If you purchased or inherited an investment property prior to 1985, CGT will come into effect as of 1st July 2027. For more information or to discuss the sale of your assets, scan the QR code below.
Dr Martyn Sweet (Principal Dentist)
Dr Justin Huang
Dr Ian Gurner
Dr Martin Rose
Dr Johanna Hull
Dr Rebecca Sinclair
Hannah Colantoni (Oral Health Therapist)
Jade Cusack (Oral Health Therapist)
Winter has arrived in Tasmania and, as ever, it brings with it a season like no other. There is something truly special about this time of year–the long evenings, crackling fires, the festivals, the food and the sense that Tasmania saves some of its very best for the cooler months.
This issue we spoke with the creative couple behind Mr Skelly, Christian and Elle-May Watson, who have built an extraordinary life and global following right here on our island. We are also pleased to partner with Tourism Tasmania
to celebrate the Off SeasonTasmania's invitation to locals and visitors alike to discover the island at its most magical, just in time for the July school holidays.
So light the fire, pour something Tasmanian and settle in - there is plenty to love about winter in this remarkable state.
All the best,
Steph, James and The Hobart / Launceston Magazine team
Publisher Stephanie Williams editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au
Advertising
advertise@thehobartmagazine.com.au 03 6295 3742
Cover image: Christian Watson. Pic: 1924.us
Inset image: Ben Lomond Alpine Resort. Pic: Josh Goswell
This page: Nutgrove Beach. Pic: Stephanie Williams
Publisher Information: While all care has been taken, some information may have changed since publication. The Hobart/Launceston Magazine regrets it can’t accept liabilities from errors or omissions contained in this magazine. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or amend all advertisements without explanation. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in articles and advertisements are not endorsed by the editor or publishers. We welcome any questions, feedback or submissions, email editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au, or drop us a line at PO Box 315, South Hobart, TAS, 7004.
The editorial partnership with Tourism Tasmania in this edition was undertaken on a commercial basis.
The Hobart/Launceston Magazine acknowledges the Tasmanian Aboriginal People as the Traditional Owners and ongoing custodians of Lutruwita/Tasmania. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to their Elders past, present and emerging. www.thehobartmagazine.com.au
From the remote mining town of Rosebery to the boardrooms of Washington, Sandy Bay local Judy has lived a life less ordinary. Her latest passion project, Tubs of Tasmania, might just be her most inspired idea yet.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Rosebery on the West Coast. Dad was a mine geologist and Mum a teacher. I spent a lot of my childhood going underground with Dad. I went away to boarding school in Launceston. I did my nursing training in the early '80s at the Royal in Hobart, then left in 1985 after completing nursing. I’ve had an amazing life and career thereafter, living in Melbourne, Darwin, Alice Springs, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Malaysia.
I met my husband in Darwin in the mid '80s when he was a young, gorgeous Naval Officer. After working and living all over, we returned to Hobart in 2011. He's now an expedition cruise ship captain - I get to go often - and also an invited guest lecturer on five and six-star cruise ships, which I accompany him on once a year.
What work do you do? I’m on the board of the Global Ageing Network, based out of Washington. I was Chair during COVID, which was a very busy time - deeply engaged in policy responses internationally to the aged care crisis caused by the pandemic across the world. I also manage and run international study tours for aged care executives.
What sparked your Tubs of Tasmania project? Definitely COVID! My international work suddenly changed from travelling to overnight online sessions with colleagues from around the globemy travel bug wings were well and truly clipped. I decided to search for an outdoor tub, somewhere we could escape to for a few days. It worked - for both of us! So then I looked for another tub experience, then another. Friends were following our personal tub stays on Facebook and asking me to do private little itineraries for them. Over the next few years my Excel
spreadsheet became very long with all these gorgeous Tasmanian gems. Then in 2025 my daughter finally said, "Mum, you need to make a website!" I thought about it and thought, why not?
How can operators get involved? Tubs of Tasmania has always been a passion project rather than a full-time commercial venture. The subscription for joining goes back into promoting Tubs of Tasmania as a collective offering and building awareness of, what we've coined, Australia's First Tubs Trail.
Who do you admire? My husband! I admire people who quietly get on with making a difference, often without recognition.
Favourite podcast or TV show? Schitt's Creek would have to be up there, as well as Downton Abbey, and any good courtroom drama.
Secret vice? My obsession with searching for outdoor and unique tub stays. I'm never tired of finding new ones. Once I start looking and scrolling it's hard to stop. I can be here for hours researching and adding to my Excel spreadsheet.
What are you reading now? The Mushroom Murders.
What was your first job? In school holidays it was the Geology Department of EZ Mines in Rosebery. My first formal post-school job was at the ANZ Bank in Zeehan–even though I was hopeless at maths!
What are your daily news and social media habits? I check my Tubs of Tasmania Instagram. I love seeing other beautiful Tassie stays highlighted, although I'm not really a social media guru, just ask the
young professionals who assist me with posts! I still like reading proper old-fashioned newspapers on weekends.
Your favourite place for...
Breakfast? Seagrass at Sandy Bay Beach. Imagine that setting in Sydney or Melbourne - you wouldn't get an impromptu booking on weekend mornings! Lunch? Somewhere with good coffee and a relaxed waterfront atmosphere. Dinner? Friday night pizza on Sandy Bay at Little Pizza with my husband, our little Cairn Terrier Stella, and a bottle of Tasmanian rosé in summer and pinot as we head into autumn and winter. And Don Camillo–I love being welcomed as a local by Dino and the staff.
Dream holiday destination? I love discovering new places and Antarctica is high on my agenda and I'd love to go back to Botswana.
Favourite Tasmanian secret? Oh my goodness, so many! Definitely all the tub experiences I've uncovered since starting Tubs of Tasmania. The Wall in the Wilderness is, to me, one of Tasmania's most extraordinary experiences and unlike anything else in Australia.
Parting words? I feel enormously privileged to have had such a varied career and life experience, from very remote Australia to international work. I think the biggest lesson has been that you don't always need to have all the answers. Sometimes you simply need to be willing to listen, work with people and find a way forward together. And check out www.tubsoftasmania.com.au.
Echuca-raised basketballer Luke has swapped the Melbourne courts for Hobart, and if his enthusiasm for his new home is anything to go by, this may be just the beginning of his Tasmanian story.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Echuca, Victoria. A small country town on the border of Victoria and New South Wales. I now live in Hobart.
What work do you do? Currently, I am a professional basketball player.
How did you get into basketball? Were you a multi-sport kid growing up or focused on basketball? I first started playing basketball because my older brother started to play. Being the younger brother I was just following him around. I tried all different spots when I was growing up. Tennis, AFL, cricket and soccer were all the other sports I tried.
How would you describe your game style? I would describe my game as relentless and passionate.
What drew you to the Hobart Chargers for this NBL1 season after playing with South East Melbourne for NBL26? There were a few reasons. One was getting out of my comfort zone in Victoria and testing myself in a new place. The other reason would be Coach Weeks. Such a knowledgeable former player who had a great career and has already helped me improve my game.
How have you found the transition from Melbourne to Hobart, both on and off the court? It’s been a very simple transition both on and off the court. On the court the team has embraced me and instilled nothing but confidence in myself. Off the court Hobart is such a beautiful city which has so much character. It’s been a joy to be able to explore more and more.
As a free agent, speculation about your future is natural - is a move to the JackJumpers on the cards? Free agency is something that is always a mental challenge. Trying to make sure I’m focused on the important things/ things I can control. The JackJumpers would be a great opportunity for me but for the moment, all I can control is giving my best effort for the Chargers and I believe positive things will follow if I do that.
While you're here, you're running a series of junior basketball clinics. How does it feel to coach rather than be coached? I enjoy being a coach. It gives me the opportunity to pass some of my knowledge down to the next generation of basketballers. I always enjoy seeing those who just enjoy playing the sport I love without any pressure of performance. They just enjoy playing and it’s a reminder of why I started.
What’s something you wish more people knew about you? I enjoy going on walks with a coffee, being outside and whether it’s just me or with friends, I always enjoy it.
Who do you admire? I admire my mother. Her work ethic and generosity with her time for others has been something I’ve strived to emulate.
Favourite podcast or tv show?
Hamish & Andy is my favourite podcast. There was a lot of travel involved in junior basketball which involved me being in the car in the afternoons when it was on. I really enjoy the comedy and light hearted feel to the show.
Secret vice? I do really enjoy a nap on the days I am able to have one!
What are you reading now? I’m currently reading None of This is True by Lisa Jewell.
What was your first job? My first job was a basketball referee.
What are your daily news/social me dia habits? The majority of my social media usage would be Instagram. I am able to message group chats and get any daily updates I need from there.
Your favourite place for… Breakfast: Leoht
Lunch: The Salty Dog Dinner: Fellini
Coffee shop: Parklane Espresso
Dream holiday destination? Iceland has always been a dream destination. It’s one of the most peaceful countries in the world and has an abundance of beautiful scenery.
Favourite Tasmanian secret? wouldn’t say it’s a secret but the Botanical Gardens are amazing. I thor oughly enjoy going for a walk through the gardens.
Parting words? I am yet to experience all of Hobart and surrounding areas as much as I would like, but Hobart has been one of my most memorable ex periences in my life. I think those who live here are very spoilt with all that it has to offer.
Society at Salamanca is no more, with the opening of Don Frico (22 Montpelier Retreat, Battery Point). Get along for ‘hot slices, cold martinis’, with New York-style pizza and cocktails, open from 3pm Tuesday to Saturday for walk ins only. Leoht (46a Hampden Road, Battery Point) is now open on Friday and Saturday nights, showcasing small Tasmanian producers, a smart drink list and a gorgeous atmosphere in a 170-yearold Georgian cottage. Enjoy dinner, or grab a snack and a happy hour special, from 5-6pm. Nepalese restaurant Soul Marry Savour in Centrepoint has opened an additional location, taking over the kitchen at Central Hotel (73 Collins Street, Hobart). There’s a cute new bread fridge in town with Beach Road Bakes (Beach Road, Margate) honesty fridge opening its door filled with focaccia, cookies and sourdough. In a city that knows good produce, the team behind ii Hanashi Izakaya (66a Elizabeth Street, Launceston) thought one thing was missing: a bowl of ramen that warms you from the inside out. They’re combining traditional Japanese techniques with Tasmanian ingredients to create a ramen and bar experience where you can sit down with friends and family and share a good yarn. Opening soon in the Gospel Hall building. Coastal Shine Nutrition (90d Oldaker Street,
Devonport) is coming soon to Devonport with energy loaded teas, protein smoothies and more. The Ross Hotel (35 Church Street, Ross), formerly the Man O’Ross, is entering a new phase, with construction underway on the heritage pub.
The Party Point (7 Wallace Street, Bridgewater) is a huge indoor space in Bridgewater where you can host your next birthday party. Indoor blow up slides and jumping castles, dodgem cars, arcade games, air hockey and more. Outside there’s a barbecue area, frisbee golf, totem tennis, soccer nets, nerf gun target shooting and more! Scoop Wholefoods (Unit 3/6 Shireline Drive, Howrah) has opened at Shoreline Plaza, with high quality organic, natural and sustainable wholefoods. Take your own containers to reduce single use packaging. Bellerive Coworking (1a Cambridge Road, Bellerive) is a new family-run space built by a husband and wife team juggling kids and life - they understand the real challenges of staying productive. They created the space to give small business owners, freelancers, and remote professionals a practical, welcoming place to focus, connect, and grow. Richmond Botanicals (50 Bridge Street, Richmond) have opened their beautifully scented shop, between the bakery and the lolly shop. Dear Valentine (Main Street, Sheffield) has opened the cutest little ‘cacao apothecary’ and ice cream parlour in Sheffield, serving small batch frozen treats as they evolve their offering into more…watch their space.
The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is touring the state with a series of free concerts this month. “Live music should be accessible for all Tasmanians. So, we’re packing up our instrument cases and taking the music out of the concert hall and straight to you,” they say in the announcement, “It's our way of saying thank you to our communities, in all corners of our state.” They’ll be popping up at schools and community spaces from Devonport (paranaple arts centre, 10 June, 6pm), Sheffield (Sheffield Town Hall, 11 June, 1pm), Launceston (Strings at St John’s Church, 11 June, 1pm) and Hobart (TSO Studio, 1pm). While tickets are free you do need to book. Head to tso.com.au.
Southern Tasmania is getting its own aerial adventure park this month. TreeClimb Hobart, at The Lea, will open mid month, with more than 600m of ziplines across six courses (two of which are aimed at younger kids). Their Tarzan swing is apparently the highest in Australia (at 11.5m above ground). TreeClimb opened the country’s first inner-city aerial adventure park in Adelaide in 2018 and recently took over Tas Laser Skirmish in the same area as the new park.
West Hobartians are demanding a Senate inquiry into the shutting down of licensed post offices across Australia following the sudden closure of their local. Australia Post recently terminated the local licence of the West Hobart post office, which operated within the West Hobart Express mini supermarket. A recent community meeting at Lansdowne Crescent Primary School, attended by about 200 people, culminated in a plan to write to federal Minister for Communications Anika Wells requesting a Senate inquiry into licensed post office closures nationally, with a petition with around 1,450 signatures.
Launnie is one of the country’s best winter holiday destinations, according to Expedia, a global travel booking platform. It came in sixth place, hanging out in the top ten alongside Byron Bay (1), Kangaroo Island (3), Margaret River (4) and Sydney (9). These are destinations that ‘can be better value in winter compared to summer’, as per Expedia’s data. Launceston is the only Tasmanian place in the list, and made it because it can be up to 25% cheaper, 45% quieter in winter, and offers cool-climate dining, vineyards, nature-based woodfire sauna and cold plunge experiences. Jane Howlett, state Minister for Tourism, said it would help put Launceston out there as a destination for a new audience. “This recognition confirms Launceston is truly punching above its weight as a destination during the off season,” she said. “This puts northern Tasmania in front of millions of travellers who are actively planning their next trip, which is great news for local tourism and hospitality businesses.”
With stocks of calamari now classified as depleted in the south east waters and depleting in the north, scientists and fishers are working together to try to help. The University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) will lead a three-year research project tracking what drives the squid to spawn and when. Divers will count calamari eggs on the seafloor, and underwater cameras will be combined with AI trained to pick out calamari egg clusters. There will be monthly surveys at sites in the north east, north west and south east from July. Findings are expected to determine decisions on fishing closure time periods.
A new rip warning sign has been installed at the northern end of Blackmans Bay Beach to warn swimmers of the possibility of rip currents in the area. “Rips are one of the most common hazards on Australian beaches,” Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt said. “Council is continuing to work with Surf Life Saving Tasmania to improve signage and messaging on non-patrolled beaches. Three Tasmanian teenagers were rescued after they were swept out in the current in that spot in January this year, prompting locals to suggest a warning sign be re-erected there.
As a reminder to residents, the council shared the following rip information.
Alexander McKillop.
Pic: Athletics Tasmania
Congratulations to Tasmanian athlete Alexander McKillop, trained by Rosemary Coleman, on claiming bronze in the Men’s 100m Para at the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin. Alexander ran a season's best of 12.44, a fantastic performance on the international stage.
Some of the key signs to look for are deeper and darker water, fewer breaking waves, sandy coloured water extending beyond the surf zone, debris or seaweed and significant water movement. It can sometimes be easier to look for where the waves are breaking consistently and then look to each side where they don’t break consistently; those areas may be rip currents. Avoid entering the water if you notice any of the key signs. If you are caught in a rip, it’s important to stay calm to conserve your energy, wave for help, and swim parallel with the beach towards the breaking waves. For more information on beach safety and rip currents, visit www.beachsafe.org.au/ surf-safety/ripcurrents
Hobart Legacy provides dedicated, personalised support to the families of those who gave their lives or health in service to Australia - in war, peacekeeping, hazardous duties, or training. Their members serve voluntarily, hon-
ouring the legacy of service by caring for its dependents for over 100 years. Hobart Legacy are currently seeking new members. If you are willing to volunteer to assist veteran families, please contact admin@legacyhobart.com.au.
• Discounted venue hire
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• Discounted group accommodation with buffet breakfast
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• Complimentary access to our media wall
Book with confidence and set the foundation for a successful event. Contact meetings.cphobart@ihg.com or +61 3 6213 4212. A limited-time winter offer for your next event at Crowne Plaza Hobart. From May to August 2026, enjoy an exclusive seasonal meetings package designed to elevate every part of your event experience.
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To the continuing presence of the community piano in Elizabeth Street.–Peter H via email
Solo time at your local cafe
Everything bagel seasoning
Outdoor baths and indoor heated pools in winter.–Julie C via email
The rail corridor between New Norfolk and Boyer will be revived, with a new plan by The Derwent Valley Railway to bring the dormant space back to life with heritage rail services. The railway has secured a 3.1km lease, granting them the first official access to the section in about 20 years. The volunteer-run organisation will start at their base at the New Norfolk rail yard, progressing stage-by-stage from Back River Road to Third Avenue and beyond to the Boyer Mill, with the clearing of vegetation, replacement of sleepers and addition of fresh ballast. The railway has also
The dearth of accessible adult swingsets with their many health benefits.–Peter H via email
Forgetting to turn the slow cooker on.
When the book or TV series you’re loving has to end.
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recently renewed its lease of the historic station at Westerway, with a long-term plan to eventually extend services all the way to Mt Field National Park.
If you’re interested in volunteering, get in touch at www.dvr.org.au.
Health Minister Bridget Archer has confirmed that the replacement for an out-of-service BreastScreen bus will finally be on the road this December, three months later than the previous September target. The original bus that serviced the south and the east coast, called Luna, has been out of action since April last year after numerous
Glenorchy City Council has approved the development of a $150 million chocolate experience tourist attraction at Cadbury.
Mayor Sue Hickey said the Council, sitting as the Glenorchy Planning Authority, had approved the development application for the Chocolate Experience attraction at Cadbury’s Claremont site, subject to a number of conditions. She also said there would be a variety of chocolate-themed areas, including chocolate-making elements, a chocolate lounge, an emporium and - the main event,
A Tasmanian teenager has been ordered not to drive whilst on bail after he was arrested for speeding and evading police just 33 hours after getting his P1 licence. The 17-year-old, from Wynyard, was detected speeding 38km over the 100km limit on the Bass Highway at Doctors
mechanical issues. Next month a new BreastScreen site will open at the Devonport Community Health Centre, which should free up the other bus, Ida, to travel further afield. The Tasmanian Breast Care Centre also recently opened at the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Liverpool Clinics, with screening, diagnostic imaging and patient support in one spot.
surely - tasting opportunities. “Alongside MONA, the Chocolate Experience will undoubtedly be a major tourism drawcard, generating economic activity during both construction and through increased visitor numbers in the longer term,” she said. “I’m sure chocolate-lovers the world over have been eagerly awaiting a new visitor experience ever since the centre closed a decade ago.” And who remembers the mega boxes of seconds you used to be able to buy from the factory shop?! Hopefully they’re part of the plan too.
Rocks. When police officers went to intercept the vehicle the teen drove off but about half an hour later he was stopped by road spikes then arrested. He was granted bail on the condition he not drive during the bail period. If you have information about any dangerous driving incident you can call 131 444, or 000 in an emergency.
Like so many charities, Vinnies is seeing record demand for support in Tasmania. They’ve just launched their 2026 Winter Appeal, and warned that more people than ever are cutting back on basics to afford to keep a roof over their heads. A recent national survey commissioned by St Vincent de Paul found that 55 per cent of Australians have reduced their spending on essentials like medication, groceries and bills to pay for their housing. Nearly three in 10 don’t have enough savings to cover an emergency expense and 3.7 million ‘strongly disagree’ that they could handle an unexpected cost right now. One in five Australians had less than $100 in savings.
