Embrace the warming of the weather in Tasmania this spring with a spread of festivals, anniversaries and theatrical masterpieces. Visitors can take a leap back in time to revel in the Royal Australian Navy's 100th anniversary with a rare gathering of Tall Ships on Hobart's waterfront. Another centenary is celebrated as the State Cinema in North Hobart turns 100 and looks back to its beginnings in the silent era, while A Comedy of Errors will be performing at Australia's oldest continually running theatre, The Theatre Royal. Just out of Hobart, the Tasmanian Tiger lives on at the Tiger Trail Festival in the Derwent Valley with a range of events to suit everyone. Spring's longer days bring with them a number of outdoor fetes and fairs in striking locations - think a sea of colourful tulips on rugged Table Cape, a food and wine festival overlooking the east coast, and a white wine event on the Hobart docks.

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, 18 - 21 SEPTEMBER

Shakespeare's iconic play is interpreted with style in Bell Shakespeare and the State Theatre Company of South Australia's co-production of The Comedy of Errors. Reinterpreted and reinvented to reflect a contemporary world, the well-known play of two sets of identical twins separated at birth and later rescued from a shipwreck is filled with sharp banter and comical word-play.

What: A smart interpretation of Shakespeare's 'The Comedy of Errors' by the Bell Shakespeare Company.
When: 18 -20 September 2013 at 8pm. 21 September 2013 at 2pm.

Where: Theatre Royal, Hobart

How: For bookings and more information, please visit www.theatreroyal.com.au/shows/comedy-errors  Tickets from $35 for a Gallery B Reserve.

 

ILLUMINATION: THE ART OF PHILIP WOLFHAGEN, 13 SEPTEMBER - 1 DECEMBER

From September, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) will present Illumination: The art of Philip Wolfhagen, a Newcastle Art Gallery exhibition created in partnership with TMAG. Illumination is the first major survey of Australia's pre-eminent contemporary landscape painter, Philip Wolfhagen. Wolfhagen's ethereal and timeless landscapes depict a specific connection to land. The exhibition explores the continuity of the landscape painting tradition commenced in Tasmania by Eugene von Guerard and John Glover, and its relevance in contemporary Australian art.

What: The first major survey of Australia's pre-eminent contemporary landscape painter, Philip Wolfhagen

When: 13 September - 1 December 2013

Where: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart

How: For more information visit www.tmag.tas.gov.au

 

TALL SHIPS HOBART 2013, 20 - 25 SEPTEMBER

Tall ships from around the world will dock in Hobart this September to celebrate the Royal Australian Navy's 100th Anniversary; transforming Hobart's beautiful harbour into a spectacle reminiscent of years past. The festival offers a rare opportunity for visitors to discover the sheer beauty of these magnificent vessels up close. Adding to the nautical magic will be a host of shore-based activities including a showcase of local produce in Princes Wharf No 1 and live entertainment on the lawns of Parliament House.

What: A flotilla of Tall Ships docked in Hobart to celebrate the Royal Australian Navy's 100th Anniversary

When: 20 - 25 September 2013

Where: Sullivan's Cove, Hobart

How: For more information visit  www.tallshipfestival2013.com/Hobart.html

 

TIGER TRAIL FESTIVAL, 20 - 22 SEPTEMBER

Community groups in Tasmania's upper Derwent Valley will band together for the second time this year to serve up an eclectic blend of festivities in celebration of the local links with the Tasmanian Tiger. From open gardens and community markets to a photographic exhibition and local wine tastings, the exciting program of over 30 events offers something for everyone. 

What: An eclectic program of local events celebrating the area's links to the Tasmanian Tiger

When: 20 - 22 September 2013

Where: Tasmania's upper Derwent Valley

How: For more information visit www.tigertrailfestival.com.au

 

CENTENARY OF HOBART'S STATE CINEMA, 2 - 6 OCTOBER

Hobart's State Cinema, affectionately known as 'The State', has been entertaining audiences for a century this October. A historical and cultural icon, The State is a rare example of a purpose-built moving picture house still in operation today. To celebrate this historical occasion, five days of special events and screenings will take place. The festivities will kick off with an exclusive red carpet event on Wednesday 2nd October with live music, Tasmanian produce and, of course, film. Other highlights include a Silent Film Festival featuring the acclaimed international pianist Gerhard Gruber playing live accompaniment to classic silent films, the launch of a book chronicling the history of the State Cinema, an exciting program of film screenings featuring the theatre's favourite films throughout history, live music and more.

What: A celebration of a century of cinema in Hobart

When: 2 - 6 October 2013

Where: State Cinema, North Hobart

How: For more information visit www.statecinema.com.au

 

BLOOMIN' TULIPS FESTIVAL, 12 OCTOBER

As a celebration of the first flush of spring colour at the tulip farms on Table Cape, Bloomin' Tulips Festival brings the small town of Wynyard, on the north-west coast of Tasmania, into full bloom for a day of seasonal events. Visitors will love the festive line up of local art and craft, fresh island produce and music along with a spectacular fireworks display on the nearby Inglis River on Saturday evening.  

