But there’s now been a significant shift – Tasmania has earnt a global reputation as a premier destination for high-end travel, with international, interstate and local travellers increasingly ranking Tasmania on their luxury holiday to-do lists.

From hiring private islands, visiting world-class luxury resorts or relaxing in outdoor bathtubs at villas overlooking the ocean, travellers can’t get enough of Tasmania’s luxury properties and the artisan local produce many of them showcase, and are willing to pay big bucks for a premium getaway.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin says visitors to Tasmania are spending more, and are looking for those “very Instagrammable” high-end offerings.

“Generally figures are showing that there’s a lot of the market who have a lot of disposable income at moment,’’ he says.

“They’ve saved up (while borders were closed during the pandemic) and would maybe be going to Paris, the US or the UK but are travelling instead to places like Tasmania and are spending accordingly.’’

Brand Tasmania chief executive Todd Babiak says more people are realising they can get a “unique” and “unforgettable” experience in Tasmania.

“What’s interesting is that not long ago people didn’t associate Tasmania with premium destinations, premium experiences or even premium products,’’ Babiak says.

But he says there’s been a “big shift” as travellers increasingly seek meaningful, “of place” experiences that focus on what makes Tasmania special, whether that’s our unique environment, our many award-winning restaurants championing fresh, local produce, our locally-crafted beer, wine and spirits, our world-class mountainbiking trails or our local stories, culture and history.

Central to that are premium properties that offer fine accommodation which responds to the landscape, while also showcasing those sought-after local products and stories.

“We get to show people a brilliant time that can only happen here in Tasmania,’’ Babiak says.

Here we give you a peek inside a dozen of Tassie’s best premium properties:

AVALON COASTAL RETREAT

It’s the place where it all began – tourism chief Luke Martin says tourism pioneer Brett Torossi showed the world what was possible when she created a luxury waterfront lodge high on a headland on Tasmania’s East Coast, south of Swansea. Many didn’t believe the market could support such a high-end accommodation offering when the three-bedroom property opened in 2005. But it thrived and a string of new boutique properties emerged in its wake.

A celebration of art, architecture and nature, the property has a chef’s kitchen, Wursthaus gourmet minibar, Tas oak beds, a hand-carved Huon pine bath with a view, and private beach. From $1050 per night. Minimum two-night stay. avalonretreats.com.au

PUMPHOUSE POINT

A unique adults-only retreat poised on a glacial lake surrounded by century-old myrtle forests, Pumphouse Point consists of two industrial buildings gently transformed into an intimate retreat in the heart of Tasmania’s World Heritage wilderness at Lake St Clair. Guests can pour their own drinks from the honesty bars, find picnics in their rooms, glide away on electric bikes or rowboats, or enjoy exclusive wilderness tours.

Meals are included. There are 19 guest rooms, from $560 to $1750 per night, all-inclusive. Minimum two-night stay. pumphousepoint.com.au Read more about Pumphouse Point here.

THE SHIP INN

Former Hobartians Kerry and Alastair Houston purchased a historic hotel in the remote fishing village of Stanley four years ago, transforming it into a stylish seven-suite boutique guesthouse nestled beneath The Nut. A winner of multiple awards, the Houstons say their premium property, which is a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Hobart, is a “Tasmanian storytelling inn and each of our luxurious suites and apartments has a compelling tale to tell”.

With historical artefacts, original artwork, bespoke joinery and sumptuous bedding, suites feature picture-perfect styling and stunning views. Rooms from $350 per night, including continental breakfast. shipinnstanley.com.au Read more about The Ship Inn here.

THE TASMAN

One of Tasmania’s newest hotels, the Tasman offers a luxurious escape in the heart of Hobart with discerning guests splurging on rooms costing as much as $2800 per night. For that price you can hire the hotel’s presidential one-bedroom soundproof Aurora Suite, which features a king bed with a view, a marble bathroom, breakfast, inclusive mini-bar and a rooftop terrace in the shape of a ship’s bow, complete with outdoor lounge and firepit overlooking the waterfront.

Rich in architecture, history and luxury, the hotel is home to Italian restaurant Peppina – created by chef Massimo Mele – and Mary Mary, a reimagined old-world cocktail bar. 152 rooms, prices from $341 per night. marriott.com.au Find out what it’s like to stay at The Tasman here.

FREYCINET LODGE COASTAL PAVILIONS

These sleek, curved timber pavilions are nestled among the forest within Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s East Coast, combining natural simplicity and ultimate comfort. A king bed, outdoor bathtub, complimentary minibar, a la carte breakfast and a turndown service with handmade chocolates are among the inclusions at this luxury waterside paradise.

Two-night minimum stay, from $729 per night. freycinetlodge.com.au Find out what it’s like to stay at Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions here.