St Vincent de Paul national president Mark Gaetani, who is based in Launceston, said many people were entering winter with little to fall back on. “Winter is one of the toughest times of year for those households the Society supports, but these figures show financial insecurity is now hitting many Tasmanians harder than ever,” he said. “For households with little or no savings buffer, donations to the Vinnies Winter Appeal can help them to stay housed and to feel safe.” If you have the capacity to donate to the Winter Appeal, head into a Vinnies shop, go to www.vinnies.org.au or call 13 18 12.
Glenorchy City Council recently completed construction of a new boardwalk in Tolosa Park, a popular spot for play, picnics and birthday parties. The new boardwalk allows people to walk across
An ancient Tasmanian Blue Gum, estimated to be between 200 and 400 years old, has been illegally cut down between Geilston Bay and Risdon Vale. The City of Clarence is urging the community to report suspicious activity in its bushland reserves following the cutting of the tree in Pilcher’s Hill Reserve as part of extensive illegal wood-cutting activities.
Landcare Tasmania CEO Peter Stronach said the loss of just one ancient tree in a natural area had devastating flow-on impacts. “Illegal tree hooking in bushland reserves is not a minor offence, it causes long-term damage to fragile ecosystems. The loss of a mature Tasmanian Blue Gum at Pilchers Hill, potentially over two centuries old, is a serious blow to local habitat, including species like the Swift Parrot,” Mr Stronach said.
City of Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley said it was difficult to monitor the reserves, and called on the community to help. “Unfortunately, we are currently responding to illegal tree cutting in several of our bush land reserves, including Pilcher’s Hill Reserve, where dozens of trees have been targeted in recent weeks,” he said. “We’re asking anyone who witnesses trees being cut, or suspicious activ ity such as the removal of timber or vehicles entering and leaving bushland areas, to report it to Tasmania Police. Many of our reserves can be accessed from multiple locations, including adjoining private land, which makes enforcement extremely challenging. That’s why community awareness and reporting are so important.” If you have information to report, call Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania 1800 333 000.
A local pilot program that would inform and support long-term nature repair projects across the country has received a $10 million federal funding commitment. The Derwent Catchment’s Nature Repair Pilot launched last month, with a focus on disaster
the ponds and wetland vegetation, getting an up close look. The upgraded pathway offers a safer and more enjoyable experience for all visitors, and is part of the Tolosa Park Masterplan.
mitigation, stronger biosecurity and biodiversity protection, threatened species conservation, sustainable agri cultural and regional job creation. The ambitious project will hopefully provide a blueprint for catchment-scale nature repair across Australia.
Oatlands is the most recent town to move to stricter water restrictions as dam levels drop. The midlands town is now on stage two water restrictions, just three weeks after being put on stage one restrictions. TasWater is aiming to cut non-essential water use in the town by 50 per cent. Residents can no longer water lawns, and other garden watering will be restricted to allocated days depending on a property’s street number. There is no end-date specified, though with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a warmer and drier than average winter, time will tell.
There is a new all-terrain wheelchair available for free hire to explore the Queens Domain’s tracks and trails. Disability advocate David Cawthorn said the TrailRider helps break down barriers to outdoor recreation for people with limited mobility. “Getting out into nature improves physical health, mental wellbeing and social connections, and this initiative ensures more members of the commu-
nity can share in those benefits,” he said. “The gentle tracks and beautiful views found on the Queens Domain make for a perfect bush outing in the TrailRider.” Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds added, "The TrailRider is easy to use with a sturdy frame and a battery-operated motor for extra assistance along uneven terrain. With the help of two companions, users can comfortably explore bush tracks, enjoy fresh air, and connect with nature,” she said. "The Queens Domain offers a selection of relatively gentle and accessible routes, giving more people the opportunity to experience Hobart’s natural environment and spectacular views.” The power-assisted TrailRider is now available to book for free from the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre.
Cassandra Charlick is a relative newcomer to Tassie, and is hitting the stage as part of the Festival of Voices Salamanca @ 6 series, on 9 July.
Your upcoming show When I Grow Up asks whether we ever really know what we want to be. Is it personal? It’s totally drawn from my life journey. Music plays an integral part in all of our lives, and so many of our memories are tied to songs that make up our individual soundtracks. I’ve not always chosen the safest or most predictable path, which is what comes with being an artist, but it’s meant that I’ve had a life rich in experiences and with a map of friends and colleagues around the globe.
You've performed on London stages, in Tokyo jazz bars and everywhere in between. How does it feel to be on a Tasmanian stage? There’s something about performing on a home stage that is unlike performing anywhere else. In many
Flickerfest, Australia’s largest short film festival, returns on its national tour to the Peacock Theatre in Salamanca Arts Centre in Hobart, showcasing the Best of Australian Shorts and Best of International Shorts programme highlights.On Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June, the short films screening are fresh from their premieres in competition at Flickerfest Bondi, giving Hobart audiences a window into the hottest contemporary shorts from at home and across the world today. Celebrating 35 years this year, Flickerfest remains Australia’s leading Academy® Qualifying and BAFTA Recognised short film festival, which ensures they continue to present A-list short film programmes amongst the best in the world, with films hand-picked from the festival’s record 3,700+ entries. Head to www.flickerfest.com.au to buy tickets and for more information.
ways, it’s more nerve-wracking, as the audience is full of friends, family and coffee-shop locals, along with the general public. Tasmania is a new home for me, and I’m very excited to have my first performance here as a part of the Festival of Voices series.
You work in the wine world as well as in music. What do you do? The wine industry is filled with musicians and artists. Wine is intrinsically a romantic subject that fuels the imagination and brings people together. A great wine captures a place and a time, as well as the passion of the people who farm the land and craft it in the winery. When I’m not singing and performing, I’m presenting at events and writing about wine, food and travel. I’m also a wine judge and critic, but it is the stories behind a bottle that really interest me. I don’t do favourites, but Tassie is a great place for us Pinot Noir lovers, and winter is the perfect time to curl up with a glass or two.
Community Scholarships are for new students entering into Years 7–12 in 2027 and offer up to a 100% tuition fee discount, tenable to the completion of Year 12.
These scholarships are character based and applicants are invited to share their aspirations for leadership, volunteering; involvement in the wider community; their co-curricular endeavours; and how they would be a positive contributor to everyday school life at Hutchins.
Applications for Community Scholarships are now open for entry in 2027.
For more information please contact our Enrolments Assistant on 6221 4236 or visit www.hutchins.tas.edu.au/scholarships
THE HUTCHINS SCHOOL 71 Nelson Road, Sandy Bay Sunday 28 June 2026 Applications close
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MONDAY
1 Local blues and Americana legend Billy Whitton plays the Mona Lawns from 1pm-3pm
8 Enjoy the public holiday, and happy symbolic birthday to King Charles.
WEDNESDAY TUESDAY
2 Photographer Rex Cox’s lunchtime talk Hobart in Time of War explores our waterfront during the Boer War, WW1 and WW2. 12pm-1pm, TMAG.
9 Coalescent Midnight is an exhibition of whimsical mosaic art by Kyliesha Kingston See it for free at Moonah Arts Centre today, 10am-5pm.
22 It’s sold out, so this is more of a reminder to avoid the area (or at least avert your eyes!) while the nudies do the solstice swim at Long Beach.
16 Fisher Jock Mure presents a southern bluefin tuna carving ceremony at Mures Upper Deck, with a 4-course tuna degustation with matching wines.
23 Painter Nathan Grey describes his work as ‘a lazy perfectionist’s take on impressionism.’ See it at Handmark Gallery til the 13th of July. Everyday.
30 Try the gentle, flowing exercise of Qigong with a class this afternoon at Blackmans Bay Hall, 2pm-3pm. Book on Humanitix.
3
Head along to The Criterion House today for a heartwarming performance featuring retired people graduating from a recent acting course. 1:30pm, gold coin donation.
17 Mish Meijers’ Chats with Bats, Trees and Other Creatures is part exhibition, part theatre set and part ritual space, taking over various bits of The Schoolhouse, 10am4pm til the 28th.
24 Marcescence is a new group exhibition at Salamanca Arts Centre. Essentially about resilience, the artworks show the transition from Autumn to Winter. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.
1 ExitLeft presents School of Rock
The Musical (written by Andrew Lloyd Webber), til the 4th at Playhouse Theatre.
THURSDAY FRIDAY
4 Can you resist the line ‘you’ve never heard a tuba like this’? That’s the TSO’s call re: Vaughan Williams’ Tuba Concerto, tonight, 6pm, Federation Concert Hall.
11
Paint the town red: Dark Mofo is upon us! See the full program at www. darkmofo.net.au
5 From the top of the ARIA singles chart to Hobart, Keli Holiday, the solo project of Peking Duk's Adam Hyde, is playing The Odeon tonight, doors open 7:30pm.
12 Browse vintage, antique and decorator items at the Battery Point Village Fair at Battery Point Community Hall. 4pm-8pm, Sat 9am6pm, Sun 10am-5pm, Mon 10am-4pm and again next weekend.
18 Check out Abdul-Rahman Abdullah’s confronting work The Dogs, presented by Dark Mofo X Rosny Farm. At The Barn Thurs-Sun, 10am10pm, til the 21st.
2 The world’s greatest ice hockey rivalry is coming: see Canada v USA over three nights at the MyState Bank Arena. A few tickets left at www.mystatebankarena.com.au.
19 Flickerfest is back, with the Best of International Shorts tonight, 8pm and the Best of Australian Shorts tomorrow. Peacock Theatre.
26 What’s the scent of Tasmania? Create your own to take home during a 90 minute perfume workshop with Hilary from Liminus. Hadley’s Orient Bar.
