2025 People's Choice Award Tasmanian Tourism Awards
eLearing Hub
Bushfire Preparedness Session
PWS Freycinet Project Update
Climate Change Business Innovation Grant
What's Happening in St Helens
What's On - Events
Business Grants available
Farewell & Thankyou Damian Mather
Photo Credit: Al Bett
A heartfelt thank you to Damian Mather, who has so generously led East Coast Tasmania Tourism as Acting CEO over the past six months. Damian’s leadership and commitment have helped keep our industry on track, and his contribution has been greatly appreciated.
We wish Damian all the best, and look forward to welcoming him back the East Coast, on a well deserved holiday, soon!
We’re now delighted to welcome Grace Keath back into the role of CEO from an overseas travel break.
ECTT AGM &
Industry Recognition Award
Accessibility & Inclusivity Networker
at White Sands Estate
Photo Credit: Tourism Australia
East Coast Tasmania Tourism warmly invites you to attend our 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), followed by an evening of networking.
This year’s networking event will also celebrate ECTT's Industry Recognition Award for Accessibility & Inclusivity, highlighting businesses and operators who are making a difference in creating an inclusive visitor experience.
The AGM and Networker provide an opportunity to:
Reflect on the year’s progress and achievements
Hear updates on current initiatives and future priorities
Connect with colleagues and industry peers from across the East Coast
Celebrate local leadership in accessibility and inclusivity
Light catering, drink on arrival and cash bar will be provided at the Networker event. Please advise of dietary requirements after checkout via the order form.
White Sands Estate have offered our guests an industry rate to stay for the evening. Please contact reception to arrange your accommodation; 03 6372 2228, admin@white-sands.com.au
If you have any accessibility requirements, please also advise at checkout or email admin@eastcoasttasmania.com.au to discuss.
ECTT will be in Scamander this month to host our relaxed drop-in session where you can meet the team, access business support, and get advice on things like ATDW listings, current marketing campaigns, and more.
Join us for our next session: Thursday 30th October
11 am - 2 pm
Scamander Beach Resort
We’re pleased to welcome Tom Allwright, Principal of McLardy McShane Tasmania, as a special guest. Tom is offering complimentary insurance audits for local businesses and properties at a time when the market is softening and premiums are more competitive. He has also worked with new insurers to develop a product tailored specifically for Tasmania’s tourism sector – helping address a long-standing challenge for our industry.
No bookings required – just drop in when it suits you. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Sally at: sally@eastcoasttasmania.com.au
November ECTT Connect Session will be in St Helens - location TBC
Check out our Events page for location details closer to the date.
Regional Priorities Update Events
Join us for the Regional Priorities Update Lunch & Dinner events bringing together representatives from the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT), Hospitality Tasmania, and East Coast Tasmania Tourism (ECTT).
This important event is an opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders about the key priorities shaping Tasmania’s visitor economy and what they mean for our region.
Guests will receive updates from TICT and Hospitality Tasmania on current advocacy work, sector challenges, and opportunities, alongside an update from ECTT on the Positive Impact Plan our roadmap to ensure tourism continues to deliver benefits for our community, environment, and economy.
The events are designed for General Managers, business leaders, and executive staff of tourism and hospitality businesses. It offers an opportunity to network with local operators and stakeholders, share perspectives, and engage in open conversation about the challenges and opportunities shaping our industry.
Enjoy a two-course meal in a relaxed environment while gaining insights to support your business and the East Coast tourism industry.
Tourism Tasmania is hosting a series of free Masterclasses around the state this spring, designed to give operators practical insights and tools to strengthen their business.
Each workshop will explore current industry trends, practical applications, and strategies to help Tasmanian operators remain competitive in a rapidly evolving tourism landscape.
Tourism Tasmania recently delivered Industry Masterclass #1: Messaging and Markets, designed to help operators better understand audiences and refine their visitor messaging.
This session is especially valuable for East Coast operators, offering practical tips to strengthen how we connect with visitors and highlight the unique experiences of our region. Watching the webinar will help you sharpen your marketing and better position your business for the seasons ahead.
The Tasmanian Tourism Awards are back, and so is the People’s Choice Award where the public has their say! Unlike the standard judging process, this award is decided by consumer choice, combining online review scores with a public vote.
