Photo Credit: Mark Huber

Tasmania has spent that last decade or two increasing its tourist appeal, thanks to the development of several new and exciting festivals and events. The Taste of Tasmania is a yearly gathering that highlights the culinary pleasures of Tasmania’s landscape. One of the ‘newer’ events is 10 Days on the Island, which is a fascinating cultural showcase.

Taste of Tasmania

Running from December 28 to January 3, the Taste of Tasmania has been a highlight for more than 20 years. The harborfront and Salamanca in Hobart provide an exciting array of locally grown food and beverages, handicrafts and a beautiful backdrop.

MONA FOMA

Contemporary music lovers are drawn to Hobart during the month of January for Tasmania’s most alluring musical celebration. It has only been put on for several years, but is growing with each installment. The Salamanca Arts Centre and the Museum of Old and New Art are the major venues.

10 Days on the Island

This biennial event is one of Tasmania’s most anticipated festivities. Almost 200,000 people are involved to help showcase the best of Tassie’s cultural and artistic delights in March. Held across a multitude of cities and towns, nearly 100 different venues have events going on.

Royal Hobart Show

Known locally as ‘The Show’, the Royal Hobart Show is an elaborate festival of Tasmania’s agricultural splendors. There are rides and pavilions to explore and the event is held at Glenorchy’s Royal Showgrounds in October.

Royal Launceston Show

Similar to the Royal Hobart Show, Launceston also holds its harvest event in October. Operated by the Royal National Agricultural and Pastoral Society of Tasmania, livestock, agriculture and competitions are on display. Carnivals, thrill rides and show-bags are popular for the younger generation and more than 15,000 people attend each year.

Targa Tasmania

Targa Tasmania is one of the most important road rallies in the world, and one of the most beautiful courses too. Much of the race passes through the state’s most pristine rural areas, attracting thousands of spectators across the five-day competition in August. It begins in George Town and ends in Hobart.

Falls Festival

Held in Marion Bay, the Falls Festival has been operating in Tasmania since 2003. Blues and roots is the main musical genre at the festival, but there are also plenty of different styles, acts, and performances to embrace. It is held on New Year’s Eve, giving people a fantastic way to ring in the new year.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

One of the biggest races on Australia’s sporting calendar, the competition begins in Sydney on Boxing Day and ends three or four days later at Constitution Dock in Hobart, Tasmania. Racers are given a warm welcome by thousands of onlookers and it’s the perfect way to wrap up the year, as New Year’s Eve is usually held a few days later.

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