3 The Festival of Voices is back with a big birthday: 21! Celebrate at the flagship event The Big Sing, a free community singalong from 5:30pm, PW1.
SATURDAY SUNDAY
6 Ben Lee is back on the isle with his tour called ‘On Tour…Always’. He’s at the Dodges Ferry Hotel tonight, doors open 7pm. Also at Longley International Hotel tomorrow.
13 Buy or sell good quality secondhand clothing at the Preloved Market Sorell. Sorrel Memorial Hall today, 11am-3pm.
7 Khan (Melbourne progressive heavy psych trio) are celebrating their 10 year anniversary with a tour. They’re at Altar from 7pm.
4 June
14 Spend the afternoon at the footy: Richmond Tigers take on the Brisbane Lions at Ninja Stadium, starts 1:10pm.
20 Take to the seas (well, the Derwent) for a special two hour Midwinter Redding the Sails on the Lady Nelson, with live music. 6pm-8pm, (also on the 12th and 19th).
27 The Victorian State Ballet brings their performance of Aladdin to The Hedberg, tonight and tomorrow.
21 Try Scottish country dancing at a free Healthy Hobart session this afternoon, 2-3pm, Lenah Valley Community Hall.
28 The Tasmanian Menopause Summit is back for a second year, with a half-day of panels, talks, networking and activities, and canapes. 10:30am-2:30pm at Crowne Plaza.
4 Book-lovers, mark out some time for the Variety Monster Book Fair at PW1. Get yourself some books and help fundraise for Tassie kids in need. Today and tomorrow, 10am4pm.
Ever thought about running for council? City of Hobart is hosting an info session for community members interested in standing for Local Government election (coming up in October). Find out about the roles and responsibilities of the City of Hobart; the role of an Elected Member and the election and nomination processes. RSVP on humanitix. 5pm6pm, Waterside Pavilion.
Get your Bollywood on at Bollywood Takeover 2.0: music, glam and non-stop dancing at Observatory Bar at Franklin Wharf from 10pm.
Celebrate the solstice by going running in the bush in the dark! Run the Dark: Knockers Solstice Winter trail run includes three options (4km/6km/11km) for runs in Knocklofty Reserve. Part of the kunanyi trail series, www.kunanyitrailseries.com.au.
On the last Wednesday of each month, Battery Point’s oldest surviving building, Semaphore Cottage, is open to the public to explore for free. Originally built as the guardhouse for the Mulgrave Battery, Hobart’s first defensive fortification, it evolved into the central headquarters for the semaphore telegraph system from Hobart to Port Arthur. 11am-12pm.
The Big Sing, part of Festival of Voices, returns to Hobart’s waterfront tonight at 5.30pm, bringing together an incredible line-up of artists, choirs and performers for Tasmania’s most joyful community singalong. Leading this year’s Big Sing is acclaimed artist Casey Donovan, joining thousands of festivalgoers for a powerful rendition of My Island Home under the winter sky. Hosted by actor and broadcaster John O’Hara and TV presenter and performer Gorgi Coghlan, the 2026 line-up also features beatboxing sensation Tom Thum, Men in Suits, Queensland Show Choir, Pitches Be Crazy, Pop Choir, and Tasmanian festival favourites Uncle Gus + the Rimshots. Rug up, gather your crew and join us for one of Australia’s biggest and most uplifting singalong events.
1 Welcome to winter, now get out there and enjoy it!
8 Head to the New Norfolk Library today after school for The Chess Club. Open to kids from 4-16yrs and suitable for all levels. 3pm4pm.
2 Head to the Huonville Library and join a dedicated art group, a quiet and supportive space designed for creative focus. 10am-midday.
9 Say a little prayer. Internationally renowned singer and actor, Michael Cormick, and his accompanist, will perform Burt Bacharach classics at Launceston’s Albert Hall. 11am.
15 Fine art photographer Dominic Romeo’s latest work, La Terra Sacra, opens today until 28 June at Willow Court Ladies Cottage, New Norfolk.
Dark Night. Pic: Callington Mill
16 Tuesday is a big day at the Cygnet Library each week with Storytime at 10:30am and Rock and Rhyme at 11:30am.
29 After school today (and weekly) there's a Gaming for Youth session at the Kinimatatakinta/George Town Library, 3:15pm.
30 Local libraries offer more than just books! Today Queenstown Library is hosting Dungeons and Dragons, 3:30pm and Burnie has Storytime at 10:30am.
3 Help raise awareness for better mental health with the Push Up Challenge. Take on 3,307 push-ups over 24 days, to honour the 3,307 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2024.
10 Unshackled is an award-winning immersive digital exhibition revealing the untold story of Australia's convict past. Woolmers Estate, daily from 8am-4pm.
17 Head to the Madeline Gordon Gallery in Launceston to view Elements of Surprise, a collection of oil paintings and pastels by Leoni Duff. Until 4 July
24 Looking for something fun midweek? Grab your mates and join the Trivia Night at The Pier, Ulverstone every Wednesday from 7pm. Book your table.
1 Swap pen-andpaper trivia for an interactive buzzer variety at Reggie Bar, Launceston. Buy a drink and it’s free. Everyone welcome, prizes to be won.
4 OUTspace at the Devonport Library is a social and peer support group for LGBTIQA+ young people, and for young people who are not sure about their gender/sexuality. 4pm5:30pm.
11 He raps, he sings, he dances…see Baker Boy at Launceston’s Albert Hall tonight, supported by thatboykwame. 7:30pm
5 The Bay of Fires Winter Arts Festival is held over the June long weekend. Includes the annual Bay of Fires Art Prize, sand sculpting, open studio trail and more. Until 14 June in St Helens.
12 Step into the shadows this winter at Dark Night at Callington Mill Distillery, Oatlands. Starting with a cocktail enjoyed outside fireside, followed by a 5-course dinner.
18 Put your thinking cap on and play trivia at the Kingsway Bar, Launceston, every Thursday, 6pm. Prizes to be won. Free to play with a drink purchase.
19 Enjoy Friday night drinks at Burnie Arts Centre with free live music from 5pm. Bar open, snacks available, Long Room foyer at your disposal.
25 Learn how to mend or decorate your denim garments with Sashiko-style stitching, a traditional Japanese technique. The ReDress Hub, Launceston, multiple dates.
Casey Donovan. Pic: FoV
26 Head to the Gorge Scenic Chairlift for A Chair and a Yarn, a one-way ride over the Cataract Gorge and a walking tour with Wallaby Walkabout for the Off Season. $35, book via Eventbrite.
3 Finding Hope in Uncertain Times: Stories of Resilience is a night of storytelling with Bob Brown and Nigel Brennan, dinner and drinks at Cygnet Primary, 6pm-9:30pm. Tix Humanitix.
SATURDAY SUNDAY
6
Catch top local surfers at the Quiksilver and Roxy East Coast Classic at Scamander until the 8th. Presented in partnership with Surfing Tasmania. From u12 to open.
13
Grab a drink and enjoy a live music set at Mackey's Royal Hotel in Latrobe tonight starting at 8:30pm, presented by Island Entertainment.
20 Today and tomorrow, head to the Silverdone to shop local and support the makers at the Tasmanian Made Winter Market, 10am-4pm with free entry and free parking.
27 Grain of the Silos hosts Food, Fire and Winter Frivolity, a roaming feast across outdoor cooking stations, curated by Massimo Mele. 4pm-8pm, tickets $89, under 12 free entry.
4 The Somerset Surf Lifesaving Club has live music tonight, featuring Blurred Vision, a 4-piece pub rock band. 7pm-11:30pm.
7 TasPop North HENSHIN! is this weekend at Tramsheds in Launceston. 50+ vendors, panels, competitions, exclusive interviews, MTG sessions, demos and more.
14 Spend the afternoon with AFL Coleman Medallist and Geelong star forward Jeremy Cameron for JEZZA! LIVE in Launceston at The Tramsheds. Grab your spot via Eventbrite.
21 Head to Freycinet today for the trail running event Endorfun Beginners can try the 11 km circuit. More experienced? Take on the full 29 km circuit.
Celebrate the Winter Solstice with Danielle from Yoga in Nature, with a restorative threenight retreat at Freycinet Lodge, set within the beauty of Freycinet National Park. As the sun begins its return to the Southern Hemisphere, you can pause, reflect, and realign. Enjoy daily yoga, restorative yoga, candlelit meditations and yoga nidra all in the warmth of Freycinet Lodge. Shared and private cabin options available. where open fires and ocean views invite you to truly unwind. This is your time to slow down, reconnect, and gather energy.
tial Scottish buffet-style lunch - highlights include comforting classics such as Cullen Skink and Cock-a-Leekie soups, Haggis with Neeps & Tatties, Balmoral Chicken, Scottish Beef Stew, Lorne Sausage, and a selection of traditional Scottish desserts including Clootie Dumpling, Cranachan and shortbread. 12pm3pm. Tickets via Eventbrite.
28 Bicheno Beams started last night, now on until 25 July. View the free laser light show at 6:30pm each night. There’s alternating shows, so go two nights to see both.
5 Catch Casey Donovan on her national tour, THIS IS ME, at Josef Chromy, Relbia. Tickets via Festival of Voices.
Scots, and Scots-at-heart, will love this unique dining experience inside a beautifully restored 1857 heritage sandstone church in Campbell town. Guests will be welcomed in true Scottish style, piped into The Church by a traditional bagpiper and a special solo performance to follow after dessert. Enjoy a substan-
You're invited to the Island Escape Winter Festival, a threeday celebration transforming Launceston’s Inveresk Precinct into a winter wonderland of live music, local food and drink, art, and community. Lean into winter with a program that mixes major headline acts, including Birds of Tokyo, Spiderbait and Dub Step Time Machine, immersive storytelling, and playful experiences for all ages. Expect crackling firelight throughout the site, local winter flavours, and a stacked arts and culture layer including installations, light shows, and roaming performers.
