There is a Tasmanian beach that’s often named among the world’s best. Wineglass Bay looks more than comfortable on a postcard – its Bombay Sapphire waters lapping a familiar white quartz curve. But you can’t just park your car beside it and whip out your beach umbrella. It takes walking, flying or boating to see this beauty and hopping aboard Wineglass Bay Cruises is my pick.
Why experience Wineglass Bay aboard Schouten Passage II? Because arriving by boat to one of the world’s finest beaches and being fed oysters is pretty special. And having dolphins shadow you along Freycinet Peninsula, as if eager to share their playground, is equally special. Although the boat holds some 140 people, when you’re on the bridge with skipper Duncan Sinclair, it feels like you’re on his private boat.

It’s a premium experience in the upper deck’s Sky Lounge, with the option to pop through and say hello to Duncan at the helm. There’s something about a family-run business – an instant closeness. I pass on condolences, having heard the Sinclair’s lost Rastus, their dolphin spotting dog I’d met on a previous cruise. He nods gratefully, telling me ashes were scattered on the Freycinet water’s Rastus loved patrolling. Next, he leaps into a story of early French explorers beneath the mighty Hazard Mountains.

The four hour cruise takes us from the smooth waters of Coles Bay, down past Schouten Island and into Wineglass Bay for lunch. But it’s not just any lunch. The Ploughman’s offering is prepared by Freycinet Lodge’s Head Chef and is swiftly followed by Freycinet Marine Farm oysters. Turns out Duncan likes to share natural history, sheer granite cliff geology and marine life knowledge with the same generosity as his oysters. I wasn’t the only one accepting seconds!
On the way back, nature has a few treats in store. More dolphins, a sprinkling of seals and an unfamiliar looking fin present themselves. As Duncan noses over to our curious new friend, it turns out we’ve come across a rare sunfish, the heaviest known bony fish in the world. The odd, slow moving creature takes one look at us and drifts away. An apparently clumsy swimmer, the sunfish isn’t a patch on the flying fish that bolted by us only moments earlier. These are the type of characters one doesn’t see from foot or air – this is boat territory.

What’s more, the lavish boat has plenty of open deck space to feel the wind in your hair and enclosed seating for those wishing to preserve hair styling. People with a penchant for adventure can roll with the seas up front (until Duncan feels it necessary to usher them in) while others can sit back with Tasmanian bubbles and natter on the lounges. Wineglass Bay Cruises let you see Wineglass your way. I like that. I think Rastus would have approved too.

RATES

VISTA LOUNGE
Adults  $130.00
Child (4 – 14 years)  $85.00
Vista Lounge includes:
•Bento box Ploughman’s lunch
•Drinks can be purchased from our fully licensed bar

SKY LOUNGE
Adults from $195
Sky Lounge includes:
•Drinks, freshly shucked local oysters and a Bento box Ploughman’s lunch
•Access to the bridge where guests are welcome to engage directly with the captain

Departure Time
Departs: 10:00am
Duration: 4 hours (Returns 2.00pm)
Operates: Sept – May
Departs from Coles Bay Jetty, located at the corner of Jetty Rd and Esplanade

Words and images: Alice Hansen (unless otherwise credited)

Like wooden boats? Like the idea of being on one for four days? You can. Cruise Tasmania has four berths left and are offering three nights in Kettering - your chance to be part of the Kettering Wooden Boat Regatta (Feb 5-8, 2016). At just $890 per berth, it's well below the usual multi-day trip price and is the perfect opportunity to hop aboard with skipper Braye Sutherland. We couldn't recommend it more after spending four days sailing around Maria Island with Cruise Tasmania over New Years for a Tas Weekend Magazine story.

THE DETAILS
Join Cruise Tasmania for 4 cracking days and 3 nights in the Kettering Wooden Boat rally plus some cruising around the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Derwent river into Hobart. Southern Cross will participate in all the regatta events. Berthing each night at Kettering to participate in the evenings social events. Final day includes a cruise to Hobart to join the Classic boat sail past at the Hobart Regatta.
This will be a fun packed social 4 days where you live on board one of the regatta's premier vessels. Board on Friday and finish up in Hobart or Kettering on Monday afternoon. All onboard meals included. For more info on the regatta check their website below or give Cruise Tasmania a call.
[email protected] or phone Braye 0429 08 0099
Only 4 berths left $890 each. Accommodation and Meals included.
February 5-8, 2016
http://www.woodenboatguildtas.org.au/events/KWBR/KWBR-2016.php

Get in quick! We've included a few more photos below of our time with Cruise Tasmania - four unforgettable days exploring Tasmania's east coast.
Images: Andy Wilson

Art and architecture collide in Argyle Street this week, until January 23, with RAFT’s first pop-up exhibition in Tasmania. This Alice Springs-based gallery has teamed with Core Collective Architects in Hobart to bring art from the Top End. If you know Franklin Restaurant, you know Core Collective’s brilliant work. These guys won 2015 TAS Australian Institute of Architects Award for Commercial Architecture for their work on the redevelopment of The Press Hall, now home to Franklin Restaurant, Tasmanian Juice Press, Pigeon Whole Bakers and Core Collective Architects’ studio.
Head upstairs above Franklin Restaurant (book in for dinner while you’re there) and you’ll find RAFT’s exhibition in Core Collective’s studio. This significant show from North East Arnhem Land puts a contemporary spin on an ancient visual language.

