a real library but on your phone.
Vietnamese iced lattes.
Mangoes are back.
All the Christmas things - real trees, shopping local, fruit mince tarts, delicious Tasmanian seafood.
Summer festival season in Tassie.
It’s nearly time for parents to take a break from making school lunches, hurrah.
The mental load of Christmas.
Overdressing on an unexpectedly hot day.
Not drinking enough water.
There are two big updates from James Boag’s Brewery recently. First, they’ve announced plans for a $1.8 million upgrade to their visitor centre, which will be relaunched as the Boags Brewhouse. The centre will be the new home for the brand and its products, as well as a tourist attraction. The upgrade will include a new brewhouse hall, a tasting area, a redesigned beer garden, and a relocated Boag’s museum that will tell the story of the brewery’s 143-year history. It will also include a new feature wall, which will show off the pubs of Launceston and their histories. Boag’s is the second most visited attraction in Launceston, following the Cataract Gorge. Construction on Boags Brewhouse is expected to start in late February next year, with a planned opening in mid-2025. The second piece of news is bittersweet. Boag’s is pulling one of its beloved beers, Wizard Smith Ale, from bottle shop shelves. Named after ‘Wizard Smith’, the brewery’s drayman who heroically saved the beer horses during the 1929 Launceston flood, the ale was first released in 2007 to honour his legacy. Due to declining sales, they’ve decided to discontinue it. The remaining stock is expected to last until around March 2025, giving fans a chance to say their goodbyes.
The Federal Government is spending $28 million on improving water quality and the environment at Macquarie Harbour. Of this, $21 million will go toward increasing oxygen levels in the water, which will attempt to counteract the impact of human activities. Other parts of the project will focus on cleaning up the sediment and studying the effects of past mining. Another $5 million will support the Maugean Skate breeding program, helping to hatch and raise juvenile skates to release into the wild. Finally, $2.5 million will be used for monitoring the skate population and the overall health of the harbour’s ecosystem. This includes
keeping track of environmental changes and working with the local community in Strahan to get their input and keep them informed.
Plans are underway to improve pedestrian safety at the Huon Highway-Mountain River Road intersection. Kids are having to cross in between fast moving traffic in its current state, according to Huon Valley Mayor Sally Doyle. “This upgrade is vital for our community, especially for the many students who use this busy pick-up and drop-off point for school buses,” Mayor Doyle said. The Grove area, one of the fastest-growing communities in the Valley, has seen a 10-15% increase in daily traffic since 2020. Recently, the Huon Valley Council met with the Tasmanian Government to discuss the necessary upgrades. The Tasmanian Government has hired consultants to assess the site, which will help shape the future design of the intersection. “We expect the project will include improved pedestrian crossings and pathways, providing safer and more convenient routes for those walking or cycling,” Mayor Doyle said.
More homes are coming to Brighton, one of Tasmania’s fastest-growing communities. A new 10.7-hectare subdivision is being developed close to public transport,
shops, and essential services, offering plenty of convenience for future residents. The development will include around 105 lots, with about 85% of them available for people looking to build their own homes. Homes Tasmania CEO, Eleri Morgan-Thomas, said that the organisation will keep around 15% of the lots for future social and affordable rental housing.
A new Mobile Food Vendor Policy, aimed at making it cheaper and simpler for food vans to operate in Launceston, has been approved by the City of Launceston. “There’s clearly a role for food vans in our municipality, but we know from feedback from operators that the policies the Council has previously had in place in this area have not been user friendly or economical,” Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said. “We’ve been working really hard to develop a new policy framework that will make it easier and cheaper for food vans to set up and operate on Council-managed land in Launceston, while also understanding it’s critical we continue to support our bricks and mortar stores.” The new policy hopes to provide more certainty for food van operators and to make the Launceston municipality an attractive and viable place for them to operate. Registration fees have also been significantly reduced. Head to the City of Launceston website for more info.
Get your bathers on! The First Basin Swimming Pool in Cataract Gorge, Launceston, is officially open for summer. Lifeguards will be on duty at the First Basin pool every weekend between 11am and 4pm until February.
A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia shows that Long COVID had a big economic impact on Australia in 2022 and 2023. The research team, led by Professor Martin Hensher from the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research and Deakin University, used data on the labour market to estimate the cost of Long COVID and its effect on employment. Professor Hensher explained that many Australians were still dealing with Long COVID last year, and it was limiting their ability to work and do daily activities. The research showed that tens of thousands of people were either unable to work or didn’t want to because of long-term illness. In 2022, the cost of Long COVID to Australia was estimated to be up to $6 billion. “Our findings emphasise the unfortunate reality that Australia is still not adequately monitoring how many people are affected by Long COVID – or indeed the true impact of ongoing COVID infections and re-infection,” said Hensher.
One of the world’s top fly fishing spots is up for sale with a price tag expected to top $30 million. The London Lakes estate, in Tasmania’s Central Highlands, covers
more than 2,000 hectares and includes three stunning lakes: Lake Big Jim, Lake Samuel, and Lake Benjamin, along with a lodge and farmhouse. The property was turned into a private fly fishery in the 1970s, and it quickly gained a reputation as one of the best in the world. In 2003, a group of Sydney families bought the property and made several changes, like extending the stream that connects the two largest lakes and starting a restocking program with wild trout. The fishery is home to a mix of brown, rainbow, and tiger trout. London Lakes has even hosted national and international fly fishing championships. Any takers?
In welcome news for many parents, the National Cabinet recently agreed to impose a ban on social media for people under the age of 16. The Tasmanian Government has supported measures that reduce harm to children and young people caused by social media, however, they have raised concerns about the minimum age, suggesting a minimum age of 14 would be better, considering that’s when teenagers first start entering the workforce, and by age 16, are legally able to drive, open a bank account and get their own Medicare card. “At National Cabinet, we made it clear that Tasmania has concerns the Federal Government’s proposal could have unintended consequences particularly for regional communities,” said Deputy Premier Guy Barnett. “Tasmania has a highly dispersed population, and social media can provide an important and
positive tool for learning, engaging with peers and maintaining social connection.” The proposed social media ban for young people is still in its early stages.
This summer, show your support for your local library by picking up one of Libraries Tasmania’s new eco bags. These bags are roomy, durable, and made from natural jute. Great for carrying your library books, groceries, or whatever you need as you’re out and about. Stop by your local library to grab one for just $10.
At the Remembrance Day service in Latrobe in November, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, the Chief of Navy, announced that the Australian Navy Cadets Training Ship Mersey would be renamed to Training Ship Sheean. This is a tribute to Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean, the only member of the Royal Australian Navy to ever be awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia. A life-size statue of Sheean was also unveiled during the ceremony. Sheean earned the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary bravery on 1 December 1942, when the HMAS Armidale was under heavy attack by enemy aircraft. Despite being severely wounded as the ship was sinking, he stayed at his gun station and continued firing at the enemy, saving many lives. In 2020, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, Australia’s highest military honour. The statue, now in the Latrobe town square, was created through a partnership between the Tasmanian and Latrobe Municipal governments.
Tasmanian series Aussie Lobster Men is coming back to national TV after wrapping up filming for season five. If you haven’t seen it, the show follows lobster boat skippers in Tasmania as they hunt for rock lobsters in the Southern Ocean. “Aussie Lobster Men joins a host of other successful productions filmed locally in what is shaping up as a record year for Tasmanian screen production,” said Minister for the Arts and Heritage, Madeleine Ogilvie. “These include Netflix’s The Survivors, ABC’s Bay of Fires, Tasmanian Aboriginal short-form series Moonbird for SBS, and SBS documentary series Hunt for the Truth: Tasmanian Tiger.” Aussie Lobster Men Season 5 is currently in post-production and will air on the Nine Network in 2025, with the exact date to be announced soon.
South George Town Primary School is set to receive a $15.1 million redevelopment, and the Tasmanian Government is inviting the local community to have their say. They want students, families, staff, and the wider community to share their thoughts and ideas about the changes. The consultation process is open until 6 December and includes opportunities to look at the draft plans for the school, fill out an online survey, and take part in workshops. Feedback will be passed on to the architects and project team to help shape the final design. Construction is expected to start in 2026 and finish by
2028. For more details visit www.decyp. tas.gov.au/sgtps.
The Tasmania JackJumpers have shown interest in expanding their footprint in the state by placing a bid for a Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) licence. The proposal includes mention of the team being based in northern Tasmania. JackJumpers CEO Christine Finnegan said, “I want to exhaust every option before we look anywhere else to house the WNBL Team.”
The Lutruwita Art Orchestra (LAO) has announced a new event in partnership with palawa singer/songwriter Dewayne Everettsmith. Called Muylatina Tapilti Nayri, this performance takes the audience on a journey through ceremonial cultural sites, and aims to capture the spirit, memory, and energy of the land through music. Dewayne is a descendant of Fanny Cochrane Smith, who was the first and last of the palawa to record songs in the traditional language before the British arrived. The event will be presented over three nights at different locations: Kunanyi on Wednesday 4 December, Nipaluna (South Hobart) on Thursday 5 December, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery on Friday 6 December. For more information and tickets, visit www.lutruwitaartorchestra. org.au.
A new website has been developed to improve literacy rates in Tasmania. Called Lifting Literacy, it’s part of a three-year government plan aiming to have all Tasmanians with the literacy skills they need to participate fully in their community. The Lifting Literacy website will be updated with news and activities from the Lifting Literacy Outcomes Monitoring Group, who are tasked with monitoring the three-year Lifting Literacy Implementation Plan. Lifting Literacy can be accessed online at www.tas.gov.au/literacy.
Hydro Tasmania is investing $11.5 million to upgrade the Huxley Hill Wind Farm on King Island, which is a key part of the island’s off-grid energy system. The wind farm, built in 1998, is one of the oldest still running in Australia. Since King Island isn’t connected to the mainland power grid, the wind farm plays a crucial role in keeping the island powered. The upgrades will help the farm’s five turbines keep running for at least another 10 years. Instead of buying new turbines, Hydro Tasmania is “repowering” the existing ones by refurbishing used equipment and reusing as many parts as possible to save on costs and reduce waste. The upgrade work is set to be finished by 2027.
Tasmania’s wine industry has just released its 2024 environmental sustainability report and announced the winners of its sustainability awards. At the recent Tassie Wine Stars event, Pooley Wines was named the 2024 VinØ (‘vin zero’) Program Champion for the third time, while Delamere Vineyards took home the award for Most Improved Producer in the VinØ Program. Wine Tasmania’s VinØ Program is designed to assess, improve, and report on the sustainability practices of Tasmanian wine producers. It helps ensure that the state’s dedicated grape growers are producing top-quality wine while minimising their environmental impact and supporting the local community.
The City of Hobart has started work on a big upgrade to Queenborough Oval in Sandy Bay. The $3.8 million project is co-funded by the Tasmanian Government ($2 million) and the City of Hobart ($1.8 million), and the goal is to improve facilities for three main sports clubs and local schools that use the oval, with particular attention given to better amenities for female athletes.
Claremont College will become the home for the brand new four-court Glenorchy Sports Centre. Set to cost $28 million, the facility will accommodate basketball, netball, volleyball, and futsal. There will also be changerooms, a multi-purpose space, and carparking. Claremont College became the chosen site after a comprehensive assessment process, with an under-utilised area of the campus set to become home to the Glernochy Sports Centre. Students and staff will have access to the facility, which will be open to the public. Construction is expected to get underway in 2025 and be completed by 2026.
After taking a year off, the iconic winter tourist magnet Dark Mofo will return in June 2025, with a new funding agreement with the Tasmanian Government. “We are investing $21.6 million to support the delivery of Dark Mofo through to 2027,” Minister for Sports and Events Nick Duigan said. The 2025 festival will keep
all the usual favourites, such as the Winter Feast, the Ogoh-Ogoh, Night Mass and the Nude Solstice Swim, plus some new surprises in store. Dark Mofo 2025 will take place from 5-15 June with the Nude Solstice Swim on 21 June.
Tasmania has confirmed its first case of meningococcal disease this year. A woman from the North West was diagnosed recently and is now recovering at home after receiving treatment in hospital. Dr. Scott McKeown, Acting Director of Public Health, said this serves as a reminder that meningococcal disease is still a risk and highlights the importance of vaccination. “Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious infection that can develop quickly and can be fatal,” said Dr McKeown. “Detecting and treating cases quickly can save lives, which means anyone with suspected meningococcal infection needs to seek emergency medical care immediately.”
Symptoms of meningococcal disease include fever, severe headache, confusion, muscle pain, and a rash. Vaccines to protect against the meningococcal A, C, W, and Y strains are provided free as part of the National Immunisation Program for children at 12 months and for Year 10 students through the school-based program. A vaccine is also available for the meningococcal B strain, starting at six weeks of age. This vaccine is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants. Others who want to protect themselves or their families from meningococcal B can get
the vaccine through their GP with a private prescription. For more information, visit www.health.tas.gov.au/publications/ meningococcal-disease.
