How well do UK travel agents know Tasmania?
UK travel agents are certainly aware of Tasmania – but awareness is just the starting point. There is a real and exciting opportunity to deepen that knowledge and bring the destination truly to life for the travel trade.
That’s exactly why I am here – to go beyond awareness and help agents discover, understand and confidently sell everything Tasmania has to offer – and to show them why Tasmania is genuinely unlike anywhere else.
What are the main highlights for first-time visitors?
There are so many. Tasmania has historic towns, breathtaking scenery, unique wildlife found nowhere else, truly exceptional fresh produce – grown in Tasmania’s rich soil or sourced from the surrounding seas – and globally award-winning new world whisky, Hobart is a natural base for exploring the south, a historic waterfront city with a vibrant food, arts and cultural scene and home to the world-renowned MONA (Museum of Old and New Art).
But it’s also the perfect jumping-off point for the wider region, from surrounding islands to Port Arthur and beyond.
Many don’t know that Hobart is also a UNESCO City of Literature – and MONA will open a new private library wing from June 2026.
Nature highlights include Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay, Bay of Fires and Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, all offering spectacular scenery, wildlife encounters and walking experiences.
Tasmania’s beaches speak for themselves – Wineglass Bay recently featured on the coveted World’s 50 Best Beaches list for 2026, while the BBC named Bay of Fires one of their best beach escapes for 2026.
Tasmania is also exceptional for food and wine. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey named Tasmania one of his favourite food destination worldwide.
Northern city Launceston is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy – one of only two in Australia. From vineyards in the Tamar and Coal River Valleysto distilleries, seafood and paddock-to-plate dining, many memorable experiences come simply from meeting local makers and enjoying the incredible produce.
What truly sets Tasmania apart, though, is its personality – the welcoming, quirky locals, relaxed pace and authentic experiences make it unlike anywhere else in Australia.
Tasmania is also known for its rich wilderness and wildlife – what and where should agents recommend?
Tasmania is one of the most breathtaking destinations I have ever visited – and it feels like a hidden gem. Around 40% of the island is protected as national parks and reserves, giving visitors access to some of the world’s most pristine wilderness and wildlife experiences. The air quality alone is remarkable – it’s regularly measured as some of the cleanest in the world.
The state is home to around 40 endemic animal and bird species, including the iconic Tasmanian Devil, pademelons, eastern quolls and unique birdlife such as the pink robin. Wombats and wallabies are easily spotted across the state, while visitors can learn more about Tasmania’s rarer species at excellent wildlife and conservation sanctuaries.
For wilderness experiences, agents should recommend Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park for alpine scenery and wombat sightings, Freycinet National Park for dramatic coastal landscapes and Mount Field National Park for accessible rainforest walks and waterfalls close to Hobart.
The real advantage for agents is that these experiences are fully bookable through world-class local operators – the Tasmanian Walking Company, the Aboriginal-owned and led wukalina Walk, Tasmanian Expeditions and the Freycinet Experience Walk for clients who want to go further off the beaten track.
For those short on time, day trips are well catered for too – Premier Travel Tasmania is just one of many day tour operators running experiences across the island.
How easy is it to explore the island?
One of Tasmania’s biggest strengths is how easy it is to explore. Its compact size makes it ideal for self-drive touring, with most major attractions reached within a couple of hours and the opportunity to experience multiple regions within a seven to 10-day itinerary.
The roads are well signposted, including scenic touring routes, winery trails and tasting trails that are easy to follow. Walking tracks across the state are also clearly graded, with options suitable for all fitness levels, from short nature walks to multi-day hikes.
The cities of Hobart and Launceston are compact, walkable and full of independent shops, cafés and local character, which really adds to Tasmania’s individuality.
A classic fly-drive circuit using Hobart and Launceston as the key gateways into the surrounding regions gives UK visitors the freedom to explore at their own pace – and gives agents a simple, sellable self-drive itinerary to build packages around.