Background photo: Overland Track, Barn Bluff. Pic: Matty Eaton Details subject to change. Check the finer points with individual events.
Since 2023, Christian Watson’s hand-drawn animated skeleton, Mr Skelly, has amassed more than eight million followers on social media platforms. Elle-May Watson captures the world through her camera lens. Together, they've built a creative life in Tasmania that's as inspiring as their art.
Mr Skelly was first sketched in 2023. What was the spark?
Christian: While I definitely love the idea of Mr Skelly being invented for my children, Lavender and Alaska, it was more of a collaboration of purposes, as opposed to strictly being for them. The truth is, coming out of a tumultuous time as a family and relocating from Queensland to Tasmania, we were after peace. I have always imagined myself as a skeleton, often wondering how much it might be to purchase a full x-ray of myself. I collect a lot of antique taxidermy, historical things, etc, and always find my own finite mortality quite interesting, so I set out to draw myself a simplified skeleton. Up to that point, I had been practicing basic animation and digital painting, combined with our yearning for peace. I wrote the quote: “Life’s too short not to
Christian and Elle-May. Pictures: 1924us
be at peace” over a field of flowers and an animated drawing of myself as a skeleton – soon to become what's now known as Mr Skelly! It was so well received around the world, that it sparked a new idea in me to help this character grow.
Skeletons can live in territory of fear or kitsch, yet Mr Skelly offers warmth. How did/do you cultivate that?
Christian: I love branding, and I hate the concept of our skeletons being considered evil or spooky things or even simply Halloween decorations. Skeletons hold our lives up every single day and often are neglected for all the good they do. I really wanted to simplify a skeleton and take away the often-seen harshness, soften the features, and pair it with whimsical movements and magical backgrounds to create what you see now.
The frame-by-frame, hand-drawn animation is unique these days. Why is this important to your creative process?
Christian: There is a resurgence happening among illustrators and animators to bring back slow processes, even in the face of AI, as a way to self-express. I animate, for example, in 12fps, or frames per second, animating on “ones” which means every one frame is held for only the length of the frame. So for an average of seven seconds of a video, we hand draw 84 individual frames. I think you get a lot of beauty in this process by being realistic and imperfect along the way.
Elle-May, your photography is beautifully atmospheric. Where does that come from creatively?
Elle-May: It's just a mode of feeling I have, my most comfortable outlet is world building. I've always daydreamed a lot. I took up photography around 14 and never really stopped so I guess it's a default outlet for me, (probably to regulate my thoughts and feelings too).
You've described your life as one where work and living are inseparable. Are there days you'd both love an off switch or is it mostly rosy?
Elle-May: No. I feel like we’ve moved towards what we have loved and in that, there is also all the aspects of home/ personal life building. Sometimes things get to be A LOT but I’d say Christian is really good at handling things head on and I’m good at taking a step back for perspective, so in that, for most of the time, we can balance out any tension of
work or home life and I get satisfaction in figuring it out :)
Christian: Elle is right in that we have a pretty good balance, if one is stressed out, the other jumps in. I think neither of us project our situations onto the other, we kind of just allow the space for one another to do what's necessary and come back down to earth from difficult moments. It's pretty rare that we share together in stress, and make sure that we aren’t dumping on one another, haha. For the most part, it's all integrated, and it's good because of it.
What's one thing each of you does that the other could never do?
Elle-May: It’s hard to say could never, maybe I'm taking the question too seriously, lol, I feel like I’m not the best at branding - that Christian does really well, in that, probably management too!
Christian: I have a very hard time being as spontaneous as Elle-May is, she is so quick to do things that are truly incredible, and I wish so much that I could be like that haha. But my brain unfortunately
prevents it, I am way too desperate for organisation and planning. But it honestly all equals out on the scales.
You've lived in Oregon, Queensland, and now Tasmania. Why here?
Christian: Tasmania is a perfect cumulation of all of the places we have ever visited or lived, that we have loved. It has incredible weather, history, good food, it's reclusive just enough that we can enjoy our privacy and quiet walks down the beach. It really is such a haven for us as artists and people, and I don’t think either of us can imagine ourselves yearning to live anywhere else.
What does winter unlock for you, creatively or personally?
Christian: I love when the light feels like dusk all day, love waking and going to bed (not sleeping but cosy in bed) when the sun goes down and just time to really feel restful. I also LOVE the intensity of the wind we can get on the Peninsula, days where the wind and water unleash together, going to the shoreline, running out in it, then getting cosy inside.
Elle-May, is there a quality to the winter light in Tasmania that you actively chase with your camera?
Elle-May: Always the fog and mist, I love it in all seasons. I also love those really dark days of winter or the ones where it’s dusk light all day!
What does your perfect winter day in Tasmania look like?
Elle-May: Feet in the ocean as the sun
is rising, with our children, to play/ explore/build something in nature or photograph, an empty beach but lots of wildlife (always exciting to see what's washed up, too). Get home to the fireplace lit and the slow cooker brewing something we can eat all day alongside fresh baked bread, drip coffee going. Time to read a little, play music or paint, good discussions, watch an intriguing movie and just be inspired!
You can check out Mr Skelly by following on Instagram and Facebook at @1924us, and ElleMay’s work at @ellemaywatson. They have also just released their first Mr Skelly book, How Lucky Am I to preorder via www.1924.us.
A moment captured
Baby, it’s cold outside! We love that crisp, cool air, kids' rosy cheeks and the rawness of Tasmania in winter. We also love heading indoors. Winter has a way of drawing people together, as we gather in warm, welcoming spaces. Across the state, cosy corners and simple comforts offer the perfect excuse to slow down and settle in for the Off Season.
Become the landed gentry of Hobart Town, captured for posterity at Olde Time Portraits (oldetimeportraits.com.au) in Blackmans Bay. A gentleman dressed in a top hat and tails, a lady adorned in jewels, an elegant gown and lace gloves, and the children smart in suits, silk dresses and bonnets. You’ll have at your disposal authentic 1870s props including clay pipes, top hats and old books found in the former residence of Amy Westbrook, daughter of the manager of the Bank of Van Diemen’s Land. Say cheese!
Step into the storybook with ExitLeft (exitleft.com.au) this school holidays, where children become the characters of a fairytale brought vividly to life. A day-long workshop during the July school holidays gives creative kids aged six to 11 the chance to rehearse, stage and film a reimagined version of a classic tale. With
age-appropriate scripts, music and costumes, each child is given a role to play in the unfolding story. From Mary Poppins and The Wizard of Oz to Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk and Treasure Island, every session becomes its own cinematic escape. Then watch the magic unfold with your very own recording of the production to enjoy at home.
Open the door to the St Helens History Room (sthelenshistoryroom.com), where the town’s maritime history sits quietly, waiting to be discovered. Free during the month of August, wander through changing exhibitions capturing the local fishing industry’s history, early settlement and the people who shaped this coastal community.
Warm up with a welcoming hot chocolate before exploring the creative spaces of Ulverstone's Hive Tasmania (hivetasmania.com.au) on a guided tour. Peek into the community arts and craft studios, uncover stories in the museum and enjoy hands-on moments in the science centre. Winter in Tasmania brings some of the clearest skies of the year, so don’t forget to look up – in Hive’s planetarium, the ceiling becomes sky and the sky becomes a story, guiding you outward into space.
Dance can connect us in ways few other things can, fostering social connection, joy and reflection. In All In, a boundary-breaking work by for Theatre North (theatrenorth.com.au), it unfolds as something alive rather than observed, shaped by dancers from Dance Makers Collective and local dance groups, moving to the beat of Fiona Hill’s score. Led by director/choreographer Miranda Wheen, expect the best dance party you've ever been to. If the mood hits right, the dance just might take hold of you, on 23-24 July.
Outside, winter is felt before it is seen. The air sharp, the light low, the landscape more defined. Be drawn out this winter, into forests, rivers, snow and sky. Rug up and be a part of the elements –there’s so much waiting for you.
First up meet Poppy Seed, the naughtiest goat on Little Things Farm (ltss.com. au), if you can find her that is. She’s on the loose, snatching feed buckets, slipping through fences and leaving cheeky clues everywhere she goes. Your mission? Follow her trail across paddocks, barns and hidden corners of the farm using the help of her farmyard friends. Kids will solve puzzles, crack codes and outwit a very mischievous goat. Tours are 1.5-2 hours and run from 3pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sunday afternoons during the Off Season.
Step into an unfolding adventure with World Heritage Cruises (worldheritagecruises.com.au) where the cruise doubles as a tiger hunt. Children receive a fun tiger hunt activity pack during the Off Season, turning observation into discovery. Between clues there is space to enjoy the glassy waters of the Gordon River from the comfortable boat and watch the world go by. At the
end, a hot chocolate is part of the reward! Use promo code TIGERHUNT when booking main deck centre seating – for each adult fare, two children travel free.
More of a two wheeled traveller? Blue Derby Pods Ride's (bluederbypodsride. com.au/winter-experience) mountain bike trails are calling your name for this threeday winter experience. As dusk descends, park your bike trailside and relax by the campfire beneath a carpet of bright winter stars above Lake Derby while you enjoy canapés. Between rides, warm up in your forest pod accommodation among the trails and trees, stocked with Tasmanian food and wine. Winter means quieter trails, crisper air and the reward of campfire warmth after days pedalling through the lush forests of Derby.
Gather under the stars with Starlit Tasmania (starlittasmania.com.au) near Sorell to take in some of the clearest winter skies in the country. Watch the Milky Way take centre stage, rising bright above the landscape. In these small-group guided sessions, expect telescope viewing of planets, star clusters and nebulae, constellation storytelling and complimentary hot drinks. A photograph of the night sky is included for each booking, so you won’t forget the sights seen.
