Find global travel inspiration in Tasmania

There’s no need to cross hemispheres or brave long-haul travel for new ideas and global experiences. They’re right here on your doorstep – in Tasmania.

Tasmania’s floating sauna is so hygge right now

Nordic therapy on Lake Derby

Two undercover saunas are at the end of a pier overlooking a lake on a slear sunny day. A man and woman enjoy the view.

A new generation is discovering the age-old rituals of the Nordic sauna – with a Tasmanian twist. Find that hygge feeling in Australia's only floating wood-fired sauna, Floating Sauna Lake Derby. This traditional sauna offers visitors the chance to relax and connect with nature, and take a cold plunge directly off the pontoon into the fresh water of Briseis Hole, also known as Lake Derby. Located in the lively mountain biking town of Derby and designed by Tasmanian architect Jason Licht, the sauna seats up to 10 people in either public or private sessions, and is said to help mountain bikers recover quickly from a day's ride.

www.facebook.com/floatingsaunalakederby

Sparkling isle

Top-notch French-inspired bubbles

Grape vines stand in rows on the Jansz wine estate.

At 41 degrees south of the equator, Tasmania has a global reputation for nuanced, textured sparkling wines grown in a similar latitudinal position and agricultural conditions to the Champagne region of France (41 degrees north). Hand crafted and bottle fermented, Tasmanian sparkling wine is made with techniques pioneered in Champagne and produced primarily in the cool temperate climate and slow ripening conditions of the Tamar Valley. Pioneer producers include Pirie Tasmania, House of Arras and Jansz, and other long-standing labels include Josef Chromy, Clover Hill, Nocton Vineyard (Coal River Valley) and Stefano Lubiano (Derwent Valley).

www.discovertasmania.com.au/what-to-do/food-and-drink/vineyards-and-wineries

Just a dram

Distilling Tasmania’s Scottish connections

# people walk across the gravel courtyard at historic Shene Distillery, Tasmania

Despite being 17,000 kilometres apart, Tasmania and Scotland are deeply connected through human history, colourful characters, expansive wilderness, craggy coastlines – and whisky. Tasmania is renowned for its small-scale food, wine and spirit enterprises, and particularly its small-batch whisky. The island’s pure water has produced award-winning drops, including Australia’s best single malt whisky (Hellyers Road Distillery’s slightly peated 10 year old), and the world’s best single cask single malt whisky (Sullivans Cove Distillery’s French Oak TD0217). Tasmania’s Redlands Estate Distillery in the Derwent Valley is one of the world’s few “paddock-to-bottle” single malt whisky distilleries. Explore the best Tasmanian whiskies on a dedicated whisky trail around the island.

 

Chase the Southern Lights

Forget the Arctic Circle, find a light show near you

Hues of orange, pink and purple light the low horizon on a dark starry night in Tasmania.

While global travellers flock to the Arctic regions to see the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, the somewhat elusive Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, tend to fly under the radar. Tasmania is one of the few places in the world that witnesses the majestic Southern Lights – when the conditions are right. Though the lights can be spotted year-round, you’re most likely to witness the spectacle in winter, from a remote southern location with low light pollution and cloud, and with a broad, uninterrupted view south.

www.discovertasmania.com.au/about/articles/2019/southern-lights

Go deep green

Practise Japanese forest bathing in Tasmanian rainforests

The white water of Russell Falls can be be seen between the ferns and mossy undergrowth in Mt Field National Park, Tasmania

The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (forest bath) is a popular wellness practice that uses the healing properties of nature to restore one’s mood, energy, vitality and rejuvenation. Find peace among the fresh air, and wilderness of Tasmania. Access your deeper green in Mount Field National Park, a short hour and a half drive from Hobart through the idyllic Derwent Valley. The park offers an array of natural wonders and incredible plant diversity that increases with altitude. Encounter some of the park's unique alpine species. Cushion plants are interspersed with pineapple grass, sphagnum and string bogs on the wet plateau. Longer walks take in the tallest flowering trees, Tasmanian conifers, spectacular waterfalls, wilderness views and the small glacial lakes of the Tarn Shelf. During autumn, the slopes of the mountains fill with brilliant colour as the fagus (deciduous beech) turns from red to gold.

Vinotherapy indulgence

Tasmanian twist on Bordeaux opulence

A indoor sauna with large windows looks out over the grassy hills to the beach on a cool day in the north east of Tasmania

Barnbougle in Tasmania’s north east may be best known for its neighbouring golf links courses - The Dunes and Lost Farm - widely ranked among the finest golf courses in the world. But it has plenty more to offer those seeking to indulge. After a day on the green, prepare for immersion with a difference at Barnbougle’s day spa. Vinotherapy Renew is inspired by vinotherapy spa treatments from the Bordeaux region in France, using by-products of wine. The treatment begins with a tranquil soak in an antioxidant-rich Tasmanian vinotherapy-infused bath, then segues with a hydrating body polish and thermal face lift.

www.barnbougle.com.au/spa/treatments-wellness-packages


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