Cruise to Tasmania: a luxurious (and oh-so-easy) way to see Tassie

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Everybody’s favourite island state plus Celebrity Eclipse® equals a bucket-list holiday you’ll never forget.

It’s a pity Tasmania goes with the name the Apple Isle when ‘Tasmania, the Pocket Rocket’ would be a much better fit. And why not? With its powder-white beaches, rocky granite peaks and lush forests, its dramatic landscape is as diverse as it is abundant with nature, wildlife and gourmet food and wine experiences.  With something for everyone, it’s the kind of place where you can pluck fresh oysters from the sea in the morning, hike snow-dusted mountains in the afternoon, and then settle in for a bounty of fresh produce under a canopy of stars.

Aerial view of Mount Wellington, Hobart, Australia

The view of Hobart and the Derwent River from Mt Wellington.

There’s no point denying it; with its roaring fireplaces in winter and its seaside camping in summer, Tasmania is charming in every season, but there’s no better time to visit than that time of year when summer bids farewell and the riot of autumn leaves light up the island in a vista of burnt oranges, vibrant reds and sunny yellows.

Waterfalls in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Tasmania’s dramatic landscape is as diverse as it is abundant with nature.

How then do you immerse yourself in a bucket-list form of Tasmania where every whim and desire is catered for in an elegant way? You book an autumnal, luxury voyage to the island with Celebrity Cruises®, then unpack and relax. Your part is taken care of.

Line of trees with yellow leaves, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

There’s no better time to visit than that time of year autumn leaves light up the island.

Cruising Tasmania

Road trips begone; there are a million different reasons to cruise Tasmania’s coast with Celebrity Cruises, a significant portion of them pointing to its carefully curated five-star, five-day itinerary on board the sumptuous Celebrity Eclipse.

 

Setting sail from Sydney in March 2023, the 5 Nights Tasmania cruise is a celebration of culinary delights, its shore experiences in Port Arthur and Hobart offering passengers a wide range of gourmet food and wine offerings as well as lashings of local nature and wildlife experiences.

Bridge in the middle of forest, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Guests can enjoy lashings of local nature and wildlife experiences.

In Port Arthur, some of the opportunities Celebrity Eclipse guests have include an exclusive wine tasting at award-winning Bangor Vineyard, a panoramic tour of Tasmania Peninsula followed by a lavender farm tour and a sail along the picturesque coastline of Port Arthur and Eaglehawk.

 

In Hobart, which includes an action-packed overnight stay, experiences could mean a feast for all senses with a Small Group Discoveries: A Taste of Bruny Island tour, a walk around what has quickly become the country’s must-see museum with MONA Discovery, or a firm commitment to get your fill of the island state’s best wineries at the Historic Hobart, Countryside and Winery tour.

Aerial shot of Cruise ship in Sydney

The 5 Nights Tasmania cruise sets sail from Sydney.

Why Celebrity Eclipse?

Before we get into the finer details of what other cruises Celebrity Eclipse offers, the question must be posed: why Celebrity Eclipse at all?

 

There’s the bells and whistles of its forward-thinking design; its spa-inspired AquaClass with exclusive dining at Blu and its exclusive sanctuary, TheRetreat® – a spacious, timeless accommodation complete with private restaurant dining and  24/7 lounge. Then there’s the culinary excellence onboard; globally inspired cuisine in a host of distinctive restaurants and menus crafted by Michelin chefs, such as a five-course menu designed by Celebrity Cruises’ Global Culinary Brand Ambassador, Chef Daniel Boulud. And yes, we could most certainly touch on the joy of observing endless ocean views from The Lawn Club, indulgent treatments for mind, body and spirit at The Spa and should you want to take your little ones along on the adventure, fun family activities at Camp at Sea.

Persian Garden, Spa in Cruise Ship, Celebrity Cruises

Indulge in treatments for the mind, body and spirit at The Spa.

What we’re keen to touch on, however, is that difficult-to-define quality that rarely makes the headlines. In this case, it’s 30 years of unrivalled service executed in a way that isn’t stuffy or arrogant. Think of it like checking into The Ritz London, but then discovering the 24/7 butler is the equivalent of Keanu Reeves with a hotel management degree (and eons of experience to boot).

Signature Suite, Cruise Ship, Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises is known for its spacious, timeless accommodation.

Choose your own adventure

In an article about the wonder of cruising Tasmania, it would be foolish not to push home the message that you and Tasmania belong together in autumn, both this year and next. But should you feel the need to enjoy the luxurious stylings of Celebrity Eclipse elsewhere, you also have the option of the following inspired itineraries:

Autumn leaves, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

You and Tasmania belong together in autumn.