Sit back and hold on tight! Sled Dog Adventures Tasmania (sleddogadventurestasmania.com. au) provides an adrenaline-filled ride as a team of 10 high-energy Siberian Huskies pull you and the kids at speed through narrow forest trails in the Huon Valley. The wheeled sled skims over the ground while the dogs do what they're bred for – run fast. You'll hear them howl, feel the power of the team working together, and understand why cooler Off Season weather is when these dogs are at their happiest and most energetic.
Every Off Season to-do list needs a snow trip to make the most of Tasmania’s mountain slopes. Head to Ben Lomond Alpine Resort (benlomondalpineresort. com.au) to collect your snow gear and toboggans at Ben Lomond Base, then ascend the mountain to arrive at the winter activities playground – tobogganing, snowball fights and snowman building await. When you’re tuckered out, return to the base to defrost with fireside hot chocolate, mulled wine and melty s'mores.
It’s all about how you settle in. This Off Season is an invitation to slow the pace and reconnect with the important people in your life, where shared moments take shape around firelight, comfort and unhurried time together.
Experience the quiet rhythm of a winter night at Wesley Dale (wesleydaletasmania.com). Children nestle into their bunkroom 'camp-in' while the adults can unwind into the quiet luxury of slow, simple comfort with this winter hamper and stargazing experience. Embark on an after-dark farm tour, using torches and maps to lead the way, while warming your hands around a cup of hot chocolate made from provided ingredients. Return for flaming marshmallows, games and late-night laughter by the flicker of a glowing fire.
There’s something about a road trip that brings people together. Sightsee via four wheels with Explora Tasmania (explora.au), where a self-drive car hire
and camping package turns the island into an open itinerary. A reliable vehicle and all the essential camping gear set the pace for the trip, with cosy comfort built in – sleeping, cooking and settling in wherever the day ends. For up to four people, you’ll have total freedom to do some winter exploring at your own pace.
Winter at Iron Creek Bay Estate (ironcreekbay.com.au) comes with a slower kind of purpose. A stay here at this large estate near Hobart includes simple acts that connect your family to
the land – feeding farm animals, planting a native tree for the future, and taking home a small seasonal surprise. A sunset walk to the waterfront will reset your crew. Savour an Off Season stay with 25% off.
Settle down beside Kanamaluka / River Tamar at Big4 Kelso Sands Holiday & Native Wildlife Park (big4.com.au), for a stay among natural bushland by the water’s edge. Cabins and campsites sit close to nature, where wildlife and birdlife move easily through the grounds and mornings begin with soft light over the river. Linger longer with a four-night stay, and pay for only three nights.
Mornings begin with fresh coastal air and near-empty beaches at Bridport Seaside Caravan Park (bridportcaravanpark. com.au), where there’s space to wander without destination or hurry. A longer winter stay means settling into the rhythm of the coast itself – venturing out to eat, sip and explore before returning to the quiet comfort of your base by the sea. Book a minimum of three nights online to receive a free night’s stay, from May to October for couples and families.
For as long as we’ve been human, we’ve been drawn to the glow of a fire. And there’s no better time or place to huddle around and watch those flickering flames than Tassie in the Off Season. Maybe that’s roasting marshmallows with the kids, settling in with a glass of something local or simply the comfort of being near others, the fire still calls us in, just as it always has.
Winter settles gently over the vineyard at Maclean Bay Wines (macleanbaywines. com.au/off-season). Vines lie dormant, and instead, a glowing fire pit becomes the centre of slow, easy afternoons. On Saturdays during the July school holidays (from 11am until 4pm), families are invited to toast s’mores over the flames as the adults enjoy a glass of coolclimate red. There’s a chance to pause, take in the landscape and breathe in the fresh ocean air.
On the west coast, winter has a way of settling in. Rain taps at the windows, the air sharpens. Inside, time slows. At Zeehan’s SeaHen Lodge (seahenlodge. au/the-off-season-2026), the wild outdoors can be observed from the comfort and warmth beside a crackling fire. A Tasmanian-themed board game on the table, a glass of port or a hot chocolate in hand, the simple pleasure of being warm, together, is more than enough. Want to savour the comfort for
even longer? There’s no hurry to check out, so you can enjoy the sweeping mountain views from your indoor haven for that bit longer.
Just as our ancestors warmed themselves by a dancing fire, they also wondered at the stars. Reconnect with the cosmos with a winter evening of stargazing at Devonport’s historic Home Hill
(nationaltrust.org.au/places/home-hill-2). Explore deep space through telescopes and smart scopes, try to locate all the great sights on the moon, and pick up expert tips on night sky photography with your own phone. Suitable for all ages to enjoy winter’s finest stargazing conditions. Round it off with marshmallows roasted over a warm fire pit, as the night sky stretches quietly overhead. Held on 23 June, 21 July and 19 August at 6pm.
Big adventures don’t always mean big distances. Across Tasmania, short walks and easy family experiences invite explorers to slow down and look closer, whether it’s spotting wildlife, spookiness after dark, or setting out beneath the shadow of Cradle Mountain.
At the Edge of the Wilderness Winter mornings unfold at the edge of the wilderness at Discovery Resorts - Cradle Mountain (discoveryholidayparks.com.au/ tourism-tasmania). Stay right on the doorstep of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, in a cosy cabin or caravan site. Stay three nights this Off Season to save 20% and have more time to settle into the quiet rhythm of Cradle Mountain in winter.
More to explore: Try the Enchanted Walk (20 minute return) or Pencil Pine Falls Walk (15 minute return).
Bite Size After Dark at Bonorong Winter’s shorter days bring a different kind of wildlife experience at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (bonorong. com.au). This family-friendly evening tour offers the chance to step into the animals’ world and experience the sanctuary after hours. Hand-feed some of Tasmania’s best-known creatures, from Forester kangaroos and wombats
to curious Eastern quolls. Along the way, guides share stories of rescue and conservation, while you help them with feeding time for the Tasmanian devils.
More to explore: Head west to Russell Falls (25 minutes return)
As Night Falls on Port Arthur
Rug up and let lanterns light your way as Port Arthur Historic Site (portarthur.org.au) reveals a different side in winter's crisp dark nights. Follow your expert guide through some of the infamous buildings and ruins on this 90 minute lantern-lit ghost tour, which is popular with older children. Hear vivid stories of eerie unexplained events that have baffled and alarmed convicts, free settlers, soldiers and visitors. Decide for yourself if the tales are true.
More to explore: Check out the quirky names at Doo Town and visit nearby natural attractions including the Tessellated Pavement and the Maingon Blowhole.
Permission to Trespass. Pic: Mason Doherty
7 Join an afternoon of candle making with Richmond Botanicals Co at Killara Distillery Create a candle using Richmond Botanicals Co's signature scents inspired by the Coal River Valley. From 2pm.
21 Lace those sneakers up to Run the Dark at the Knockers Solstice Trail Run from 4:15pm at Knocklofty Reserve Runners tackle 4km, 6km or 11km courses through native bushland by headtorch.
1 Unlock the secrets of the North West coast with Permission to Trespass, until 15 July. From long table dinners, markets, art, music and creative workshops, it highlights people, stories and place.
24 Delve into the magic of clay with Pottery and Pinot, a hands-on creative experience at Fulton Creek Farm. A guided class with landowner and ceramic artist Anna McNeill.
8 The Heritage & Bullock Festival celebrates heritage, tradition and community spirit at historic Oatlands, honouring the bullock teams that once powered Australia's early industries.
11 Dark Mofo kicks off today until the 22nd. Tasmania’s iconic midwinter festival returns with art, music, food and rituals. Winter Feast hosts the isle’s finest food, wine and spirits. Expect the unexpected.
27 Don’t miss familyfriendly Bicheno Beams, every night until 25 July, 6.30pm. The event transforms Bicheno’s night sky with spectacular laser light shows set to music for all ages.
3 All Come Out To Play is a free, joyful musical adventure for children aged 0–5 and their grown-ups at 10am at Rosny Farm. Children are encouraged to participate throughout the performance.
19 Light Up the West shines on the west coast with a vibrant celebration of the winter solstice and beyond until 28 June. Featuring light installations, community bonfires and live music.
30 Expect wicked puppetry, choreography, live video and green screen technology at the family-friendly performance of Moss Piglet, Albert Hall at 10am.
3 The beloved Festival of Voices brings together local and international artists for 10 winter days of choral, cabaret, classical, comedy, and contemporary performance.
9 Tasmania’s sweetest winter festival, Chocolate Winterfest, returns to Latrobe from 10.30am–3pm.
20 Indulge in A Night of Pinot Noir, Whisky and Stargazing at Noir Noir, hosted by Tamar Ridge and Turner Stillhouse at 6.30pm.
15 Cyclists assemble at The Big Bike Film Night at Easy Tiger in St Helens, 7pm. The 2026 film selection brings together a dynamic mix of cycling stories, all celebrating life on two wheels.
17 Shine bright at Lightwave Festival, for three days of fun. Enjoy the Light Parade on Saturday, a community party with lightbased costumes, and sound and light show. 5pm start.
2 Celebrate seafood at Tassie Scallop Fiesta in Bridport for the start of the scallop season. Savour fine local Tassie food and drinks while watching chef demos and entertainment.
20 Aussie icon Noni Hazlehurst stars in The Lark at Theatre Royal, a powerful play about life, death and change. You won't want to miss this moving story.
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Head to the Playhouse for School of Rock the Musical, until the 4th. With young Tassie actors at the helm, enjoy high-octane musical numbers, celebrating individuality, courage and the power of music.
23 Devonport Jazz hits its 25th year. From workshops, choirs, jazz playgroup for the kids, and plenty of gigs across Devonport and surrounds, music lovers will be in heaven for four days.
6 Beaker Street Festival runs until 17 August, igniting curiosity across the state as it combines science, art and culture through immersive events, talks and performances in Hobart.
