Looking to refresh your home with new ideas? The rich cultural diversity of our planet offers an endless array of interior design styles. Join us as we take a journey around the world to discover which country will inspire your next project.

Zodiac Check-in: Your Monthly Astro Update- April 2025

The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics. Over to the club!

Often seen up a tree, Y. Daniel Bar-Ness grew up in California and studied the coastal rainforests near Seattle. He now resides in Tasmania, where he leads Giant Tree Expeditions, guiding people to the island’s most spectacular trees.

February starts with a focus on strengthening friend­ships and nurturing your dreams. The Full Moon in Leo on the 12th lights up your creative side.

Make the most of the longer days this summer with adrenaline-fueled adventures and nature-rich experiences, right on your doorstep.

Long summer days plus school holidays equals time for some epic family adventures. Whichever part of the state you’re in or travelling to, there is plenty on offer for the kids and the young at heart.

Often seen busking in Hobart, Tasha Zappala is a singer-songwriter who incorporates nature into her music. When not touring, Tasha spends her time in the forest capturing field recordings, recently releasing a series of soundscape albums.

At his property outside Hobart, Steve and his wife Sharon are the proud owners of a tiny handmade village called GuineaVale, home to 30 female guinea pigs. In 2021, he started sharing videos of the guinea pigs online, and they quickly became a global viral sensation, with more than 733,000 social followers.

Let’s talk about tennis. I don’t mean Lawn Tennis, the one we all know with the green felt balls, loud grunts, and a focus on power and speed. That form of tennis emerged in 19th century England, but there’s a far older version. It’s the one in which all other racquet sports derive. It’s Real Tennis, and Hobart is one of its most  significant hubs.

Tasmanian Matthew Wade is one of the biggest names in Australian cricket. We caught up with him in the midst of the Big Bash League, where he plays for the Hobart Hurricanes.

Dewayne Everettsmith is a Hobart-based singer/songwriter whose debut album included the first commercially available song sung in palawa kani (Tasmanian Aboriginal Language). Now, he is working on a full-length palawa kani album with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, which will be a history-making event when it’s released.

In today’s world, where screens are  constantly in our faces and we’re always  plugged in, getting a good night’s sleep  is like winning the lottery. That’s why  hotels around the globe are embracing the  growing trend of sleep tourism – curating  experiences specifically designed to help  guests enjoy a full, restful night’s sleep.  With nearly half (48%) of Australian  adults reporting at least two sleep-related  issues (according to the Australian  Institute of Health and Welfare), it’s  no surprise sleep tourism is gaining  momentum. If you’re planning a holiday  off the island in 2025 and want to prioritise  rest during your stay, here are some  hotels in Australia and beyond that have  jumped on the trend.

This writer and his brother wanted to plan something special for our Dad’s 60th  birthday.

“Words, words, words,” as Shakespeare’s  stressed-out Hamlet muttered once in  response to annoying questioning. But it  is words that allow us to communicate  most effectively. They can be lyrical  and beautifully descriptive, they can be  straightforward and to the point or gently  revelatory, or they can obfuscate and hide  what we really think. Sometimes words  expressing exactly what we mean or want  to describe don’t seem to even exist. In  these cases, we can try borrowing from  another language. Or alternatively, we  can make up a new word or expression  to represent it, or adapt an existing one  to add a new meaning. And if these new  words or expressions are pounced upon  and repeated by enough people (these  days especially online), they may be  collected by dictionaries to record for  prosperity.

Chef Peter Gilmore, known for his inventive nature-inspired fine dining, leads Sydney’s Quay and Bennelong restaurants. In 2023, he bought a farm near Hobart, and has embraced Tasmania as his second home.

Zodiac Check-in: Your Monthly Astro Update- January 2025

The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics. Over to the club!

The beautiful Myrtle Gully Falls are situated in the foothills of kunanyi / Mount Wellington. The falls, on the Guy Fawkes Rivulet, are some fifteen minutes from the city centre.

Ah, the swimming pool: a serene oasis, an artificial marvel. As with anything to do with the home, pools have trends that ebb and flow. Let’s go through what’s hot this summer.