On the outskirts of Stanley is the Highfield Historic Site, a historically accurate vision of a gentleman’s home and farm of the 1830s. Recently, a piece of the homestead’s history was returned following the donation of a period dress, circa 1874. The dress was originally owned by Mrs Ellen Ford, a member of the Ford family who lived at Highfield from the 1850s to the 1930s. The Ford family lived at Highfield for 76 years over three generations. The Fords were very successful beef farmers and ran a merchant and supply business out of Stanley. Highfield Historic Site coordinator Lesa Scott said the dress was donated by Patricia Nixon, a collector who purchased it in Brisbane 45 years ago to wear to a fancy-dress party. It then became a permanent display in her dining room for many years. “The detail in the dress is stunning, hand-sewn in parts, lined with metal rib bracing around the waist, and a cute little pocket on the left side top, possibly for a pocket watch,” Ms Scott said. “The dress will hopefully be displayed at Highfield so its beauty and intricate detail can be fully appreciated.”
At a loose end on Christmas Day? Need help to get a few treats on the Christmas Table? We’ve got you covered. Here’s our round up of community services helping out this Christmas.
Home Base Hobart Christmas Lunch
Formerly known as Colony 47, Home Base are hosting their mega Community Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day at In the Hanging Garden (153 Liverpool St, Hobart). Catered once again by Flint Kitchen, the event runs from 12pm1:30pm. To join the lunch, head to homebasetas.org.au/christmas.
Clarence Community Brunch
The Salvos are holding their free community Clarence Christmas Brunch in Howrah on Christmas Day, and everyone’s invited. There will be delicious food, entertainment and activities from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Howrah Community Centre.
Launnie Community Christmas Lunch
The IGA Launceston City Community Christmas is a city-wide Christmas lunch event hosted by five community organisations, to bring together those who are looking for a place to belong on Christmas Day. It includes a two-course Christmas lunch and entertainment from some fabulous singers and acts. Santa will make a visit and the children will receive
a gift from Santa. Organisations involved are City Mission, The Salvation Army Launceston, St Vincent de Paul Society Tas, The Launceston Benevolent Society and CatholicCare Tasmania. Doors open at 10:30am for a 12pm lunch at the Launceston Conference Centre. If you would like to attend or volunteer please register through the event website at launcestoncommunitychristmas.com.au or contact one of the agencies involved.
Free Community Lunch in Devonport
If you are struggling to provide Christmas lunch this year, the East Devonport Bowls Club are extending a warm welcome for you to join them. Lunch will be cold meats, salads and dessert. Tea, coffee and cordial are included. There will be music and barefoot bowls for all to enjoy. To book, call Kellie on 6427 9574 or email eastdbc@bigpond.com. 12pm-3pm, Christmas Day.
Hobart City Mission
You can access emergency relief for food packs, food vouchers, vouchers for their op shops and other help at this time of year. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 6215 4200 or visit hobartcitymission.com.au.
St Vincent de Paul Society
Vinnies is running its annual Christmas Appeal. Last year, the Christmas Appeal
helped bring relief to thousands of Tasmanians, from food hampers to financial assistance. Reach out to them via vinnies. org.au/tas/find-help.
RiverCity Christian Church
North Hobart’s RiverCity Church are providing Christmas hampers to those in need again this year – last year they gave away hundreds of them. To request one, head to rivercitycc.com.au/ christmashampers.
Uniting Tasmania
If you’re experiencing financial hardship you can access help via Uniting Tasmania, who offer practical resources and a listening ear. They can provide food, personal care items, material aid, financial support and links to other services. Get in touch via (03) 9192 8100 or at hello@ unitingvictas.org.au.
Confidential and non-judgmental financial or material support is on offer to anyone experiencing hardship via CatholicCare Tasmania, contact them between 9am5pm Monday-Friday to make an appointment via 1800 819 447.
If you have the means to make a donation, get in touch with these wonderful organisations to share the love (and money) this Christmas.
MONDAY
ThylaSing present Hits Across the Decades, an evening of world-class a cappella featuring songs by Queen, The Beatles, A-Ha, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus and more. 7pm-8:30pm, Peacock Theatre.
It’s the last few days to get your letter to Santa via the Glenorchy Library: post it in the library by Friday 13th, and receive Santa’s reply (at the Service Desk) between 16-24 December.
It’s the last days of Writers and the Sea, an exhibition exploring our fascination with the ocean via objects and words from writers from Tasmania and abroad. 9am-5pm, until 21 December, Maritime Museum Tasmania.
WEDNESDAY TUESDAY
Get prepared for 2025 with Bonnie Tuttle’s guided Deep Dive and Do planning day. 10am-2pm, Howrah Community Centre, tickets at humanitix.
See the Glenorchy Open Art Exhibition at Moonah Arts Centre, open today 10am-5pm and finishing on 21 December
THURSDAY FRIDAY
Greeley & Mizhap are part of Outside the Box, a night of hip hop talent at The Republic Bar, 7:3011:30pm.
16 24 25 26 31 1 27 18 17 20 19 11 12 10 9 5 4 3 2 6 13 i
Grinspoon are back with their ‘whatever, whenever, wherever’ tour at The Odeon, doors open 7:30pm. For something Christmasy, there is Hobart Harmony’s A Cappella Christmas at St David’s Cathedral, 7pm.
Looking for an opportunity to practise your English conversation skills?
Rosny Library hosts a group for adults to meet and chat in a friendly space. No bookings. Every Tuesday in term time, 11:30am-12:30am.
Artist Wayne Brookes’s new exhibition at the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, Humble to Huge, is on until late February.
TasSwing host their big Xmas Ice Cream Party today - with a free beginners class, social dancing, the Southern Lights Big Bands and yes, ice cream. TryBooking for details.
Government House’s famous garden produce tour is on today from 10:30am, then later catch Daniel Muggleton for laughs at The Clubhouse at Hobart Brewing Co, 8pm-10pm.
Keep the 2-5yo in your life busy on the day before Christmas with Storytime, a free 30-minute session at Bridgewater Library.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve on the waterfront. With the perfect vantage point Frogmore Creek Wine Bar are hosting a NYE party from 8pm.
Meg Washington is in Tassie on her Australian tour, playing Altar Bar tonight from 8pm. Photography exhibition Images of Tasmania 27 opens today at the Long Gallery, Salamanca Arts Centre, until 6 January.
Merry Christmas to you from everyone at The Hobart Magazine!
Happy New Year! The Hobart Hurricanes take on the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash today at Ninja Stadium from 4pm.
Every Thursday is Sports Day for NDIS participants with OnTrack Tas at the Moonah Sports Centre, where you can try frisbee, cricket, basketball and soccer. 10am-11:30am, with a BBQ afterwards.
It’s Boxing Day, which means the Rolex Sydney to Hobart yachts set off today at 1pm. Best of luck to all involved, keep an eye on the Derwent River for incoming yachts in about two days time.
Candlelight Concerts presents A Night of Christmas Classics at Hobart Town Hall tonight from 6:30pm. Ages 8 and older.
Sydney to Hobart isn’t the only yacht race to watch: Launceston to Hobart departs today, for a thrilling race down the east coast of Tassie. Watch out for their arrival down the Derwent!
SATURDAY SUNDAY
The original Dance Monkey is in town: Tones and I plays MyState Bank Arena from 7pm.
Paint your pet at Archaica Schola tonight from 7pm - maybe it’ll be the purrfect Christmas pressie?
American alt-country icon, who was recently nominated for a Grammy, Waxahatchee, is in town with a full band at The Odeon tonight, doors open 6:30pm.
5 December
Hold your horses!
Daryl Braithwaite has an arvo gig at the Longley International Hotel today, 2pm-6pm.
The Revel Warehouse Party is on at the Goods Shed tonight. Flight Facilities, Confidence Man, Airwolf Paradise & Luke Alessi from 8pm til late.
Make your own candles whilst sipping your favourite beverage at the Wax N’ Wicks Sip N’ Pour workshop, 2pm4pm.
The Taste of Summer is back, taking over PW1 from noon every day until 4 January. See tasteofsummer.com.au for more info.
The Richmond Village Markets are on today from 11am-4pm. Say hi to the ducks while you’re there!
Van Diemen’s Band’s lunchtime concert series gets festive at this end of the year with Deck the Halls, brimming with Christmas favourites from around the world, 1:05pm at the Burnie Arts Centre.
5 December
The Geeveston Twilight Feast is a family-friendly event with local food and drinks. Held on the first Thursday of every month, the feast is a free event with local food trucks and stalls in the historic Geeveston Town Hall. Open from 5pm.
6 December
Need some unique Christmas gifts? Head to the Artisan’s Hand Christmas Market in Cygnet’s
historic Balfour House and buy from local makers and creatives/ Think ceramics, jewellery, art prints, leatherwork, handmade knives, home-baked goodies and more. 3pm-7pm, 22 Mary Street, Cygnet.
8 December
The Jane Morris Quartet brings gypsy swing jazz to the Huon Valley at this gig at Cygnet Town Hall. Enjoy gypsy classics, Parisian ballads and reworked jazz standards. Presented by Charlie McCarthy, it starts at 3pm and ends at 5pm.
14 December
The Greenvale Backyard Ultra is a new running event in Forth. It’s a form of ultramarathon race where competitors must consecutively run a 6.71km course in less than one hour, every hour. When each lap is completed, the remaining time within the hour is used to recover and replenish for the next hour’s race. The race finishes when one person completes one more lap than anyone else. If this sounds like fun, rather than torture, look up their Facebook page for details.
Got an event coming up in Tassie?
Email us at editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au
> Sarah Clark, CEO, Tourism Tasmania
We’re so lucky in Tasmania to get the best of every season, with our spring and summer months bringing a sense of joy and nostalgia. For me, summer is all about soaking up the vibrant events, weekends away with family, lazy days at the beach and long lunches at the many incredible cafes and restaurants across our state.
Now is the time to make the most of our longer days, whether you like to plan ahead or prefer to keep things spontaneous. From rediscovering towns from your childhood, ticking that restaurant or tourism experience off the bucket list or weekend getaways and outdoor adventures, there are so many unforgettable experiences on offer around our state.
Most of all, it’s the perfect time to create memories with loved ones – something I am especially excited for this summer as a new mum. I can’t wait to enjoy some of my favourite places with my son, creating new memories with my family in Tasmania.
In this month’s edition of The Hobart Magazine, we’re sharing a glimpse of the diverse experiences on offer over the warmer months. For more inspiration visit discovertasmania.com. au/longerdays to start planning your summer holiday in Tasmania.
Created in partnership with Tourism Tasmania For more discovertasmania.com.au/longerdays
more near you with the Discover Tasmania app.
Tasmanian produce is in its element in summer: a fresh, colourful, delicious bounty, best enjoyed outdoors as the sun slowly sets.
It doesn’t get much fresher than this: eating seasonal food picked, plucked and prepared straight from the source. Mount Gnomon Farm (mountgnomonfarm. com.au), near Penguin, has made a name for itself not just for the delicious food grown, cooked and served on site (and the cider handcrafted from the heritage apple orchard) but also for the gigs they’ve been hosting and their Instaworthy sunflower farm due to really shine from mid-February. The Stanley Hotel Bistro & Bar (stanleyhotelbistro. com.au) prides itself on using the best local abalone, oysters, fresh fish, beef, potatoes and more. In New Norfolk’s old Willow Court complex, The Agrarian Kitchen (theagrariankitchen.com) was recently named Gourmet Traveller’s 2024 restaurant of the year, and surely their cranking market garden played a part in that. The kitchen school has a range of classes to teach you how to make simple seasonal produce sing. Love Bruny Island Cheese Co? Go straight to the source with a tour at Glen Huon Dairy Co. (brunyislandcheese.com.au) the cheese company’s sustainable, small-scale, organic dairy farm in the picturesque Huon Valley. We know we can enjoy a Tassie wine, craft beer, cheese or cider
tasting. Make the most of the longer days with a paddock picnic at Fork it Farm (forkitfarm.com.au) near Launceston. Their pork, from the Heritage Berkshire pigs on pasture, is as fresh as it gets, and if you’re quick, nab a Christmas ham.
Oysters, scallops, flathead and all the fried potatoes: it’s summer on a plate (or in a cardboard box) in the sun, by the sea. At Bicheno’s The Lobster Shack Tasmania (lobstershacktasmania.com.au) you can eat the delicious fish and chips, salads and of course, lobster, whilst fishers reel in their catches at The Gulch and local fishing boats return from a day at sea. In Dodges Ferry, you can do a surf check while waiting for your coffee at Beach Bums (beachbumstassie.com.au). Created by the team who started Lost Freight Cafe at The Springs, Beach Bums is a glutenfree dream, with most of the menu free from gluten, including fish and chips. They also have takeaway lunches, pastries and ice cream, steps from the beach. Risby Cove (risbycove.com.au) is a boutique hotel and restaurant reimagining the former Risby Bros’ Huon pine sawmill site right on Strahan’s waterfront. Yes, they’ve got fresh local seafood, but also meals using ethically-raised meats, organic fruit and veg and farm-fresh eggs, milk and cheeses. The woodfired pizzas at Geographe (geographerestaurant.com. au) in Coles Bay come with a view of the spectacular Hazards from their deck or the more casual picnic area.
