Join us at Huonville's favourite pub for our July Tips and Tipples on July 22. We're teaming up with Business South (formerly the Kingborough and Huon Business Enterprise Centre) and the Southern Employment and Training Network (SETN) to cross pollinate our networks and to share ideas on managing the challenges of regional and/or seasonal workforces.
Wednesday night also happens to be Trivia Night at The Lost Captain, so if you'd like to stay on for some quizzing, please book directly with the venue: https://www.lostcaptain.com.au/.
We'll provide some snacks and the bar will be open for drinks purchases.
Nibbles will be provided and there will be a cash/card bar for drinks 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.
INDUSTRY NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES
DST on Tour
Our regional tour is well underway, having now done drop-ins at Alonnah, Oatlands and Franklin. We are thoroughly enjoying the chance to connect, catch up and discuss ideas, opportunities and concerns.
Next stop: New Norfolk on 14 July;
and the one after: Eaglehawk Neck on 6 August.
It helps to let us know if you can make it, so please register via the buttons below if possible.
Kristy Lark of Killara Distillery received the inaugural Distiller of the Year award at this year’s 2026 Australian Distillers Conference in Adelaide. This new award recognises and celebrates excellence in production quality, brand development, commercial success and contribution to the Australian distilling industry.
Tasmania claimed three of the five category wins at the inaugural awards: Callington Mill Distillery won the Safety Award and Furneaux Distillery took out the Sustainability and Responsibility Award. A great follow up to Tasmania's wild success at the World Whisky Awards in January which saw 72% of the awards go to Tasmanian distilleries!
Bird Flu Update
There are no confirmed cases of the H5 bird flu virus in Tasmania as yet, but it is very important that we all remain vigilant when it comes to looking out for and reporting sick or dead animals.
The Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre has released its 2026/27 advertising prospectus, offering affordable rates to have your product showcased at one the state's key gateways. From simple DL brochure display to floor displays and lightboxes, there is a huge range of options and prices. And don't forget, DST members get exclusive discounts on all advertising rates!
Tourism Tasmania has launched its new corporate website. Complete with plenty of industry resources (such as campaign toolkits, brand assets, etc.) and a fully integrated visitor data analyser (to glean visitor stats and market insights), it's worth a browse to unearth all the useful new tools you now have at your fingertips! There’s also a newsfeed for the latest updates and opportunities, plus a ‘getting-started’ pathway for new and emerging operators.
Built on what was the rural property ‘Llanherne’, Hobart Airport was officially opened on 23 June 1956. By 1957 it was the fifth busiest airport in Australia. Originally operated by the Federal Department of Aviation, it was privatised in 1998. Since then, Hobart Airport has continued to grow and now welcomes over 2.8 million passengers per year.
As we celebrate 70 years of connection, we mark the significance of Hobart Airport’s role in shaping Tasmania’s story. If you have a story or photos to share they would love to hear from you. You can email marketingteam@hobartairport.com.au.
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.
MEET OUR NEW DST MEMBERS
The Kentish & The Ross Hotel
We are delighted to welcome the Markki Group to our membership. Marten and Nikki have purchased two beautiful historic pubs in neighbouring Midlands towns: The Kentish in Oatlands, and The Ross Hotel (formerly the Man O'Ross) in Ross. The Kentish has a brand new wine bar, The Vintish, within the property, and the Ross Hotel is currently closed for major renovations - all will be revealed soon!
Business South
Supported by state government and Kingborough and Huon Councils, Business South supports the local business community in the Huon Valley and Kingborough region through the delivery of free professional business advisory services for businesses of all shapes, sizes and stages of development. The organisation boasts a wide, established membership network and holds regular business networking events and workshops.
MEDIA & MARKETING
Hobart & Beyond
2026 PTTR PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD
Voting is open for this year's PTTR People's Choice Photography Awards under two categories: Red Hot Business Shots and Overall People's Choice. After receiving over 2000 entries, the judging panel has selected 12 stand-out finalist images for the RED Hot Business Shots and 18 for the People's Choice. (Image right: Steve Puli)
DST has been supporting Huon Valley operators to launch a winter campaign to encourage school holiday visitation to the region, highlighting the many family-friendly and affordable activities between Hobart and the edge of the world.
DineAlley Tourshas been featured in this month's issue of MINDFOOD Magazine. The timing couldn't be more perfect, as it strongly corroborates Tasmania's recent accolade of being named one of the world's best food destinations by National Geographic.
The DineAlley tourtakes small groups behind the farm gates to meet the people and processes producing award-winning goat's cheese, honey, oysters and other ingredients that make it possible for our hospitality venues to achieve this global status.
