Luxury market showcases Tassie’s hidden secrets for $27k exclusive experience

A new $27,000 luxury Tasmanian cruise has been hailed by tourism leaders as the type of exclusive offering that brings value to the state. How travellers are getting behind the ‘money can’t buy’ experience.

Expedition Vessel Odalisque III in Bathurst Harbour. Photo: Tim Grey

A new $27,000 Tasmanian luxury cruise experience has been hailed by tourism leaders as the type of exclusive offering which brings value to the state.

The coast to coast experience from Saffire Freycinet and On Board will give travellers an up close look into the remote southwest corner of Tasmania’s Wilderness World-Heritage area through to the East coast at Freycinet Peninsula.

The six-night package for 12 guests has been designed to be an exclusive and unforgettable experience at $27,000 per couple.

Destination Southern Tasmania chief executive Alex Heroys said Tasmania really focuses on high end luxury tourism.

“It’s not necessarily all about extreme luxury. It’s about exclusive and unique experiences, that’s really where the value is,” he said.

Each cabin on expedition vessel Odalisque's feature large picture frame windows. Photo: Supplied/Brad Harris

“We know that the market values Tasmania, they value our nature based experiences, they value the fact that we are quieter and more exclusive than other destinations, less people around so it’s something that’s really special for us and that we need to certainly protect.”

He said Australians were looking to have authentic and exclusive experiences.

“Our brand message is certainly about escaping the urbanised lifestyle – and high net worth individuals tend to live in very hectic cities with very busy schedules and lifestyles, and having the ability to disconnect and head out into areas that are not untouched but are less used and more exclusive,” he said.

“Some people are certainly interested. They want to disconnect from their hectic modern life and they want to experience what we’ve got in Tassie.

“The value is in the exclusivity, the quality of the offering, the high delivery through the right staff and the right vessels and the right food and so on. Everything is done at a higher level,” Mr Heroys said.

Guests in the tender are joined by dolphins at sunset. Photo: Mark Daffey

“For the average person, it might seem like a lot of money, but certainly it sells well.”

Federal Group head of brand and marketing tourism portfolio Danika Porter said the hosted experience will show guests a side of Tasmania most people don’t get to see.

“It’s a pretty special, exclusive way to see two very different coastlines of Tasmania,” she said.

Crayfish BBQ at Wineglass Bay. Photo: Supplied

“Since Covid travellers are really willing to invest in that authentic, exclusive type of experience, something that money can’t buy, and it’s a real opportunity to disconnect and people are really seeing the value in those experiences and that level of traveller can have.”

Ms Porter said Saffire Freycinet has a strong Australian market, but also appeals to the US and UK market.

“Tasmania is still really seen as quite a special, undiscovered place, and something that feels like a world away,” she said.

“We’re definitely very excited to see how it’s embraced both locally and in the domestic market.”