Most cruise passengers skip Tasmania entirely. They sail past Australia’s island state on their way to New Zealand or the mainland ports. Big mistake.
Tasmania just opened its new $75 million Museum of Old and New Art waterfront pavilion this month. The museum was already weird enough to be worth the trip. Now it’s getting serious attention from art collectors worldwide.
The island sits in the path of the Roaring Forties winds. This creates some of the cleanest air on Earth. You can literally taste the difference. The local produce benefits too. Tasmanian salmon and whiskey regularly win international awards.
Most cruise ships dock in Hobart during Australian summer. December through March gives you long daylight hours and mild weather. The locals call it “tourist season” but the crowds are nothing compared to European ports.
Here’s what the cruise brochures won’t tell you. The Museum of Old and New Art offers free entry to Tasmania residents. Flash a local hotel key card or rental car agreement. Staff rarely check the fine print. You’ll save $35 per person.
The Salamanca Market runs every Saturday morning near the port. Skip the tourist stalls in the first two rows. The best local honey and cheese vendors set up in the back corners where rent is cheaper. If you want help planning a route that actually stops in Tasmania instead of sailing past it, that is literally what we do.
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