Why Tasmania Is Enchanting on a National Stage
- Written by Sherene Somerville
Where can you climb into bed, hovering over Australia's deepest freshwater lake; or cruise with seals on an island, off an island, off an island? Where does one walk a coastline dressed in hourglass-fine sand or admire it from above in eco-chic lodgings; and where can you get a true blue Aussie sheep shearing and barbie combo? These are all Tasmanian originals. And that's why our locals, bar the sheep, have hit centre stage at the 2015 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.
Why do these experiences shine? Because they're not for the masses or able to be reproduced. They are central to place – appealing to travellers seeking what is original. They create memories by design and are why Travel + Leisure Magazine named Tasmania as the
best island in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and fourth among the world's top ten islands.
On the national stage, these authentic Tasmanian experiences are shoulder to shoulder with the best in the country. In fact, Tasmania has humbly accepted gold across seven categories at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Not only that, but Tasmania collected nine silver, three bronze and Bruny Island Cruises was inducted into the Hall of Fame. What's more, Tassie picked up a gold or silver award in every category for accommodation. So come on down and you can be assured a great place to rest your head.
“Tasmania has had a fantastic year for tourism, and our popularity continues to grow with more people holidaying on the island than ever before. Last year we won a record number of Australian tourism awards, and I am so excited that we could back that up with another outstanding performance at this year's awards. It reconfirms the quality of Tasmania's tourism and hospitality businesses and the
amazing holiday experiences they provide for our visitors.
It's yet another reason why everyone should get down here and discover for themselves why Tasmania was ranked last year as the best island in the Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific region, and the 4th best in the world.”
John Fitzgerald
CEO Tourism Tasmania
GOLD
Tourist Attractions: Bruny Island Cruises – Australian Tourism Hall of Fame
New Tourism Business: Pumphouse Point
EcoTourism: The Tasmanian Walking Company
Hosted Accommodation: Curringa Farm Tours & Accommodation
Deluxe Accommodation: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel
Business Events: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel
Self Contained Accommodation: Avalon Coastal Retreat
SILVER
Major Tourist Attractions: Port Arthur Historic Site
Cultural Tourism: Port Arthur Historic Site
Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism: The Tasmanian Walking Company
Luxury Accommodation: Saffire Freycinet
Excellence in Food Tourism: Farm Gate Market
Specialist Tourism Services: Cruisin' Motor Homes
Unique Accommodation: Avalon City Retreat
Standard Accommodation: Sandpiper Ocean Cottages
Visitor Information Services: Tasmanian Travel & Visitor Information Centre
BRONZE
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services: Josef Chromy Wines
Major Festivals & Events: My State Australian Wooden Boat Festival
Destination Marketing: #RideNorthTas
For the Multimedia News Release, including high resolution images and a brief on each of the gold winners use this link: http://medianet.multimediarelease.com.au/bundles/
When Pumphouse Point opened its industrial doors, a flurry of locals competed with national and international travellers vying for an overnight wilderness retreat on Lake St. Clair. Drawn to the winner of this year's New Tourism Business category, the haste to be among the first was palpable. Curling up amidst World Heritage wilderness, sipping Tasmanian single malt, or paddling around with the resident platypus are experiences that have put Pumphouse Point high on the international bucket list.
Some say Avalon Coastal Retreat set the benchmark for premium accommodation in Tasmania. Ahead of its time, for years Avalon's floor-to-ceiling views of Great Oyster Bay and intelligent design have effortlessly blended with its coastal clifftop surrounds. Those who stay in this winner of the Self Contained Accommodation category get a touch more than your average conveniences – think Huon pine bath, designer furniture, Wursthaus gourmet larder and your very own private beach.
Why did The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel pick up not one, but two golds in Business Events and Deluxe Accommodation? Because The Woolstore have the winning formula. They simply do it right when it comes to reliable, friendly, convenient accommodation. State-of-the-art facilities, ample meeting spaces, central location, on-site technical support – they take care of everything so guests can take care of business. But you don't have to be wearing a suit to appreciate The Woolstore, those on holiday may not need a projector but love the affordable, reliable, likable personality of this affable hotel.
Jane and Tim Parsons of Curringa Farm Tours & Accommodation could just run a farm and tend to crops; but no, the pair have created a farm destination complete with working demonstrations, tours, traditional farm-style food and self-contained accommodation. Who doesn't enjoy an overnight stay served up with dash of sheep shearing and a good old Aussie barbie? They've just added new accommodation to keep up with demand and have taken home the gold for Hosted Accommodation, which is sure to bring a smile to the faces of these sixth generation farmers.
Bruny Island Cruises could be coined Rob Pennicott's first born. It was his maiden foray into tourism following his professional fishing days back in 1999. There must have been some trepidation back then – but today the trip proves to be a signature favourite Tourist Attraction taking home gold in a competitive national field as well as entering the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame. Since its inception in 1999, Bruny Island Cruises has drawn over 300,000 visitors to the little island, off an island, off an island.
The Tasmanian Walking Company know how to do Ecotourism with panache. With over 25 years of experience beneath their boots, it's eco-luxury that comes naturally for this company. Walking in some of Tasmania's most iconic locations, they add more than a touch of class to the experience with the Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, Bay of Fires Lodge Walk (and spa) and very recently the Wineglass Bay Sail Walk. The Tasmanian Walking Company was also awarded silver in the Qantas Award for Sustainable Tourism - a testament to the ethos this company operate and walk by and due recognition for their commitment to the landscape they share.
Speaking of silver, we have more news to share….
Our island is wrapped by delicious coastline, so it's not surprising that yet more standout experiences can be found along the Great Eastern Drive. Saffire Freycinet is on the to-do list of movie stars (Luxury Accommodation) and Sandpiper Ocean Cottages also took home silver (Standard Accommodation) with offerings that would make any kid feel like an action hero after raiding the Sandpiper Beach Box for boogie boards, beach cricket and the like.
Port Arthur Historic Site is an icon that constantly reinvents, awarded silver in two categories: Major Tourism Attraction and Cultural Tourism. The World Heritage-listed historic site is proof that old can be new again – a convict past interpreted for the modern millennia.
Avalon City Retreat, sister property to the original East Coast icon, was awarded silver for Unique Accommodation. Where else can you stay in a modular designed 'Omnipod' cantilevered off each end of a 1967 Hobart office tower?
The Tasmanian Travel & Visitor Information Centre, often the first port of call for visitors, picked up silver in the Visitor Information Services category, for their knack of welcoming everyone like family. For Specialist Tourism Services, Cruisin' Motor Homes also collected silver, a popular choice for those wanting to experience Tasmania at their own pace with a 'house on wheels.'
Visitors to Tasmania spend plenty of time eating and drinking and, between mouthfuls, often sing the praises of our delicious bounty. The Farm Gate Market, a Sunday morning local favourite packed with fresh flowers, just-plucked fruits, crusty sourdough and plenty of character, was awarded silver for Excellence in Food Tourism.
From farm to fork, or vine to bottle, there's often little space between the restaurant plate and the source. Josef Chromy Wines no doubt raised a glass to bronze for Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services, one of many offerings across the island. Those who travel for their passion are also finding Tasmania for events such as the My State Australian Wooden Boats Festival and #RideNorthTas, both awarded bronze for Major Festivals & Events and Destination Marketing respectively.
With experiences and stories that can only be penned in Tasmanian, it's a good time to come and write your own. For more information on Tasmania, visit www.discovertasmania.com.au.