We’re thrilled to share that five incredible East Coast operators have made the finalist list:
These businesses showcase the very best of our region – from adventure experiences and scenic flights, to cruises, culinary excellence, and iconic guided tours.
Voting is now open until 4pm, Friday 17 October. By casting your vote, you’ll also go into the draw to win a $1,000 travel voucher to spend with the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre.
Winners (gold, silver, bronze) will be announced at the Tourism Awards Galaon 31 October.
Let’s get behind our East Coast finalists and celebrate their contribution to making our region shine!
It’s designed to be flexible and inclusive (accessible on mobile or desktop), with role-tailored content (for owners, managers, frontline staff, volunteers) and digital certificates on completion. Australian Tourism Industry Council
Use it to upskill your team, build consistency in service across your business, and help your East Coast operation stand out.
Tourism Tasmania and the Tasmania Fire Service are hosting a 45-minute online briefing for tourism operators.
Learn about the upcoming bushfire season, key safety messaging, emergency planning, and how to access Community Protection Plans and alerts through TasALERT.
Tuesday 21 October 2025 3:00pm (recording available)
This session will provide practical tools to help you keep your business, staff, and guests safe this summer.
The Parks & Wildlife Service (PWS) has released the latestProject Status Update for the Freycinet Visitor Gateway and supporting infrastructure upgrades. This includes an outline of current works, project timelines, and next steps.
The update also provides responses to questions raised during the public consultation sessions held in Coles Bay on 30–31 May 2025, which are included under the section “What you asked”.
All information will be made available on the Gateway project website and has also been emailed to subscribers. Members of the public can subscribe to receive future updates directly via the webform on the Gateway website.
Tourism operators are now eligible to apply for funding under the Climate Change Business Innovation Grant Program, which supports projects that reduce emissions and help businesses transition to a low-emissions economy.
Grants of between $25,000 and $100,000 are available through the $550,000 program, with applicants required to provide a cash co-contribution. The program is aimed at small to medium-sized businesses.
Spring is bringing fresh energy and new experiences across the East Coast, with plenty of reasons to explore St Helens and surrounds. Here’s a taste of what’s new:
A Festival called George- Returns this weekend, October 3–5 with craft beer and spirits, live Tasmanian music, food trucks, comedy, and community vibes. Grab your tickets here: Tickets
St Helens Ex Services & Community Club– A fresh coat of paint has given the club a vibrant new look, making it an even more welcoming spot for locals and visitors alike.
East Coast Providore and Café – Along with a delicious new lunch menu, the café will be open for dinner three nights a week (Thursday–Saturday) from late October under its new evening name, Amatta. Perfect for a relaxed night out.
Ripple Movement & Ripple Recovery – Moving into a new location mid-October, now featuring a wellness area with an infrared sauna and ice bath – the ideal place to recharge body and mind.
Easy Tiger– Expanding next door, Easy Tiger is transforming the space into an events hub with live music and monthly night markets – a must-visit for lovers of food, culture, and community. This weekend Easy Tiger comes alive with Octoberfest events. Prost!!
The Captain’s Mrs – A stylish new homewares, fashion, and gift store by Amanda Skipper, the creative force behind Launceston’s much-loved Vintage Rose. A beautiful new shopping experience in St Helens.
The Wharf Bar & Kitchen – Adding a fun twist with themed dining nights alongside their popular menu – keep an eye out for new flavours and foodie experiences.
The Social Tasmania – Back open for the summer season with an exciting addition: a new indoor bar to complement their outdoor vibe, perfect for sunny afternoons or warm nights out.
Break O'day Council has now completed installing solar lights along the Bay Walk which now makes the evening walking Beauty Bay look incredible at all hours of the morning and night.
We would love to see your photos of these new experiences and any other great East Coast things, tag or message us on socials @eastcoasttasmania send us an email admin@eastcoasttasmania.com.au or click on the button below.
There are a number of industry grants and funding opportunities now available to help support your business visit the website
The Tasmanian tourism industry acknowledges the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour 40,000 years of uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement. As a tourism industry that welcomes visitors to these lands, we acknowledge our responsibility to represent to our visitors Tasmania’s deep and complex history, fully, respectfully and truthfully. We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands. We respectfully ask that tourism be a part of that future.
East Coast Tasmania Tourism Inc, PO Box 115, Bicheno, Tasmania 7215, Australia
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