Media Releases

Maybe it’s something to do with being that little bit apart from the rest of the world. Or maybe it’s our laidback island lifestyle. Perhaps it’s our small, resourceful population that’s used to making its own entertainment and creating fun. Whatever the reason, there’s always something happening in Tasmania. Australia’s only island has a busy calendar of events, and whenever you visit, there’s an event to add another dimension to your Tasmanian experience.

Take the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race: everybody knows it. In the days around New Year, Hobart’s waterside playground of Constitution Dock becomes an explosion of champagne corks and cheering yachties as the sleek boats make their landfall after a gruelling ocean race. Who, except Tas aficionados, knows though that accompanying the yacht race is the Hobart Summer Festival (28 Dec-9 Jan)* – sunny days of revelry on the pedestrianised docks with merry-go-rounds, cabaret acts, fire eaters, acrobats and hundreds of showcase foodstalls at the Taste of Tasmania (28 Dec- 3 Jan).

At the opposite end of the year, Tasmanians are pretty good at revelry too. As the days darken and breath hangs in the frosty air, Hobartians prepare for the Antarctic Midwinter Festival (16-24 June). Australia’s Antarctic port, Hobart celebrates its Antarctic connections around the Winter Solstice with open days, films, exhibitions, lectures and fun events on an Antarctic theme.

In the depths of winter too, the capital brightens its mood with the Festival of Voices (10 July-16 July 2006). Seven days of song from classical to gospel, this festival culminates in night-time performances lit by lantern and bonfire, warming the hearts of Tasmanians and visitors alike.

Celebrating Tasmania’s great outdoors, are several challenging multisport events. On the east coast there’s the Australian Multisport Championship, The Freycinet Challenge (14-15 October 2006) and on the West Coast, the prestigious mountain bike race, Wildside MTB (19-22 Jan 2008). Further excitement in the great outdoors comes to Tasmania in 2006 with the return of the Mark Webber Challenge (5-10 November 2006): a gruelling six-day multisport event through Tasmania’s remote wilderness.

Creative Tasmania is strong on arts, and every second year, 10 Days on the Island (23 March-1 April) brings together island people from around the world to celebrate island dance, theatre, music, opera, film, literature, and gastronomy in 40 locations around the state. There’s also Living Writers’ Week (11-20 Aug 2006) and Living Artists’ Week (24-30 August): two much loved celebrations of literary and artistic talent. Tasmania’s musical calendar is full too. Each year, more than 10,000 partygoers at the Falls Festival (30 Dec-1 Jan) rock beautiful Marion Bay, and for folk lovers, there’s also the smaller Cygnet Folk Festival (12-14 January).

Showcasing Tasmania’s maritime culture, the biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival (9-12 Feb) sees more than 450 wooden craft of all shapes and sizes, from mighty 19th square riggers to wooden canoes, descend upon Hobart docks to show off their ship shape finery. Maritime history, craft, art, music, and theatre are all on display, not to mention succulent seafood from the clean waters of Tasmania.
In Tasmania’s north, Festivale (9-11 Feb) is the highlight of the events calendar year. Billed as three days of Tassie lifestyle celebration, Festivale takes over Launceston’s historic City Park with food and wine, music and fun.

Throughout Tasmania and throughout the year, there are hundreds of local festivals that show off the best of Tasmania. Take the Deloraine Craft Fair (3-6 Nov 2006), Australia’s biggest craft showcase, or highstepping St Patrick’s Festival (16-18 March) at Westbury.
Whichever festival appeals, go to it. Meet some Tasmanians, and find out how they party. You might even get close to our island soul – and there’s plenty of fun to be had along the way.

* Unless otherwise noted, all dates given are for 2007 festivals

For comprehensive information on Tasmanian Events see Events Tasmania: