Tassie Market Watch- June 2026

by James Marsten

EAST COAST EXCELLENCE: FOUR TASMANIAN PROPERTIES JOIN THE WORLD’S LUXURY ELITE

Freycinet Holiday Houses has achieved a milestone that places Tasmania’s east coast firmly on the world luxury travel map, with four of its properties earning coveted inclusion in the Airbnb Luxe collection, one of the most exclusive and difficult-to-achieve designations in the global short-stay accommodation industry. The four properties to receive Airbnb Luxe status are:

The White House, Swansea
Elements, Dolphin Sands
Halcyon, Swanwick
Freycinet on the Bay, Coles Bay

Airbnb Luxe represents the top tier of the platform’s global offering, reserved for exceptional homes that meet the highest standards of design, amenity, location and guest experience. Properties must pass a rigorous inspection with over 300-points and review process, making this achievement even more remarkable and a powerful statement about the calibre of accommodation now available on Tasmania’s East Coast

*Render of new retail spaces. Pic: City of Clarence*

NEW LAUDERDALE RETAIL HUB

A major new supermarket and retail hub for Lauderdale has been granted planning approval by the Clarence City Council. The multi-million-dollar development will include a Woolworths supermarket, 13 specialty retail tenancies, more than 200 car parking spaces, bicycle facilities, and upgraded landscaping and footpaths. Community feedback helped shape the final design, with additional pedestrian safety measures to be delivered at the South Arm Road entrance, including a new pedestrian crossing and fencing along sections of the footpath.

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS EXHIBITION ON NOW

The 2026 Tasmanian Architecture Awards Exhibition is now on show at the Boarding Deck, Brooke St Pier, 12 Franklin Wharf, until Tuesday 9 June. The exhibition showcases all entries in this year’s awards, along with eligible projects in the Henry Hunter Triennial Prize, which recognises outstanding work across the heritage, interior architecture and small project architecture categories over the previous three years. Free and open to the public, it’s worth a visit for anyone with an interest in the best of Tasmanian architecture and design.

PROPERTY LENS

30 Berean Street, East Launceston

Indicative price: Offers Over $695,000

Agent: George Bushby, Bushby Creese Launceston

58 Hawley Esplanade, Hawley Beach

Indicative price: Offers Over $1,650,000

Agent: Stacey Sheehan, One Agency Collins Real Estate Devonport

10 Barrow Street, Gowrie Park

Indicative price: Offers Over $490,000

Agent: Corinne Nicholson, Roberts Real Estate Nicholson

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Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces- June 2026

Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces – May 2026

Bits and Pieces- May 2026

Stay up to date with everything happening at the Hobart Magazine.

Worker shortage is currently universal, there isn’t an industry that’s exempt. For Kelvin Smith, four years ago he decided there was a very obvious solution to the shortage facing the construction industry, and all that was needed was a little time, empathy and a helping hand. Integrate Workforce is a Hobart-based labour company with one requirement: a refugee/ migrant background. He’s also the outdoor piano man in his free time.

Landscape artist and creative Elliott Nimmo is enjoying discovering Hobart’s vibrant art scene and local environment after relocating here from London to pursue his art.

Even though Tasmania is known for its mild summers, it doesn’t take much to get sunburnt. Tasmania experiences extreme ultraviolet (UV) levels, but contrary to popular belief this isn’t due to the hole in the ozone layer, which is actually south of the continent.While higher UV levels often occur at the same time as higher temperatures, the two are not linked. Instead, UV levels are determined by the angle of the sun in the sky: the higher the sun, the higher the UV. In December and January, the position of the sun over Tasmania gives the state a UV index of 11 or more on most days, which is classified as “extreme” on the UV index. Tasmania’s lack of humidity and generally clear skies contribute to the stinging feeling of the sun. UV can reflect off buildings and water, making it possible to get a higher dose of UV from these reflected rays, even in the shade.

Setting up shop during a pandemic was a risky move, but if the crowd at Dāna Eating House (Dāna) on a Friday night is anything to go by, it’s one that’s paid off. With tables of diners chatting and laughing over drinks, the music and conversation buzzes off the monstera-leaf-green walls. Low-hanging rattan lights and worn wooden floorboards give the newly opened South-East Asian fusion venue in Hobart’s CBD a relaxed vibe.

A Holyman flagged ship hasn’t steamed up the River Derwent since 1984 but the company’s name still proudly adorns its former offices at 5 Morrison Street, Hobart.

Widening the Tasman Bridge to allow 3.5 metres on each side is a big win for walkers and cyclists.

Need a laugh? Check out @theinspiredunemployed feed on Instagram.

Rain, hail and shine, the school crossing guards are always there to help with a smile on their face.

It’s hard to believe it’s not standard practice to have a working phone in every aged care room - shared phones make private conversations impossible and increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Just when you think your cousins are alright. NZ Opposition Leader Judith Collins took aim at Tassie during her recent (unsuccessful) campaign, calling us Australia’s “poor cousin.” She also seems worried about us nabbing tech businesses, “It’s a lovely part of the world but do you necessarily want to go there with your high- tech business? Possibly not,” she said. We beg to differ!