NEW HOTEL OPENINGS OR MAJOR REFURBISHMENTS

Pumphouse Point, Lake St Clair
Pumphouse Point is an exciting new wilderness retreat located in the World Heritage Wilderness. This tourism experience at Lake St Clair will see a 1940s hydro station converted into an 18-room retreat that celebrates its history and heritage.
www.pumphousepoint.com.au 

Satellite Island
In the heart of the magnificent D'Entrecasteaux Channel, in the south of Tasmania, lies a small island of immense beauty. Sheer sea cliffs fall away to pristine water and wild shellfish can be found in the ancient rock shelf that circles the Island. Satellite Island has never before been accessible to the public and it remains utterly unspoilt. Whether you're looking to escape frantic city life or yearning for adventure, Satellite Island is the perfect combination of relaxing hideaway and untamed Tasmanian wilderness. The result is a truly unique experience. Satellite Island is exclusively yours when you come to stay, it is your
own private island to explore and enjoy as you please.
www.satelliteisland.com.au 

Wynyard Coastal Pods, Wynyard
Up-cycled from decommissioned shipping containers, the Coastal Pods Wynyard, offer a unique take on self-contained accommodation. Situated on the banks of the Inglis River in North West Tasmania, sun fills these unique luxury escape pods, offering a seaside sanctuary from which to while away some down time. Each architecturally designed pod has been lovingly constructed and styled to provide maximum comfort and energy efficiency, whilst retaining a design nod to the industrial beach foundation of the development. The styling influence is beach industrial chic, with an eye to embrace opportunities for recycling and repurposing of found object into pieces of beauty and sustainable functionality.
www.coastalpods.com 

NEW RESTAURANTS OR BARS

Frank, Hobart
Frank offers a lively and unique Australian take on the culinary passions inspired by the magnificent region of the Southern Hemisphere. Located on one of Hobart's most famous landmarks on the historic waterfront – Franklin Wharf – Frank is a South American influenced restaurant that focuses on sourcing the very best produce and wine Tasmania can provide, along with wine sourced from trusted specialists around the globe.
www.frankrestaurant.com.au 

Bangor Wine & Oyster Shed, Dunalley
Perched on a hill beside the vineyard, Bangor Wine & Oyster Shed is a cellar door, farm gate shop and restaurant in Dunalley Tasmania, brimming with cool climate Bangor wines, freshly shucked oysters and local produce. Cozy up by the fire in winter or around a picnic table in summer and you'll understand what Tasmania is all about; fine oysters and wine, sweeping views and a rural welcome that'll make you want to stay a while.
www.bangorshed.com.au 

NEW TOURS OR EXPERIENCES

Three Capes Track, Tasman National Park
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service's largest and most ambitious track project, the Three Capes Track will be a 46km world class, multi-day walking experience on the Tasman Peninsula. It will showcase Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy, as well as the stunning natural features and scenery of the region including the Southern Hemisphere's highest sea cliffs and spectacular ocean views. Leaving from the Port Arthur Historic Site and finishing at Fortescue Bay, the walk will feature hut accommodation and a boat experience. Walkers will be offered two experiences; walking independently and staying in public huts, and a commercially guided walk with separate private huts. The Three Capes Track will open in November 2015.
www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=21484 

Port Arthur Lavender Farm
Nestled within seven hectares of lavender, rainforest and lakes and overlooking the ocean at Long Bay, Port Arthur Lavender's visitor centre and café showcase millennia-old uses of this fragrant flower alongside modern cuisine and a fully functioning essential oil distillery.
www.portarthurlavender.com.au 

Saffire, Tasmanian Devil Experience, Coles Bay
The Tasmanian Devil Experience offers you the rare opportunity to encounter Tasmanian devils in a natural setting, and to participate in the quest to save this endangered species from extinction. Led by your knowledgeable guides, you'll visit Saffire's open-range Tasmanian devil enclosure, where you'll meet some of the resident population of Tasmanian devils and observe them as they feed and interact. You'll hear the story of the Tasmanian devil — the world's largest carnivorous marsupial—and the crucial effort to find a cure for Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) — the rare and contagious cancer that is threatening the devil's survival.
www.saffire-freycinet.com.au/experience 

West Coast Wilderness Railway, Queenstown
Experience the scenery and atmosphere of the true West Coast Wilderness. Select from three experiences - the rack and Gorge, a half day steam train journey departing Queenstown Station and travelling the steep grades of the rack and pion that the West Coast Wilderness Railway in known for; River and Rainforest, a relaxing journey that takes in the fabulous harbour views; and Queenstown Explorer, a full day return steam train journey that includes the King River Gorge, the rack section of the railway track, magnificent rainforest and all stations along the way.
www.wcwr.com.au 

Blue Derby mountain bike trails, Derby
Mountain bike enthusiasts will now be adding the Blue Derby trails in Tasmania's North East to their must-ride lists, with the opening of 20 kilometres of new track. With another 30 kilometres set to be laid down by the end of 2015, Blue Derby takes riders through the stunning forest landscape.
www.ridebluederby.com.au 

Cape Wickham Golf course, King Island
Cape Wickham is a new golf course built on 160.6 hectares of coastal land on King Island, Tasmania. Opening on 30 October 2015, the course features 18 holes that enjoy views of Bass Strait with the layout made of three basic loops.
www.capewickham.com.au 

MAJOR EVENTS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

Festival of Voices, 2 – 12 July Hobart and 14 – 16 July Launceston 2015
Beat the winter chill at the soothing and unique Festival of Voices in Hobart. This is the place where you can hear every aspect of the human voice in full song from classic choral and cabaret singers to hip hop and contemporary a capella. There are also workshops, concerts and the bonfire and big sing.
www.festivalofvoices.com 

Mid-Winter Festival, Huon Valley, 17 – 19 July 2015
The Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest celebrates the region's apple-picking history with a two-day event that includes wassailing, an age-old tradition to scare away evil spirits and awaken the trees to promote a good harvest. Get in the spirit and dress up, or simply enjoy the music, dancing, delicious food and, of course, cider.
www.huonvalleymidwinterfest.com.au 
 
Junction Arts Festival, Launceston, September 2015
Junction Arts Festival turns Launceston into Tasmania's best playground, offering five days of playful performances, experiences and late-night happenings that unlock hidden spaces of the city and offer audiences the opportunity to come into close proximity with artists, to observe, participate and create.
www.junctionartsfestival.com.au 

Dark Mofo festival, Hobart, June 2016
With the chill of long winter nights firmly set in, DARK MOFO enlivens Hobart with a surprising, captivating midwinter festival. Skewing strange and awry, visitors will find offbeat theatre productions alongside retrospectives of classic films, light shows and late openings of the lauded local museum, MONA, that the festival runs in conjunction with.
www.darkmofo.net.au