If you follow Tasmania's local media outlets, you will know that DST works very closely with our media advisor Mark Thomas, to get media coverage of product launches, events and tourism industry stories, just like the story we did on the prominence of Tasmanian golf courses in Australian Golf Digests' Top 100 Courses (click on image to read the story →).
Don't forget that DST's financial members can access this media support for free, so please keep sending us your stories and news!
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
Four weeks to go!
Click on the banner to find out everything you need to know about the TICT conference program and ticketing details.
Visitor Experience Guide Training
Ready to become a day tour guide in Hobart or are you an existing guide that would love to undertake a refresher? After the Tasmanian Hospitality and Tourism Academy's one-day course you will have:
the skills to warmly welcome visitors to Hobart
enhanced your customer service skills
learned about Hobart’s rich history, culture, and attractions
learned how to keep guests engaged and comfortable
built essential communication and time management skills and
The Tasmanian Hospitality and Tourism Academy has partnered with Dr Terri Simpkin of Mischief Insight and Impact to deliver a diagnostic service for Tasmanian hospitality and Tourism businesses, providing them with an independent, practical review of their operations, workforce and business systems. Designed specifically for Tasmania's hospitality and tourism sector, this service helps operators identify challenges, uncover opportunities and prioritise actions that can strengthen business performance.
Tourism businesses, operators and industry professionals are invited to join the TICT and Wine Tasmania for this year's workshop + lunch event on July 7 in Launceston. BLEND will offer insight into how tourism operators can leverage of Tasmania's global reputation for premium wine production, so you don't have to be a winemaker or vigneron to attend.
The 2026 Festival of Voices features 383 events taking place across 10 days. The program features over 70 venues statewide, including more than 260 free pop-up choir performances and the popular Big Sing led by Casey Donovan.
Lightwave Festival
17-19 July
Lightwave is a free, family-friendly and intergenerational festival with loads of great activities and experiences for all ages and is held over the middle weekend of the Tasmanian winter school holidays.
The main festival, in the sea-side village of Nubeena, is spread across multiple venues and sites, with light-based ART installations, live music across two stages, food vans, and toasty outdoor fires.
Tasmanian Whisky Week
1-9 August
Tasmanian Whisky Week is a week-long celebration of the island’s distillers. From intimate distillery tastings and long-table dinners to the flagship Showcase at Princes Wharf No. 1, the festival brings the island’s producers, partner bars, and whisky lovers together for nine days of celebration.
Beaker Street
6-17 August
Beaker Street Festival is Tasmania’s annual celebration of science and culture. This year, it’s also their 10th birthday, so expect an even bigger party than usual!
For two weeks, Beaker Street Festival brings scientists, artists, musicians, chefs, storytellers, adventurers, and audiences together for a program of talks, performances, field trips, workshops, food experiences, live music, nightlife, and large-scale public events.
For more events near you, visit our Events page on Hobart & Beyond.
POSITIVE IMPACT IN ACTION
Tassie Devils at Bangor
Bangor has partnered with researchers and the Save the Tassie Devil Program since 1996, working to combat the Devil Facial Tumor Disease. A population of over 200 disease-free devils call Bangor home.
Recently, the Program and the Menzies Research Institute have been running a trial at Bangor which involves setting up a camera, feeder and fancy software which drop a little snack when a devil turns up. The kit is designed to feed only devils and only once each, with a view to developing a way to administer vaccinations against facial tumor disease. Check out the video below to see how it works ↓
Mures Run Club
Building communities
In 2025, Mures became the sponsor of the 10km run for the Hobart Marathon Festival, and their run club was born! Each Tuesday at 6:00pm the run club embarks on a 40 minute run and are then rewarded with a complimentary voucher that can be exchanged for a single ice cream or pot of Mures Dock Cider.
The Mures Run Club is inclusive of all ages, abilities and appendages (dogs and prams are welcome) and is as much about the fun and social connection as it is about the running!
GRANTS & FUNDING
EV Destination Charging Grants
The Tasmanian Government has announced the new $250,000 Electric Vehicle Destination Charging Grant Program, providing grants of up to $2,500 per charger for a maximum of four chargers per eligible business.
Applications open on 3 July 2026 and close 31 August 2026. Funding is available for up to four chargers (up to $2,500 per charger).
Funding available for up to 4 chargers per eligible business
Supports small to medium tourism businesses installing destination chargers for overnight guests
Program delivered across two funding rounds, with $125,000 available in Round 1.
Hunting for grants and funding has never been easier, now that Business Tasmania has launched its new website with the Grants and Funding Finder. Click on the button below to explore!
