The city of Hobart in Tasmania gives a great send off to the year with the annual The Taste of Tasmania festival from December 28 -January 3rd. This fantastic summer time foodie event draws food and wine connoisseurs from all over Australia and across the globe. It is a foodie festival combined with a fabulous New Year’s Eve celebration right on the waterfront. The Taste of Tasmania takes place in the state’s capital city of Hobart in the southeast corner of the island state. Salamanca Street is lined with food stalls selling all kinds of delicious delights. Other events during the festival include live music performances, reserved seating events, tastings, cooking demonstrations and much more.
The Taste of Tasmania Photo Credit: TasteofTasmania.com.au
Hobart Collage Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Hobart Skyline Photo Credit: HobartCity.com.au
Hobart Night Time Skyline Photo Credit: HobartCity.com.au
Getting to The Taste of Tasmania
Map of Tasmania Photo Credit: Google Maps
Map of Hobart Photo Credit: Google Maps
City of Hobart Car Hire Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
Hobart is in the southwest corner of Tasmania, Australia’s island state. Since Hobart is a hub city in Tasmania, there are two car rental locations in Hobart. You can hire a car in the city of Hobart or at the Hobart International Airport. Parking at the Taste of Tasmania is free at the Regatta Grounds between 10:30am and 6:30pm each day with extended hours until 10pm on New Year’s Eve. From there, you can get the free park and ride shuttle. If you plan to visit any destinations in Tasmania outside of Hobart, talk to your car rental agent about the type of vehicle you should hire out. Much of Tasmania is rugged terrain so you might need a 4WD vehicle. Also, when you let your agent know where you are going they can provide you with maps,tips, and driving instructions.
Attending the The Taste of Tasmania is Free
Princes Wharf No. 1 Shed at The Taste of Tasmania Photo Credit: TasteofTasmania.com.au
Parlaiment House Lawns at Taste of Tasmania Photo Credit: TasteofTasmania.com.au
Most entry to the venues at the The Taste of Tasmania is free. Of course, this frees up your wallet to purchase food and drinks from the stalls and vendors. There are also paid events that you can purchase tickets to in advance. The show is a cashless payment event, so you should bring your debit or credit card for all purchases. If you don’t have a card, then a free Taste Prepaid card will be available on site where you can pre-load it with cash amounts. See the Taste Prepaid booth in the PW1 forecourt. The Princes Wharf No. 1 Shed is open from 11am until 11pm each day and entry is free to that and the events on the Parliament House Lawns which is open from 11am until 8pm nightly except for New Year’s Eve, when it ends at 9:30pm.
Salamanca Street Stalls
Clover Hill Sparkling Wine Oyster Seafood Bar will be returning this year. Photo credit: The Taste of Tasmania Facebook Page
“Salamanca Market May” by Nick Carson at English Wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Commons
Each Sunday, you can find all types of stalls up and down Salamanca Street and the Salamanca Market. However, during The Taste of Tasmania, there are much more stalls and people and all the stalls are food and drink related. This year’s chosen food stalls that will be on display this year were announced on The Taste of Tasmania’s Facebook page last month. In addition to the list, there will be two coffee providers which were yet to be confirmed, Here is the list of stallholders:
Angus Gourmet Steak Sandwiches
Annapurna Indian Cuisine
Ashgrove Cheese & Spreyton Cider Co
Ashgrove Funky Cow Bar
Barringwood Estate (Vino & Agnello)
Beautiful Isle Wines
Belgrove Distillery and Craigow Vineyard with Highland Pies
Big Bessie
Blackman Bay Oyster Bar
Brat Time
Bream Creek Vineyard
Cafe de Paris
Captain Bligh’s Brewery/ Redlands Estate Distillery
Cheesecake Baculo
Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe
Clover Hill Sparkling Wine Oyster Seafood Bar
Creamery & Milkbar
Creperie
Derwent Estate Wines/Ebenezer Cider
Devils Brewery & Bruny Island Smokehouse
Domaine Simha
Double Head Brewing
