20 May 2025
Tags: Australia, food and drink, Tasmania, Farm To Table, winetasting, food travel
Over the past 90 days, UK Google searches for “hobby holidays” have skyrocketed by an astonishing 9,900% – signalling a major shift in how Brits are choosing to spend their time off. No longer content with fly-and-flop escapes, travellers are actively seeking holidays that allow them to pursue passions and develop new skills.
One destination riding this wave of interest is Tasmania, a wild and unique island state of Australia that's fast becoming a haven for food lovers. Here, paddock-to-plate dining isn't a trend but a way of life.
From slurping freshly shucked oysters on a windswept coastline to sipping cool-climate wines in world-class vineyards, Tasmania offers immersive, taste-led travel experiences for curious palates. Visitors can forage for truffles, sample Australia's most awarded sparkling wine, and taste seasonal native bush tucker, while learning about Palawa history and culture.
Below are some of the best experiences on offer in Tasmania for foodie travellers;
A 10-year-long experiment led this family farm to make history as the first truffle farm in Australia. They offer truffle hunts where guests can watch the truffle dogs in action and even dig up some magic of their own! There is also a farm-gate shop, with boutique truffle products and fresh truffles up for grabs.
House of Arras is a sure stop in your itinerary, as Australia's most awarded sparkling wine, and House of Arras winemaker, Ed Carr leading as Australia's most awarded sparkling winemaker (he was recently awarded Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at IWC 2024). Located in lush woodlands along Pipers River, guests can enjoy luxurious and informative wine tastings and a range of signature experiences as well.
Palawa kipli is Tasmania's only Aboriginal food business, 100% owned and operated by Aboriginal people. In Palawa kani, the Tasmanian Aboriginal language, 'Palawa' means 'Tasmanian Aborigine', and 'kipli' means 'food'. Primarily a catering company, palawa kipli aims to connect with traditional food and land management practices, contributing to Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural continuity and revival.
Palawa kipli also runs kipli takara tours: 90min bush-food walks with palawa guides across a culturally rich landscape. Guests can taste seasonal native bush tucker, learn about Palawa history and culture, and discover ways to shape a sustainable future. The experience ends with a unique tasting of native food and drinks – or a private sit-down cultural dining experience, featuring a six-plate set menu of high-end native foods.
Owners Bec and Tim Duffy produce delicious sparkling, white and red wines that reflect their home – Tasmania's pristine Tamar Valley – and their own personalities: honest, down to earth, genuine and authentic. Don't miss their Sensory Garden experience – the first of its kind in Tasmania – where you'll join the Cellar Door Manager on a walk around the garden, foraging for fruits, flowers and herbs that embody the aroma, taste and texture of their wine varietals, to complement a tasting.
The Freycinet Marine Farm is located near Coles Bay on Tasmania's east coast, two-and-a-half hours' drive from Hobart and two hours from Launceston – part of the very popular Great Eastern Drive. Its saleroom is open everyday from 9 am until 5 pm, offering freshly harvested mussels, oysters and local Tasmanian Rock lobster, as well as scallops and salmon all from Tasmanian's waters, for the full 'sea-to-saucer' experience.
Sirocco South is a pioneer of adventure foraging tours, with a twist! With more than fifty years of foraging experience, guests will be immersed in a new world as they head into the forest to discover and collect a myriad of edible delights. At the end, enter their deluxe camp for a glass of award-winning Tasmanian sparkling and indulge in a six-course lunch featuring forged delights, matched with Break Creek Vineyard's award-winning wine.
Upcoming Foodie Events
When: 2 August - 10 August
The ultimate winter warmer. Across the state, join over 40 distilleries as they put their best nips forward, over several events. Culminating in the Tasmanian Spirit Showcase on Saturday 9 August, raise a glass to this award-winning industry.
When: 3 August
A tribute to Tasmania's maritime history, mark the start of the scallop season with a feast of fresh seafood, local wines, and enjoy thought-provoking entertainment.
When: 10 August
When the supermarket aisles just won't cut it, head to the banks of the Mersey River. Savour small-batch, artisanal chocolates as you discover the richness of Tasmania's affinity for cocoa.
When: 16 August - 17 August, 23 August - 24 August
Don't let the cold bring you down. For those feeling blue, a blend of blue cheese, brews, and the blues is the perfect cure-all over two weekends, just south of Hobart.
