With more than a third of the island comprising wildlife reserves, Tasmania is rightly known as Australia’s ‘natural’ state. The newly opened Saffire Hotel on the east coast is set in its own wildlife haven and is close to Wineglass Bay, which has been voted one of the world’s top ten beaches. Constructed at a cost of more than £17m, it is the island’s first five-star boutique retreat. (Rooms from £533 per night, saffire-freycinet.com.au.)
Tasmania has been gaining a reputation for top-class food, and Hobart’s Taste Festival (+3 6238 2100, tastefestival.com.au), which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, takes place from 28 December to 3 January. Check out Princes Wharf Shed No 1 on the Hobart waterfront, which will feature plenty of fine wine, cheeses, fresh seafood and local drinks. As well as being a celebration of local food, the festival also has music, arts and cultural events.
The end of December also brings the conclusion of one of the world’s most gruelling yacht races. After contending with the Roaring Forties across 628 miles of the Southern Ocean, competitors in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart race (rolexsydneyhobart.com) will be arriving at Hobart’s Constitution Dock on 31 December/1 January.
The two-day Falls Festival is a good place to ring in the new year. Fifty local and international acts, including the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Editors and Moby, will be performing on a Tasmanian farm with the backdrop of the Tasman Sea. Tickets from £89 (fallsfestival.com.au).
