Vibrant Art, Delectable Seafood, and Untamed Landscapes—Why Tasmania Should Be Your Next Destination

My first journey to Australia in 2001 was also my inaugural trip abroad. Arriving in Melbourne as an anxious university student, I was brimming with excitement, eager for adventure. I silently urged our study-abroad leaders to show me the city! We explored the St. Kilda neighborhood reminiscent of Coney Island, dived into Australian rules football, and took a ferry to Phillip Island, where pint-sized penguins made their enchanting return to shore at dusk, earning a chorus of ‘awwws’ from onlookers.

Those attractions were delightful but ... predictable. Introductory. What if I had known that a few hundred miles off Melbourne's coast lies an island celebrated for its bold art scene? For its striking natural beauty, its world-class single-malt whisky, and seafood so fresh it practically inquires about your preferred catch of the day. What if I had ventured to Tasmania?

Similar to the Azores in the Atlantic or Malta in the Mediterranean, this Australian island state has thrived due to its isolation. The Tasmanian Aboriginal people—the palawa—were believed to have been isolated by rising sea levels in the Bass Strait around 12,000 years ago, stranded on a verdant, mountainous landmass roughly the size of Ireland. When the British arrived in the 19th century, they deemed Tasmania—the edge of the Earth—a fitting destination for convicts. In 1804, Tasmania's Indigenous population was fewer than 15,000, yet by 1853, over 70,000 convicts had been sent there; a tragic Black War between British settlers and the palawa led to the devastation of the Aboriginal population and the erosion of their language, culture, and traditions. Today, Tasmania is the least-populated state in Australia.

Throughout the years, Tasmania’s residents have embraced the poignant charm of isolation. Upon arriving at Maria Island, now a national park, in 1849, Irish nationalist poet William Smith O’Brien reportedly expressed, “To discover a prison in one of nature's most beautiful yet solitary places evokes a feeling of disgust I cannot articulate.”

Can a land that inspires poetry truly remain hidden for long? Surprisingly, yes: Hobart’s first international airport didn’t open until 1956. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, international travelers made up only about one-fifth of Tasmania’s 1.3 million visitors. Given its just over an hour's flight from Melbourne, it feels like Tasmania should naturally be a part of any journey to Australia’s east coast.

“My last trip to Tasmania was solely for the food,” shares Sydneysider and travel writer Krisanne Fordham, who visited twice in 2022. “It’s a paradise for food enthusiasts. The best oysters I’ve ever tasted are from the Freycinet Peninsula on Tasmania’s east coast—especially those from Freycinet Marine Farm. They are bright, creamy, and pair wonderfully with Tassie bubbles.

“What draws me back is the diverse offerings,” Fordham enthuses. “For nature lovers, nearly half of Tasmania is designated as national parks and World Heritage sites, featuring sparkling alpine lakes, rivers, and stunning peaks like Cradle Mountain and Mount Wellington. For culture seekers, MONA [Museum of Old and New Art] showcases fascinating exhibits, and there's always a music, film, or art festival happening throughout the year.”

In recent years, as Australians found themselves restricted to travel within their own states, Tasmania experienced a surge of investment, development, and innovation. Take Hobart, for example, where many visitors kick off their Tasmanian adventures. Since its opening in December 2021, the Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel by Marriott, has become a source of pride for the city, featuring three distinct, interconnected structures: a former hospital from the 1840s at its core, a 1940s art deco addition, and a striking new glass building.

From the nearby Brooke Street Pier, a quick 20-minute high-speed catamaran ride takes you to MONA. The museum's name belies the adventurous art and events within. Alongside showcasing owner David Walsh’s private collection—which includes one of the largest compilations of light artist James Turrell’s works in the southern hemisphere—curators have posed provocative questions like, “Can poo be art?” and featured a functioning replica of the gastrointestinal system. They’ve even organized nude solstice swims. New performance art like High Tea for Two invites visitors to participate in “a living installation” during a scandalous socialite's afternoon tea.

Food enthusiasts may relish Mic Giuliani’s foraging tours. Giuliani, known for his handmade pasta sold at Hobart’s Farm Gate Market, guides small groups in search of wild greens, asparagus, and mushrooms. After the foraging adventure, guests enjoy a six-course lunch accompanied by a local winemaker.

Blak Led Tours offers Hobart’s inaugural palawa tourism experiences. This Aboriginal-owned and -operated company conducts walking tours that educate travelers on resisting settler violence and foraging for native bush foods on Aboriginal land.

Today, this remote island, one of nature's most beautiful creations, serves as a hub for learning and experimentation, embracing irreverence and eclecticism.

Tips for organizing your trip

• Getting there: Direct flights to Hobart or Launceston are available from Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane with Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar.
• Must-make reservation: Visit Van Bone at Marion Bay for a four-hour lunch crafted from ingredients sourced from on-site orchards and nearby organic farms.
• Essential info: The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has revitalized an Indigenous language now referred to as palawa kani (in all lowercase).
• Extend your stay: In Hobart, consider the Rox—a converted 1880s schoolhouse offering apartments—or the Pavilions, guest accommodations managed by the Museum of Old and New Art.