Sunrise’s Sam Mac thrills locals with surprise Tasmania visit

Beloved Sunrise weatherman Sam ‘Mac’ McMillan and his trusty TV crew made an impromptu visit to the Hobart waterfront early Wednesday morning, bringing a ‘taste’ of Tasmania to national viewers. What he said about Tasmania.

Sunrise presenter Sam Mac with the team from Hobart Heritage Horse Drawn Carriages. Picture: Genevieve Holding

Beloved Sunrise weatherman Sam ‘Mac’ McMillan and his trusty TV crew made an impromptu visit to the Hobart waterfront early Wednesday morning, bringing a ‘taste’ of Tasmania to national viewers.

The Mercury caught up with Sam as he finished his last Hobart broadcast outside of the Henry Jones Art Hotel with the team behind Hobart’s Heritage Horse Drawn Carriages.

Fans of Sam Mac and the show swarmed the TV crew, eager to grab a glimpse of the star weather presenter at work.

Sunrise presenter Sam Mac with the team from Hobart Heritage Horse Drawn Carriages. Picture: Genevieve Holding

The Sunrise crew will travel a “crash course” of Tasmania, heading to Devil’s Corner Winery on the state’s east coast for a live cross tomorrow before travelling to Launceston to fly back out to Sydney.

Sam said he was excited to be back in the state for the first time in many years.

“I’ve really enjoyed the morning so far being out on the waterfront with the gorgeous sunrise,” he said.

“I’ve done it all today – had some scallops, some cherries, seen the sights in Hobart.”

While admitting he wished to spend more time in the Apple Isle, Sam said the nature of the job in TV was bringing Tassie to the camera.

“Bringing Tassie to us is what we do, we have to offer that sample through our camera,” he said.

“I haven’t seen as much as I would like, but we will be back again in the New Year.”

Sam began his morning live cross from Salamanca, chatting about upcoming events Taste of Summer and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race before joining Salamanca Market Stallholder Association president Emma Hope to give a taste of the iconic Saturday bazaar.

Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac with Salamanca Market Stallholder Association president Emma Hope. Picture: Emma Hope.

Ms Hope said the national TV coverage was “incredible” exposure for the markets, despite Salamanca Markets being the number one tourist attraction in Hobart.

“It’s great to see the markets being shown off to a national audience,” she said.

“Sam said he loved being back in Hobart and down to visit Salamanca – it was just a great experience.”

Ms Hope also runs a stall at the markets called Emma Hope Retro & Vintage, dressing up three models with her vintage wares for Sunrise viewers.

“Joining my models, we had a local wood-turner and Jill from Beauty and the Bees,” she said.

Stallholders from the Salamanca Market Graeme Young and Fah Sae Cee from Wood on Salamanca, Salamanca Market Stallholder Association president Emma Hope and Jill Saunders from Beauty and the Bees. Picture: Emma Hope