Join us for the unveiling of Motel 429's rebrand and renovation! Located in the heart of Sandy Bay, with both river and mountain views, Motel 429 has been a popular and convenient choice for both business travellers and holiday-makers alike, so we are excited to see the upgrade and new look. We'll also enjoy some nibbles by new business, Graze Lab, and a cash bar by Old Kempton Distillery.
River Derwent Ferry Masterplan
Motel 429 is located directly opposite the proposed location of the Sandy Bay River Derwent Ferry terminal, so it seems fitting to also get an update on the Masterplan from Michael Stretton (CEO, City of Hobart) and Ian Nelson (General Manager, City of Clarence).
Nibbles are provided free of charge and a cash bar will be open for beverage purchases. Please also note that there are regularly photographers at our events, taking photos for use on digital platforms. If you do not want to be photographed, please let us know when you RSVP, or on arrival at the event.
Please also let us know if you have any specific access requirements.
NEWS FROM SOUTHERN TASMANIA
That's a wrap on the Showcase!
The 2025 Tasmanian Tourism Showcase was held on July 25 and 26, and feedback received so far from both attendees and exhibitors has been great! The atmosphere was buoyant and buzzing (despite the billowing wind, heavy rain and freezing cold on the Saturday!), and we were thrilled to welcome well over 3000 people over the two days.
Congratulations to the Huon Valley and Far South tourism associations for winning Best Stall. They nailed the brief with engaging activities for every audience, creative and stylish aesthetics; and friendly, knowledgeable and proactive stallholders. Congratulations also to World Heritage Cruises and The Huon Pine Shop who were highly commended with their combined stall. Both stalls won prizes to support their business marketing from Tasmanian Outdoor Media (TOM), Southern Cross Austereo, and Tourism Brochure Exchange.
Mona will be closing for two weeks in August to enable some significant electrical upgrades to the site. The closure will be for the period of Tuesday 5 until Thursday 21 August, opening again from Friday 22 August. Mona will then be open as usual Friday–Monday 10am–5pm until Summer when they move back the Thursday–Monday operations.
Rosny Farm
Clarence Arts & Events has officially rebranded as Rosny Farm. The new brand properly captures the character, history, and creative energy of the place - from exhibitions and workshops to live music, residencies, and community events.
The team, programs, values and spaces will all remain unchanged, but the new look and feel will be reflected in the website and across social channels (Insta and Facebook).
MEET OUR NEW DST MEMBERS
Click on the headings to read more about each of our new members...
Tubs of Tasmania showcases boutique and unique accommodation with beautiful tubs, baths, and spa-like sanctuaries in Tasmania’s most scenic places.
The goal is to celebrate these hidden gems and inspire others to discover the charm of slow travel, cosy nights under the stars, and the simple, soul-deep joy of soaking it all in, literally.
John and Sue Sherman have been operating Wynyard Bus Lines in the north west for over 15 years but more recently they have opened an office in Cambridge to support their state-wide bus service. With over 30 buses and coaches spread across Tasmania, Wynyard Bus Lines pride themselves on their ability to service clients for any movement, any size, anywhere.
Share your news with DST
Destination Southern Tasmania is always interested in your industry updates. Completing this form lets us know what’s happening in your business or region. Your news and information may be shared with Tourism Tasmania and throughout the Destination Southern Tasmania social, email and web channels. Priority is given to DST members.
WHAT'S ONW
Tasmanian Whisky Week
This week! 4 - 10 August
Showcasing the achievements and craft of Tasmanian distillers, Tasmanian Whisky Week is a celebration of the numerous Tasmanian distilleries, their spirits and whisky.
Seven days of events are held in the north and south of the state covering diverse and engaging consumer events.
Over 40 distilleries attending over 20 events, culminating in the flagship event, The Tasmanian Spirit Showcase which will be held at PW1, Hobart on Saturday, 9 August.
Beaker Street Festival brings its signature mix of science, art, and connection back to Lutruwita/Tasmania — now with an extra week of Antarctic programming! With over 100 events across Nipaluna/Hobart and beyond this August, Beaker Street Festival is full of surprises including a shrimply irresistable World Shrimp Day shellebration, nightly storytelling and ice-cold presentations by Antarctic women, and a surprisingly uplifting evening of death and dying...
