Join us for our first industry networking event for 2025 at Lavada, Hobart's luxury day spa.
We will be joined by Lindene Cleary, Chief Marketing Officer at Tourism Tasmania, who will share some insights into the travel motivations and values of the three target customer segments; Positive Impact Travellers, Conscious Adventurers, and Adventurers. Learn how these profiles align with Tasmania's Come Down For Air brand and present an opportunity for the health and wellness sector.
The team at Lavada have also generously offered an incredible lucky door prize, 'The Weary Traveller' Spa Journey to be won on the night!
We are able to deliver Tips and Tipples events to our members free of charge as part of their membership benefits package, however, if you are not a partner or financial member of DST and would like to come, please contact us. Please let us know if you have any specific access requirements.
Save the Date!
DST Tips & Tipples networking events
You have told us that one of the most valued benefits of DST membership is connecting and collaborating with other operators and industry stakeholders at our monthly networking events. In 2025, these will be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, 4.30pm - 6.30pm (with just a few possible exceptions). Mark your calendars now!
As the world’s first perfumery dedicated to Australia’s native botanicals, The Raconteur now boasts a second store - the Consulate - located at 5 Morrison Street Hobart. Offering a fully immersive experience that touches all 5 senses, there are some exciting plans afloat to develop a unique visitor experience in Tea Tree. The Raconteur recently collaborated with Brand Tasmania to develop the alluring Tasmanian Scent.
Lufra Hotel and Apartments offers quality accommodation at Eaglehawk Neck, the gateway to the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur and an ideal base for the incredible Three Capes Walk. Stay the night or two, wake up to the sounds of Pirates Bay Beach, birds and other local wildlife, and enjoy all this just a one-hour drive from Hobart.
Boxwood offers beautiful private holiday homes in Hobart suitable for guests, corporates and retreat facilitators. All spaces offer the same experience and style with luxury inclusions, pampering and catering upgrades as well as our unique concierge management for each booking - ensuring the stay is elevated to an experience from check in to check out.
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.
News from southern Tasmania
There are some big changes coming to Hobart's waterfront. As of 31 January 2025, Somerset on the Pier and the Hobart Function & Conference Centre will close, making way for an extensive redevelopment of the iconic Elizabeth Street Pier. Works will provide 3 floors of accommodation increasing capacity to 98 keys, and will re-open early 2026 as Citadines on the Pier.
Southern Tasmania is HOT with events
Southern Tasmania comes alive during summer with an array of vibrant events, offering locals and visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the region’s rich culture, breath-taking landscapes, history and diverse festivities. Check out the line up of what is to come over the next few months.
The Tasmanian Autumn Festival is a month-long celebration of the rich history, produce, culture and natural wonders of the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands.
The Crave Harvest Festival returns in 2025 to the historic town of Richmond. A celebration of the people, produce and places within the Coal River Valley. →Ticket Info
Tasmania Outdoor Media acquires new screen
Tasmania Outdoor Media (TOM) are excited to introduce a new asset to our lineup in 2025: Screen 16. At 16 sqm, it’s larger, more versatile, and just as easy to set up as their Screen 6s. The team at TOM eager to collaborate with Tassie’s iconic autumn and winter events so check out the website and get in contact with the team →Learn More
POSITIVE IMPACT IN ACTION
Help us name DST's Red Handfish
In 2025, you helped DST raise $1,025 to contribute to the critical activities of the Handfish Conservation Project, through donations made at our Tips & Tipples events.
The Handfish Conservation Project was established in 2018 to implement a recovery plan for three Critically Endangered species of handfish; the Red Handfish, Spotted Handfish, and Ziebell's Handfish.
Known only from southern Tasmania, Australia, these handfish are faced with increasing levels of habitat destruction and loss, pollution, impacts associated with invasive species, and climate change. There are fewer than 100 adults in the wild left on the planet.