Discovering SOHO: A Celebration of the South Hobart Community is a new book by Paul County, featuring a series of photographic portraits and personal stories from South Hobart locals. The book weaves together memories from long-time residents, reflecting on the early days of South Hobart, alongside stories from newer arrivals. The portraits and stories will also be showcased in a series of exhibitions at local SoHo cafes throughout the summer of 2024-25.

If you grew up in Australia, chances are you’ve tried fairy bread at some point at a birthday or Christmas party. White bread, smothered in butter or margarine and coated in Hundreds and Thousands, were likely found alongside other party classics – sausage rolls, chocolate crackles – and gobbled up by eager little hands. For many Australians, this simple, easyto- make snack brings back childhood memories. A sugary, buttery, carby dose of nostalgia. But where did this delightful party snack come from? Surprisingly, the answer could be our very own island home, Tasmania.

Now summer’s here, it’s time to say goodbye to lounging inside. From luxe to less, from wood to metal, here’s the outdoor furniture pieces to keep an eye on this summer.

Check out these awesome events going on around Hobart this month, or make a weekend of it and travel a little further afield.

Hobart Happenings in January 2025

After winning the NBL championship with the JackJumpers, basketballer Will Magnay competed at the Paris Olympics with the Australian Boomers, playing against the best in the world.

How would you respond if you were taking medication, feeling that it was helping, to then learn that when clinical trials were undertaken to gain its approval, the effects of the drug didn’t outperform that of a sugar pill?

A self-proclaimed paranormal investi­gator, Sharmaine Mansfield is owner and director of Tasmania’s Most Haunted, known for their spooky tours of Tasmanian historic sites.

The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics. Over to the club!

Nestled among the grounds of Government House in Hobart, lies a thriving food production garden that serves as a herbal tapestry of diversity and culinary inspiration.

If you’ve strolled through Salamanca Square, you’ve likely spotted Suzie Luck’s.

Zodiac Check-In: Your Monthly Astro Update- October 2024

Previously owners of the market stall Orlando Plenty, Sappho and Ryan opened up a new cafe called The Lanterns earlier this year in Dunalley.

Known as the Tasmanian Gothic artist, Elizabeth Barsham is a painter who inter­prets society with dark humour. Her work is strange, challenging, but ultimately playful. She has a solo exhibition coming to Nolan Gallery, starting 8 November for a fortnight.

Hobart Happenings in November 2024

Check out these awesome events going on around Hobart this month, or make a weekend of it and travel a little further afield.

The West Coast Space Centre is a dream project of Mars Buttfield-Addison and her husband Paris, aiming to enrich Tasmania’s west coast with a science venue celebrating outer space.

There is an island in the Philippines called Camiguin. One of the country’s 7,641 islands, Camiguin is a quarter of the size of King Island, but with almost 60 times more people. It’s known for its abundance of lanzones (a sweet fruit) and the four volcanoes that poke out of the earth like fingers reaching for the heavens. This is where Anna McDougall spent most of her childhood.

Glenn Richards is the singer-songwriter and guitarist for Australian rock band Augie March. He’s also a Hobart resident and he’s had a huge year. From releasing a new Augie album, and a two-volume compilation of unreleased solo tracks, to scoring the hit horror film Late Night with the Devil.

Did you know the video game industry makes more money than the music and movie industries combined? For a long time, the game development scene in Tasmania has been relatively small.

The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics. Over to the club!

In choosing to explore the North South Track, on the north-east slopes of kunanyi / Mount Wellington, our small walking group discovered beautiful and interesting flora, which ranged from open woodland to subalpine vegetation. We walked through a varied landscape, which included caves, impressive weathered sandstone cliffs and cascad­ing mountain streams, whilst enjoying panoramic views over Glenorchy, the Derwent River and the Eastern Shore.

Exploring one wine variety, with a local bottle and one from afar.

Zodiac Check-in: Your Monthly Astro Update- Nov 2024

On execution days, prisoners were led to the gallows in shackles. The last person they saw before their demise was the hangman. A black hood was placed over their heads. All they could do was wait. As grim as this sounds, imagine the life of the hangman, who had to carry out these duties again and again.

