Devilish Whispers

• Former Olympian and Launceston resident Shane Gould has become a patron of the Devil Island project at East Coast Natureworld, Bicheno.

• Lebrina of New Town has been named the top restaurant in Tasmania by the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2009 Restaurant Guide.

• At Sommers Bay, on the Forestier Peninsula between Dunalley and Eaglehawk Neck, three artists live and work side by side in houses and studios overlooking the sea. A gallery (www.artless.com.au) displays the triumvirate’s work as well as that of other local artists.

• Springvale Wines are opening a wine bar, Trellis, in Swansea (August 2008). Open7 days a week, it will feature Tasmanian wines and local oysters along with light snacks and good coffee.

• A landmark heritage home in Launceston opened in July as a luxurious and elegant guesthouse. Apart from the period furnishings and French antiques, Hargate Guesthouse features a personalised concierge-style of service and offers Launceston’s only champagne silver service breakfasts with fine china, silverware and crystal stemware gracing the breakfast table.

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  Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre is officially opening in October (2008). It will feature a Mine Rescue Display that tells the story of the dramatic rescue of Todd Russell and Brant Webb.

• Tasman Island Cruises’ owner Robert Pennicott and the manufacturers of Antarctic Survival Dry Suits have collaborated to deliver passengers with an exclusive all-weather adventure suit for cruises from Port Arthur in winter.

• Premier Travel Tasmania is introducing a new level of touring in Tasmania. "Tasmania - By Invitation Only" was developed in partnership with the acclaimed Islington Hotel, the Priory Country Lodge and the Nant Estate Whisky Distillery. "Tasmania - By Invitation Only" will combine luxury hotels and lodges and exclusive activities.

• A new microbrewery opened in Railton in May (2008). Brewer, author and now brewery owner Willie Simpson’s Seven Sheds brewery is the first in the north-west region since 1907.

• A new compelling experience will be available to visitors at the Port Arthur Historic Site when the first stage of a decade-long project to conserve and reinterpret the Separate Prison at the Port Arthur Historic Site is completed in August (2008).

• Cantilevered over the north-west coast The Winged House in Table Cape will open late April (2008). Designed by architect Richard Goodwin, the house looks something like a plane about to take off from the cliff. There is a Japanese bath, a kitchen for gourmets, and 180 degree views from inside. The owners describe the place as a major contribution to sustainable eco-tourism. The Winged House is just 10 minutes from the Burnie/Wynyard airport.

• In 2008 Tasmania's Lark Distillery is set to embark on a new tourism venture with the announcement of Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky Tours. On one tour guests will distil their own whisky and take their creation home in a 20 litre cask.

• The Two Metre Tall Company is a new brewery dedicated to real ale. It is housed in an 1830s oast house on the property where hops were first successfully grown in Australia on a commercial scale. The Forester Pale Ale features Pride of Ringwood hops procured directly from the kilns of the last two hop farms in the Forester Region of North East Tasmania. This is the only brewery in Australia (perhaps the world) producing ales from crops to the bottle.

To find out more contact Tourism Tasmania's Travel Media Unit.

Email: mediainfo@tourism.tas.gov.au