Ethiopian Restaurant
Festival Mushrooms
Fish Frenzy
Flamecake
Frank’s Cider
Frogmore Creek
Gillespie’s Ginger Beer
Goaty Hill Wines
Gypsy Rolls and Nandroya Wines
Hejo’s Restaurant
Huon Valley Seafoods
Island Berries Tasmania
Josef Chromy Wines
Kebab & Gozleme
Little Rivers Brewing
MIAM French crepes
Monsoon
Moores Hill Wine
Morrison Brewery
Mountain Pepper Pizza
Mr Burger
Mures Tasmania
Native Point Wines
Nocton Vineyard
Pacha Mama
Paddock to Plate
Pages Creek
Peddle Pop Icecream
Pie-O-Matic SupernoVan
Pipers Brook
Red Brick Road Cider and King Island Cheese
Rosti Chalet
Seoul Street
Seven Sheds Brewery
Smallest Pancakes/Something Sweet
Smolt
Tasmanian Chilli Beer Company
Tasmanian Small Fruits
The Bathtub Gin Company
The Blue Nile
The Mill on Morrison
Turkish Kitchen
Willie Smith’s Organic Cider
The Taste of Tasmania Experiences
Reserved Seating Event The Taste of Tasmania Photo Credit: TasteofTasmania.com.au
Cheese Plate at TheTaste of Tasmania Photo Credit: TasteofTasmania.com.au
Taste of Tasmania Tasting Table Photo Credit: TasteofTasmania.com.au
There are 3 different types of paid experiences you can choose to participate in at The Taste of Tasmania: Reserved Seating Events, Taste Food Tours, and Tasting Table. You can purchase tickets for each in advance. The Reserved Seating events are the best way to enjoy The Taste of Tasmania. Tickets are $20 per person and a percentage of each ticket sold will be donated to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program Appeal. The reserved seating venue has a relaxed atmosphere overlooking the River Derwent and above the busy forecourt. Enjoy the entertainment and come and go as you please without worrying about losing your seat at the table. Food taste tours are available in with different options such as tasting trails for the sweet tooth, the seafood lover, and the whisky connoisseur; plus many other options. Some tours include special introductions between event veterans, newcomers, and producers of the region. Tour prices range from $28 to $38 per person. The Tasting Table is hosted by Phil Laing and other special guests who showcase the selections of Tasmania’s finest wines, ciders, beers, and spirits. Take a master class in gin, cider, or wine and food pairings. The sessions last about 45 minutes. Tickets vary each day from $15 to $30 per person. You must be 18 years or older to attend.
The Taste of Tasmania Featured Acts
Taste of Tasmania Bands Photo Credit: TasteofTasmania.com.au
Taste of Tasmania Coking Demo Photo Credit: TasteofTasmania.com.au
In addition to all the food and drink deliciousness, there is plenty of entertainment to go around throughout the event. This year’s headline acts include Stonefield, The Audreys, The Black Sorrows, and the Southern Gospel Choir. Each day different musicians and bands, buskers, roving performers, and DJs can be seen and heard throughout the venues.
New Year’s Eve at The Taste of Tasmania
New Year’s Eve Fireworks at TheTaste of Tasmania Photo Credit: TasteofTasmania.com.au
In addition to all the foodie adventure that The Taste of Tasmania has to offer, there is also an amazing New Year’s Eve celebration with fireworks and entertainment. The New Year’s Eve Party is a ticketed event.
About the City of Hobart
Hobart Photo Credit: HobartCity.com.au
Hobart Photo Credit: HobartCity.com.au
Hobart Photo Credit: HobartCity.com.au
Hobart is not only the capital city of Tasmania but it is also the most populated city in Australia’s island state. The city sure has come a long way since being founded as a penal colony in 1804. Mount Wellington fills in the skyline behind Hobart and the city is situated on the Derwent River. Holiday goers in Hobart can enjoy a mix of activities from city cultural exhibits to lake, mountain and ocean adventures. Mount Wellington offers visitors a nearby place for adventure hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor camping. Since Hobart is situated right on the water, there are plenty of water sports, fishing, boating, and dividing excursions available. If you decide to stay in Hobart for more than just The Taste of Tasmania, there will be plenty to see and do in this fun and adventurous city.