A private island, a resident penguin colony and only 100 nights a year to experience it – Picnic Island Tasmania is back.
After a major renovation, a private island retreat located 800 metres offshore from Coles Bay near Freycinet National Park has relaunched, and its deliberately limited availability might make it the hardest booking in the country.
Picnic Island Tasmania, has officially reopened with the addition of a brand-new primary suite. The island accommodates up to eight guests across four spaces and operates as a fully exclusive rental only. No other guests. No neighbours. Just you, your party and one of the most dramatic stretches of Tasmanian coastline in the country.
The catch? Owners Mark Israel and Elisa Yu have capped availability at just 100 nights per year – partly to protect the island’s resident Little Penguin colony, and partly because that’s what genuine exclusivity actually requires.
What’s new
There are four distinct spaces in the luxury retreat. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
See the island's resident Little Penguin colony. (Credit: Getty Images / phototrip)
The island accommodates up to eight guests. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
The reopening represents a significant step up from the island’s previous iteration. The centrepiece of the renovation is a newly built primary suite, joined by two fully renovated copper-clad structures that have been thoughtfully reimagined for modern luxury. The result is four distinct spaces that can sleep up to eight guests in total, with the intimate scale that defined Picnic Island’s original appeal deliberately preserved.
A custom-built Tasmanian boat now handles all transfers and marine excursions – meaning the journey to the island is as considered as the stay itself. The property runs entirely off-grid through advanced solar systems and rainwater collection, a commitment to environmental stewardship that sits at the core of the island’s philosophy.
What’s included
Enjoy personalised daily activities during your stay.(Credit: Adam Gibson)
You'll have a dedicated island host and skipper. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
Picnic Island has partnered with Waubs Harbour Distillery. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
At $16,000 per night with a three-night minimum, Picnic Island operates on a fully all-inclusive model. That rate covers complete island exclusivity, a dedicated island host and skipper, a private chef showcasing Tasmania’s exceptional produce, and a curated selection of premium Tasmanian wines and spirits. Daily activities are personalised to each group, with the island’s location offering direct access to Freycinet National Park, iconic Wineglass Bay and the pristine marine environment of Great Oyster Bay.
Exclusive partnerships with local makers – including Waubs Harbour Distillery , regional oyster farmers and cool-climate winemakers – mean the Tasmanian provenance story runs through every meal, drink and experience.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
The philosophy
Picnic Island is what genuine exclusivity looks like.
There are only 100 available nights annually. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
A private chef showcases Tasmania's exceptional produce. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
Israel and Yu are deliberate about what Picnic Island is – and isn’t.
“We’re not trying to recreate a five-star hotel on a remote island," Yu said. “We’re offering something more valuable: complete privacy in a place where nature still dictates the rhythm."
It’s a philosophy that extends to the renovation itself. “Their commitment to doing things right, rather than simply doing things quickly, has created something special," Israel said of the architects, builders, local artisans, and conservation partners involved in the project.
That restraint in scale, availability and approach is increasingly rare in a luxury travel market that often mistakes volume for value.
The island will likely attract discerning travellers who are looking for somewhere that feels genuinely irreplaceable. With only 100 available nights annually and bookings open, that somewhere is filling up fast.
Details
The property runs entirely off-grid.
The newly built primary suite is a highlight. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
Relax in complete privacy in a place where nature still dictates the rhythm. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
Price: $16,000 per night (3-night minimum) Number of guests: up to 8 Location: Coles Bay, Tasmania, 7215 Bookings and enquiries: Picnic Island Tasmania
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.
Travelling in the off season has many benefits, none more so in Tasmania, where it’s uncrowded and uncomplicated. Ease into winter with a getaway that spells relaxing with a glass of wine or local whisky, bathing under the stars, or gazing at reflections in pristine waters. Add fireside dining, wilderness walks, after-dark gallery visits and plenty of history and you’ve got a curated winter escape designed to make travelling in the quieter months of the year even more rewarding. NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Off Season Signature Packages across Tasmania (plus 10 per cent off for members) make all these things possible.
Cosy up at Cradle Mountain
Immerse into the wilderness at Cradle Mountain Hotel.
For an alpine wilderness experience like no other, chose Cradle Mountain Hotel for a winter getaway. You may even wake up to gently falling snow. Explore nearby Dove Lake, gaze at Cradle Mountain is and listen to the gush of waterfalls.
As Cradle Mountain works its charm, slow down to enjoy the crisp alpine air away from the hustle of the city. There are no crowds here, just serenity and the chance to recalibrate.
Cradle Mountain’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a bottle of wine (Retreat rom bookings only) and off-season dessert with dinner. Then sip on mulled wine as you wander through the Wilderness Gallery admiring the work of Tasmanian artists.
Finding the flavours of Freycinet
Stay at the only accommodation within beautiful Freycinet National Park.
As the only accommodation within Freycinet National Park, among the many reasons for staying at Freycinet Lodge is its easy access to stunning Wineglass Bay, Mt Amos and Honeymoon Bay.
By day it’s the place for communing with nature, taking hikes in some of Tasmania’s most beautiful locations. By night, savour the regional seasonal flavours of the east coast, sip mulled wine to keep out the chill and gaze up at the star-studded skies. This is slow coastal indulgence at its best.
Freycinet Lodge’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a hosted Flavours of the East Coast food and wine tasting experience and mulled wine under the stars, or beside the fire, after dinner.
Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point
Stay cosy while looking out onto Lake St Clair.
Set on the edge of beautiful Lake St Clair in native bushland in the heart of Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Pumphouse Point has launched a new era for its boutique accommodation with the opening of two new luxury retreat rooms last October.
Each of the trio of rooms are thoughtfully designed, with an indoor fireplace and deep-soak bathtub, both perfect for a winter escape. This retreat offers dining and an expanded collection of hosted experiences, including a guided tour to learn more about this historic place, chocolate tastings and whisky tasting from local artisans – with more to come later in the season.
Borrow an e-bike and explore on your own, throw a line in, head off for a hike in the ancient forests that surround the lake, book a relaxing massage, or just settle in for an evening by the fire as the lake works its own magic.
Pumphouse Point’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast, larder lunch and dinner, a bottle of wine with dinner each night, and a chocolate or whisky tasting experience, as well as two $50 massage vouchers.
Slow down in Strahan Village
Explore UNESCO world heritage wilderness.
As the gateway to UNESCO world heritage wilderness, picturesque Strahan Village is the ideal base for exploring Tassie’s west coast. With a wide range of accommodation choices, from cosy waterfront colonial-style cottages to hotel rooms with sweeping views over Macquarie Harbour, it’s the perfect place for slow travel.
Join Gordon River Cruises to explore ancient wilderness and magical reflections on the Gordon River, wander through the village at your own pace or hire a bike to discover local secrets and attractions, including the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway . Thrill-seekers can hire taboggans to hit the towering Henty Dunes.
Glamp under the stars at Port Arthur Holiday Park.
Spend your evenings glamping under the stars and your days stepping back in time as you explore the captivating stories of the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Port Arthur Holiday Park is the perfect base for exploring the Tasman Peninsula and uncovering the stories of Australia’s colonial and convict past.
Surrounded by nature and history, this off-season escape has the all the makings of an unforgettable getaway. All glamping tents are heated to keep you warm during the off-season months when the nights get a little cooler, and have private bathrooms. Stargazing tents have the added luxury of an outdoor bath on the verandah.
The Port Arthur Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Port Arthur Historic Site tour for two and 10 per cent discount for dining at local restaurant On The Bay during your stay.
