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Natural State News
Issue 4 2007
TARRALEAH ON CONDE NAST'S TOP 50
For the third time in three years a Tasmanian property has been named in a highly respected international hot list.
The Lodge at Tarraleah has been rated as one of the best 50 new hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveller UK.
From the publishers of Vogue, GQ and Tatler, Conde Nast Traveller is one of the world's most prestigious travel magazines.
One of only two hotels in Australia and New Zealand to be named on the list, The Lodge at Tarraleah opened late last year and is the centrepiece of the transformed Tarraleah Estate. Late last year The Lodge was named as one of the world's 20 best fishing Lodges by Australian magazine, Luxury Travel
Lodge rooms feature decadent spa bathrooms, gloriously indulgent bedrooms and a spectacular hill top hot tub. There is an enormous range of guest activities including golf, spa treatments, wilderness adventure and fly fishing. All Lodge bookings include fine dining at the Wildside restaurant.
The refurbished luxury Art deco cottages, the contemporary Teez café and lookout, the Highlander Arms and the two story Scholars House apartments have all won praise.
"The size of the Tarraleah Estate means that we can provide Tasmanian excellence at all prices levels from international VIPs, to local family groups said General Manager Niall Mitchell. "And we have some very special introductory prices for all fellow Tasmanians".
FESTIVAL OF VOICES
This is a four-day midwinter celebration of the voice that will warm you from the inside.
You don't have to be an aspiring Marina Prior to attend this festival. Held about Hobart's historic Salamanca Place and by the waterfront, the festival (5-8 July) is for those passionate about song as well as singing groups and choirs.
A crossover of art forms creates unique experiences for participants and audiences. The winter intensive workshop program, delivered by inspiring Australian teachers, includes Classical Women's Chorus, Italian folksongs and Young Voices on fire.
The workshops culminate in a series of performances at the Henry Jones Art Hotel - amateurs and professionals will come together in a show that might (almost) lift the lid on the hotel's showpiece glass atrium.
The festival is about participation as much as learning and celebration.
HORIZON DELUXE
These luxe apartments have recently been completed and over look the historical fishing village of Stanley and iconic local landmark the Nut.
This contemporary self-contained accommodation is fully equipped with everything you'd expect from any five-star deluxe. From the deep, free-standing spas you can sit back, take in the views to the Nut while lingering over the complimentary truffles.
There are king-size beds, satellite TVs and wireless broadband. Stanley is one of the finest villages in Tasmania. The wonders of the Tarkine wilderness are nearby.
http://horizonapartments.com.au
AUSTRALIAN GOLF HERITAGE FESTIVAL
The Australian Golf Heritage Festival (May 24-29) will be staged around Tasmania, Australia's first golfing state.
The festival will mix social and championship golf, Tasmania's fine food and wines, and history tours, and will commence in Hobart with a pre-festival day trip to Australia's most significant colonial site, the Port Arthur Penal Colony. Nine holes along the cliff tops at the spectacular Tasman Golf Club will follow.
Over the six days golf will also be played at the Royal Hobart Golf Club and Barnbougle, one of the finest courses in Australia and the number one ranked public access course.
Gourmands will enjoy the lunch at award winning Barilla Bay restaurant and dinners at the Henry Jones Art Hotel and the acclaimed Stillwater restaurant in Launceston.
Bothwell is Australia's oldest golf course and will host the National Hickory Championships during the festival. Hickory Clubs will be available over the weekend as part of the competition fee. Compulsory gutta-percha golf balls will also be available, and it is encouraged that players wear the early golfing costumes of plus-fours, jacket and tie for men, and skirts and wide brimmed hats for ladies.
The Highland Fling & Golf Ball at the Bothwell Town Hall will enable participants to let their hair down to the sights and sounds of a Scottish Ceilidh party, including a whisky tasting by master distiller Bill Lark.
The week will be hosted by Greg Ramsay, co-developer of the Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links. Greg is currently restoring Australia's Oldest Golf Course, Ratho Links in Bothwell, as well as developing the neighbouring Nant Mill whisky distillery.
Weekend and full tournament packages are available.
SHAKESPEARE WINS TASMANIA BOOK PRIZE
The inaugural Tasmania Book Prize worth $25,000 for the best book with Tasmanian content has been won by Nicholas Shakespeare who lives in England and Tasmania.
Having first fallen in love with Tasmania's East Coast, Shakespeare, in his prize- winning book In Tasmania mixes history, genealogy, travelogue and journalism.
The Margaret Scott Prize ($5000) for the best book by a Tasmanian writer was won by Robert Dessaix for Twilight of Love: Travels with Turgenev. Like Shakespeare, Dessaix is a prominent writer now making Tasmania his home.
The $5000 University of Tasmania Prize, for the best book by a Tasmanian publisher, was won by The Art of Apple Branding: Australian Apple Case Labels and the Industry Since 1788 by Christopher Cowles and David Walker.
Entries were received from Australia, the US and Britain across 14 distinct genres.
LARK DISTILLERY READIES FOR EXPORT
Hobart's Lark Distillery, makers of superb single malt whiskey, has big plans for the future.
Lark has identified new markets in Scotland and the US and is proceeding quickly to expand production to meet this demand. Such has been the success of the business that it is looking to move to a new five-acre production facility at Cambridge to satisfy demand.
Bill Lark: +61 3 6231 9088
TASMANIAN ARTISTS HONOUR ROLL
The first awards to honour Tasmanian artists who have made a significant contribution to the arts have been made. The inaugural presentation of In Distinguished Company, the Tasmanian Government's Arts Awards, recognises the work of 10 distinguished artists.
Tasmanian artists make a valuable contribution to Tassie life and these awards recognise the achievements of these artists and the significant difference their services and contributions have made to the arts in Tasmania at a local, national and international level.
Awards were presented to musician Peter Sculthorpe, visual artist Max Angus, potter Les Blakebrough, visual artist Bea Maddock, shell necklace maker Dulcie Greeno, writer Christopher Koch, sculptor Stephen Walker, gallery director Daniel Thomas, actor/director Richard Davey and musician Jan Sedivka.
LUCKS TAKE OVER AT ROSEVEARS
Damon Wecker of Lucks restaurant in Launceston has recently taken over the dining room at Rosevears Estate on the Tamar Valley wine route. The restaurant has been renamed Estelle and will operate as a lunch venue. Group bookings for dinner are available by appointment.
www.estellerosevears.com.au
www.lucks.com.au
Check the Events Tasmania website for upcoming events
For further information:
travelmedia.tourismtasmania.com.au
www.discovertasmania.com
www.eventstasmania.com