Summer Isn't Over Yet, and Tasmania is Calling Your Name

The Apple Shed

The last long days of summer are approaching, but the action is far from over in Tasmania. From the age-old joy of sailing a vintage ketch, to enjoying pristinely produced apples and oysters from across the island, to turning the pages and bed sheets back at the boutique Library House in Hobart, late summer is a wonderful time to say hello again to your southern friend, Tasmania.

Get lost in the Library House, West Hobart

Library House

Want to live the romanticised life of an award-winning author in inner city Hobart? Originally the home of author Heather Rose and her musician partner Rowan Smith, the c.1900 Library House is an architecturally stunning alternative to a hotel, sleeping up to eight people in contemporary luxury. Add to that three separate living areas, three bathrooms, large modern kitchen, spacious laundry, and established gardens to enjoy the magnificent views in every direction. Rates from $750 p/n.Visit www.libraryhouse.com.au for more information.

Oysters as fresh as they get on Bruny Island

Have we told you to get shucked lately? Well Bruny Island’s much loved and lauded oyster farmers, Get Shucked, have now opened an oyster bar. This is the freshest possible way to eat oysters, overlooking where the oysters are harvested, sorted and shucked. Say that ten times fast. Fresh oyster dishes and a range of local beer, wine, sparkling and ciders are on offer, as well as drive-through oyster sales for those running late for the ferry. Learn more at www.getshucked.com.au

A taste of historic sailing in Devonport

The Julie Burgess

The Burgess family are maritime royalty in these parts – with five generations operating vessels in most Tasmanian ports, Sydney, Melbourne, Port Adelaide and even New Zealand, California and Mauritius. The last ketch left is the Julie Burgess of Devonport, an ex-fishing vessel now historically restored and hosting two-hour sailing sessions out into Bass Strait. Learn about the colourful maritime history of the north-west coast and hopefully catch the breeze and hoist the sails. Find out more about the two-hour sailings here – www.bassstraitmaritimecentre.com.au/julie-burgess

To learn even more about the turbulent history of this little oceanic stretch, visit Devonport’s interactive Bass Strait Maritime Centre – explore salty shipwrecks, learn to steer through a rip and take a tour around the Harbour Master’s house. www.bassstraitmaritimecentre.com.au

Mawson’s Huts replica museum opens in Hobart

Hobart’s newest attraction, the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum, is a full size and historically accurate replica of the living and working quarters built in 1912 by Sir Douglas Mawson and the 18 men of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Constructed by heritage carpenters using Baltic pine from the same Scandinavian sawmill that supplied the original timber to Mawson’s expedition, the hut on Hobart’s waterfront is a faithful replica of the building that remains at Cape Denison in Antarctica. Enjoy exploring the fascinating minutiae of daily life in the hut as well as fabulous insight from experienced guides. Visit www.mawsons-huts-replica.org.au for more information.

New cider cellar door opens in the Huon Valley

After months of back-breaking work in the Huon Valley, an original apple packing shed and apple museum c.1942, has been restored to its former glory. The Apple Shed now houses the cellar door of Willie Smith’s Organic Cider, Australia’s first organic cidery, as well as a refreshed museum, cafe and providore. Order from the hyper-local menu, pick up produce like sourdough and cherries in the shop and of course, try Willie Smith’s famous cider. Visit www.williesmiths.com.au for more information, or call into see them at 2064 Huon Highway, Grove.

And while we’re talking cider, check out Huon Valley newcomer Pagan Cider with their range of whole fruit ciders using local apples, cherries and pears. The recently opened cellar door (at 7891 Channel Highway at Cradoc) is in the Lucaston Cherry orchard on the very pretty road into Cygnet. This is Tasmania in a bottle. Track down a taste at www.pagancider.com.au

Catch up with Mrs. Jones in Devonport

What do you get if you take a local boy, train him up as an executive chef around the world and return him to his hometown to open up a hot, new restaurant? You get James Lockett’s new modern Australian venue, Mrs. Jones. Overlooking the beautiful Mersey Bluff Beach in Devonport, Mrs. Jones is a stellar partnership with local restaurateurs, Jacqui Leary and David Aitken, formerly of Penguin’s renowned Wild Café. James’ Asian experience and the highest quality fresh Tasmanian produce is a winning combination. Call (03) 6423 3881 to make a reservation.

Tasmanian Air Adventures gets you on holiday faster

Imagine this, you’ve stepped off the plane at Hobart Airport, fresh from your Sydney or Melbourne flight and in forty minutes you’re feeling the white sand between your toes at Freycinet, or enjoying a quick air transfer to places like Saffire, MONA, Sullivans Cove or Wrest Point. This will soon be possible with Tasmanian Air Adventures with their new amphibious seaplane, the latest addition to their fleet. Their airport transfers will be competitively priced, but with an oh-so-cool factor that’s off the charts. Also check out other incredible flights like Cradle Mountain, the wild capes of Port Arthur or a quick cruise over Hobart, from only $99. Find out more at www.tasmanianairadventures.com.au

Cascades Female Factory, South Hobart

Cascades Female Factory

Tasmania’s brutal history is none more apparent than when touring the Cascades Female Factory – a convict institution intended to reform female inmates. Thousands of women and children were imprisoned here, and many never left due to high rates of illness and infant mortality. New conservation works are now complete, rewarding visitors to the World Heritage site with new ‘footprints’ throughout and even more women’s stories to be interpreted. Enjoy a self-exploration tour, or join one of the daily dramatised heritage walking tours of the site. Visit www.femalefactory.org.au for more information.

See the museum from a new angle with a Mona-Rota chopper flight

Looking for a unique way to get about Hobart? Well a trip in the MONA ROTA purple chopper should fit the bill. For only $99 per person you can leave MONA and cruise down the Derwent River, over Salamanca, the Tasman Bridge and the foothills of Mount Wellington – a lovely little ten-minute helicopter ride. Catch the MONA ROTA directly from the airport or for those with more time, take an hour’s ride to check out the rugged Tasmanian coastline around Port Arthur and back to MONA. Now that’s a story for your mates. For more information visit www.mona.net.au/what's-on/tours/.

For a full and up-to-date listing of Tasmanian events, and information on travelling to Tasmania, visit the Discover Tasmania website www.discovertasmania.com.au.

Travel to Tasmania

Travellers can fly to Tasmania on Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Qantaslink, Tigerair, Sharp Airlines or Rex Airlines, or take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Port Melbourne (VIC) to Devonport (TAS).