A summer trip to Tasmania reveals a world of wilderness and exceptional eating.
As mainland Australia begins to cool, Tasmania offers New Zealanders the chance to extend their summer holiday, with pristine wilderness and a world-renowned food and drinks scene beckoning.
Ask a local legend what defines an authentic Tasmanian experience and they’ll say it begins with “taking a step back, slowing down and appreciating amazing scenery and produce in an effortless way – no crowds, just rich cultural experiences.” Few know this better than Robert Pennicott, managing director of Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, who has spent the past 27 years helping visitors discover the island’s wild coastlines and quiet beauty.
Growing up in southern Tasmania, Bruny Island and its pristine waterways were Pennicott’s playground. Diving, fishing and foraging – these experiences now shape the immersive tours he’s been running since 1999.
For New Zealanders looking to extend their summer, Tasmania’s long days and golden evenings stretch well into March, meaning more opportunity to explore the rugged coastlines and mountain peaks of Pennicott’s backyard. It’s also a chance to relax, unwind and enjoy the island’s internationally acclaimed food and wine scene.
From quiet beaches to ancient forests, boutique vineyards and ocean-fresh seafood, Tasmania’s late-blooming summer invites visitors to experience the best of both of these extraordinary worlds.
An island of wilderness wonders
Nearly 40% of Tasmania is protected as national parks, reserves and UNESCO World Heritage areas, making it one of Australia’s premier destinations for walking, hiking and connecting with nature. Trails and locations such as the Overland Track, Three Capes, Freycinet, Maria Island and Cradle Mountain showcase the island’s diverse landscapes. Summer is the perfect time to explore, with Tasmania’s mild temperatures and long daylight hours making it easy to spend the day on trails, out on the water, or in the wilderness. And with over 1500 beaches, visitors can soak up the scenery without the crowds.
On the east coast, the wukalina Walk is a four-day journey that blends natural beauty with local cultural storytelling. Led by Palawa guides, walkers begin at the wukalina summit (Mt William National Park) and follow the stunning Larapuna (Bay of Fires) coastline, pausing to admire its unique orange lichen-covered rocks and white sand, while learning about thousands of years of Tasmanian Aboriginal history. Architect-designed huts and a beautifully restored lightkeeper’s cottage provide stylish yet sensory overnight stops, and there’s plenty of delicious bush tucker and locally sourced produce to savour along the way.
The west coast offers a different kind of wilderness magic. Full of remote, untamed landscapes, it’s perfect for off-the-beaten-path adventures. The West Coast Wilderness Railway threads through steep valleys and rainforest, following the original 1890s Abt rack-and-pinion line. For summer travellers, experiences like premium steam dining on Beyond The Line or insider tours with the railway’s general manager show this heritage icon from a fresh perspective, blending adventure, history and nature.
For those drawn to the water, Pennicott says summer brings the coastline to life. Young seals and seabirds appear along the cliffs, and nutrient-rich upwellings turn the ocean into a feeding ground for pods of dolphins. “It’s a great time for spotting wildlife,” he says. “We see a lot of young coastal wildlife… and large fish bait balls bring activity from seals and dolphins.”
Based out of Hobart, the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys team traverse the secluded bays, cliffs and islands of southern Tasmania. Pennicott says one of the island’s greatest drawcards is how effortlessly you can reach wildly different landscapes. From Hobart, you can be in World Heritage Wilderness in one hour, reach the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere in 90 minutes and Bruny Island in 45. “You can be exploring an ancient rainforest and, 15 minutes later, be on a deserted white sand beach,” he says.
A food-lover’s paradise
Tasmania’s culinary scene is as spectacular as its landscapes. The island has earned a global reputation for seafood, cool-climate wines and craft spirits.
There’s no better way to experience Tasmania’s world-renowned fresh catch than on Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ full-day Seafood Seduction cruise as it glides through the D’Entrecasteaux Channel toward Bruny Island. It’s a chance to sample sustainably caught oysters, calamari and tuna, as well as abalone and sea urchin hand-foraged by the tour’s guides.
“Nothing tastes better than seafood gathered straight from the water, eaten immediately and at its absolute best,” says Pennicott. “The Seafood Seduction experience is like spending the day with your friends, surrounded by picture-perfect scenery with no one else around you as you go from course to course, cooked simply to show off the seafood’s natural flavours. A glass of Tassie bubbles or wine in one hand, of course.”
Those bubbles aren’t just a nice touch – Tasmania’s sparkling wines have been gaining international buzz. The island’s mild summers, crisp air and long days are ideal for creating the bright fruit flavours and delicate acidity found in the best sparkling wines. The Tamar Valley Wine Region in north Tasmania, where vineyards, cellar doors, orchards and farms line the banks of the Tamar River, is considered one of the top 10 wine routes in the world. Home to 32 boutique wineries, there’s award-winning sparkling wines at Jansz, pure pinot noir at Westella, barrel tastings at Evenfalls and overnight stays in luxury eco-domes at Swinging Gate.
Nearby Launceston also boasts a UNESCO-recognised culinary scene, with vibrant markets, artisanal producers and award-winning restaurants that showcase why Tasmania is a food and drink destination worth exploring. A certified food bowl, the region nurtures small-scale growers and makers crafting everything from truffles and hazelnuts to sourdough, cider and cheese.
“There has been significant growth in the number of artisan producers in Tasmania,” says Pennicott. “As a collective, there is a strong focus on sustainability, celebrating the uniqueness of Tasmania and protecting what makes it special.”
Whether you’re sipping sparkling in the Tamar Valley, tasting whisky distilled in Hobart, or enjoying freshly shucked oysters on the coast, Tasmania’s produce is a window into its nutrient-rich soils, pure oceans and generous daylight. Remote and remarkable, Tasmania’s wild landscapes and thriving culinary scene make it a summer destination like no other.
Air New Zealand offers non-stop flights from Auckland to Hobart seasonally between October-March, the flight takes approximately 4 hours. It has never been easier to explore the wild beauty of Australia’s island state. Book now at Air New Zealand.