Uncover Tassie's Freshest Offerings this Winter

Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery

Tasmania's wild winter presents a good time to delve behind the scenery and discover the alluring stories that wait beyond the state's historic and well-known facades. Not to be outdone by MONA, the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery (TMAG) has undergone a striking redevelopment, with new exhibitions bringing visitors face to face with the elusive, mystical Tasmanian Tiger and many more moving Tasmanian stories, while the Australian Fly Fishing Museum - the only one of its kind in Australia - is a must-visit for fishing enthusiasts, showcasing private collections from prominent Australian fishermen and fly fishing artefacts.  You can catch a glimpse of the island's rare white wallabies on the new Bruny Island Safaris day tour.

The redeveloped Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery
On Friday 15 March this year, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG), one of the most historically significant museums in Australia, unveiled its spectacular $30 million redevelopment on Hobart's waterfront. The second oldest museum in Australia, TMAG has its origins in the collections of the country's oldest scientific society, the Royal Society of Tasmania, which was established in 1843. The redevelopment includes more than 2,000 square metres of new public and exhibition spaces, a centralised visitor services hub and a new Courtyard Café. Visitors can now experience more of this unique site than ever before including a fascinating range of nationally significant archaeological material, some of which has been hidden for over 150 years. Twelve new exhibitions, as well as some refreshed favourites, provide a chance for objects from Tasmania's State Collection to shine. The historic lantern roof of the former zoology gallery has been raised to create a spectacular new Central Gallery, which has become the heart of the new museum. New exhibitions examining major themes in Tasmania's nineteenth century history now occupy three levels of the 1826 Bond Store, while the thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, gets pride of place in a dedicated gallery which tells the story of this intriguing marsupial and its interactions with society. TMAG is open to the public daily from 10am to 5pm, with the exception of Good Friday, Anzac Day and Christmas Day. Admission is free.
Where: Dunn Place, Hobart, Tasmania
Phone: 03 6211 4134
Web: www.tmag.tas.gov.au

Australian Fly Fishing Museum

The Australian Fly Fishing Museum, situated on the banks of the South Esk River, just 15 minutes from Launceston, is set to open on 4th May 2013 in a refurbished cottage on the grounds of Clarendon House, one of Australia's finest Georgian mansions. Fly fishing enthusiasts can go behind the scenes at this historic location, chosen for its connection to James Cox, the original settler of Clarendon and a man who had an extensive vision for Clarendon and Tasmania. Discover enlightening displays of fly fishing artefacts and beguiling installations sourced from major private collections of prominent Australian fishermen, all celebrating the history and the joy of fly fishing in Australia. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 10am until 4pm and on Sundays from 12noon until 4pm (and by appointment only during the winter months of July and August). The museum is closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday. Entry costs $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and concession card holders. Children are admitted free if accompanied by an adult.
Where: 234 Clarendon Station Road, Nile, Tasmania
Phone: 03 6398 6250
Web: www.affm.net.au

Bruny Island Safaris

The recently established Bruny Island Safaris offer day trips from Hobart to magical Bruny Island; a place of natural beauty and gourmet indulgence. The full day tour departs Hobart at 8am and returns at 6.30pm and takes in many of Bruny Island's highlights, including the Neck (which connects north and south Bruny Island), Adventure Bay and Cape Bruny Lighthouse. Participants will also go behind the scenery to taste of some of the island's best local produce with stops at Bruny Island Berry Farm, Get Shucked Oysters, Bruny Island Cheese, Bruny Island Smokehouse and Bruny Island Premium Wines; with a few short walks, including the White Wallaby Walk, to burn off the calories along the way! The day finishes on a high with an exclusive tasting and demonstration at Nut Patch Nougat in Kettering. Tours cost is $140 per adult ($120 concession) and includes lunch at Hotel Bruny plus local produce tastings.
Phone: 0437 499 795
Web: www.brunyislandsafaris.com.au