Does anything taste more of summer in Tasmania than a freshly picked berry,
still warm from the sun, exploding with flavour in your mouth? On the banks of the Tamar, the family-run Hillwood Berries (hillwoodberries.com.au) has a pick-your-own patch or take a shortcut and buy berry products made by the pros in the farmgate cafe and shop. The Berry Patch at Turners Beach near Devonport (theberrypatch.com.au) also opens for pick-your-own days during summer (check their socials for open days). Kids can run around the hay maze then refuel with the seasonal menu of sweet treats and savoury delights. While it’s not a pick-your-own place, raspberries are the star at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe (raspberryfarmcafe.com) near Elizabeth Town. Buy straight from the source and take a raspberry ice cream or sorbet for a jaunt around the lake. Meanwhile, Kate’s Berry Farm (katesberryfarm.com) is famous for its cafe, with views of Great Oyster Bay and Freycinet National Park, and for the preserves to take away.
Hungry for Culture? For a Tasmanian Aboriginal-inspired food experience try a palawa kipli tour (palawakipli.com). Their kipli takara piyura kitina-ta (bush foods walk at Risdon Cove near Hobart) allows guests to taste native bush tucker currently in season along the track. The ‘kipli takara’ experience ends with a unique tasting of native flavours from palawa kipli (the Tasmanian Aboriginal owned and operated catering company).
There’s more time to enjoy a sundowner when the sun takes such a lovely, long time to go down. Make the most of drawn out sunsets with some locally made drinks in some special spots.
There are wineries…and then there are small scale Tasmanian wineries punching far above their weight when it comes to taste, provenance and impact. The small but mighty Small Wonder Wines (smallwonderwines.com.au) is an organic winery built on regenerative and sustainable principles in the Tamar Valley. Their Vin Explorer wine tour will tell you the rest - with samples along the way. Not too far away is Utzinger Wines (utzingerwines.com). Certified organic and with a focus on true terroir wines, the Utzinger crew nurture a balance between all the elements in the biosystem. Also in the Tamar, Swinging Gate Vineyard (swinginggatewines.com.au) offer a very cool cellar door transformed out of an old machinery shed and you can prolong the fun by staying onsite in their bespoke, eclectic geodome accommodation
With a bar, restaurant, and beer garden along the Channel Highway, Hopfields Brewery (hopfieldsbrewery.com.au) has just opened in Margate, an area that once was a top hop-growing region. There’s ten beers and ciders on tap, a Tassie-centric wine list and plenty of non-alcoholic options. The kitchen serves up a menu of beer-inspired snacks, burgers, mains and more. With beer brewed onsite, keep an eye out for limited-edition releases throughout the year.
options. Ghost Rock Wines (ghostrock. com.au) on the Cradle Coast will have you sipping your vino overlooking the Bass Strait as you peruse the lunch menu full of local produce.
Make an active summer’s day last longer with a sampling of our finest locally made beers and ciders. Locals and visitors alike congregate at Penguin Beer Co. (penguinbeerco.com.au) tap house for trivia nights, gigs, or just for the beers and the beach views. Four generations of apple growing experience goes into the award-winning production at Spreyton Cider Co. (spreytonciderco.com.au). They pride themselves on being one of the few true tree-to-bottle cider producers in Australia and the cellar door is right near the working apple orchards. South of Hobart in Franklin is Frank’s Cider House and Cafe (frankscider.com.au), where you can try their award-winning apple and pear ciders, using fruit grown by 5th- and 6th-generation orchardists. At Deloraine’s Bush Inn Brewhouse (bushinn.com.au), small batch craft beers are made on site in the historic circa 1848 hotel. For something different, try their Tasmanian truffle hound stout, and kids can make their own pizzas. Seven Sheds (sevensheds.com) is a craft brewery with hops growing in the backyard. Their creative brews and mead wines bring travellers from afar to the tiny town of Railton (as does the mountain biking!). Try their tipples inspired by locally grown quinoa, oats, raspberries and honey, or the beetroot steam ale and tart cherry saison.
Not sure if you want the wine, the beer or the cider? Head to one of our best kept secret bars to have your choice of
all three plus more. Pam’s Bottles & Cups (pamsbottlesncups.com.au) is an intimate wine bar, small-plates restaurant and specialty wine shop hidden away in a back lane in Devonport. The focus on small-production vineyards locally and further afield means you’re guaranteed to find something new and interesting. Launceston’s The Barrel Collective (thebarrelcollective.com.au) began with owner Michael Bernhagen’s love of Tasmanian gin and has evolved to showcase local whisky, wine and craft beer too. In the West, Queenstown’s Moonscape Wine Bar & Cafe (moonscapewinebar.com.au) is a cafe by day, with quirky twists on classic, seasonal fare and great coffee, but at dusk, it comes into its own with a Europeaninfluenced menu and plenty of drink options. The name gives it away at View 42 Restaurant & Bar (strahanvillage. com.au), where you can sip cocktails with a view of the sun setting in the west over Macquarie Harbour in Strahan.
Bask in the longer days and mild nights this summer. Soak it all in exploring Tasmania’s stunning waterways. Whether you’re looking to cruise on tranquil bays or kayak down scenic rivers, there’s no shortage of ways to get out on the water. Let’s set sail and navigate the nautical gems Tasmania has from coast to coast.
East The sunny East Coast boasts some of the world’s best beaches, with Freycinet National Park at its heart. This region is a playground for water-based activities, especially in summer. Start with Freycinet Adventures (freycinet adventures.com.au), which offers awardwinning guided sea kayak tours along the peninsula. This relaxing tour has you paddling through crystal-clear waters and taking in stunning views of Freycinet’s pink granite peaks and sandy beaches— a kayaker’s paradise. Further north is the Bay of Fires, where sandy white beaches, turquoise waters, and rocks coated in orange lichen create a striking landscape. Experience it firsthand with Bay of Fires Eco Tours (discovertasmania.com.au/ bayoffiresecotours), departing from Binalong Bay aboard the Infurneaux. Along the way, enjoy local stories and dramatic coastal views. Further south, Maria Island is packed with rich geology and abundant wildlife. From Triabunna, join Maria Island Cruises (eastcoastcruises.com.au) for a full-day tour aboard the Spirit Of Maria. Explore some of Australia’s largest sea caves, unique cliffs, and marine life, with a two-hour walk through the island’s historic convict settlement included.
West Tasmania’s West Coast is a boat lover’s dream, home to the waterways of
the World Heritage wilderness. No visit is complete without experiencing the Gordon River Cruise (gordonriver cruises.com.au) from Strahan. The dark waters of the ancient Gordon River offer a peaceful escape when the purpose-built Spirit of the Wild hits ‘quiet cruising mode’ using the vessel’s electric motors. You’ll also walk through rainforest to see ancient Huon Pines and visit Sarah Island, a 19th-century penal colony, to hear tales of the convicts who laboured there. Venture further into the wild and spend a night at the Corinna Wilderness Village (corinna.com.au). From here, take a Pieman River Cruise aboard the Arcadia II. Cruise downstream the historic Pieman River and learn its stories. They drop you off at Pieman Heads so you can spend time exploring the windswept coast, where you can gaze across the longest uninterrupted stretch of ocean on Earth. For a closer look at the Pieman River, hire a kayak for the three-hour Lover’s Falls/Savage River Paddle, where you might see the S.S. Croydon shipwreck. Alternatively, there’s a family-friendly paddle option on Whyte River. In Devonport, enjoy The Julie Burgess Tall Ship Experience (julieburgess.org) for a sunny afternoon sail along the North West coast aboard this restored historic fishing ketch.
North In Launceston, Tamar River Cruises (tamarrivercruises.com.au) takes you on a scenic journey along the Tamar River, where local skippers provide commentary full of local history. You’ll explore the stunning Cataract Gorge and
sample local wines and cheeses on board. It’s also a great option for birdwatchers, with frequent wildlife encounters including sea eagles, black swans, pelicans, and more. Meanwhile, Launceston Kayak Tours (launcestonkayaktours.com.au) are the only kayak tour in Launceston. Explore the city’s waterways with fun pedal-powered kayaks, perfect for families.
South There’s a wealth of on-water adventures around Hobart and the south. Start by exploring the city’s iconic waterfront from a new perspective with a Hobart City paddle with Roaring 40s Kayaking (roaring40skayaking.com. au). Join a late afternoon paddle to make the most of warm evenings. Swap your kayak for something taller and sail aboard the Lady Nelson Tall Ship (ladynelson. org.au), a replica of the original Lady Nelson, which brought the first British colonialists to Tasmania. The ship has short harbour cruises, where you can take the helm, assist the crew, or simply relax and enjoy the view. Craving seafood with a side of adventure? Tour with Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures (tasmanianwildseafoodadventures.com. au), where a scenic cruise meets a fresh dining experience. Live their ‘deepto-dish’ philosophy as you watch the freshest wild seafood being caught and cooked before you. If you crave speed, head inland and take on the Huon River Jet Boats (discovertasmania.com.au/ huonriverjetboats), Australia’s only white-water jet boating experience. Hold on tight as you race through rapids, with heart-pounding spins and turns, then debrief at one of the local pubs or cafes nearby in Huonville.
The sun’s out, summer’s in full swing, and that water is inviting. Imagine the sea spray on your face, or the cool river current against your skin. Sounds good, right? Let’s dive into experiencing Tasmania in the water, from salty to fresh.
In the Ocean Cool off from the summer heat and catch a surfing lesson at the 42 South Surf School (42southsurf. com.au), set against the backdrop of Scamander, with its stunning beaches and laid-back surf vibe. You’ll get all the gear needed to ride the waves and hang ten on the East Coast. For an exciting kayaking experience that’ll have you at one with the ocean, Southern Sea Ventures (southernseaventures.com) offers guided multi-day sea kayaking tours, such as their five-day Three Capes and Bruny Island paddles, and six-day adventure on the Freycinet Peninsula. Each trip includes delicious meals to keep you fueled as you explore hidden coastal gems. Tasmania’s crystal-clear waters also offer spectacular swimming, diving and snorkelling, explore incredible kelp forests and spot weedy sea dragons. Grab your favourite Tassie gourmet ingredients for a casual picnic, while relaxing on the beach, soaking in the sun. A simple pleasure and we’re spoilt for choice.
In the River Ever tried river sledding? Take a ride on an inflatable raft downriver, blending gentle floating with twists and turns through low-grade rapids.
Meander Wilderness Experiences (meanderwildernessexperiences.com) offers Tasmania’s premier river sledding experience down northern Tasmania’s Meander River, where no experience is needed—just a sense of adventure and a love of nature. On the West Coast, get to know the wild rivers. Franklin River Rafting (franklinriverrafting.com) run challenging-yet-memorable tours over eight or 10 days down one of the world’s most pristine and wild rivers.
In the Waders Every day’s a good day for fishing, but especially long, warm summer days. It’s an ideal way to reel in the sights and sounds of nature. Always wanted to give fly fishing a go? Now’s the time to cast a line - summer in Tasmania is peak fly fishing season. There’s also the Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion (ifs.tas.gov.au), which is on right now. In selected lakes, if you catch one of the 16 lucky fish, you could win $5000. Even more incentive to gather your friends and family for a weekend of casting in Tasmania’s pristine inland waterways. Trout Tales Tasmania (trouttalestasmania.com.au) runs fly and trout fishing tours across the island, guiding anglers through rivers, lakes, tarns, and lagoons. Whether you’re after a single-day trip or a longer adventure, it’s an angler’s dream. The Highland Fly (thehighlandfly.com.au) host fly fishing tours in Tasmania’s Central Highlands. With a local guide by your side, you’ll
stalk wild brown trout in crystal-clear lakes and might even hook a rainbow trout. Their specialist fly fishing boat, along with included equipment and lunch, means you can just focus on casting. Red Tag Trout Tours (redtagtrout.com), meanwhile, offer river and stream fly fishing tours, particularly in the Midlands. Catering to everyone, from beginners to seasoned anglers, their tours originate from Hobart.
Fishing is fun for all ages: Young anglers under 14 don’t need an inland angling licence to fish. If you’re between 14 and 17, you’ll need a licence, but don’t worry, it’s free! You can easily apply for one through the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) website. And if you’re 18 to 21, there are discounted licences options available for you.
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Make the most of longer days at Tasmania’s Taste of Summer, a celebration of Tassie food and drink, from freshly shucked oysters to cool-climate wines, at the Hobart waterfront until 4 January.
17
Cheer on the Aussie cricketers as they play against England in the CommBank Women’s Ashes 3rd One Day International.