FEATURE WORKS
The show features works from Yirrkala, Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre:
• a multimedia work by Wukun Wanambi
•three large scale paintings on board by Nonngirrnna Marawili
•a number of bark paintings, two by Nonngirrnna and three by Djirrirra Wunungmurra
•two beautiful, intricate burial poles by Malaluba Gumana
•4 smaller scale carved wooden sculptures, figurative based, by Baluka Mayburu
•8 large carved wooden mokuy sculptures (about 2m) by Nawurapu Wunungmurra. These are very impressive and really inhabit the space. They have been installed in such a way that they really capture the viewer as the enter the space, and then again as they move around it. They are somewhat frightening while at the same time curious and friendly.
•and 3 smaller carved wooden sculptures (1-1.5m) by Napuwarri Marawili

ABOUT RAFT ARTSPACE
Raft Artspace is a gallery intent on showing strong works by indigenous and local artists in a contemporary context. Director, Dallas Gold, originally started it in Darwin, and after 9 years there moved it to Alice Springs. He has developed strong ties with many of the arts centres around the Northern Territory, working closely with many of the artists in the hope to engage us with the beauty and power of their art and culture.

FIND OUT MORE
The show runs until 23rd of January, open Monday-Saturday, from 10am-5pm every day.
http://www.raftartspace.com.au
http://www.raftartspace.com.au/mala-preview
http://www.corecollective.com.au

It’s Mofo time kids! We’ve leapt into a riot of fun on opening night attending a silent movie….a scary 1927 Hitchcock flurry of murderous silence accompanied by a Belgian eight-piece ensemble. It’s a fitting way to get in the Mofo mood.
But what else is in the mix this year you ask? And what are we making sure we don’t miss? We have the insider fun right here. First things first, we suggest you download the app Mona Foma. That way you can create your own planner, find how to get around and master the line-up....happenings from the Theatre Royal in the city out to Mona. We’ll be heading along to Birdman, Faux Mo and Kate Miller-Heidke for starters. Kate’s sold out but you can join us for the rest!

FAUX MO
We all know that Mofo comes to life at night. They seem to find the craziest corners of town to set up their party….this time it’s in ex-government offices in Murray Street. Happening Fri, Sat and Sun evening, 9pm until late, don’t miss it! Tickets available at the door if you haven’t booked.
Faux Mo – Fri 15 – Sun 17 Jan, 9pm – late – 12 Murray Street. Tickets $30 + booking fee
MONA
Spend plenty of time at Mona – where most of the action takes place. MoMa (Mona’s market) is all about microbes. That’s right, Mona’s First Lady Kirsha Kaechele is encouraging us to take a closer look at what makes up us humans. Of course, there’ll be cracker stalls, an Ultra Vivid Light Spa and plenty more.
Fri 15 & Sat 16 Jan , 10am – 9pm 
Sun 17 Jan , 10am – 7pm
There’s 200+ artists, so we’ve only scratched the surface. You’ll unearth plenty more wonderful at Mofo 2016.
http://www.mofo.net.au/

Some dining experiences have a touch of magic about them – enveloping you into a world of special. They are more than delivery of food on a plate, but can shift the way you feel. Aloft Restaurant has this enchanting knack.
I’m unsure when it became the most superb dining experience I’ve had in this capital city – the precise moment.

Perhaps it was an outstretched hand from the charismatic chef, once rubbing shoulders with Gordon Ramsay, now a metre away preparing oysters beneath our nose. Or when the sommelier spoke to us like we were the only pair in the bustling room. Maybe it was because we were afloat on a building come boat, with views unsurpassed on the Hobart dining scene. I’m not sure, what I do know is that Aloft has raised Hobart dining to a internationally-appealing, top-shelf level.

WARMTH ON ARRIVAL
Heading up the stairs, there’s a rising anticipation about this floating restaurant. Walking the length of Brooke Street Pier, it feels the pathway to somewhere exciting. On arrival, a soft glow of lighting invites us inward, warm and understated, much like the Nordic touches throughout and the expectant welcome.
Tonight, we are perched at the bar, where chefs Christian Ryan and Glenn Byrnes, who worked together at Melbourne’s Taxi Dining Room, run Aloft’s open kitchen. It’s as much a performance and display of meticulous workmanship as it is a mouth-watering view of the next round. We are delivered to our seats almost as swiftly as glasses are filled.

CURRENT BANQUET MENU
$75pp
Oyster, spanner crab + green chili 
Prawn, fig leaf + turmeric wafer
Master stock pig’s ear + prickly ash
Wood ear + shiitake mushroom dumpling
Fried blue eye, fennel + pepita satay
crispy quail, lime + pepperberry
Koji beef, grilled mushroom + horseradish or roast pork, silverbeet + kunzea custard
coffee + condensed milk ice cream or pear, anise + yoghurt

It’s after 11pm by the time our 7pm dining date concludes. It feels like it’s been just an hour or two and the chefs are still nattering and smiling about their busiest night on the floor yet. For them, it appears a joy to be the faces of this lofty new Tasmanian icon. For us, we’ll be back to this place in the sky. Again and again.
 
WEB: Aloft Restaurant and Facebook Page
PHONE: 6223 1619
ADDRESS: Top level. Brooke St Pier

Words + images: Alice Hansen (unless otherwise credited)