A 12-Night New Zealand adventure departing Sydney in October 2022 and again in January 2023 before crossing the Tasman Sea and taking in the ‘top hits’ of both the North and South Island. The iconic splendour of Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound kick off the highlights reel filled with the historic castles and wildlife of Dunedin, a Middle Earth (and beyond) exploration of Christchurch and endangered animals at Wellington’s Zealandia. Solid tastings of Napier wines, geothermal mud baths at Tauranga and an America’s Cup Sailing Tour in Auckland complete this once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Kangaroo in Adelaide Vineyard, Australia

See the wildlife and wineries in Adelaide.

A 9-Night Australia Wine cruise departing Sydney in February 2023 and making its way down to Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart before returning to the Emerald City. As with the 5-Night Tasmania itinerary, this is a cruise featuring shore expeditions that largely (and wholly) embrace the culinary delights each capital city has to offer. In Melbourne, guests can experience gourmet bucket list experiences such as the Small Group Discoveries: Iconic Sights and Tastes of Melbourne tour, and Gin, Wine and Chocolate in the Yarra Valley, while Adelaide offers (among others) a Taste of the Barossa tour and Adelaide Hills Winery and Historic Hahndorf. Hobart experiences are as above.

An 11-Night Great Barrier Reef itinerary departing Sydney in November 2022 and making the most of Queensland’s tropical north. Celebrity Eclipse guests can dive the waters of Port Douglas, hang out with the wildlife in Cairns, relax in Airlie Beach and discover bustling Brisbane. Shore excursions include a Daintree Rainforest and River Cruise, an overnight stay on the Great Barrier Reef, a scenic Fixed Wing Flight over Heart Reef, Reef and Rainforest Discovery by Helicopter and, in Brisbane, The Story of Indigenous Australians with Bush BBQ Lunch.

Aerial shot ot Great Barrier Reef

Shore excursions include an overnight stay on the Great Barrier Reef.

For a limited time only, you can enjoy 25 per cent off these unique holidays and up to $200 spending money while onboard. Drinks, wi-fi and service charges are Always Included. Book now at Celebrity Cruises.

Dilvin Yasa is a freelance journalist, author and TV presenter whose travels have taken her from the iceberg graveyards of Antarctica to the roaring rapids of Uganda. Always on the lookout for that next unforgettable meal, wildlife moment or 80s-themed nightclub, she is inexplicably drawn to polar destinations despite detesting the cold.
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Aussie airline launches major sale to Tasmania with fares from $46

Tourism Tasmania and Jetstar have launched a huge airfare sale from five major Australian cities

Slurping the world’s freshest oysters on Bruny Island, hiking the iconic Overland Track, admiring the contemporary art at MONA and swimming in the pristine waters of the Bay of Fires it might be Australia’s smallest state, but there’s so much to do all year-round in Tassie, it’s almost overwhelming. 

And now, it’s easier and cheaper to experience The Apple Isle’s bounty as Jetstar has announced a huge sale with flights starting from as little as $46 one way.

Wineglass Bay on a sunny day

Visit stunning beaches like Wineglass Bay Beach. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Discounts on flights from all five major cities have dropped, with one-way prices including: 

– Melbourne to Launceston starting from $46

– Melbourne to Hobart from $54

– Sydney to Launceston from $55

– Adelaide to Hobart from $85

– Brisbane to Launceston from $95

– Gold Coast to Hobart from $105

Oysters and wine on a wine barrel overlooking a mountainous view.

Tasmania is renowned for its fresh oysters. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Tasmania offers an incredible range of things to do throughout the year, from unique cultural attractions and spectacular natural wonders to world-class wineries and gourmet food experiences. During the warmer months, make the most of the longer days by exploring idyllic beaches like Larapuna/Bay of Fires, named Tourism Australia’s Best Beach in 2025.

Adventurers can take on the Three Capes Walk, a breathtaking multi-day hike along the dramatic coastline of the Tasman Peninsula, spotting migrating whales, echidnas, wallabies, seals and birds along the way. Meanwhile, food lovers can savour the region’s flavours at Festivale, Launceston’s vibrant three-day celebration of local produce, wine and entertainment.

Aurora Australis over Tasman Island

Catch the Aurora Australis over Tasman Island. (Image: Luke O’Brien Photography)

During the “off season”, get cosy by a log fire in an alpine national park cabin or step outside to admire the Southern Lights as 2025 and 2026 are predicted to offer some of the best Aurora Australis viewing opportunities. For something special, visit Tassie in late April and May for “the turning of the fagus” where Tasmania’s only native-winter deciduous tree brings spectacular autumnal colours to Tasmania’s highlands.

Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain is perfect for nature lovers. (Image:
Cultivate Productions)

Jetstar’s sale to Tasmania applies to one-way flights only and excludes checked bags. Discounted fares are available on select dates from 16 October 2025 to 1 July 2026, subject to travel conditions. 

Whether it’s a relaxed weekend escape or a thrilling multi-week adventure, now is the perfect time to fly south to this diverse island.