6
Let loose at the Party in the Paddock festival. Starting today at Quercus Park, Carrick, this music festival has dozens of live acts, headlined by Empire of the Sun and Aurora.
21
Journey through the heart of Tassie at the Tasmanian Highlands Gathering in Miena. Celebrate Gaelic, Celtic, and Scottish culture, and make it a weekend to see the Central Highlands.
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The Blues Brothers Revival band plays Mount Gnomon Farm in Penguin this afternoon. Food and drink are available at this family friendly event, and camping is available on site.
18
For gin geeks, January means one thing - Gin-uary! That’s right, the Hobart Gin Festival returns, bringing the very best of Tasmania’s spirit industry to the city.
7
Held on Hobart’s waterfront, the four-day Australian Wooden Boat Festival brings together the largest collection of wooden boats in the southern hemisphere, attracting fans from across the world.
22
Do you like to add extra garlic to everything you cook? You’re in luck, because the Koonya Garlic Festival is on today. With art, games, and lots of garlic.
4
Iconic Aussie rockers Grinspoon are back with their first new studio album in 12 years, playing at Frankie J’s in Devonport tonight at 7pm.
6
Celebrate the season with a twist at the George Town Christmas Carnival, where the Christmas parade and carols will be Aussiethemed, plus there’s crafts, games and photos with Santa.
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It’s party time as we all celebrate New Year’s Eve. Head to George Town’s New Years Eve Extravaganza and Launceston Beerfest NYE Celebration at Royal Park.
18
The Latrobe Lilium Show at the Latrobe Memorial Hall will have Oriental, Trumpet, and hybrid Liliums, along with stunning floral art. On today and tomorrow.
7
The world’s toughest downhill mountain bike event, Red Bull Hardline, returns to Maydena Bike Park. This twoday event features top bikers showcasing their skills in a stunning location.
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Motorcycle lovers should check out the Spoke Motorcycle Festival at Mayfield Estate, on the East Coast. It’s all about bikes and racing, with tasty local food and drinks and live music.
8
Evandale Market has over 100 stalls, including local produce, secondhand books, food vans, and crafts. There are pony rides for kids. At Falls Park, Evandale, from 8am-1:30pm.
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Get festive and feasting at the River Run Cray Bake in Strathblane, 12pm-8pm. Enjoy fresh lobster, food trucks, live music, kids’ activities, and exciting prizes.
8
Become a triathlete at the Coles Bay Triathlon, easily one of the most scenic spots to do so. Half and Sprint options are available.
26
West Strahan Beach hosts the Mount Lyell Strahan Picnic, a free community celebration of West Coast spirit and mining history. Enjoy traditional races, prizes, and a bicycle stunt show.
8
Flower enthusiasts, this is for you. The Launceston Horticultural Society Seasonal Flower Show is on today and tomorrow at the Evandale Memorial Hall.
Want more to explore and experience this summer?
For more information and events visit discovertasmania.com.au/longerdays.
13
A new run of The Wizard of Oz starts tonight at the Princess Theatre until 22 December, a faithful adaptation of the classic 1939 film.
4
This weekend the Good Gumnuts Festival is held at Romaine, near Burnie. The lineup includes Hockey Dad, San Cisco, and Alex Lahey.
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Two art exhibitions open at QVMAG today. The Gentle Protagonist: The Art of Michael McWilliams until 23 March 2025, and 30 Years of ArtRage until 22 April 2025.
4
The Hobart International hosts the world’s top women’s tennis players at Hobart’s Domain Tennis Centre until 11 January. It’s a great day (and evening!) out with food, drink and activities.
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GoatFest, held in Longford, is one of the most goated festivals around. Celebrate everything goat. Learn about them, cuddle them, try their cheese, hear them bleat. If it’s goat, it’s here.
8
Indulge at the Tas Wine Fest, a two-day celebration of the finest in Tassie wine, food, and live music, at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
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The best of tennis talent serves up in the North West for the week-long Burnie International Tennis Festival, until 4 February.
15
Have a howling good time at Wobbly Boot Vineyard for the 10th Annual Doggy Xmas Party. Enjoy wine, food, and music while your pups play. 12pm-4pm.
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The Wynyard Foreshore Market is held from 8am-2pm along the East Wynyard foreshore, with local produce and crafts, including jams, cakes, preserves, and secondhand goods.
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Experience Festivale, one of Tassie’s biggest summer events, at Launceston’s City Park. Over three days enjoy local food, wines, and entertainment at a lively outdoor setting.
9
Froth over the European and British cars at the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania, Invermay, for their EuroTas event. This free display is on 10am-2pm.
14
The Don River Railway is throwing a 50-year gala until 16 February to celebrate Tasmania’s railway history. Expect passenger train rides, cool displays, vintage cars, and farm animals.
20
Tasmanian producers, makers, and bakers showcase their wares just in time for Christmas at the Last Minute Christmas Market, held at Launceston’s Civic Square, 5pm-8pm.
8
Hobart Escape Co. are bringing a pop-up Escape Room to Hobart today until 15 February. In Escape The Mariner’s Dread, your group of pirates must escape a sinking ship before time runs out.
26
It’s Boxing Day! Treat yourself to a good sale. Also, the yachts of the famed Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race depart today. Keep an eye out for their arrival in Hobart over the following days.
10
The Cygnet Folk Festival runs until 12 January, showcasing music, dance, poetry, masterclasses, and film, along with food, wine, and crafts in the Huon Valley.
15
Head to Evandale for the Evandale Village Fair and National Penny Farthing Championships Watch cyclists race, enjoy food and drinks, and check out period themed entertainment.
16
The streets of Deloraine come alive for the Deloraine Street Car Show, presented by Van Diemen’s Street Rod Club, with live bands, local produce and great cars on display.
Details subject to change. Check in with individual events for further details.
14
The East Coast Harvest Odyssey, or ECHO Festival, kicks off today in Swansea until 16 March. This unique event celebrates harvest traditions with immersive experiences.
14
The Burnie Print Prize exhibition opens tonight at Burnie Regional Art Gallery, 6pm, when all winners will be announced, and will be on display until 18 May.
21
Ten Days on the Island is Tasmania’s statewide arts festival. Over two weeks, take part in events across the island with local, national, and international artists.
22
Take in the Jewellery, Gem & Mineral Fair at the East Devonport Primary School. This two-day fair has gems for sale, and fun activities like gem sieving, lucky dip, and gold panning.
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The kunanyi Mountain Run is a three-day festival celebrating Hobart’s mountain culture, welcoming runners of all levels. There’s heaps on offer, from kids runs to the full epics.
From Olympic champion to being named Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year, Ariarne Titmus has had an extraordinary year. But when she returns home to Tassie, she takes time to relax, reconnect with familiar places, and enjoy Tasmania’s long summer days.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Launceston on a little bit of acreage at Riverside overlooking the Tamar River. Now I live in Brisbane.
How did your Tasmanian childhood shape who you are today? I think growing up in a small town helps you stay grounded as you grow into your adult life. It reminds you of what the real world is actually like. Being in a big city since leaving Tassie, and the lifestyle and the limelight that I’ve been thrust into, can sometimes take you away from reality a little bit. But growing up in a town where you know everyone, it reminds you of who you are and where you come from.
Going into the 2024 Olympics, did you feel a heightened sense of pressure following your debut success in Tokyo? How did you manage those expectations? Yeah, I definitely did feel pressure. Coming into Paris, I knew there were a lot more eyes on me. It was different. It was ‘I can’t wait to watch her win’ rather than ‘I can’t wait to watch the race’. That did get caught in my mind a little bit, but I think it’s about managing the expectations you put on yourself. I tried not to let any external noise get to me. Isolating yourself from the media and not listening to the public is really important, and just listening to yourself. But I did worry, probably for the first time in my career, about what would happen if I were to lose. That’s a heavy burden to carry. I felt such a sense of relief to get the job done on day one. It was the most relieving
moment of my life! The thing was, I knew I could win. I knew that I was the person to beat. I truly believed in myself, but it was just about actually doing it on the day, and the build up to that was immense.
Your rivalry with Katie Ledecky has been thrilling to watch. How does that competition drive you and what have you learned from racing alongside her? I feel so honoured to be a part of Katie’s story. She will go down as arguably the greatest female swimmer of all time. Once our rivalry really started to kick off, I think we pushed middle distance freestyle swimming forward for women. Other girls started to race the way that we both did, and started to have a fearless mentality. Me beating her opened other women’s mindsets to be like, “You know what? These women are beatable.” That’s pushed the sport forward. I feel really proud that I’ve played a role in that because you want to leave a legacy behind when all is done. I have the most unbelievable respect for Katie because I know how hard it has been for me to get to this level and maintain it. I’ve loved racing her. You get such satisfaction from racing a champion rather than racing a field that’s not as competitive. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
How do you celebrate your victories? Honestly, it’s pretty subdued. The little things in my life keep me happy. After the Olympics, I was just so excited to spend time with my family and friends who I don’t get to really celebrate with often. I’ve enjoyed having a glass of wine here and there! I went out for dinner recently
in Melbourne and we had a beautiful bottle of Stefano Lubiana wine. It’s nice just to go out to dinner and actually enjoy myself and not have to be on a time limit to get home to bed, to not be on the waters and not having dessert. I’m celebrating by living in the moment without any limits.
What’s one thing about the Olympics or being an Olympian that you wish more people knew? The sense of pride that you feel is incredible - to represent your country on the highest stage is a feeling like no other and something that only a few people get to feel. But it’s the little moments of the Olympics that you really remember, like standing on the podium and singing the national anthem. That will always be in my heart and something you dream of your entire life. You spend so much time with your teammates and your roomies and they’re the moments that people don’t realise. You’re in such confined living spaces and you spend so much time with each other that you become very close as friends. You’re not living in the greatest of environments so you just get around it and make it as great as you can. In the Olympics, my roommates started this thing whenever someone in my room would win a medal, we’d write signs on the door
like, “Olympic gold medalist in the 400m freestyle lives here.” And then we started adding on the door as the week went on. We ended up having signs all over the door. In our room we would’ve had about eight medals!
If you weren’t an elite swimmer, what would you be doing? I actually don’t know. When I was little, I loved doing hair, and always said I wanted to be a hairdresser. I went to uni for one semester and did sports science, but I didn’t go on with it.
When you think back to your childhood, what activities or places in Tassie are burned into your memory? My grandparents used to take me through City Park in Launceston to see the monkeys. Last time I was back in Launnie, I went and saw the monkeys. My grandparents lived at Shearwater so I’d spend a bit of time there, and at Hawley Beach. We used to spend New Year’s down at Scamander with a whole bunch of our family and friends when we were little. I remember the windy road drives. Little things, like where we used to live, Mum used to make massive bonfires and we’d do bonfires at home with friends.
What’s the first thing you do when you touch down here? When I get off the plane, when the air hits your face, it’s the best feeling in the world. People probably think I’m insane, but it’s different. You just get this freshness on your cheeks, which is a really calming feeling. It is
almost like you’re stepping into an old friend’s home.
Describe your ideal 24 hours in Tasmania in summer, what would it look like? I would go down the East Coast to Coles Bay, Freycinet or Bay of Fires. I’d wake up, go for a beach walk, go to a cute little place for lunch, just chill, go out on the water. I love fishing. I find it so relaxing. So have a bit of a fish and just revel in the scenery. There’s a lot of places I hadn’t been to when I was growing up because I left when I was 14. But since coming back as an adult and exploring more, it’s so beautiful.
and enjoy all the seafood. I’m a massive seafood fan and you get way better range down in Tassie. The crayfish is like nothing else. I haven’t spent much time down south and have never done Port Arthur. Eventually I’d love to get around and see all of the state.
What have you been up to since the Olympics? I’ve been having a break from swimming, but I wouldn’t say I’ve been resting. I’ve been jet-setting and working as much as I can. That was my plan, to really make the most of this post-Olympics time. I work with great people and I love sharing my story, so I’ve been speaking at a lot of functions and events. I’m enjoying not having that pressure every day to perform. It’s nice just to have a bit of freedom in your mind and not have to worry about the next day.
What are some of your favourite memories of Launceston? When I think about Launceston I think about Cataract Gorge. When I was little we used to go there with school and do science projects. I’d actually never done the chairlift until recently and it was unreal, and I had no idea it was the longest single span chairlift in the world! Bucket list stuff for me, one of the things that’s iconic to Launceston.
Is there anything in Tasmania you haven’t had the chance to explore yet, but are eager to this summer? Honestly, I just want to get down to the East Coast
What’s next for you? I’m actually very excited to have my first Christmas and New Year that I haven’t had to train over that period of time in over 10 years. So I’m going to really enjoy that with my family. Moving into next year, I think I’ll start to dip my toe back in the water. I’ll keep my calendar a bit clearer so I can really enjoy the last six months of my time away from swimming before I get back in and have to kick it up for LA.