Meet Jay, the rockstar barber. He and his partner, Kimberley, proudly own the new Kingston barbershop, That’s What’s Up Barber. Beyond being a hair expert, Jay is also a talented drummer who played with rock band The Lazys.

Roxane Bandini-Maeder is a geoscien­tist originally from Switzerland. With her husband Alex, she runs Geoneon, a company using geospatial data to assess disaster risk.

Check out these awesome events going on around Hobart this month, or make a weekend of it and travel a little further afield.

Hobart Happenings in October 2024

The world of women’s health can be full of misconceptions. Dr Emily Ware, a Hobart GP specialising in women’s health, is passionate about bucking this trend.

Hobart Happenings in June 2024

Since stepping back as Premier, Peter Gutwein learnt to slow down and spend time with his family. In that time, he worked on his health, and became Chair of Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania. A migrant himself, he is now putting his fitness to the test for an epic walk to raise awareness for Tasmania’s migrant and refugee communities.

If you’re after tasty, local food catering for your event and want to do some good at the same time, these Tassie places fit the bill. They don’t just serve up great food but also give opportunities for others.

It is no secret that farming is tough. It’s physical and often isolating work. The lack of affordable land and tight margins mean making a living from farming is hard. Throw in the weather and it’s fair to say that the odds are stacked against the farmer.

We travel largely to enjoy new experiences, to delight in different cultures and learn new ways of being and doing. But we also take pleasure in revisiting favourite haunts. Likewise, it can be fascinating to encounter something we know very well, but in a different environment – to unexpectedly come across something Tasmanian or from wider Australia while overseas.

On a recent Sunday, we had two hours to kill while our child was at a birthday party in Richmond. On the doorstep of wine country, we drove to Pressing Matters (711 Tea Tree Road, Tea Tree) and took up residence in a little nook in the main tasting room.

Dive into the month ahead with practical star insights – your guide to navigating the cosmos this month.

You can feel it. That sudden flush of burning heat rushing through your body. Your muscles stiffen, your eyes widen, and your hands tighten their grip on the wheel. That damn driver just cut you off! Before you know it, every profanity under the sun comes out of your mouth and your hands emphatically gesture towards the sky.

The Clarence Coastal Track from Cremorne to Mays Beach, is a distance of 4.5km, with panoramic coastal views along the entire distance. This track is well maintained, signed and is a reasonably easy undulating walk with a few slightly challenging climbs.

Originally known as Glebe Town, Glebe is a small historic suburb of Hobart sitting below the Queen’s Domain and adjacent to the City of Hobart. It is characterised by heritage homes dating from the 1880s.

Check out these awesome events going on around Hobart this month, or make a weekend of it and travel a little further afield.

The Aurora Australis Tasmania Facebook group has been helping Tasmanians find and photograph the Southern Lights since 2011. Margaret founded and manages the group of almost 300,000 members, which had a 30,000+ surge after the spectacular Aurora displays of May.

The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics. Over to the club!

Not many people have a garden named after them but one of the founders of modern organic gardening in Tasmania, David, can enjoy the spoils of the David Stephen Neighbourhood Garden (formerly Kickstart CG) in New Town.

As the president of Disabled Surfers Association Australia Tasmania branch, Shaned loves helping everyone get out to enjoy the ocean.

Hobart Happenings in March 2024

This is a story of two families, two sisters; told between travel, break ups, weddings, births, changes in jobs, and lifestyle.

Hobart Contemporary jewellery artist Emma Bugg is showing new work with ties to old as part of an exhibition now open in Melbourne.

Every plant tells an important story of cultural connection. Several stories in fact. And as Paulette Whitney of Provenance Growers explains, it is these stories that “make you stop. They make you taste the food”.

The Salvos Street Teams introduced their new Rest and Recovery Marquee for the first time late February. Set up on the Hobart waterfront, the marquee and the team who works inside, aim to alleviate the demand on emergency services by providing a free space for people who are mildly intoxicated, and don’t require medical attention.

The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Tassie book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics.

If we can’t talk about our feelings, they may bottle up inside us – and one day explode, like a hastily-uncapped bottle of fizzy drink that has been rolling around in the car for too long…

Knocklofty Reserve is native bushland in the backyard of West Hobart and Mount Stuart, two kilometres from the centre of Hobart.

