A Tasmanian adventure for well-heeled guests in a hurry

On Board, the floating member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, has launched a new two-night Tasmanian adventure. 

The Port Davey Highlights expedition gives time-poor travellers rare access to Tasmania’s wild southwest. 

Aboard Odalisque III - purpose-built in Tasmania for wilderness immersion - this condensed three-day journey captures the essence of the region’s silence, waterways and rugged peaks, previously only available on longer voyages.

Departing Hobart via seaplane, guests fly over the jagged Arthur Range and the spire of Federation Peak before touching down beside Odalisque III in Port Davey. 

Over two nights and three days, travellers explore the wilderness; Huon pine-lined rivers, untouched Southern Ocean beaches, and weather-beaten coastlines. 

The mini expedition is guided by On Board’s all-Tasmanian crew, who share decades of knowledge of the southwest’s flora, fauna, geology, and the stewardship of the Needwonnee and Ninene people, the region’s first custodians. 

Guests can tailor their experience - heart-pumping hikes and sea-cave adventures, or the chance to just be still in a World-Heritage wilderness. 

Evenings offer a gentle pace, with Tasmanian wines and whiskies poured in the Wheelhouse Lounge, and freshly sourced Tasmanian fare served around a Huon pine table that was handcrafted upstream on the Huon River in Franklin. 

Guests then retreat to private suites with views of wild rivers and peaks. 

“Port Davey is the kind of place that makes three days feel like weeks,” says Alice van der Woude, On Board’s director of marketing & experience. 

“Whether you’re out exploring or simply pausing to take in the vastness and quiet of the harbour, it’s the sort of place that stays with you long after you’ve gone home.”



For travellers with more time, On Board continues to offer its signature 4- and 6-night Port Davey expeditions. 

The vessel caters for a maximum of 12 guests. 

Fares start from $5,800 per person twin share, all-inclusive and to celebrate the launch of Port Davey Highlights, On Board is offering a $1,000 cabin credit on new bookings made by December 12, 2025, valid for expeditions through May 8, 2027.

For more details see onboardexpeditions.com.au

New Saffire chef exploring Tasmania's gourmet bounty

It can be a daunting task taking over from a star chef - but that is the role Toby Raley has accepted at Tasmania’s leading luxury lodge Saffire Freycinet.

Raley has been named executive chef in a rise through the ranks from his previous role as sous chef under the property’s former executive chef Paddy Prenter, who built an outstanding reputation at Saffire.

Raley has also worked as sous chef at Sydney’s Quay Restaurant working alongside executive chef Peter Gilmore. A former winner of the Brett Graham culinary scholarship, he has worked in the UK at the Fat Duck and with Brett Graham at The Ledbury.

He is excited by the diverse bounty of local ingredients available to him, including Wagyu beef from Robbins Island, Springfield Farm venison, Long Name Farm ham, fresh vegetables, organic dairy items and fresh seafood.

“I love fishing and over my time here at Saffire I’ve started to learn more about the surrounding marine
environment, and how we can best work alongside it whilst also protecting its future,” Raley said.

“Guests at Saffire can expect beautiful seafood with oysters coming from Dolphin Sands, Tasmanian rock lobster from our surrounding waters, and octopus from the north of the state at Stanley.

“We’re also working with a new supplier of sustainably sourced abalone which is hand-dived by a small, local not-for-profit organisation with proceeds going back to support First Nations Tasmanians. And in season, we work with divers in Coles Bay to source sea urchins, which are a delicious delicacy on the plate but a threat to vitally important kelp forests in the region.”

A new kitchen garden at Saffire sees Raley working closely with local nursery Billy Blue House to source native edibles, fresh greens and herbs that are well suited to the Freycinet coast.

“I love the freshness and vibrancy of the produce available to us in Tasmania, literally on the doorstep," Raley says.

"Tasmania is a relatively small island, yet there is such a large variety and diversity of fresh produce, supplied by small-scale farmers and producers who are passionate about their craft and who each play a part in this close-knit community. I couldn’t think of a better place to be.”

Saffire Freycinet is a member of the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection.

Former excecutive chef Prenter is working on a new project in Tasmania.

See www.saffire-freycinet.com.au

Cool season deals on offer at Saffire Freycinet

A stay at Saffire Freycinet luxury lodge is one of Tasmania's most sought-after experiences with demand frequently exceeding supply. 

Studios are a little easier to book during the island state's cool season and Saffire has announced a new year offer with 25% savings offered on all stays of three nights or more.

The deal is on offer for stays between the dates of April 1 and September 30, spanning the autumn, winter and early spring seasons, when migrating whales frequently visit the east coast of the Apple Isle.

The offer aims to encourage guests to spend a little longer exploring the Freycinet region, enjoying fine local food and drinks with Saffire Freycinet as a luxury base.

Guests can enjoy calm sailing onboard the popular Seafood and Sparkling cruise and spot whales as they glide into the bay. 

Seals can be spotted basking in the sun during the Waubs Harbour Whisky experience - home to Tasmania’s maritime single malt whisky in the nearby coastal town of Bicheno. 

On the daily tasting menus created by Saffire executive chef Paddy Prenter - who I tip as a future superstar - guests can expect fresh, sustainably produced seafood with oysters coming from nearby Dolphin Sands, rock lobster from surrounding waters and octopus from Stanley in the state’s north. 

There is also Robbins Island wagyu beef and lamb and venison from Springfield Farm.

“We are spoilt with exceptional produce in Tasmania - including from our own new kitchen garden - and I’m privileged to take our guests on a culinary journey during their stay," says Prenter. "We are fortunate that our state teems with world-leading seasonal produce - including delights like winter truffles - so there is never a better time to enjoy our tasting menu."

Saffire Freycinet General Manager Patrick Barrie said the cool season offer was designed to offer guests an incentive to spend a little extra time on holiday.

“There’s so much to discover here at Saffire on the beautiful Freycinet coast, from fine local wines with the winemakers, to walking adventures or savouring oysters shucked fresh from the lease. Plus, there’s the pure delight of kicking back to lazily watch the ever-changing views of the Hazards Mountains from our guest suites."

All-inclusive rates on the 25% Savings Cool Season offer start at $2250 per night for two guests. See saffire-freycinet.com.au 

Saffire Freycinet is a member of the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection.

When is a boat a luxury lodge?

When is a boat a luxury lodge?

When it is the state-of-the-art Odalisque III expedition cruiser, which has just been added to the elite collection of Luxury Lodges of Australia.

Odalisque III was only launched this year to enable guests to explore Tasmania’s pristine wilderness.

The upmarket boat hosts a maximum of just 12 guests, taking them to secluded parts of Tasmania’s renowned UNESCO World Heritage wilderness in the south-west of the state.

The signature journey offered by On Board is a five-day enchanting exploration of the remote Port Davey harbour, which is accessible only by water.

Starting and concluding in the the Tasmanian capital of Hobart, the expedition begins with a 40-minute seaplane transfer to their floating "lodge".

The voyage showcases local sustainably sourced seafood, along with Tasmanian wines and whiskies.

 

Guided tours include Bathurst Harbour, ancient rainforests and hike into the wilderness (where Tasmanian tigers may just still survive). There is also a glimpse in Tasmania’s Aboriginal history and culture.

Penny Rafferty, executive chair of Luxury Lodges of Australia, sais On Board’s offerings bolster the organisation's existing portfolio and create synergies with Tasmanian member Saffire Freycinet.

To get a special deal reserve a 2024 experience before December 9 at 

onboardexpeditions.com.au/luxury-lodges-celebratory-offer and mention "Luxury Lodges Celebratory Offer".