Created in partnership with Tourism Tasmania For more discovertasmania.com.au/longerdays
For a proper break from the nine-to-five existence, hop off the big island and onto King or Flinders islands, where you’ll find incredible fresh produce, friendly communities and uncrowded beaches with infinite ocean views.
Whether your to-do list is full of surfing, hiking, golf or simply eating and relaxing, the friendly locals on King Island can help you tick it off. King Island is building a reputation as being one of Australia’s premier surfing destinations. If you’re coming for a world-class golf course, you have the choice of two: Cape Wickham (capewickham.com.au) or Ocean Dunes (oceandunes.com.au). Cape Wickham sits under Australia’s tallest lighthouse and has a view from every hole. Ocean Dunes is on two kilometres of coastline, with fairways weaving over and around sand dunes. The two courses regularly appear in lists of the best golf courses in the world. Hike into the Calcified Forest, a 30 minute, 1.3 kilometre walk that quickly reveals hundreds of curiously shaped limestone features that are the calcified remains of a 7000-year-old forest. To learn more about the history of the island, the King Island Historical Museum (kingisland.net.au) is in a former lighthouse keeper’s cottage in 1980 and displays relics from some of the many shipwrecks that have occurred around King Island’s coast.
King Island is well known for its worldclass dairy, but there’s so much more to the food story here: King Island Meat Providore (islandprovidore.com.au), in the main street of Currie, showcases the best local beef, lamb, and vegetables. For coffee, look for the trendy Airstream coffee van run by two sisters known as
Island Sisters (instagram.com/island sisterski), inside The Nursery & Florist in Currie. Wild Harvest Restaurant and Cooking School (wildharvest kingisland.com.au) is an ocean-to-table delight, where the fresh, pure, local produce is transformed into beautiful meals, overlooking the water. At King Island Distillery (kingislanddistillery. com), founder and artisan distiller, Heidi Weitjens makes gin, whisky, ruby grapefruit vodka and limoncello, plus she runs crayfish cooking classes. King Island Brewhouse (instagram.com/kibrewhouse) is a family-run brewery crafting traditional and experimental brews.
For a wildly romantic time, Red Rock Hut (redrockhut.com.au) is a tiny house hidden away on the picturesque west coast of the island, with a wood-fired hot tub and sauna. Boomerang by the Sea (boomerangbythesea.com) offers views of the Great Southern Ocean and nearby King Island golf course. Between Currie and Cape Wickham, Kintyre (discovertasmania.com.au/kintyre) is a private cottage on a working farm complete with chickens and cattle. At the Island Breeze Motel (islandbreezemotel.com.au) the range of rooms, self-contained cabins and apartments can fit up to 40 guests.
With a population of just 900, Flinders Island will lull you into a pace known as ‘island time’. The rugged coastline, more than 120 white sandy beaches, granite peaks surrounded by farmland, wetlands and lagoons entice you to explore. For the adventurous, Roaring 40s Kayaking (roaring40skayaking.com.au) run seven-day trips where you’ll paddle to offshore islands, into secluded coves and potentially glide along past dolphins.
On dry land, a Flinders Island Walking Adventure - In Comfort with Tasmanian Expeditions (tasmanianexpeditions. com.au) explores the island’s diverse ecosystems and you’ll summit the peaks of Mt Killiecrankie and Mt Strzelecki for spectacular views over the entire island. Tick off two of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks while you’re here - Trousers Point and the impressive Castle Rock. Try your hand at fossicking for Killiecrankie diamonds (topaz crystals formed in granite exposed and weathered over millennia). There’s a designated fossicking area on the north side of Killiecrankie Bay. For history buffs, the Furneaux Museum (furneauxmuseum.org.au) celebrates the people and events that shaped Flinders Island.
From island time to wine time. Take a tour of some of the 6000 vines at Unavale Vineyard (unavale.com.au) before enjoying a grazing plate at the cellar door. The Furneaux Distillery (furneauxdistillery.com.au) ‘maritime spirits’ are distilled, matured, and bottled on the island using 100% Tasmanian barley, coastal peat, and native foraged botanicals. The Larder at Flinders Wharf (onislandtime.com.au) offer a range of meals, wine, retail and dine-in options made with beef, wallaby, shellfish, honey and more.
Away from the (albeit small) crowds, the charming Echo Hills (flindersisland accommodation.com.au) is a rural cottage retreat in the foothills of the magnificent Darling Ranges with uninterrupted views to Babel Island and Patriarch Inlet. At night, you can see the lighthouse on Cat Island - one of 52 mostly uninhabited windswept islands in the Furneaux Group. Flinders Island Cabin Park (flindersislandcp.com.au) is on beautiful park-like grounds with a range of self-contained fully equipped studios and cabins. Built in 1911, The Interstate Hotel (interstatehotel.com.au) offers en-suite hotel accommodation and a self-contained apartment in the centre of Whitemark, a short walk to a safe swimming spot, BBQ area and jetty.
Make the most of the longer days this summer with adrenaline-fueled adventures and nature-rich experiences, right on your doorstep.
Tasmanian Mountain Bike Adventures (tasmba.com.au) deliver guided, tailormade MTB experiences with expert guides and tours in Hobart, Derby, Maydena and St Helens. Join one of their tours on kunanyi / Mt Wellington to get to know the mountain in a new way.
Celebrating ten years this season, Vertigo MTB (vertigomtb.com.au) know every twist and turn in Derby and the surrounding hills. Their tours, bike hire and shuttles will get you out on the trailsfrom beginner to advanced.
Want to bushwalk? Try hiking to Marion’s Lookout - a rewarding threehour return trek through alpine meadows and rugged terrain. From the lookout enjoy sweeping views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake.
A panoramic view of iconic Wineglass Bay is the reward for a strenuous threehour return hike up Mt Amos (parks.tas. gov.au) on Tassie’s East Coast. Mount
Amos is part of the Hazards, a range of granite mountains.
Mole Creek Karst National Park (parks.tas.gov.au), part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, features stunning caves, streams, and gorges. Join a tour to explore Marakoopa Cave’s glow worms and soaring caverns, and the impressive shawls, stalactites and stalagmites of King Solomon’s Cave.
Just a 45 minute drive from Hobart at Nugent, Redbanks (redbankstas.com.au) is a playground for thrill-seekers. Choose from archery, slingshots, axe throwing, clay target shooting and paintball. Or package up a few activities and grab a drink at the bar afterward.
Cradle Mountain Canyons (cradlemountaincanyons.com.au) takes you on an adrenaline-fueled adventure to hidden canyons. Tackle rock scrambling, abseiling, and natural waterslides. You can also try packrafting or kayak on Dove Lake nearby.
Make the most of the morning and rise early with Hot Air Balloon Tasmania (hotairballoontasmania.com.au). Watch
the sun rise over with a captivating 45 minute hot air balloon flight over Launceston.
Jump on an all terrain vehicle (ATV) to cover more ground and make the most of time spent exploring the East Coast. All4 ATV Tours (all4.com.au) in Coles Bay run two hour and half day tours for ages five and up.
Fly over World Heritage wilderness and see Cradle Mountain from a new perspective with Cradle Mountain Helicopters (cradlemountainhelicopters.com.au). Join a 20-100 minute flight with up to four people.
Level up your exploration of Hobart’s waterfront and take a seaplane flight with Above & Beyond (aboveandbeyond. flights), taking off from the Derwent River. Soar above the spectacular landscape to get a new perspective on Hobart and the surrounding wilderness.
Just out of Strahan, you’ll find the giant Henty Sand Dunes - 30 metre tall dunes running 15 kilometres along the coastline. Hire a sandboard and enjoy flying down the desert-like landscape into the sunset.
Want a new entry on your bucket list? Pop a tick next to a Par Avion (paravion.com. au) Southwest Wilderness Day Tour - an epic, all-inclusive day out where you’ll soar above the mountains and come down for walks and gourmet lunch.
Long summer days plus school holidays equals time for some epic family adventures. Whichever part of the state you’re in or travelling to, there is plenty on offer for the kids and the young at heart.
The beach is awesome, but sometimes you just need to retreat from that heat. Easy Tiger Cinema (easytiger.au) is alongside a very cool brewery, cafe and beer garden, all family-friendly and housed in an old ice skating rink in St Helens. Spend hours out of the sun - or summer rain - at one of Tasmania’s wonderful museums: we love Launceston’s Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (qvmag.tas.gov.au) and in mid-December they’ll present the first ever public exhibition of the works of Tasmanian artist, Michael McWilliams.
There are wonderful kids areas in the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Hobart (tmag.tas.gov.au), including the mapiya lumi / Round Here gallery for kids up to seven years, and the interactive Islands to Ice exhibition. At the Bass Strait Maritime Centre (bassstraitmari timecentre.com.au) on Devonport’s waterfront you can helm a world-class ship simulator as you attempt to navigate the Mersey River and the tough Bass Strait. Kids will love exploring the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs (parks.tas. gov.au), a one and a half hour drive south of Hobart. Join a tour of Newdegate Cave, enjoy a forest walk and take a dip in the thermal springs.
Seahorse World (seahorseworld.com. au) in Beauty Point promises the chance to “hold the mysteries of the ocean in the palm of your hand” and they mean it quite literally: you can hold a real live seahorse at the end of a tour! They’ve also recently added 3D printed seahorses so visitors with low vision can better experience the aquarium tour. Nearby Platypus House (platypushouse.com.au) guarantees monotreme magic with platypus and echidna viewings. Long, mild summer evenings are the perfect time to view
penguins in the wild in Tasmania. Every dusk, Bicheno Penguin Tours (bicheno penguintours.com.au) take groups on a short bus trip to their private rookery: a unique bit of rehabilitated farmland turned penguin-friendly habitat perfect for watching little penguins doing little penguin things. In the North there’s also the Low Head Penguin Tour (penguintourstasmania.com.au) while in the North West, Friends of Burnie Penguins (burniepenguins.com) volunteers offer a free interpretative guided
tour of the Little Fairy Penguin colony each evening. See devils, quolls, wombats, snakes and birds and handfeed some free range Forester kangaroos at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary near Hobart (bonorong.com.au). For a specialty snake experience go directly to Serpentarium Wildlife Park in St Helens (serpentarium.com.au), where you can see (and potentially hold!) a variety of exotic pythons, plus they have lizards, birds and tortoises.
Did you know you can take the canine member of your family on the Tahune
Airwalk (tahuneadventures.com.au) near Geeveston in the Huon Valley? Or that parts are wheelchair and stroller accessible? Frolic amongst the treetops 30 metres above the ground - or at one point, 50 metres above the Huon River - and enjoy incredible views into the nearby World Heritage area. If you’re still feeling brave, try the hang gliding experience or river rafting adventure. Contact the Tahune Adventures ticket office for more access-friendly information. For more action up high, the Treetops Adventure at Hollybank (treetopsadventure.com. au) takes you among the lush forests of northern Tasmania with ropes courses
and zip lines, and Penny Royal Adventures (pennyroyallaunceston. com.au) in Launceston has ziplines, rock climbing and a bunch of other family-fun adventures. Check out West Coast Tasmania’s fascinating mining history among some of our most magnificent ancient forests with a Lost Mines and Ancient Pines tour (roamwild.com.au), departing from Queenstown. You’ll get to explore pioneer mines from the copper mining boom dating back to the 1890s.
Try your hand at gold panning or rockchip mineral sampling and mine your own glittering ore - whatever treasures you find are yours to keep - then enjoy an underground miner’s ‘crib break’ for an authentic worker’s rest and meal break. Still on the wild West Coast, the Ocean Beach Mountain Bike Trail (mtb. westcoasttas.com.au) takes you alongside a snippet of Tasmania’s longest beach. At just 1.8 kilometres long, it is perfect for littler legs and beginners.
Want to make the most of the longer days?
One way is to stay overnight so you can explore more. Here’s our hot take on family-favourite camping stays and luxe glamping getaways, plus all the beauties in between.
Want to wake in a national park?
Book a campsite at Fortescue Bay Campgrounds (parks.tas.gov.au) - a gateway to Tasmania’s stunning Tasman National Park and perfect for kayaking, fishing, and hiking trails such as the Cape Hauy track.
Reminiscent of grand touring in the 1930s, Wingtons Glamping (wingtons. com) near Swansea offers stylish, fully-equipped safari tents with plush bedding, woodfired sauna and seawater plunge pool. Zeehan Bush Camp (zeehanbushcamp.com.au) spoils you with beautiful bell and emperor-style heated tents with full-size beds for couples, families and friends, surrounded by forest, creeks, wetlands and wildlife.
BIG4 Low Head Tourist Park (discovertasmania.com.au/lowheadtouristpark) is the ultimate family getaway, with waterfront cabins, spacious campsites, and plenty of nearby activities like beach swimming, bike riding, nature walks, plus an onsite playground. Bicheno East Coast Holiday Park (bichenoholidaypark.com.au) has cosy cabins, powered sites and camping spots all close to the beach. Use it as a base to explore the nearby Bicheno Blowhole, diving, fishing, surfing, penguin tours and Freycinet National Park. Options abound at the pet-friendly and family-friendly BIG4 Tassie Getaway Park St Helens (discovertasmania.com.au/big4sthelensholidaypark) with fully self-contained
cabins, luxe glamping tents, powered and unpowered sites and bunkhouse accommodation.
