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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On the owner’s deck, a 20-metre swimming pool incorporates Feadship’s patented ContraWave technology and extends indoors as a suspended, glass-bottomed infinity pool.
A new study models a potential $80.6 billion lift in Australian GDP after a decade, as national testing shows a decline in Year 10 digital literacy.
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Australia trails Singapore and Malta in a new Commonwealth index, while national testing shows fewer than four in 10 Year 10 students meet the standard for digital literacy.
Australia has ranked third among 56 Commonwealth countries for youth AI readiness, with researchers estimating that artificial intelligence could lift the level of Australian GDP by $80.6 billion after a decade under their middle scenario.
The Ayre Think Tank released the index at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda. Australia scored 71 out of 100, behind Singapore on 77.6 and Malta on 75. The United Kingdom followed closely on 70.8, with Canada fifth on 70.2. Only 15 countries reached the study’s benchmark of 53.
What the $80.6 billion figure measures
The researchers applied International Monetary Fund estimates for broad groups of economies to Australia’s 2025 GDP. The resulting scenarios put the potential lift in Australian GDP after 10 years at between $40.9 billion and $120.3 billion, with $80.6 billion representing the midpoint.
The figures describe how much larger the economy could be at the end of the period under each scenario. They represent a change in the level of GDP in year 10.
Digital literacy falls as schools roll out AI tools
Australia scored 8.7 out of 10 for access to technology and 7.5 for digital, data, media and AI capability. Separate national testing found that 37 per cent of Year 10 students met the proficient standard for information and communications technology literacy in 2025, down from 46 per cent in 2022. About one in 10 students reported receiving substantial teaching on AI-related tasks. National assessment results
The report points to two state initiatives aimed at building those skills. Queensland began rolling out an AI education platform in state schools in 2026, while Victoria introduced free specialist training for workers looking to develop AI skills or move into related roles.
The index draws on 1,128 sources and examines the conditions facing people aged 15 to 29, including access to technology, education and pathways into work. Australia had usable data for 76 of the 102 indicators used in the rankings. The researchers found too little comparable evidence to score an eighth area covering critical judgement and people’s ability to exercise control over AI systems.
Professor C. Justin Robinson, campus principal of the University of the West Indies’ Five Islands Campus, said young people should be equipped to question and improve AI tools and supported in building alternatives suited to their needs.
The report calls for affordable access to technology, more practical education and stronger links between training, employment and entrepreneurship. It also urges governments and educators to support AI tools suited to local languages and give young people ways to challenge automated decisions.
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