We will have exclusive access to view the progress of restoration works to the Willow Court Nurses Quarters and Ladies Cottage. Led by sisters Betul and Defne, the approved plans for the site will deliver an inclusive hospitality precinct featuring boutique accommodation, function room with commercial kitchen, bar and a number of other spaces.
We will also hear from the team at Festival of Voices ahead of their upcoming program launch.
Willow Court Nurses Quarters
3 The Avenue, New Norfolk
Wednesday 26th March 4.30pm - 6.30pm
Nibbles provided with a cash bar available for beverages.
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!
Planning is in full swing for the 2025 Tasmanian Tourism Showcase, and this year's event promises to be bigger and better than ever. The 2024 event saw over 300 industry stakeholders and 3000 consumers attend over the two days.
Registrations are now open to showcase your tourism business to key industry professionals and sell direct to the consumer. This is your opportunity to connect, promote, and expand your reach within Tasmania’s thriving visitor economy.
To our new & renewing members, thank you for your support as a valued member of Destination Southern Tasmania. Memberships continue to auto-renew via our secure Stripe payment gateway. If you normally receive an invoice, this will be sent 30 days prior to expiry. Online renewals will receive a reminder from Stripe 15 days before your annual renewal date. If required, you can update your credit card details here. Any questions, please contact us.
At our recent board meeting on 31 January 2025, the DST industry-led board approved a modest increase to membership fees in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.5%. The new fees will take effect from 1 April 2025 through to 31 March 2026.
Meet our new DST Members
Centrally located in Hobart's CBD, DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart offers an ideal location for both business and leisure travellers and is just a short stroll away from Constitution Dock and Salamanca Place. Hobart's newest hotel features a range of premium amenities including a heated pool and sauna. Onsite dining is available in Leatherwood Restaurant.
Sisters Defne and Betul are the new custodians of the historic Willow Court Nurses Quarters. As experienced restoration experts, they have plans to repurpose the former Ladies Cottage and Nurses Home into a vibrant tourism and hospitality precinct. Redevelopment of the Nurses Quarters has commenced, which will deliver a new function space and boutique accommodation offering.
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
28 February - 2 March 2025
This festival opens the cellar doors to 37+ exceptional wineries across the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley, Huon Valley & d’Entrecasteaux Channel, and the South East. From Hobart, get an insider’s look into the people and pristine environment that define Tasmanian winemaking.
A Taste of the Huon’, now in its 32nd year, is a celebration of fine food, wine, beverages, entertainment, arts and crafts from the Huon Valley and Channel region. The event is held at Ranelagh which is only 30 minutes scenic drive south of Hobart.
Celebrating the bountiful harvest of the Coal River Valley, the CRAVE Harvest Festival returns for it's second year on April 4-5th. Take advantage of the last days of daylight savings, with the festival starting on Friday evening, with fun and entertainment for the whole family from 4pm-9pm. The second day of the festival will start at midday on Saturday and run through until 9pm.
Farm Gate Market has ranked in Lonely Planet's 2025 best market guide!
Lonely Planet's annual Best in Travel guide features 30 must-visit destinations across the globe. Tasmania was the only Australian state to make the list,(Launceston & Tamar Valley in fourth spot) with the guide also listing the world’s ten best markets. Our very own Farm Gate Market has deservedly made the list, landing in eighth place. Huge congrats to Madi and the wonderful Farmy team!
Tha Kha Floating Market, Bangkok
Marché Atwater, Montréal
Pike Place, Seattle
Queens Night Market, New York City
Marché des Lices, Rennes
Neighbourgoods Market, Cape Town
Nishiki-kōji Ichiba, Kyoto
Farm Gate Market, Hobart
Mercado San Pedro, Cuzco
Khari Baoli, Old Delhi
POSITIVE IMPACT IN ACTION
As a leading international organisation in the Travel and Tourism industry, Skål International has proven to be a strong force for the initiation of change and the encouragement of environmental conservation for both Travel and Tourism progress.
The Skal International Sustainable Tourism Awards provide an opportunity for operators to enhance the visibility of their business and get recognition for outstanding performance in terms of sustainable and responsible tourism. There are 8 categories available for entry, with further details and entry information here.
TOURISM INDUSTRY NEWS
Thriving in Business - How Business Tasmania Can Help you Succeed
Manager Kelly Brown will share how Business Tasmania help people to start, run and grow their business by offering personalised assistance, information, and access to a range of services and programs from the Department of State Growth and other government agencies, including:
Free and independent business advice tailored to your needs
Emergency Preparedness and the Emergency Preparation Toolkit
Available funding programs
Last Chance to join 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!
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
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).
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March Events in Southern Tasmania
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
Grant funding of $550,000 is now available to expand Tasmania's statewide public electric vehicle (EV) fast charging network.
Applications are open for grants of up to $50,000. Organisations can apply for a grant of any amount up to $50,000 but must also co‑contribute an amount at least the same as the approved grant funding.
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.