(A conversation between two people doing their best to live a good life). “I don’t want to be seen as a nag by my partner,” she admitted. “We haven’t been connecting well of late so I know it will just make things worse. It’s easier if I don’t bring it up. It’s fine. I’ll just figure it out.”

History and humour collided with the unveiling of what is perhaps Australia’s earliest-known free-standing full-length statue – a well-dressed colonial gentleman caught in the act of urination – at Hobart’s Maritime Museum.

Dive into the month ahead with practical star insights – your guide to navigating the cosmos this February.

Check out these awesome events going on around Hobart this month, or make a weekend of it and travel a little further afield.

Hobart Happenings in February 2024

Hailing from Hobart, mountain biker Dan Booker has done it all from compet­ing around the world to getting his hands dirty building the very trails he races on. And with the renowned Redbull Hardline to be held at Maydena this month, Dan shares why competing on his home turf is so special.

Sometimes on a Sunday morning in the warmer months we like to head to a beach. You have to make the most of it while the weather is remotely warm and the water temps aren’t so arctic. On a Sunday recently, we decided to head toward Carlton Beach, not knowing we were about to spend a whole day exploring.

Over the Christmas break I sat down to read a recently published book by Jill Griffiths, called What’s For Dinner. In the book’s introduction the author quotes a staggering fact – that 75% of the world’s food comes from just 12 plant species and 5 animal species. And that’s despite having 14,000 edible plants to choose from!

With department store shelves brimming with backpacks and glittery pencil cases, it’s that time of year where people (begrudgingly) get back into the swing of school and work lunches.

The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics.

Walk in the footsteps of Charles Darwin on this exhilarating coastal trail.

Dive into the month ahead with practical star insights – your guide to navigating the cosmos this February.

Tasmanian Amanda Johnstone is a globally acknowledged AI technologist and the founding CEO of Transhuman, a mental health and emotion AI technology company. A trailblazer in leadership and STEM, Amanda is heading home next month for a very special International Women’s Day event with TasICT.

“There is great power in the knowing of a word. The controversial hypothesis of linguistic relativity holds that language shapes our perception of reality…Each generation receives language, uses and changes it, and teaches it to the next gen­eration, which builds on it anew.”

What do Cadbury, Rowntree and Fry have in common? Chocolate, of course, but there’s also something more.

Swapping an island for an island, Scott is representing Tassie in the latest season of Australian Survivor.  

For Ukrainian artist Anna Mykhalchuk, Ukraine and Kyiv are never far from her heart. Anna keeps her connection to her homeland alive through her practice of Ukrainian folk Samchykivka painting which she proudly shares with the Tasmanian community.

Living the creative life looks good on Shelley Bickerstaff – wine brand manager, gallery owner, artist and now fashion collaborator.

From his first job at Chickenfeed to founding Create Crew, Joel Imber’s career, and creativity, has grown.

Check out these awesome events going on around Hobart this month, or make a weekend of it and travel a little further afield.

One of the newest players in the JackJumpers lineup, Jordon Crawford has made his presence known. From Cincinnati, to playing in leagues across the world, Jordon is lighting things up on Australian basketball courts this season.

They took a baby boy into the laboratory and exposed him to various objects. The psychologist and his colleague showed the 9-month-old a white rat, a monkey, a rabbit, different types of masks, and even lit a newspaper on fire to observe the baby’s reaction.

When Tasmanian soprano Jacqueline Ward was injured, a return to the stage was not assured.

When I had two children in London, twenty-five years ago, I found looking after them easy. Loving and looking after my kids was straightforward. However loving and looking after my home was not. I had long been instructed to put my career first. So I did. Yet what to do with the mushrooming laundry by the bathroom door? And what if I actually liked cooking?

The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics.

If you enjoy a tranquil walk on sandy terrain, an abundance of wildflowers, scenic ponds, and maybe even a sighting of an elusive forty-spotted pardalote or an eastern barred bandicoot, then head for the Peter Murrell Reserve. The 260-hectare Reserve stretches behind Kingston, Tinderbox and Blackmans Bay, with access points in these suburbs. It is a 20-minute drive south from Hobart.