The key advice for visitors is not to rush. Tasmania is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, allowing time for scenic stops, spontaneous discoveries and flexibility around the island’s changeable weather.
What does Tasmania’s capital, Hobart, have to offer visitors?
Hobart may be small for a capital city, but it punches well above its weight. Set against the dramatic backdrop of kunanyi / Mount Wellington, with old sandstone streets and a picturesque working harbour, it’s a compact and highly walkable city with a character unlike anywhere else in Australia.
The arts and culture scene is world-class, anchored by the internationally renowned MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), with the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery adding further depth.
Food and drink is another real strength.
Hobart is a hub of award-winning restaurants – from outstanding waterfront restaurants like Aloft to acclaimed restaurants like Faro and Schole, where the focus on local produce and seasonality runs through everything, from fresh seafood to hand-foraged ingredients.
Tasmania is also one of the world’s most exciting whisky regions, and Hobart is the perfect place to discover it: Lark Distillery and Sullivans Cove are both world-award winners and well worth a visit.
The iconic Salamanca Market is a weekend institution – a haven for food, crafts and local character – and the city’s calendar of festivals and cultural events like Dark Mofo, Whisky Week and Sydney to Hobart adds another layer of energy year-round.
Tasmania has a reputation for excellent food and wine – what factors have helped it achieve this?
The food and wine scene is genuinely exceptional and, having recently returned from a trip, it is hard to express just how incredible the quality is.
What really sets Tasmania apart is the authenticity of the experience — visitors are not only tasting outstanding produce, wine and spirits, they are meeting the passionate makers behind them. Those personal connections, whether at a boutique cellar door, farm gate or distillery, create memories that stay with visitors long after they return home.
Tasmania has built a strong reputation for cool-climate wines, particularly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and world-class sparkling wine, with regions such as the Tamar Valley, Coal River Valley and the East Coast producing exceptional wines. The state is dominated by boutique, family-owned producers with a strong focus on provenance, sustainability and craftsmanship.
The seafood is also extraordinary, from Bruny Island oysters and southern rock lobster to scallops, and abalone, often enjoyed just metres from where it was sourced. Tasmania is also known for distinctive local products such as Leatherwood honey, artisan cheeses, premium dairy and seasonal ingredients including native herbs and black winter truffles.
Launceston being recognised as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy demonstrates how deeply Tasmania’s food culture is connected to its landscape, community and way of life.
Agents with clients who are foodies should send them to Tasmania!
Do you have any trade activities booked for 2026?
Yes, we have a number of trade activities planned this year.
We will be attending training events alongside trade media partners and the other Australian states, so I would encourage agents to look out for Australia-focused events taking place near them throughout the year.
I would also highly recommend agents complete the Tasmania module within the Tourism Australia Aussie Specialist Programme, as it is an excellent introduction to the destination and its key selling points.
In addition, I will be hosting training webinars and working closely with wholesale tour operators to provide further product updates, itinerary ideas and sales support. We also have a website dedicated to helping our trade partners learn more about Tasmania and sell Tasmania to their clients.
Visit tassietrade.com.au to itinerary ideas, product updates and resources.
Finally, what are some of your own memorable experiences?
There are so many that I could be here a long time!
However, what struck me most was how friendly, welcoming and genuine the people are. There is a real sense of authenticity about Tasmania, and visitors quickly feel connected to both the place and the people.
One of my personal highlights was visiting a truffle farm, home to Australia’s first black truffle. Hearing the story behind the farm and meeting the passionate owner-operator Anna Terry was an incredible experience and perfectly captured Tasmania’s strong connection between people, produce and place.
Wildlife encounters also rate very highly for me — seeing my first Tasmanian Devil, pademelons and wombats in the wild was unforgettable.
I also loved spending time in Hobart, it is so vibrant, creative and full of character.
Above all, the scenery was truly breathtaking and the food experiences were exceptional. Tasmania has a way of surprising you at every turn, whether through a spectacular landscape, an amazing meal or an unexpected conversation with a local.
