​This update brings together official information current on 1 August 2020. Things might change.

Tasmania is Covid Free (as officially announced by Tasmanian Government 30/7/20). In the 10 weeks since mid May, there has been only one Coronavirus case recorded in Tasmania. That case was an interstate arrival who was already in quarantine. There has been no cases in the general community.
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We are not required to wear masks, accommodation and eating houses are allowed to operate, but with extra stringent cleaning and customer separation requirements.
From 8 August, visitors from WA, SA, NT are allowed to enter Tasmania without quarantine. Visitors from QLD and NSW have some restrictions regards their origin locations. No one from VIC is permitted (Some exemptions might be allowed). All visitors must use the GTG app to register and declare their travel history and health status.

​There is one ferry from Melbourne to Devonport daily. However during the Covid Crisis, there are severe restrictions on transiting through Melbourne, even if you originate elsewhere. There is plenty of space available, but whether you will be allowed onboard is another matter. 
There are currently (August 2020 due to virus restrictions) no flights via Melbourne. There are a limited number of flights via Sydney Adelaide, Brisbane. All people inbound to Tasmania must use the GTG app to register and declare their travel history and health status.
Tasmania has plant and animal quarantine laws. In general, you may not bring in any raw plant material or animals without a permit. For example, raw fruit is prohibited but commercially processed fruit jam is allowed.

​Tasmania has predictably, unpredictable weather. In general, winter maximum temperatures will be 8 – 15, Summer 19 – 26. A little rain falls in most areas a few hours every week of the year. This keeps most of the state green year round. Exceptions are East Coast where it is dry and sunny year round and the west coast where the rainforest lives up to its name. Each year, especially in the mountainous regions where weather can change dramatically and suddenly, a few visitors get in trouble because they aren’t prepared for the sudden changes.
If going more than 15 minutes from your car. Be sure that you take a warm rain jacket even if the temperature is currently warm. Tasmania’s hiking trails are a special treat, provided you are ready for varying weather conditions.
Being nature focused, you’ll spend much of your time outdoors. Tasmania’s sun is deceptively strong which leads to many visitors getting unexpectedly sunburned. Be sure to use plenty of sunscreen and protective clothing.

​National parks are one of the main attractions of Tasmania. You can buy a 2 month holiday park pass in advance online or when you arrive. It will allow you to visit all parks for a period of two months. 
Some facilities operated by Parks and Wildlife Service, such as Hastings Caves, require extra payment. Some nature reserves and walks, such as Mount Misery Walk, are privately operated and request a donation.
If you seek social distance and solitude, you might prefer to avoid the busy parks such as Freycinet and Cradle. Instead, choose the seclusion and tranquillity of the parks in the Huon Valley: Hartz Mountains or Southwest National Park.

​Hobart City Hotels
If you like the full service hotel experience complete with in house restaurant, valet parking, concierge and walking distance to the waterfront, shops and museum, there are several choices. Most establishments have a range of facilities from simple budget rooms to executive suites.
Eco- Retreats
If you like a nature experience complete with eco-responsible facilities such as natural rainwater, carbon neutral heating, solar electricity and protection of the surrounding values, there are 2 great choices: Buttongrass Retreat and Huon Bush Retreat.

Huon Bush Retreats is 50 minutes south from Hobart, at the northern gateway to Tasmania’s Huon Valley. Self contained cabins, deluxe tipees and even camping, are all set within an extensive private habitat reserve. Wildlife without cages and 5km of onsite walking tracks make this a outdoor enthusiasts paradise worthy of at least 2 nights visit.
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Buttongrass Retreat is the southernmost tourist accommodation in all of Australia. It also has eco-facilities but instead of forest, it is set in an expansive Buttongrass moorland. Mountain views in 2 different directions are often snow capped during winter. A great 2 night base to explore Hastings Caves and South Cape Bay, the southernmost place in Australia.
If you do a 5 day mini holiday and spend a couple of nights at each of these retreats, you will have time as you travel from one retreat to the other, to visit the Tahune Airwalk or Hartz Mountains National Park.

Parks and Wildlife advise that civil works in the ‘gateway’ (area immediately across the bridge when entering the national park) will commence Aug 10 and take approximately 2-3 weeks to complete.  During this time, there may be some traffic control in place once visitor cross the bridge and enter the National Park.  The carpark in the National Park will be closed for the duration of the civil works. Visitors wishing to undertake the South Coast Track or South Cape Bay walk are asked to park at the pull off area prior to the bridge, which will be signed to inform visitors.  Access to the Whale Sculpture and Fishers Point will be open, noting there may be some slight changes to traffic flow once across the bridge due to civil works.

The Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence is given to tourism operators who have consistently achieved great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. For the 3rd year running, this includes Huon Bush Retreats in Tasmania’s Huon Valley. Establishments earning the Certificate of Excellence are located all over the world and have continually delivered superior customer experience.

According to hotel marketing and reputation management business, Revinate, “...the Certificate of Excellence award is only given to the top 10 percent of accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and vacation rentals ... and honors hospitality businesses that consistently achieve outstanding reviews on TripAdvisor.”

Trip Advisor itself says, that this achievement “ ...celebrates businesses who have consistently achieved glowing traveller reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travellers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period and honours hospitality businesses that deliver consistently great service.”

As well as being recognised as providing excellent service, Huon Bush Retreats is also acknowledged by TripAdvisor as being a Platinum Green Leader. Our environmental features and actions allow us to outperform all GreenGlobeLite criteria.

But remember that Huon Bush Retreats is a nature experience. As our 200 TripAdvisor reviews show, the 90% of guests who appreciate peace and nature give us great reviews. The 10% of people who’s main values include throwaway items, excessive energy consumption and highway access, give us poor reviews.
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So next time you want to relax, explore and experience nature, think of Huon Bush Retreats.

A lower Australian dollar means more international tourists, more demand and higher prices. Here are some tips to help you get affordable accommodation and still have a great holiday.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that, “The softening Australian dollar is proving a boon for the domestic hotel sector, with room rates tipped to rise in the coming year, according to experts.” and Tourism Australia says, “International visitors to Australia aged 15 years and over spent a record breaking $32.5 billion for the 12 months ending March 2015, up 10 per cent off the back of an 8 per cent increase in arrivals and 7 per cent growth in visitor nights.”

When checking which accommodation is the best deal for your particular circumstances, beware of just looking at the nightly rate. There are so many other factors to consider to help you save money, both before you book and during your stay.

With the rash of air crashes in 2014-15, you might be thinking about choosing your flight carefully. The 2014 world´s death toll in commercial air transport was nearly four times the 2013 figures. According to Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre, three of the major Australian airlines are ranked in the top 60 safest airlines, as follows:

• 7 Qantas
• 15 Virgin Australia
• 25 Jetstar

Below is the "Safest 60" list from Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre.

• For flight arrivals to Hobart Airport, click here
• For Hobart and southern Tasmania accommodation, click here
• For Hobart and southern Tasmania things to see, click here
  

Mona Foma Dates have been announced for 15 - 18 January 2015. In typical Mona style, the announcement graphic is dark and mysterious and the website has no detail. All they are saying is "Our Festival of Music and Art, curated by Brian Ritchie. As the name suggests, there is music and art. But don't be fooled: there is also food and drink."

Hobart and surrounds accommodation books out in January, so book well ahead. We have as selection of accommodation in Hobart from colonial,  self contained to city hotel style.

We can design an entire itinerary, including car hire, activities and accommodation in Hobart plus some pre and post Mofo exploring of the Far South Tasmania. Send us your desired experience style, contact details etc and we will get back to you.

QantasLink is now operating Tassie Devil branded Boeing 717 jet into Tasmania. This slightly increases the total frequency of flights, across all airlines, into Tasmania, making it even easier to enjoy a Huon Valley Escape. You can fly into Hobart, spend two nights enjoying Mona, Salamanca Market. Then head south via Mt Wellington summit for another two nights in the Huon Valley, Far South or D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

The refurbished jets include business class seats, which have been missing on the Tasmanian route, and individual in-flight entertainment. One of the aircraft has been newly branded the Tassie Devil, making it a great flying advertisement for the state.

The new jets and branding are an example of a three-year partnership deal between Qantas and Tourism Tasmania with joint marketing initiatives domestically and overseas to attract more visitors to Tasmania.

“Our refurbished Boeing 717 jets have already been flying on the Sydney-Hobart route and the feedback from customers has been overwhelming. We’re really looking forward to introducing it on the Melbourne to Hobart route from tomorrow.” says Qantas.

Find a bargain air ticket, combine this with our $10 second night sale and you have a bargain short break to embrace the Tasmanian winter.