Presented by Hadley’s Orient Hotel, the Hadley’s Art Prize, Hobart is an acquisitive Australian landscape prize, which offers $100,000 to the winning entry.
Hadley’s Orient Hotel has a long history with art starting with art-loving landlords in the late 1800s. The Hadley’s Art Prize contributes to the art community, celebrates excellence in contemporary landscape art and promotes cultural tourism in Tasmania.
For more events near you, visit our Events page on Hobart & Beyond.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
Ask Andy
Marketing can be difficult at the best of times. From getting your advertising noticed, creating a unique and standout brand, or telling your story more effectively.
Just Ask Andy about your marketing challenge and walk away with a solution you can implement. In this 1-hour live Q&A hosted by the TCCI and facilitated by Andy Cooley, founder and Creative Director of Story & Brand, you can bring your curliest questions to get clarity and real-world solutions to make your marketing work harder for your business.
Whether you are a small startup, a large business, or a government organisation, this live Q&A will help you, regardless of your product, service, experience, or offering.
Skilled in 60: Boosting Your Business with EV Chargers
Join the TICT for a practical webinar designed to empower tourism and hospitality operators with the knowledge and confidence to invest in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This FREE ONLINE session will unpack the strong business case for installing destination charging, address common myths that surround electric vehicle tourism, and offers a clear introduction to EV chargers and how they work.
The portal is a free, easy-to-use platform that connects businesses with potential employees across Tasmania — with over 7,000 jobseekers already registered! It’s quick and simple to create an employer profile, post jobs, and find the right people for your team. And with the launch of the new national platform, Eeger, users will also benefit from a wider reach across Australia — giving both businesses and jobseekers even more opportunities to connect.
The portal is a state-funded initiative designed to support our industry, so if you're hiring, it's well worth a look!
For more information, contact Renee Hardwicke at renee@vxt.org.au or 0483 909 913.
Accessible Tourism Report
Tourism Research Australia has released a report on accessible tourism in Australia, providing invaluable data on this market. With more than 20% of trips taken in Australia last year involving people with accessibility needs, contributing more than $29 billion to the visitor economy, this report once again shows us the opportunities available to those operators who answer the accessibility call. There's a snapshot below, but you can read the full report HERE.
POSITIVE IMPACT IN ACTION
Wild Night Out
Friends of Bonorong is hosting their next fundraising event on Saturday, August 16 to support the provision of treatment to sick and injured wildlife that are admitted to the Bonorong Wildlife Hospital.
Wild Night Out is a wonderful opportunity to experience how Bonorong comes alive after dark with an after hours tour with their experienced guides. It's a chance to meet many of our special nocturnal animals as they begin to wake for their nightly escapades, and is a wonderful example of regenerative tourism. Stars of the Bonorong night-time show include Tasmanian Devils, Eastern Quolls, Ringtail Possums, Spotted-tail Quolls, and all the usual favourites including wombats and kangaroos.
This grant program is designed to cater for both large and small events, with two tiers of funding available for events with either intrastate or interstate visitation targets. Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 are available to support event organisers in enhancing their existing marketing strategies for established Tasmanian events.
Grants are available until the available funding allocation has been fully allocated, or the program has closed – whichever occurs first.
One-off Assistance grants of up to $20 000 are available to promote the number of winter events in regional Tasmania, increasing visitors and local community engagement through the non-peak tourist season, and assisting to grow event expertise skills and capacity in regional Tasmania.
The $50 million Regional Tourism Development Loan Scheme is now open for applications. The scheme is available to promote investment in tourism products and experiences that stimulate regional tourism and dispersal in Tasmania. The scheme will open for applications until 2pm, 30 June 2026 or until all funding has been utilised, whichever occurs first.
The Scheme will provide no-interest loans of between $500 and $10,000 over three years to eligible households, residential landlords, small businesses and community organisations to fund investment in energy-efficient products.