The Rectory Zeehan (therectoryzeehan. au) is a cosy holiday home, convenient to the West Coast Heritage museum and mountain biking trails surrounding the town. Perfect the art of doing nothing at Camp Nowhere (campnowhere.com. au) - an off-grid retreat in the Central Highlands. Located on yingina / The Great Lake, this simple fisherman’s shack has been transformed into a beautifully restored place to relax. The Lazy Prospector (thelazyprospector. au) is a rustic cabin for two in Zeehan - beautifully restored with 130-year-old barn wood features, Huon pine antique doors, and a verandah-view of Mount Dundas. Cedar Cottage Meander (cedarcottagemeander.com) in Meander is a charming getaway set on a working farm. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and views, there’s also an outdoor hot tub, fire pit and exclusive access to an organic kitchen garden.
At Moina, near Cradle Mountain, Tiny Escapes (tiny-escapes.com.au) have small, self-contained cabins, with front seat views over the Black Bluff Conservation area. These dreamy off-grid homes also have a campfire so you can make the most of the longer days. Candlebark Ridge (candlebarkridge. com.au) is a luxurious off-grid tiny home tucked within 18 acres of pristine native bushland at the foothills of South Sister, just north of St Marys on the East Coast.
The Empire Hotel (empirehotel.net. au), the ‘Grand Old Lady of the West’, is a prominent fixture in Queenstown’s streetscape. Dating back to the wealth of the mining era, it’s now a comfortable - and unique - base from which to explore the West Coast. About 10 minutes from Penguin, Gleneagle Tasmania (gleneagletas.com.au) is an adults-only retreat with luxury dome accommodation. Explore the 46 hectare forested property, or not - there’s an outdoor claw foot bath and king size bed to enjoy too. The Galahs Nest (discovertasmania. com.au/the-galahs-nest) sleeps six in a 1940s hall in Queenstown. But this is no ordinary hall - it’s been lovingly and luxuriously restored to include a solid stone outdoor bath and a firepit to enjoy the long evenings. Numie (numie.com. au) at Coles Bay has a focus on wellness and relaxation including the Japandi-style Numie House, complete with a private sauna and hot tub, Numie Cocoon with a private tub, and glamping tents in the bush. Stay at one of three architecturally-designed cabins at Hunter Huon Valley (hunterhuonvalley.co), sitting on 36 acres of bushland. Each cabin features the work of local Tasmanian producers, artists, and makers…and a luxuriously deep stone bath.
Created in partnership with Tourism Tasmania For more discovertasmania.com.au/longerdays
We really are spoilt for choice here. Whether it’s a glass of wine among the vines, an 8-course degustation at ‘that’ restaurant or anything in-between. From a local bakery, a café, your favourite pub or a roadside food van, head out somewhere soon. And BYO appetite. Make the most of our longer days at discovertasmania.com.au/longerdays
EXPLORE TASMANIA: EAT, DRINK, STAY, PLAY
As Christmas draws near, Megan from Workskills Tasmania unwraps the story behind Troublesmiths, an innovative program and retail outlet that’s helping young Tasmanians build job-ready skills for a brighter future.
Tell us a bit about Troublesmiths. Troublesmiths is a unique retail business that offers hands-on job readiness training for young Tasmanians. We have supported 325 young people to achieve their goals, and provided over 75,000 hours of work experience. 75% of our participants go on to employment or education, and 65% experience an increase in confidence. Our team creates, makes and sells a range of quality body products and homewares in our shop at 20 Watchorn Street, Hobart. We recognise and nurture the brilliance in young people, equipping them with the tools and experiences they need to thrive in both work and life.
What types of support are important for setting young people up for success at work? Intentional one-on-one mentoring and coaching, regular feedback and clear expectations, linking work to personal goals and skill development are all important. A focus on wellbeing and ‘soft skill’ development, how we
are showing up and ‘being’ in the workplace, is just as important as the tasks we are doing.
What advice would you give to employers about how to recruit and retain young people? Focus on potential and transferrable skills, over formal qualifications and experience. Many entry-level jobs unnecessarily require formal qualifications, when the skills needed could be gained through on-thejob training. Interviews tend to favour those who are confident, articulate, and familiar with corporate environments. Young people certainly have the skills to nail an interview, but they’re still honing those skills and interviews can often fail to recognise soft skills, creativity, and potential. Retaining young people in the workplace has a lot to do with authentic and compassionate leadership.
Prioritising mentorship and allowing young staff members to feel in on things and actively involved in decision making. Flexible working arrangements, which is simply having consideration for people’s personal circumstances, as best you can. A factor that can be overlooked, and is perhaps the most important, is culture. A culture of connectedness, having a laugh and memory-making. ‘Play’ and lightness at work isn’t a fluffy concept, it’s crucial for all of us, and creates genuine relationships. Culture and work mates keep people happily in jobs for years, so don’t overlook that.
How can our readers support Troublesmiths? Your community can support Troublesmiths by either visiting our store, or purchasing our products at troublesmiths.com.au. In doing so, you’re directly contributing to the growth, confidence, and wellbeing of Tasmania’s next generation. We have just launched our Brighter Days Packs, which are a carefully curated series of hampers for those ‘hard to buy for’ people, and those who value socially responsible gifting for Christmas.
Pictures: Moonshine Media
Director Mike Hill discusses his new film Conquering Skin Cancer, which tackles Australia’s sun-drenched lifestyle and the alarming rates of skin cancer.
You’re the director of a new film, Conquering Skin Cancer. Why did you want to make this? This is a film about Australia’s national identity. We live in a sunburnt country and we’ve celebrated the image of the bronzed Aussie for decades, that’s why two in every three of us will develop skin cancer. The film makes the argument, in the most entertaining way possible, that together we all have a role to play in conquering skin cancer. We can have our cake and eat it too. How do we lead the healthy, active, outdoor lifestyles we love, safely? It’s doable, but it means that many of us need to reframe our relationship with the sun.
There are some big names in the film, including Tasmanian Dr Richard Scolyer. Why do you think Tasmanians should see it? My family’s from
Longford, so I’ve spent many a long summer under the harsh Tasmanian sun. That’s risky and shows up in the alarming reality that Tasmanians, along with Queenslanders, are at most risk of developing skin cancer. The hole in the ozone layer above our beautiful state, along with the lack of pollution, and number of sunny days, all place us at higher risk. I hope that Tasmanians, like our remarkable Australian of the Year Prof Richard Scolyer, will gather together around this film and help change that narrative.
We all know we should be wearing sunscreen and covering up - what do you say to those who still don’t do it adequately? I say join the club. Until I made
this film I didn’t do enough to protect myself from harmful UV. Filmmakers like me spend a lot of time outdoors and we really need to be more conscious of the things we can do. Making this film was like a metamorphosis for the entire crew. We’ve all been getting routine skin checks and making slip, slop, slap, seek, slide daily habits. I hope that means we can avoid getting skin cancer in the future. And that’s what I want everyone who sees this film to get out of it.
What’s one thing you want audiences to take from the film? We can conquer skin cancer. Almost all skin cancers are preventable. The things we do now to look after ourselves and our loved ones means that we won’t need to worry about this anymore, and can save the health system $2 billion a year that can go into other essential services.
Where is it being shown in Hobart?
The film is showing at Village Cinemas Hobart and Launceston from 4 December. Find out more and book tickets at www. conqueringskincancer.com.au.
10.00AM - 3.00PM EVERY SATURDAY!
Need help picking gifts?
We’ve got gift guides for locals, by locals. Check our website for all the info.
The Old Brisbane Arcade,
Send a letter to Santa, EXPRESS to the North Pole!
Help Santa locate his reindeer in the windows of city businesses for your chance to win one of three fun family prizes!
Rees Campbell, a fifth-generation Tasmanian, has transformed the way we appreciate Tasmania’s edible native plants and seaweeds through her books and community work.
How did growing up in Tasmania shape your passion for the land and its native plants? It has meant everything. I’ve always loved being part of this island, and her wild places. I grew up at Kingston Beach and as a child would eat native cherries from the trees, cook periwinkles in camp fires, but it wasn’t until much more recently that I thought about the wealth of native edibles there must be. I’ve always written about place, this place especially. Most of my poetry is about Tasmanian wild places, and I have always been enthusiastic and passionate about sharing that wonder I feel.
What is your research process for your books? How did you learn about native ingredients? I scoured everywhere for resources, and they weren’t easy to find. I read all the Australia-wide wild food books, including the great books by Tim Low and AB and JW Cribb. I read some of our early white settlers such as Louisa Anne Meredith. I read as many early explorers’ journals including George Robinson. I spoke to many palawa people and also white people who lived in or near the bush. For the way to use the plants, I often extrapolated from ways they’d been used on the mainland – following plant genera. All the recipes are my own, although with cooking, it’s often tweaking the edges. I always want the Tasmanian taste to be the major flavour profile.
How has your collaboration with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre influenced your understanding of native plants? My understanding and respect for palawa kani was the major thing for me. I hadn’t realised what a robustly researched and cross-referenced,
linguistically-accurate exercise it was. It was a real honour to work on reviving plant names, and I thank June Sculthorpe for her generosity in sharing. It was excellent learning some of the medical uses for plants too.
What are your thoughts on Tasmanians foraging for their own native ingredients? I’m totally against it. My mantra is to “treat the bush as a library, not a supermarket”. Our bush is too fragile, too fragmented to have us trample it to get a few bits and pieces to eat. All nurseries in Tasmania grow some edible natives, and we should grow our own in our own gardens. Just because it’s wild, doesn’t mean it’s available to us, to denude the bush for.
What’s one native edible plant should every Tasmanian should have in their garden? Ooh, it’s so hard to pick a favourite. Favourite fruit – pigface / carpobrotus rossii. Favourite herb – native parsley / apium prostratum. Favourite green – warrigal greens / tetragonia tetraganoides or maybe saltbush. Favourite seed – allocasuarina seed. But the plant we should all grow because it’s such a unique flavour – Tasmania’s answer to lemon myrtle is baeckea gunniana. This has a multi-profile flavour of citrus but with all the essence of the Tasmanian bush. Beautiful!
How do you balance the promotion of Tasmania’s unique offerings with the desire to protect it from over-exploitation? This is a really big issue, and one of the aspects of this is the opportunity for commercial enterprises to start growing these plants. There’s already a market,
both from chefs and the general public; but the supply isn’t there. It’s one of the reasons I wrote The Seaweed Supplement, and also why I incorporated a weed section in Eat MORE Wild Tasmanian, so people could satisfy that natural urge to forage; but to leave Tasmania’s bush alone. It is actually illegal to harvest any native plant material from any public land; which includes roadsides and beaches.
How does it make you feel to see your teachings resonate with children, especially with schools and childcare centres growing and using Tasmanian wild food plants after your visits? It’s fantastic. It’s brilliant to see how open they are to various tastes from the past. The children are our future, and if they normalise the eating of wild Tasmanian foods, many species will be saved. We conserve what we value, and if we value these wild food plants as part of our diet; they will be conserved. One of my favourite activities to do with very young kids is to bring along a range of edible native flowers, and let them flavour their own pikelets. Some are so artistic, others want “the lot”.
What did it mean to be a finalist in the 2025 Tasmanian Australian of the Year Awards? It’s really lovely for me personally, although I would prefer the date was changed; but more significantly it shows me how important wild food has become. It’s fantastic that the panel considered advocacy of our wild plants worthy of a place amongst the final four. It’s an honour to be among so many worthwhile people.
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Words and pictures: Elizabeth Osborne
Looking for a new walk? Mount
Direction is a prominent landmark on the Eastern shore of the Derwent River. The eight kilometre walk to the summit opens spectacular views of the Derwent Estuary and beyond. It’s accessed through Risdon Brook Park.
We parked at Risdon Brook Park, then followed the directions found on the City of Clarence website to locate the track, as it is far from clearly signed. We walked along the Risdon Brook Dam service road in a clockwise direction until proceeding along a side path leading to the Mount Direction Track. A sign on the gate classifies the track as suitable for most ages and fitness levels, with some bushwalking experience recommended as the track has short, steep sections and some rough surfaces.
We followed the fire trail to the second intersection, where we turned left, as directed on the City of Clarence website. After walking uphill for a short distance, we spotted a small sign marking the beginning of the 1.7 kilometres ascent to the summit.
On this steep section of the track, we took frequent rests, chatting as we climbed. Distant views through peppermint gums hinted at the panoramas to be seen from the summit. The high elevation at the summit has views across the Derwent Valley, from Mount Dromedary to Mount Wellington, the Meehan Ranges and beyond.