What: A colourful celebration of the first spring tulips

When: 12 October 2013

Where: Wynyard, on Tassie's north-west coast

How: For more information visit www.warwyn.tas.gov.au/page.aspx?u=489  or phone 03 6443 8320.

 

WHITE WINE WEEKEND, 12 - 13 OCTOBER

On this mid-season weekend, the vignerons and vintners from the wineries of southern Tasmania converge on the Henry Jones Art Hotel on Hobart's waterfront to pour their premium sauvignon blancs, sparklings, rieslings, chardonnays, schonburgers, pinot gris, rosé, and dessert wines. Wine lovers will savour every last drop of this stellar showcase of Tassie's finest cool climate white wines including latest releases and opportunities to meet the faces behind the wines.

What: A showcase of Tasmania's premium white wines

When:  12 - 13 October 2013, 12noon to 5pm

Where: The IXL Atrium at the Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hobart

How: Entry costs $20 which includes tastings of all wines, complete tasting booklet, crystal Plumm glass and entry into a lucky door prize. For more information visit

www.winesouth.com.au/WhiteWineWeekendCurrent.html  

 

THE SPRING COMMUNITY FESTIVAL AT THE ROYAL TASMANIAN BOTANICAL GARDENS, 5 - 6 OCTOBER

Green thumbs will flock to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens' annual Spring Community Festival.  This bountiful celebration of the best of the season features magnificent displays of spring colour along with entertainment, rides, local food and wine and activities for all the family. Highlights include special gardening presentations by garden gurus Peter Cundall and Tino Carnevale with tips on the best veggies to plant in spring. There are plenty of activities for mini gardeners with a climbing wall, jumping castles and face painting.

What: A colourful celebration of spring

When: 5 - 6 October, 10am to 4pm

Where: Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hobart

How: For more information visit www.rtbg.tas.gov.au  or phone 03 6236 3075.

 

BREATH OF FRESH AIR FILM FESTIVAL, 7 - 10 NOVEMBER

After two popular seasons, the Breath of Fresh Air (BOFA) film festival will be back from 7 - 10 November in Launceston's Inveresk precinct and also, this year, in Hobart. Tasmania's major film festival, BOFA brings together original thinkers, artists, musicians, filmmakers and digital storytellers, showcasing the world's best screen-based stories including Australian and world premieres. Features, documentaries, speakers, workshops, exhibitions, parties and more make up the festival's wonderfully fresh program.

What: A celebration of film

When: 7 - 10 November 2013

Where: Various locations in Launceston and Hobart

How: For more information visit www.bofa.com.au closer to the date

 

RAW CHALLENGE TASMANIA, 2 NOVEMBER

Outdoor adventurers take heed! Tasmania's first obstacle mud run (think 30+ obstacles and unlimited laps over an 8km course) will be hitting Redbanks on 2 November, with plenty of fun to be had. Tackle the great outdoors, trudge through mud, and test one's strength, agility and stamina in a challenging outdoor course great for athletes, first-timers and those in for some team bonding. Challenges include 10m long monkey bars, balance beams across water pits, mud mounds, cable reels (to jump over), rope trapezes, giant inflatable water slides and more.  

When: 2 November2013 from 8am

Where: Redbanks (40 minutes from Hobart), Nugent

How: Tickets are $69. Camping bookings are also available for $20 per person per night. For more information on the event, visit www.rawchallenge.com.au/event/tasmania-november-2013    

 

BICHENO FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL, 23 NOVEMBER

Held in the seaside town of Bicheno overlooking the crystal clear waters of Waubs Bay, the Bicheno Food and Wine Festival is one of Tasmania's premier spring events and a true celebration of the season's bounty. Showcasing the very best local food, wine and beer along with some great live blues and roots music, the Festival is an opportunity for food and wine lovers to delve a little deeper into the delicious Tasmanian food and wine scene, offering close encounters with the area's leading local wine makers, chefs, food producers and gourmet trail blazers.  

What: An intimate food and wine festival offering up close encounters with local gourmands

When: 23 November 2013

Where: Bicheno, east coast Tasmania

How: For more information visit www.bichenofestivals.com.au

 

For a full and up-to-date listing of Tasmanian events, information on Tasmania, and to discover the intriguing places, people and stories behind Tassie's scenery, visit www.discovertasmania.com.

 

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).

 

Background Notes

Tourism Tasmania's role is to maximise the contribution of tourism to Tasmania's economic growth. Tourism Tasmania is a Statutory Authority operating under the Tourism Tasmania Act 1996, and is part of the Tasmanian Government's Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts.

 

 

Media Contact

 

Tina Orr
Tel: (03) 9836 2167 ext.7
Mobile: 0413 378 081
Email: tina@mediamoguls.com.au 

 

Caryn Ng
Tel: (03) 9836 2167 ext.6
Mobile: 0488 664 857
Email: caryn@mediamoguls.com.au