We need your help to name DST's Red Handfish. The most original and creative suggestions will be voted on by DST's Positive Impact Committee on 18th February. Naming rights are $1000 and you too canName your own fish
Tourism Tasmania, in partnership with the TICT, THA, RTOs, Events Tasmania and the Department of State Growth, will be visiting our region in early 2025 for a combined visitor economy update.
Hobart session sold out, join online Monday 24 Feb 10am - 11am
This competition is an opportunity for Tasmanian towns of all sizes to showcase what makes their special part of Tassie such an amazing visitor destination in its own right. Richmond took out Tassie's Top Small Town in 2024 and went on to place third in this category nationally. → Learn more & nominate
The Off Season 2025
Phase 3 submissions close 7 March
The fifth annual Off Season campaign will continue to position Tasmania as a must-visit winter destination, focused on driving visitation during the traditionally quieter travel period between May and August.
Offers submissions for phase 1 and 2 of the campaign have now closed, however there is still time to get involved!
Phase 3
Offers received between 1 February – 7 March 2025:
Will be published on the Discover Tasmania website ready for campaign launch early April
Offer submissions close on 7 March 2025, with the Off Season campaign to go live in early April 2025.
If you haven't already submitted an offer, view these useful links below involved with Tasmania's winter marketing campaign!
Get ready for the ChargeSmart electric vehicle charger grants
Businesses interested in purchasing, installing or upgrading existing electric vehicle fast charging infrastructure are encouraged to use the ‘Application Readiness Period’ to engage early with TasNetworks and prepare relevant documents before applications open on Thursday,6 February 2025.
Industry-first training to drive regional event success
Registrations now open - commences the17th of March 2025
Australian Centre for Regional Events is excited to be taking registrations for their popular signature program, a 12-week program that empowers event organisers with the knowledge, tools and inspiration to revitalise their event.
This program is suited for volunteer event organisers, local government staff involved in event delivery, new event organisers and students starting a career in events.→Read more
Tasmanian Festival and Event Support Fund
The $5 million Tasmanian Festival and Support Fund is part of a suite of initiatives announced by the Tasmanian Government to address the impact of delays in the arrival of the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels on the tourism, hospitality and events sectors.
The program closes Friday, 30 May 2025 at 2:00 pm, or when funds have been fully allocated. Further information and grant guidelines can be found here.
TasALERT App QR Code
For tourism operators, it is important to ensure your staff and visitors are aware of these emergency information resources. Add to your compendium or display within your business. You can also share theTasmanian Visitor Information Network's bushfire safety for travellers brochure and also display the TasALERT emergency information poster at your business, available in Englishand Chinese(Mandarin).
Brand Tasmania Resources
Did you know that becoming a Tasmanian Partner is free and provides you with access a fantastic asset toolkit and a range of informative workshops?
Southern Tasmania has an incredible line-up of markets and events over the coming month. These events drive strong visitation from local and interstate visitors, so to help you get a piece of the action, visit Hobart & Beyond's
VXT is excited to bring in 2025 with a refreshed look, new courses, and more opportunities to thrive in Tasmania’s hospitality and tourism industry. Explore the course guide here.
GRANTS & FUNDING
A summary of loans, grants and support currently available:
The Events Tasmania Marketing Grant Program – 2025 offers grants to the organisers of events in Tasmania to increase visitation to their event. The program seeks to support marketing initiatives that promote and attract audiences to events held in Tasmania between 1 January and 30 June 2025.
Applications open from 2:00 pm Tuesday, 19 November 2024 to 2:00 pm Thursday, 1 May 2025.
Touring grants of up to $20,000 are available to eligible organisers of touring activities that are held between March and November (inclusive) that attract more than 40 people to Tasmania, who stay in paid commercial accommodation for five nights or more and spend 40 per cent or more of the touring activity in regional areas (outside Greater Hobart).
Championships grants of up to $10,000 are available to eligible organisers of competitions, championships and sporting events that bring more than 100 competitors and supporters to Tasmania, who stay for three nights or more and promote pre- and post-championship travel within the state as part of their event marketing.
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.
.jpg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=Untitled%20design%20(51).jpg)
.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=VERG%20Hobart%20(002).png)