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Freycinet Holiday Houses has achieved a milestone that places Tasmania's east coast firmly on the world luxury travel map, with four of its properties earning coveted inclusion in the Airbnb Luxe collection, one of the most exclusive and difficult-to-achieve designations in the global short-stay accommodation industry. The four properties to receive Airbnb Luxe status are:
• The White House, Swansea
• Elements, Dolphin Sands
• Halcyon, Swanwick
• Freycinet on the Bay, Coles Bay
Airbnb Luxe represents the top tier of the platform's global offering, reserved for exceptional homes that meet the highest standards of design, amenity, location and guest experience. Properties must pass a rigorous inspection with over 300-points and review process, making this achievement even more remarkable and a powerful statement about the calibre of accommodation now available on Tasmania's East Coast.
A major new supermarket and retail hub for Lauderdale has been granted planning approval by the Clarence City Council. The multi-million-dollar development will include a Woolworths supermarket, 13 specialty retail tenancies, more than 200 car parking spaces, bicycle facilities, and upgraded landscaping and footpaths. Community feedback helped shape the final design, with additional pedestrian safety measures to be delivered at the South Arm Road entrance, including a new pedestrian crossing and fencing along sections of the footpath.
The 2026 Tasmanian Architecture Awards Exhibition is now on show at the Boarding Deck, Brooke St Pier, 12 Franklin Wharf, until Tuesday 9 June. The exhibition showcases all entries in this year's awards, along with eligible projects in the Henry Hunter Triennial Prize, which recognises outstanding work across the heritage, interior architecture and small project architecture categories over the previous three years. Free and open to the public, it’s worth a visit for anyone with an interest in the best of Tasmanian architecture and design.
With recent changes to capital gains tax in Australia shifting the spotlight onto the family home as a smart financial asset, more Australians are asking the question: what can I do to make my home worth more? The good news is, you don't need a massive budget or a full knockdown-rebuild to make a real difference. A few well-chosen upgrades can add serious value - and make your place a whole lot more enjoyable to live in along the way.
Whether you're thinking about selling in a few years or simply want to build more equity in the home you love, here are some of the best ways to get started.
Refresh Your Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and buyers know it. You don't need a full gut renovation - even updating your benchtops, splashback, or cabinet hardware can completely transform the feel of the space. If you do have the budget for a more substantial update, a functional, modern kitchen is consistently one of the best investments you can make.
Upgrade Your Bathroom
Nothing dates a home quite like a tired bathroom. Swapping out old tapware,
re-grouting tiles, or installing a new vanity are relatively affordable changes that make an instant impression. Buyers pay close attention to bathrooms, so even modest improvements here can shift how your whole home is perceived.
Boost Your Kerb Appeal
You only get one first impression, so make it count. A tidy garden, fresh exterior paint, a new front door, or some updated outdoor lighting can dramatically lift the look of your home from the street. It's often the least expensive work you can do for a disproportionately big impact.
Create More Usable Space
Extra space equals extra value. Think about whether you could convert a
garage into a home office, enclose a verandah, or add a deck for outdoor entertaining. Functional, flexible spaces are what today's buyers are looking for.
Solar panels, better insulation, and energy-efficient windows are high on buyers' wish lists in Tasmania - and for good reason. They reduce running costs, improve comfort, and signal a well-maintained, forward-thinking home. It's a win for the wallet now and your sale price later.
The bottom line? Your home is one of your most valuable assets. A little love and the right upgrades can go a long way.
Words and pictures: Elizabeth Osborne
The historic town of Richmond, in the Coal River Valley, is the start of the Richmond Park Track to Brinktop Bushland Reserve, an easy three kilometre walk from the town.
Richmond is a twenty-minute drive, north east of Hobart, along the Tasman Highway, with ample parking in the Richmond Bridge carpark.
Walk to the Richmond Bridge, then east along Wellington Street, to the start of the Richmond Park Track at Morgan Street. The track follows the northern boundary of Richmond Park, farmed since 1810. A linear strip of roadside trees beside the track provide protection for wildlife.
Sweeping views across the wide Coal River Valley reveal the impact of the South East Stage One Irrigation Scheme in developing agricultural enterprises in one of the driest regions in Tasmania.
The track climbs gently towards Brinktop Hill, crossing a quiet road to enter Brinktop Bushland Reserve. There is a circuit track in the reserve which reveals wider views across the Coal River Valley and to Richmond township.
The reserve contains remnant and endangered native vegetation. Signs along the track identify plants. Native animal tracks indicate that the reserve is the habitat of small mammals and invertebrates.
Clarence Council is to be commended for its maintenance of Richmond Park Track and interesting explanatory boards. A return walk is planned in spring to observe the seasonal changes to the native plants in the reserve.
Zoe Jacobson has gone from oyster packer to Australia's fastest shucker - and with a spot at the World Championship in Galway and a brand new oyster bar taking shape back home, she's just getting started.
How did you become the fastest oyster shucker in Australia? Short answer…a lot of grit and determination! I was raised on my family’s farm, surrounded by livestock like sheep and cattle, which helped shape my strong work ethic and appreciation for hard work. I entered the world of aquaculture through my first job as an oyster packer, where I was inspired by the oyster shuckers around me. Over the years, I’ve watched many professional oyster shuckers who helped me navigate “the art of shucking.” Everyone has their own technique that works for them–it’s an ongoing process of learning. Every shucker is unique, just like an oyster! Through all the watching, practising, and asking questions, I eventually found a method that worked for me.
How long have you been shucking, and what does it take to compete at this level? I’ve worked in aquaculture for about 20 years. During that time, I’ve mostly worked behind the scenes in processing factories, retail shops, mobile oyster bars, restaurants, and on oyster farms. Within that broader experience, I’ve been shucking oysters for around seven years. If you ask any professional shucker, that’s not a long time. I’ve pushed myself to practise my technique and presentation almost to the point of exhaustion to reach a competitive level and put myself out there.
For many in Australia, shucking is a sport–and like most athletes, we put our bodies on the line. Oyster shuckers are often overlooked and underestimated,
much like other back-of-house workers. To compete at this level, you need passion, a strong mindset to keep practising, and the persistence to keep going. Shuckers often describe it as an art form.
You're the first woman to represent Australia at the upcoming World Championship in Galway. What does that mean to you? I’m extremely proud to be representing Australia, and the fact that I’m the first woman to do so is pretty surreal. There’s such a strong community of talented shuckers in this industry. While it’s traditionally been a male-dominated space, it’s exciting to break through that shell (pun intended!) - not just for myself, but hopefully for other women in hospitality and seafood who might see this and think, “Maybe I can do that too.” At the same time, it’s also about Tasmania. We come from a small island at the bottom of the map that produces some of the best oysters in the world, and now I get to showcase that craftsmanship on an international stage.
How are you preparing for Galway?
I’m not a big fan of flying, and it’s about a 27-hour trip to Galway - so I’m trying to get my head around that first… haha! On the preparation side, I’ve been lucky enough to connect with a couple of world champion oyster shuckers, including “Shucker Paddy,” who has offered to show me the ropes when I arrive in Galway. The oysters over there are quite different from what I’m used to. I’m told they’re similar to our native Angasi oysters, so I’m looking forward to adapting my technique and learning as much as I can.
Tell us about the new oyster bar you're working on in Dunalley. What is your involvement there? My dream has always been to put down roots and create a unique oyster bar. To get a feel for it, I started my own mobile oyster
The winner is....Zoe!
bar, Living the Shucking Dream. It began with weddings, then grew into corporate events and functions within Tasmania’s aquaculture industry. Along the way, the business caught the attention of Yumbah Aquaculture. We quickly realised our values aligned and shared a strong belief in the product. I’m proud to say they’ve supported me in bringing this dream to life.
Do you have a favourite Tassie oyster, and a favourite way to eat them? At first, I wasn’t a big fan of oysters until I was taught how to eat them and truly appreciate their flavour profiles. We’re incredibly spoilt here at Yumbah Aquaculture. The oysters we grow across our Tasmanian farms - Boomer Bay, St Helens and Eaglehawk Neckare Pacific oysters, each with their own unique characteristics. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Boomer Bay oysters, though. There’s a lot of nostalgia there for me, as I worked on the farms as a farm hand and learned from generational farmers who have been in the industry for years.
My favourite way to eat them is as fresh as possible; plucked straight from the water, shucked on the spot, and enjoyed immediately. That’s really the inspiration behind what we’re creating at Forty Two Degrees Dunalley Oyster Bar. We want people to experience that fresh, crisp, creamy, buttery flavour of our Pacific oysters, straight off the boat and shucked live in front of them. It truly doesn’t get any fresher than that.
Words: Annia Baron
It was an ordinary day in the palliative care section of the nursing home and as usual, a semi-circle of silver haired ladies and gentlemen resided in the communal area watching TV. A music concert began streaming on one of the channels and like the flick of a switch, a sudden wave of commotion swept through the scene.
A grieving woman, who frequented the hospice to spend time with her mother, unexpectedly got up from her chair and felt compelled to dance. She began making vigorous movements, displaying energetic footwork and emphatic hand gesticulations to rival the most skilled flamenco bailaora. This crazed-looking lassie was chanting, crying and speaking in tongue. She was twirling around the room as though she was in the desert doing a rain dance, using the rhythm of her body as a form of prayer to the Gods. Although she knew her dying mum was only days away from soaring with the eagles, the reality of the final goodbye was overwhelming. Everything she felt, she danced.
Grief is a universal emotion felt by everyone. The kaleidoscope of grief goes beyond feelings of sadness, and includes a range of emotional, physical and spiritual representations that provide meaning to the loss of someone we had a connection with. The death of a loved one not only creates an abrupt end to the attachment we had with them but the role they played in our lives. Grief is the intense feeling of loss while grieving is the process of how we navigate that experience over time. It makes sense that our response to grief may include anger, anxiety, guilt, relief, loneliness or numbness, as well as difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, lethargy, changes to appetite and physical aches and pains.
