Revealed: Tasmania’s Hidden Luxury Escapes
From cliffside lodges to private islands, Tasmania offers refined seclusion, dramatic landscapes and world-class indulgence.
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For those seeking sanctuary, Tasmania is no longer just a stop on the gourmet trail; it has become the retreat of choice for travellers who value privacy, natural beauty and rarefied experiences.
Here, unspoilt wilderness collides with an extraordinary food and wine culture, creating a backdrop that is both invigorating and restorative.
The island state inspires visitors to “come down for air”, not just a slogan, but a reminder that this is a place to disconnect from the noise of the mainland.
Beyond the plate and the glass, Tasmania delivers experiences that draw people outdoors: iconic multi-day treks such as the Three Capes Track, encounters with award-winning winemakers in the Tamar Valley, or the solitude of Bruny Island’s windswept beaches.
Whether it’s cold-water immersion at sunrise, venturing into the rugged wilds of the West Coast, or dining on oysters pulled fresh from the ocean, Tasmania offers its guests something rare in modern luxury: the ability to feel both utterly indulged and completely at ease.
Here are some of the most luxurious accommodations on offer, regardless of which part of the state you want to explore.
PUMPHOUSE POINT
Floating serenely on Lake St Clair, the converted hydro station at Pumphouse Point feels like a work of architectural theatre.
Guests reach the retreat via a jetty that stretches into the still, polar waters, before stepping into suites where glass walls frame the wilderness.
Days unfold with bushwalks, e-bike rides or rowing across the lake, while evenings are about curated menus showcasing Tasmania’s finest produce. Cold-water swimming, here considered therapy rather than challenge, is one of the most restorative rituals on offer.
THE INLET
On the windswept north-west coast, The Inlet blends beachfront living with agrarian charm. Four contemporary houses are tucked into sand dunes overlooking a private stretch of coast, part of a working cattle farm just minutes from the historic port of Stanley.
Guests wake to the rhythm of the tide, wander along deserted sands, or watch birdlife gather in the inlet, all the while feeling miles from the outside world.
BARNBOUGLE
For those whose idea of leisure involves a perfect swing, Barnbougle is nothing short of a pilgrimage.
Once farmland for potatoes, the dunes of north-east Tasmania have been transformed into a trio of world-class golf courses sculpted from the natural contours of the land.
The Dunes, Lost Farm and Bougle Run now attract serious players from around the globe.
Private charters deliver guests directly from Melbourne, where evenings end in elegant villas overlooking the wild, rolling landscape.
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A long-standing cultural cruise and a new expedition-style offering will soon operate side by side in French Polynesia.
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A long-standing cultural cruise and a new expedition-style offering will soon operate side by side in French Polynesia.
3 minFrom late 2026 and into 2027, PONANT Explorations Group will base two ships in French Polynesia, offering travellers a choice between a culturally immersive classic and a far more exploratory deep-Pacific experience.
The move builds on more than 25 years of operating in the region with the iconic m/s Paul Gauguin, while introducing the expedition-focused Le Jacques Cartier to venture into lesser-known waters.
Together, the two vessels will cover all five Polynesian archipelagos — the Society, Tuamotu, Austral, Gambier and Marquesas Islands — as well as the remote Pitcairn Islands.
THE PAUL GAUGUIN: CULTURAL IMMERSION, POLYNESIAN STYLE
Long regarded as the benchmark for cruising in French Polynesia, m/s Paul Gauguin will remain based year-round in the region.
Renovated in 2025, the ship continues to focus on relaxed, culturally rich journeys with extended port stays designed to allow guests to experience daily life across the islands.
A defining feature of the onboard experience is the presence of the Gauguins and Gauguines — Polynesian hosts who share local traditions through music, dance and hands-on workshops, including weaving and craft demonstrations.
The atmosphere is deliberately intimate and internationally minded, catering to travellers seeking depth rather than distance.
Across the 2026–27 seasons, the ship will operate 66 departures, primarily across the Society Islands, Tuamotu and Marquesas, with select voyages extending to Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands.
LE JACQUES CARTIER: EXPLORATION AT THE EDGE
Le Jacques Cartier introduces a more adventurous dimension to PONANT’s Polynesian offering, with itineraries focused on the least visited corners of the South Pacific.
The ship will debut three new “Discovery” itineraries, each 14 nights in length, which can also be combined into a single, extended 42-night voyage — the most comprehensive Polynesian itinerary currently available.
In total, the combined journey spans six archipelagos, 23 islands and the Pitcairn Islands, a British Overseas Territory rarely included on cruise itineraries.
Unlike the Paul Gauguin’s cultural focus, Le Jacques Cartier centres on exploration.
Each day includes one guided activity led by local experts, with excursions conducted via tenders, local boats and zodiacs. Scuba diving is available on board, supported by a resident instructor.
Across the 2026–27 period, the ship will operate nine departures, offering a deliberately limited and low-impact presence in some of the Pacific’s most isolated communities.
THREE NEW DISCOVERY ITINERARIES
The new itineraries aboard Le Jacques Cartier include:
– Secret Polynesia: Unexplored Tuamotu, the Gambier Islands and the Austral Islands
– From Confidential French Polynesia to Pitcairn Island
– Polynesian Bliss: Marquesas and Tuamotu
Each voyage departs from Papeete, with prices starting from $15,840 per person.
SCOUTING THE PACIFIC’S MOST REMOTE COMMUNITIES
In preparation for the new itineraries, PONANT Explorations Group undertook extensive scouting across the Austral and Tuamotu Islands to develop activities in collaboration with local communities.
José Sarica, the group’s R&D Expedition Experience Director, worked directly with residents to design experiences including welcome ceremonies, cultural workshops and visits to marae, the region’s sacred open-air temples.
Six new ports of call have been confirmed as part of this process, spanning both the Tuamotu and Austral archipelagos.
SIX NEW PORTS OF CALL CONFIRMED
New stopovers include:
– Mataiva, known for its rare mosaic lagoon
– Hikueru, home to one of the largest lagoons in the Tuamotus
– Makemo, noted for its red-footed boobies and frigatebirds
– Raivavae, famed for its crystal-clear lagoon pools
– Tubuai, rich in marae and spiritual heritage
– Rurutu, known for limestone caves and seasonal humpback whale sightings
A DUAL EXPERIENCE, ONE DESTINATION
By pairing its long-established cultural voyages with expedition-led exploration, PONANT Explorations Group is positioning French Polynesia not as a single experience, but as two distinct journeys — one grounded in tradition and comfort, the other pushing into the furthest reaches of the Pacific.
For travellers seeking either immersion or discovery, the South Pacific is about to feel both familiar and entirely new.
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