We picnicked by an old stone cairn marking the summit. Identifying familiar landmarks was helped by the Bridgewater Bridge, Bowen Bridge and Tasman Bridge. We returned to Risdon Brook Park by the same track. The Mount Direction Track is an exhilarating walk, through quiet bushland. The walk is in close proximity to the city, but removed from the bustle of daily life below its slopes.
Ahead of the summer, we had a chat with the Deputy Chief Officer of the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS), Matthew Lowe about what you can do to keep safe this fire season.
How long have you been a firefighter for? I am in my 25th year as a firefighter with the Tasmania Fire Service.
What are some key fire safety tips
Tasmanians should keep in mind heading into summer? Community members should prepare their properties by clearing vegetation and creating or updating their bushfire plan. This plan will assist people to make important decisions before they may be threatened by a bushfire. Being prepared may reduce the impact of any fire. Many Tasmanians will travel across the state during summer and it’s important to understand the area you are visiting, and to have a plan should a fire occur in the area. TFS has over 150 Community Bushfire Protection Plans for communities across Tasmania and these can be accessed at www.fire.tas.gov.au. It’s also important to know where to source emergency information. TasALERT. com is Tasmania’s official emergency information service and the TasALERT app is now available, downloading the app allows you to get real-time notifications of fires in your area.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your job? The incidents a firefighter responds to are so much more than just fires - including vehicle crashes and road crash rescue, and things like confined space rescue. Part of the attraction of firefighting is that something new is always just around the corner. The pager goes off and you just don’t know what you might be going to. The flip side is that our firefighters undergo intensive training throughout their careers to ensure they can respond safely and provide an essential service to the community.
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T-BONE TUESDAYS
250g tbone steak served with chips and salad or vegetables and your choice of sauce
Free onsite parking
Hotel rooms starting from $90 a night
Eight minutes from the airport, 10 minutes from the cbd
The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics. Over to the club!
This month we review two books that are sure to find favour with friends and family as gifts this holiday season. A perfect beach read, and something a little cooler.
Into the Ice Reflections on Antarctica by Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch (A&U Children, October 2024)
Review by Emily Schade
To venture to Antarctica is to make an extraordinary journey that leaves the explorer changed and inspired, some say leaving ice in your veins forever.
Australian children’s author extraordinaire Alison Lester, and incredible illustrator and Hobart local Coral Tulloch, take us to the great southern continent in their latest release, Into the Ice Reflections on Antarctica
Drawings, paintings, photographs, journal entries from Lester and Tulloch - as well as those from early expeditioners - are woven together to create an epic journey of wonder and reflection in this stunning book. Both Lester and Tulloch are clearly moved by their Antarctic experiences and portray their wonder and awe quietly and pointedly. We are lucky to live vicariously
through their creativity.
Antarctica has always felt just beyond the horizon - a result of growing up in Hobart, an Antarctic gateway with icebreakers in the dock and regular excursions to the former Antarctic Centre. Reading this book stirred a childhood wonder and curiosity. It also presents the stark reminder of the damage we are doing to this magical place and asks us how we intend to protect it.
Not to be pigeon-holed for children, Into the Ice Reflections on Antarctica will make a beautiful Christmas gift for any of the dreamers and explorers in your life (big and little).
The Angry Women’s Choir by Meg Bignell (Penguin Books, July 2022) Review by Megan Tighe
You may have noticed that new books can be quite expensive these days, which is why I thought I’d turn to a slightly older release this month. Originally published in mid-2022, The Angry Women’s Choir is still widely available in the cheaper b-paperback edition (and second-hand copies) With wide appeal, it’s a great gift option!
In The Angry Women’s Choir, the titular West Moonah Women’s Choir band together to share their grievances, support one another and take a stand against the issues they each face. While the choir members initially seem like a club of eccentrics with zany names, each has been imbued with real soul - vulnerable to anger, grief and pain, as well as ambition, strength and joy. The Hobart setting is also well-drawn with wonderful specificity (Meg lives on the East Coast but clearly spends plenty of time in town and the northern suburbs!)
The plot has its whimsies but at its heart, the characters undergo very real and relatable journeys. The perfect mix of light and dark; I won’t lie that this book definitely exceeded my expectations of it. I found it fierce and funny; highly readable, enjoyable, and very cathartic.
Chances are, you might know an ‘angry woman’. She might be frustrated, she might be hurt, she might be tired. Her problems may be close to home, or more global in nature. She might be feeling righteous or vengeful or even hopeful in her rage. She might need to express that anger somehow. Give her this book. If you need some help understanding the angry women in your life: read this book. The Angry Women’s Choir will also resonate with anyone who has ever found community in a choir or singing together - and anyone who has ever sat through the Southern Tasmanian Dancing Eisteddfod (you can tell Meg’s served her time).
Book Chatter: The biennial Tasmanian Literary Awards are on again. Keep an eye out for the longlist, due this month. Many of the likely award candidates have also contributed to the new anthology Voices of the Southern Ocean, published by Hobartisan Books and launched last month. This is the first creative initiative stemming from Hobart’s UNESCO City of Literature designation. Reflecting Hobart’s status as an Antarctic gateway, the authors have focussed their thoughts on our location in the Southern Ocean marine environment.
Keen to chat books with us? Find us on Instagram @thewomanbookerprizeclub or email thewbpc@gmail.com.
“My job is to represent and help the people of Clark which includes Hobart, Glenorchy and Taroona. Feel free to get in touch to speak with me or one of my staff.”
Wilkie Your Independent Federal MP www.andrewwilkie.org andrew.wilkie.mp@aph.gov.au Telephone 03 6234 5255
Authorised by Andrew
Experience The Sanctuary Hobart at our newly opened location in Rosny Park on the Eastern Shore.
Created by owner Alice Varney, a seasoned expert with over 12 years of experience, this exclusive, private space offers a truly bespoke sanctuary designed for ultimate rejuvenation & relaxation. Our mission is to elevate the well-being of the Greater Hobart communitymind, body, and spirit.
159 Campbell Street, Hobart 7000 U3/13 Bayfield Street, Rosny 7018
Words: Annia Baron
He chooses to have his appointments in secret because he doesn’t want his wife to know he’s seeking support to improve his wellbeing. He acknowledges his relationship isn’t what it used to be; that they haven’t been connected for a very long time. He loves his children and wants to do what’s best for them, but it’s obvious that he feels hopeless.
Over the years, he’s tried to make suggestions for how to improve their partnership – couples therapy, watching experts on YouTube and absorbing wisdom from podcasts he’s made time to listen to. But nothing has changed. He spends his week employed as a financial advisor, which he says isn’t really his passion, and on weekends he does his best to take the load off her hands by being with the kids as much as he can. He forgoes exercise, isn’t sleeping well, and after the children have gone to bed, he finds himself zoning out to the latest series on Stan. His body is exhausted from walking on eggshells.
At 38, it appears Shaun has lost his mojo. Worse. He believes this to be true. When I ask him why he’s continuing to stay with someone who doesn’t respect him or his pursuit to better their lives, he shrugs. At first, he says something like, “I don’t want to hurt the kids.” To which I respond that is a socially normalised justification we often tell ourselves to opt out from being courageous to make meaningful change in our lives. As if your kids can’t pick up on the fact that mum and dad are always nitpicking or giving one another the silent treatment. Do you really think their tender nervous systems aren’t being negatively impacted by the energetic residue of disappointment, blame or resentment that lingers between the two of you? When did you buy into the lie that it’s better for children to be exposed to unhealthy relationship patterns that direct all their
future partnerships versus having parents who make a conscious decision to honour themselves, and work together to be the best parents they can, even if that means living apart?
Partnered or not, children or no children, there’s a deeply held belief interfering with the vibrancy of our being. A fallacy that Shaun, and many of us are confined to. What is it?
An erroneous seed planted somewhere in your psyche, that deep down, you aren’t deserving.
That it’s too late. That you should settle. That because you have the happy-on-paper, tick the box items of a good life (i.e., house, car, job etc), you should be grateful. That it’s almost greedy of you to want more. But being appreciative of what you have in your life and the desire for something greater are not inextricably linked. You deserve copious amounts of love, laughter, joy, and fulfilment, in every area of your life. You deserve to evolve into your most magnificent self. To do what makes your mind, body and spirit come alive in the most authentic way.
Let me remind you of a poignant reality. You are going to die soon. There are only a certain number of years left. Your time matters. Your happiness matters. In fact, it’s irresponsible for you not to pursue your inner most meaningful desires. Why? Quantum physics has shown us, through entanglement theory, that two subatomic particles remain deeply connected, even if separated by billions of light years. A change in one particle instantly influences the other, regardless
of the distance between them. You may think it’s inconsequential, but in essence, every single cell within you, is connected to everything else around you. If you’re happy, you can make others happier. If you’re healthy, you can influence others around you to make healthier choices. If you’re being true to yourself, even when it appears hard, you give others permission to do the same. Your happiness is entangled in the jubilation of those you care about, and even those on the other side of the world.
So, in the loving name of all that is good in the Universe, when are you going to realise that you deserve to create a life that is a life you want to live? You need to hear that again. You deserve to create a life that excites you.
It’s December. Another year of your life has unfolded. What socially normalised justifications (pardon me, I mean excuses) are you going to keep carrying around, keeping you stuck?
Enough is enough. It’s time to choose love.
Being a port city, there are an abundance of seaside dining options in Hobart. Here’s a few to sink your teeth into that lean into different vibes, from family restaurant to wine bar.
Moorings Restaurant & Bar, 23 Marieville Esplanade, Sandy Bay
This hidden gem at the Derwent Sailing Squadron comes into its own in the summer months. You can wander across the grassy area to the water’s edge, drink in hand, and view the yachts at the marina, wistfully choosing your favourite. But to the food. It’s a classic pub-style menu - schnitzels, fish and chips, loaded nachos and a section for ‘Little Sailors’ (who will likely be enjoying a run around on the grass). You don’t have to be a member to dine here, although members do enjoy discounts and a Friday night members draw.
Frogmore Creek Wine Bar, 7/18 Hunter Street, Hobart
The city location of Frogmore Creek would have to have one the best locations in Hobart - about as close to the water as you can get. In the MACq01 Hotel building, the Wine Bar showcases the Frogmore Creek and 42° South
ranges alongside a perfectly paired menu - think fresh oysters, Tasmanian cheeseboard, beef carpaccio, tempura zucchini bites and grilled octopus. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm, there’s also happy hour from 4pm-6pm.
Billy’s Burgers, Elizabeth Street Pier, Hobart
Sitting on the edge of Hobart’s waterfront, this colourful burger joint is hard to miss. With a retro American vibe, the menu is made up of burgers, shakes, fries, sides, sundaes, and a fully stocked bar. Perfect for a casual family meal by the water, with indoor and outdoor seating. A burger combo with chips and drink starts at $19.50 and you can upgrade your soft drink to a boozier hard drink. There’s a kids’ menu with cheeky names like the “I’m not hungry meal” for $10.
Exploring one wine variety, with a local bottle and one from afar.
Bellebonne Bis Non-Vintage Blanc ($48): Christmas sparkles. Whether it’s the tinsel on the tree or the glittering star on top. What else sparkles? A bottle of bubbles, of course. A new addition by Australia’s sparkling queen, Natalie Fryar, this Bellebonne bottle is as festive and summery as they come. It has a fresh and lively approach, with light citrus and hints of brioche. It’s the perfect Christmas companion to the season.
Set the vibe:
Music: Last Christmas by Wham! Food: Prawns When: For unexpected pre-Christmas drinks AWAY
Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Brut NV ($299): December is the season of splurging and treating yourself right? This could mean picking that pricier bottle you’ve always wanted to try. Surprise your guests at the table, or keep it to yourself, we won’t judge. If you can only try one luxe French sparkling, this is a standout pick. Egly-Ouriet’s for the wineheads, with its deep, textured body and a finish that dazzles with spice and smoky nuances. Merry Christmas.
Set the vibe:
Music: Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt
Food: Blue Lagoon Oysters
When: Christmas lunch
FEBRUARY Folk
Meet Winnie... she’s no ordinary nun!
written by Tom Wells directed by Natalie Venettacci
WHERE SPECIALTY COFFEE MEETS ART
Visit two beautiful businesses under one roof. Enter through the doors and enjoy the specialty coffee shop, Saigon Art Café, and continue to explore through to the Saigon Art Gallery. Come by and enjoy the perfect blend of art and coffee.
CAFE OPENING HOURS
WEEKDAYS: 7:30AM - 3:30PM WEEKEND: 8AM - 3PM
GALLERY OPENING HOURS
WEEKDAYS: 8AM - 3:30PM
WEEKEND: 8:30AM - 3:00PM
You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy coffee, and that’s pretty close.