THE ISLINGTON

A stately 1847 homestead that operates as a luxury 11-room adults-only hotel, The Islington is nestled in the foothills of Mt Wellington, minutes from Hobart’s CBD. Guests are greeted by a welcome plate of house-made cakes, and seasonal menus created by chef Anthony Illingworth are served in the spectacular conservatory restaurant.

The property, run by La Vie Hotels & Resorts, offers high tea with free-flowing Pommery champagne, in-room iPads complete with sleep meditations, and a world-class art collection. From $469 per night, including breakfast. islingtonhotel.com Read more about The Islington Hotel and its delicious high tea here.

STILLWATER SEVEN

Housed in a historic flour mill on Launceston’s waterfront, this boutique seven-room hotel is beautifully styled with rich timbers and luxury furnishings, and prides itself on providing personalised service to guests with rooms tailored to your preferences.

Rooms are packed with Tasmanian produce, wine, beer, cheese, spirits, books and bespoke furniture by Tasmanian designer Simon Ancher, and are conveniently located above award-winning Stillwater restaurant. Rooms from $525. stillwater.com.au Read more about being pampered at Stillwater Seven here.

SATELLITE ISLAND

Who doesn’t love the idea of a private island? Spend $3350 a night (two-night minimum stay) to hire Satellite Island, a secluded hideaway in the heart of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, in Tasmania’s south, and you’ll get exclusive access to your own impeccably-styled Summer House, Boat House and luxury bell tent.

Rates include Tasmanian sparkling on arrival, an endless supply of wild oysters, a gourmet stocked pantry, fishing equipment, kayaks, snorkels, stand-up paddleboards, boat transport to and from the island and a 24-hour seafaring concierge. satelliteisland.com.au

THE KEEP

It’s hailed as a place “where life slows down, where demands stop demanding and where to-do lists are forgotten’’. The Keep, perched upon a 650m rocky pinnacle overlooking Tasmania’s North-East, has been luxuriously appointed, featuring only the best in Tasmanian design and furnishings inspired by the surrounding wilderness.

Indulge in a long, hot outdoor bath, enjoy a forest walk, or watch the flames flicker in the handmade granite fireplace. $990 per night. thekeeptasmania.com.au

THALIA HAVEN

A hotspot for romance and indulgence, this solar and wind-powered property offers four ancient-stone bedrooms clustered around olive-tree courtyards on the ocean’s edge on Tasmania’s East Coast, south of Swansea. “People want to come to Thalia for a romantic getaway because it’s incredibly private and it feels like you have the world to yourself,” owner Susan West says.

Awake to the sound of the sea, wander your own private beach, relax beneath the stars in the Insta-famous outdoor bathtub, prepare a gourmet feast in your professionally-equipped kitchen or relax by a roaring fire. The property was once showcased to an audience of millions after it appeared on cable US TV show Extreme Homes Down Under. $1500 per night. thaliahaven.au

SAFFIRE FREYCINET

Tasmania’s most famous all-inclusive lodge – which was named best luxury hotel in Australia and the South Pacific and 20th best luxury hotel in the world in the 2022 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards – is a magical place where guests are treated like rockstars. Some of the world’s biggest names have stayed at this Federal Group property — oil magnates, tech-giant chiefs, celebrity chefs, musicians, actors, politicians and even royalty – and attentive staff go to great lengths to create memorable experiences for guest.

You can pluck fresh oysters from the ocean, meet the resort’s resident Tasmanian devils or learn the art of beekeeping when you’re not dining on custom menus or admiring the picture-perfect granite peaks of The Hazards mountain range. Rooms from $2500 per night, minimum two-night stay, all-inclusive. saffire-freycinet.com.au Find out what it’s like to spend a weekend at Saffire Freycinet here.

KITTAWA LODGE

If you’re after a lavish experience with uninterrupted views of Bass Strait this eco-friendly accommodation on King Island – which was named best new tourism business at the 2021 Tasmanian Tourism Awards – is the perfect luxury retreat. Kittawa has three self-contained lodges cocooned between the undulating sand dunes and grassy hills of a 39ha property. Sydneysider couple Aaron Suine and Nick Stead established the property six years ago, after being inspired by stays at other remote luxury lodges around Australia.

Enjoy a four-course dinner served in your lodge, take a guided birdwatching or beef farm tour, or enjoy a romantic immersion experience in a concrete tub filled with bespoke bath salts and surrounded by foliage and honey wax candles. $1650 per night (minimum two-night stay) including breakfast, snacks, lunch and gourmet dinner provisions. kittawalodge.com Discover what it’s like to spend a weekend of luxury at Kittawa Lodge here.