How we steer through grief varies in expression, duration, and differs across cultures. In Egypt, it is common for a person to be tearfully mourning seven years after losing someone, but in the west, intense grieving for more than twelve months is deemed a disorder. On the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, the Toraja people treat the deceased as though they are sick, choosing to preserve the embalmed bodies in their homes for weeks, keeping them company and even bringing them food. In Madagascar, families hold “turning of the bones” every five to seven years, where they exhume the skeletons of their ancestors, wrap them in fresh cloth and celebrate in close proximity to the remains, as a way of revering their relationship to those they lost.
How can we care for someone who is experiencing grief?
As empathetic beings, it’s natural to want to support the grieving person by trying to make them feel better. However, as grief can already be emotionally consuming, the griever may feel an additional layer of expectation, as though they’re now supposed to achieve a different state of being. This can lead to feelings of disconnection or alienation. In her research into grief, Associate professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Arizona, Mary-Frances O’Conner* encourages us to move away from the goal of cheering somebody up, and rather, towards letting them know that we are present with them - for however long they need and in whatever form that takes.
How to recognise adaptive coping mechanisms vs. when to seek support
There is no specific way to navigate loss, but if you’re experiencing grief, it can be helpful to express your emotions, rather than trying to suppress them. Aim to connect to the reality of your grief and give yourself space to make sense of it. You may feel inclined to seek solace or quite
over prioritising social engagements, or the other way around. Eventually, in your own time, it can be useful to reinvest your emotional energy into meaningful relationships and experiences, whilst continuing to revere your grief in a way that feels treasured for you. Although grieving is a natural, human experience, professional support is always available should you feel grief has become prolonged or if it is disrupting your daily functioning.
When the ceremonial dance was over, the daughter sat beside her mother’s fragile body and a sea of salty tears streamed down her cheeks. She stroked her mum’s face and hummed songs they used to sing together. One of the older residents turned away from the TV, and said to the young woman, “Your mother’s lucky to have you.” “No ma'am,” she replied, “It is I who is fortunate to have had her.”
*Mills, K. (Host). (March 2022). How grieving changes the brain, with Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD. [Episode 184]. In Speaking of Psychology. American Psychological Association.
Annia Baron is a Clinical Psychologist & Mindset Coach. Want to create a life you desire and deserve? Get in touch @anniabaron or visit www.remindyourself.com
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Words: Sara Hewitt
Aries (21 Mar - 19 Apr): The Full Moon in Capricorn shines a light on career goals and long-term ambitions, helping you see what deserves your energy. Venus and Jupiter moving into Leo bring fresh joy, romance, and confidence. The New Moon inspires exciting conversations, while Mercury retrograde reminds you to slow down and listen.
Taurus (20 Apr - 20 May): Mars in Gemini encourages practical action around money and priorities, helping you focus on security. Venus and Jupiter moving into Leo bring warmth and growth into home life or family connections. The New Moon boosts confidence, while Mercury retrograde encourages patience around plans and decisions.
Gemini (21 May - 20 Jun): Venus and Jupiter in Leo brighten communication, learning, and exciting social opportunities. Mars in your sign boosts confidence and helps you move forward quickly. The Full Moon in Capricorn highlights emotional or financial commitments that need attention. The New Moon in Gemini offers a personal reset.
Cancer (21 Jun - 22 Jul): The New Moon in Gemini brings quiet emotional clarity and encourages rest before your next chapter begins. Mars asks you to slow down and reflect instead of pushing too hard. The Full Moon in Capricorn highlights relationships, while Mercury retrograde may blur travel or communication plans.
Leo (23 Jul - 22 Aug): Mars in Gemini energises friendships, networking, and exciting future plans. Venus enters your sign first, bringing charm and confidence, while Jupiter follows with fresh
opportunity and growth. The New Moon supports social connections, while Mercury retrograde reminds you not to rush important commitments or promises.
Virgo (23 Aug - 22 Sep): The Full Moon in Capricorn helps creativity and joy flow more naturally, especially after a busy period. Mars in Gemini stirs career ambitions and keeps responsibilities moving quickly. Venus and Jupiter in Leo encourage quiet healing, reflection, and emotional rest. The New Moon inspires professional ideas.
Libra (23 Sep - 22 Oct): Venus and Jupiter moving into Leo bring lively friendships, social invitations, and inspiring new connections. The New Moon in Gemini encourages learning, travel, or fresh experiences that broaden your outlook. The Full Moon in Capricorn highlights emotional foundations, while Mercury retrograde asks you to simplify routines and avoid overthinking.
Scorpio (23 Oct - 21 Nov): Career matters grow brighter as Venus and Jupiter move into Leo, bringing recognition or exciting opportunities into view. Mars in Gemini encourages emotional honesty and practical focus around shared matters. The Full Moon in Capricorn brings important conversations and new understanding.
Sagittarius (22 Nov - 21 Dec): Venus and Jupiter moving into Leo awaken your adventurous side and encourage travel, learning, or exciting new possibilities. Relationships feel livelier as Mars in Gemini brings movement and energy into partnerships. The Full Moon in Capricorn highlights finances or priorities. The New Moon refreshes close connections.
Capricorn (22 Dec - 19 Jan): The New Moon in Gemini encourages healthier habits, better organisation, and a more balanced daily routine. Venus and Jupiter in Leo deepen trust and emotional connection. Mars keeps work and responsibilities moving quickly. The Full Moon in your sign brings personal clarity, while Mercury retrograde reminds you to pace yourself and rest properly.
Aquarius (20 Jan - 18 Feb): Mars in Gemini sparks creativity, romance, and playful energy that helps you feel lighter again. Venus and Jupiter moving into Leo bring warmth and growth into relationships. The Full Moon in Capricorn highlights emotional rest and reflection. The New Moon inspires joy and self-expression, while Mercury retrograde may confuse communication briefly.
Pisces (19 Feb - 20 Mar): The Full Moon in Capricorn highlights friendships, future goals, and the people who genuinely support your growth. Mars in Gemini focuses attention on home or family matters needing practical care. Venus and Jupiter moving into Leo improve wellbeing and daily balance. The New Moon refreshes your personal space, while Mercury retrograde encourages patience with changing plans or messages.
Sara is a Hobart-based astrologer with 35 years professional experience. If you would like a private psychic or astrology reading with Sara either face to face or by zoom, phone or email, please go to www. stargold.com.au for more information and to book.
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The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics. Over to the club!
This month we review two novels that transported us, and left us with many unanswered questions…but to very different places, with very different vibes, and for very different reasons.
Author Melissa Manning grew up in southern Tasmania, and it shows - her writing has a powerful sense of this unique place. Manning’s debut collection of linked short stories, Smokehouse, transported me from a Melbourne sharehouse in Covid lockdown right back to the comfort of Kettering and Bruny Island. In her new novel, Frogsong, Manning returns to a small-town Tassie setting with similarly powerful results.
Teenagers Caro and Danny grew up inseparable, spending hours by the waterhole charting the transformation of tadpoles into fully formed frogs. When Danny’s mum passes away towards the end of school, the pair’s paths begin to diverge. At uni in Hobart, Caro keeps bending herself out of shape to stay close to Danny, until his disappearance forces her to reckon with what her life might look like without him.
Manning’s writing style is evocative and almost poetic; it quietly drew me in and made Caro and Danny’s story deeply real. The depiction of Danny’s grieving dad, Col, is beautifully tender. And while there are many questions left unanswered, the novel’s ending was hugely satisfying. As a comingof-age story inextricably linked to the Tasmanian natural world, Frogsong will appeal to readers of local favourites Erin Hortle and Robbie Arnott, and is a worthy addition to the Tasmanian literary canon.
I can’t remember the last time a book left me feeling as unsettled as this. I was positively haunted by the dark writing in this collection of short stories by Mariana Enriquez (our latest literary import, who has swapped Buenos Aires for Launceston).
The stories are interwoven with Argentina’s history of dictatorship and socioeconomic inequalities, and transports us into many different lives. These are far from typical ghost stories: a girl is left deeply wounded trying on haunted dresses, while another is living with a skin rotting condition and a sister who is plotting to kill their grandmother. Don’t expect a satisfying ending.
On your marks; get set, go! The Premier’s Reading Challenge commences 22 June and runs through 30 August. Aimed at school aged students, the Challenge encourages personal reading goals, embracing diverse formats. Print, digital, audio; fiction, non-fiction; poetry, prose, plays, graphic and picture books - it all counts! Resources for schools, families and students are available at www.decyp.tas.gov.au.
The Warm Winter Read is also on again, for anyone aged over 16. It’s a statewide reading challenge to inspire a cosy reading habit through June, July and August. Details on how to participate (and prizes to be won) are at www.libraries.tas.gov. au/warm-winter-read
And, Dark Mofo season brings a special treat for readers this year, with the opening of MONA’s new library Phrontisterion on Sunday 21 June, set to hold David Walsh’s rare collection of books, maps and more art!!
The common thread throughout is nameless women being haunted; many living with grief, familial complexities, and mental health issues. Some of these women live in fear, while others embrace the murk and ambiguity. I was in awe of the balance of detail and restraint in the storytelling, leaving me tense and questioning what was reality or not.
The opening story, My Sad Dead, is being adapted as a four episode horrordrama miniseries, directed by Pablo Lorrain, for Netflix. Set to be released this year, it’s one to watch, but perhaps in the daylight hours!
Keen to chat books with us? Find us @thewomanbookerprizeclub on Instagram or email thewbpc@gmail.com
Port Arthur isn’t a silent monument to the past.
It is a living hearth, fueled by the staggering resilience of the souls who lived and laboured within these walls.
But even the most enduring flame needs oxygen to survive.
This winter, that responsibility passes to you.
We invite you to stand within the shadows, to hear the unbreakable stories of those who came before, and to lend your breath to the embers of our history.
Lean into the warmth. Carry the spark of their strength back out into the world.
The flame is in your hands. Come and