APRIL
E B White’s
A mild-mannered mouse in “a real people’s world.” adapted by Joseph Robinette directed by Heather Heron
A murderous, musical romp. music by Steven Lutvak lyrics by Steven Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman directed by Justin Turner
William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
Golding’s cautionary tale about human nature.
adapted by Nigel Williams directed by Ben Armitage
OCTOBER
Agatha Christie’s
Murder
Will your little grey cells guess the killer? We think not!
adapted by Philip Grecian directed by Annie Harvey & William Dowd
Words: Sara Hewitt
Aries (21 Mar - 19 Apr): The New Moon in Sagittarius on the 1st fuels your adventurous spirit. Mid-month, Mercury goes direct, making travel plans and communication flow smoothly. The Full Moon in Gemini on the 15th encourages you to share your ideas and get out of your comfort zone. As the month closes with a Capricorn New Moon, your focus shifts to career goals and long-term plans.
Taurus (20 Apr - 20 May): The New Moon in Sagittarius on the 1st pushes you to look at shared finances and deepen trust in partnerships. Mid-month, Mercury clears up recent confusion around money or commitments. The Gemini Full Moon on the 15th shines a light on your self-worth. Finally, the Capricorn New Moon on the 31st encourages learning, adventure, and expanding your horizons.
Gemini (21 May - 20 Jun): The New Moon in Sagittarius on the 1st is all about partnerships, offering you a fresh start. With Mercury going direct mid-month, you’ll connect deeply. The Full Moon in Gemini on the 15th is a powerful time for self-reflection, highlighting growth and change. The second New Moon on the 31st encourages you to dive deeper into your values and shared commitments.
Cancer (21 Jun - 22 Jul): The Sagittarius New Moon on the 1st encourages new routines. Mid-month, Mercury goes direct, clearing up work-related miscommunications. The Full Moon in Gemini on the 15th shines a light on your inner world. As the Capricorn New Moon arrives on New Year’s Eve, partnerships come into focus, encouraging a fresh chapter in love and collaboration.
Leo (23 Jul - 22 Aug): The New Moon in Sagittarius on the 1st encourages you to
explore your creative side. Mid-month, Mercury going direct clears up any misunderstandings. The Full Moon in Gemini on the 15th focuses on friendships, bringing revelations and meaningful connections. As the Capricorn New Moon arrives on the 31st, it’s time to get serious about health.
Virgo (23 Aug - 22 Sep): The New Moon in Sagittarius on the 1st invites a fresh start in your home life and family. Midmonth, Mercury going direct helps clear communication. The Gemini Full Moon on the 15th shines a light on your career path and aspirations. Finally, Capricorn’s New Moon on the 31st encourages you to nurture romance, creativity, or any passion projects close to your heart.
Libra (23 Sep - 22 Oct): The New Moon on the 1st in Sagittarius opens the door to learning and new perspectives on old issues. Mid-month, Mercury’s direct motion helps clear up communication. The Gemini Full Moon on the 15th encourages growth through exploration. As Capricorn’s New Moon arrives on New Year’s Eve, your focus shifts to creating a sense of comfort within your home life.
Scorpio (23 Oct - 21 Nov): The New Moon in Sagittarius on the 1st invites you to focus on financial goals. Midmonth, Mercury’s direct motion clears up miscommunications around finances. The Gemini Full Moon on the 15th reveals important insights into shared values. Capricorn’s New Moon on the 31st invites you to set new intentions around nurturing relationships within your close circle.
Sagittarius (22 Nov - 21 Dec): This New Moon in your sign on the 1st brings a fresh start and is your personal New Year. Mid-month, Mercury going direct helps you communicate clearly and confidently. The Gemini Full Moon on the 15th highlights your closest relationships. As the month wraps up with the New Moon in Capricorn on the 31st, your focus shifts to finances and building long-term security.
Capricorn (22 Dec - 19 Jan): The New Moon on the 1st encourages introspection, helping you release old patterns. Mid-month, Mercury’s direct motion brings clarity to creative projects. The Full Moon in Gemini on the 15th encourages you to refine routines. With the Capricorn New Moon on New Year’s Eve, you’re ready to start the new year with personal growth and transformation.
Aquarius (20 Jan - 18 Feb): The New Moon on the 1st opens doors to starting friendships. Mid-month, Mercury going direct smooths out social interactions and sets things straight. The Gemini Full Moon on the 15th shines a light on your creative pursuits and passions. Finally, the Capricorn New Moon on New Year’s Eve brings an opportunity to rest, reflect, and prepare for an even brighter year ahead.
Pisces (19 Feb - 20 Mar): The New Moon in Sagittarius on the 1st puts your career and ambitions front and centre. Mid-month, Mercury’s direct motion helps clear up any professional misunderstandings. The Gemini Full Moon on the 15th makes it an ideal time for heartfelt connections. As the year ends with the Capricorn New Moon, new friendships and group connections begin to blossom.
Sara is a Hobart based astrologer with over 30 years professional experience. If you would like a private psychic or astrology reading with Sara either face to face or by zoom or email, please go to www.stargold.com. au for more information and to book.
Horne Hobart | 6231 0000 | 136 Davey Street, Hobart TAS 7000 | hobart@hobart.rh.com.au | rh.com.au/hobart
Words: Ollie Benson
As the sun begins to shine brighter, this month marks the glorious return of lush, red strawberries. What better way to celebrate than by spotlighting Appinoka Regenerative Farming, a local smallscale farm that’s quickly established a name for the tastiest berries.
In Mountain River at the foot of Sleeping Beauty, the thriving farm of Thomas and Nanette Botha, is where, in their own words, “a lot of change is happening”. Thomas and Nanette bought their pocket of land in 2019 and found that not much was growing. There was no diversity, no infrastructure, some areas remained waterlogged weeks after rain, while others were bone dry. Their dream of bringing the land back to life, regenerating what they could see, as well as what they couldn’t in the soil beneath their feet, has driven them forward ever since.
While they admit it’s been a steep learning curve, the changes they’re seeing have exceeded their wildest expectations. By rotating animals through the farm, they are seeing diversity return. Sheep, cattle and pigs have all been utilised, and they have an expanding number of chickens for eggs. With improved soil, they’ve been able to introduce a market garden and, of course, the strawberry patch.
The Botha’s aim has always been to produce for themselves first. When they are satisfied with the quality, they scale-up and start sharing with their community. With over 8000 strawberry plants now in production, the community is certainly thankful!
Thomas and Nanette believe that localised food and farming systems produce fresher, more nutritious produce, and strawberries are the perfect example.
They bring a host of health benefits that are as sweet as the berries themselves. Packed with vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants, strawberries are not only delicious but also nourishing, offering a guilt-free indulgence that can be enjoyed in countless ways.
And of course, beyond their culinary and health benefits, strawberries also hold a special place in our hearts as a symbol of summertime, sunshine, and shared joy. From childhood memories of berry picking, these vibrant fruits evoke a sense of nostalgia and connection to the natural world that is both comforting and energising. Thomas and Nanette love sharing their farm with their community. They regularly host farm tours, where visitors can get up close to their animals and learn how they are managing their landscape. Throughout the strawberry season, they also open the patch for pick-yourown days.
So, as you bite into a ripe, juicy strawberry this season, take a moment to savour the sweetness of the moment, the flavour of the fruit, and the simple pleasure of knowing that strawberries are back in season once again. Let the taste of summer linger on your lips, and relish in the delicious possibilities that the return of strawberries brings.
Inspired by a recipe in The Commons by Matthew Evans, a shrub is like a cordial for grownups that uses vinegar as well as fruit and sugar. It can be used like a cordial, with still or sparkling water, and with a splash of gin to make it even more grown up.
Ingredients:
250g strawberries
A handful of mint leaves
160g sugar
200ml quality cider vinegar
Method:
To make, mix the strawberries, mint and sugar in a bowl. Cover and leave for 8 hours or overnight, until the sugar has dissolved. Next, add the vinegar, stir, and leave in a cool spot for 2-3 days. After this, you need to pass it through a finemesh sieve. You’re after a clear liquid, so don’t push it through, just let time and gravity do the work. Once it’s drained, pour into a sterilised bottle and store in the fridge. It keeps well for several months.
Commencing on December 01st and run through until the end of January
Bridestowe Estate welcomes our local visitors. Your local entry includes multiple entry all season to enjoy the flowering.
296 Gillespies Rd, Nabowla Tasmania Australia 7260 03 6352 8182 | bridestowelavender.com.au
Acupuncture Synergy Health
Warren Wilson
Traditional East Asian Medicine Practitioner
B.A. Acupuncture - Australia
Traditional East Asian Medicine Practitioner
Dip Chinese Herbs - Australia
Dip Acupuncture and Qi Gong - China
Dip Qi Gong - Korea | Dip Shiatsu - Japan
B.A. Acupuncture – Australia
Dip Chinese Herbs – Australia
Government registered Acupuncturist
Dip Acupuncture and Qi Gong
38 years of clinical experience
Dip Qi Gong – Korea * Dip Shiatsu
Japanese Style Acupuncture
Treating a variety of health issues including sporting injuries, pain, poor circulation, low energy, insomnia, digestive issues.
Gentle | Safe | Effective
Booking by appointment:
7 Beach Road, Sandy Bay 7005 0422240939 | www.acupuncturesynergyhealth.com.au
Words: The Flower Room
Did you know the Flower Room is Tasmania’s oldest co-op? Co-ops are businesses owned and run by their members, meaning everyone has a say in how things run. More than just a seller of flowers, cakes, sweet treats, and crafts, the Flower Room has a rich history dating back over 80 years.
It was founded by sisters Hally and Emma Bayly who, through much of World War II, sold flowers from the garden at Runnymede, their beautiful family home in New Town. The outlet for their flowers was the Boomerang Stall, which consisted of a counter in the shop of Mr William Whitfield, at 87 Elizabeth Street, Hobart, where you could buy ‘the freshest fruit and the best sweets at the lowest prices’. The Boomerang Stall was established by Tasmanian Women’s Home Industries and its members sold homemade goods of every description including cakes, flowers, plants and needlework. They also mended clothes for their customers, looked after the children of members who worked there and even provided afternoon teas and light luncheons. In late 1942 however, members of the Boomerang Stall were informed that the shop would be an outlet solely for home cooks, and flowers would no longer be accepted.
The Misses Bayly, by now in their mid 50s, called a meeting of other ‘flower members’. They decided to establish a cooperative shop for their flowers and a committee of eight members was elected: It included the Misses Baylys, Mrs O’Mant, Mrs Guilline, Mrs Young, Miss Whitebread, Mrs Blakely and Mr Brown. Miss Whitebread was elected president and Mrs O’Mant was appointed secretary at a salary of 15 shillings a week. A room was rented at the rear of 27 Murray Street and each member contributed five pounds for the purchase of shelving, a counter, vases for the flowers and stationary to keep accounts. The committee decided to call the shop The Flower Room and it was opened in March 1943, over eighty years ago.
In 1945, The Flower Room began to sell handmade crafts to offset the lack of flowers in the winter months. The following year the sale of cakes was included but the venture was hampered by a lack of space. In the late 1950s, after a long search for suitable and affordable premises, The Flower Room moved to 15a Elizabeth Street, next to the General Post Office. It had a room that was ‘fresh, light and had a large front window’ but in July 1985 members of The Flower Room were given notice to vacate the premises. They had rejected a suggestion by the owner, Mr Eric Waterworth, that in the event of an emergency, members and their customers could escape through the windows of the floor above the shop and climb down a ladder into an adjoining carpark. Without an alternative escape route, Mr Waterworth decided he could no longer lease
the property to The Flower Room and thus began the search for new premises.
The next home of The Flower Room was located in an upstairs room in Macquarie Street, opposite Walsh’s Lane. Just two years later they moved again, this time up another flight of stairs at 147 Liverpool Street. There they remained for twenty three years, until plans were made to build a thirteen story office tower on the site. In February 2011, after a long search for new premises, The Flower Room moved to its present location in Mathers Lane. It is there that its many customers continue to enjoy the produce of the local gardeners, floral artists, handcraft workers and home cooks who were members of The Flower Room.
15 Dec
Tasmania’s longest running Textile & Fibre exhibition is celebrating its 25th year. This exhibition will show the work of artists working in both contemporary and traditional textile media.
The Rosny Farm Arts Centre will be closed from 21 December 2024 and will reopen on 8 January 2025 11am–5pm Wednesday - Sunday Schoolhouse Gallery
Rosny Farm, Rosny Hill Road, Rosny Park Ph: 6217 9607 www.clarenceartsandevents.net
7 days & Pet friendly!
Visit the Airwalk, experience the Eagle Hang Glider or book the Twin River Rafting adventure. The Huon Pine Walk is now open and is pram and wheelchair friendly!
COME join the awbf crew!
Join the passionate volunteer team behind the Australian Wooden Boat Festival! Whether you're into boat wrangling, decorating, entertainment, or helping with special events, there’s a role for everyone. No experience? No problem! If you have skills or want to learn, we’ll find the perfect spot for you.
To find out more scan the QR code or visit awbf2025.org.au
