Another highlight was visiting MONA – Museum of Old and New Art, with a return trip in the ‘posh pit’ of the MONA ferry.
Broker and first time visitor to the state, Jodie McSkimming says she was ‘pleasantly surprised’ by the intimate and personal nature of many of the destination’s offerings.
‘I’d recommend clients visit at leats one winery – Puddle Duck is a good example of what’s on offer – and going to a local distillery is an interesting experience. But I was also impressed by the heritage buildings and how friendly the locals are.’
Fellow ‘Fuzionite’ Mandy Clearwater had been to Hobart briefly before but says this latest trip has convinced her that Tasmania suits a wide range of ages and tastes.
‘The scenery, the distilleries, craft beer, wineries, the markets and MONA all mean it’s not just for a more mature market, I would recommend it for a group of girlfriends – there’s good shopping in Hobart and its so accessible, much easier than some big cities.’
Anna Rowbotham says the trip gave her a chance to see a place that has been receiving positive feedback from clients.
‘I have sent many people here over the last few years and everyone has raved about it. Hobart is really a destination for anybody and a place that Kiwis need to keep coming to.’
She says the weekend has also convinced her that the city is ideal for groups.
‘A personal highlight for me has been connecting with the Fuzion team and Hobart is a great place for that. It ticks all the boxes with the food and beverage, the Salamanca area and the heritage in general.’
Sponsors of the conference included Air New Zealand, Allianz Partners, Expedia TAAP, Tourism Tasmania, Travelport, Cruise World / Tauck and Infinity Holidays.
Up the mountain and down the hatch
When Charles Darwin visited Tasmania in 1836 he noted that he was not impressed with the shape of Hobart’s towering backdrop, Mt Wellington. However he still spent two frustrating days trying to climb it.
The group of Fuzion Travel advisors who were on an educational around Hobart last week were not so hard to please and found getting to the top much easier – travelling in style with Ageing Barrel Tours. They even had a coffee stop on the way up the mountain.
Ageing Barrel Tours founder Guarin Marsh says the company specialises in wine tours (or actually tours based around all things wet).
The Fuzion Group visited Puddle Duck Winery for lunch and wine tasting, Spring Bay Distillery (vodka, gin and whiskey) and Last Rites (beer and cider). They also had a stop at historic Richmond.
(TRAVELinc Memo’s coverage was supported by Expedia TAAP.)
Jodie McSkimming, Fuzion Travel; Ruby Smith, Tasmania Wildllife and Stu McKay, Fuzion Travel
Anna Rowbotham, Inez Teni, Moana McRae, all Fuzion at Puddle Duck Winery
Tash Chapman, Travelwise; Guarin Marsh, Ageing Barrel Tours; Moana McRae, Fuzion Travel; Jack Polanowski, Ageing Barrel Tours during a coffee break at Lost Freight on Mt Wellington
At Last Rites Brewery… Andrew Harrison, Fuzion Travel; Aimee Donovan, Air New Zealand; Tash Chapman, Travelwise
Jodie McSkimming, Fuzion Travel; Ali Capp, Tourism Tasmania at T42 Restaurant on the Hobart waterfront
At Battery Point Distillery (Hobart)…Paige Myocevich, Air New Zealand; Tash Chapman, Travelwise; Inez Teni, Moana McRae, both Fuzion Travel
Shucks….Dan Pearsall of Tasmania Wild Seafood Adventures gets a helping hand from Fuzionites Inez Teni and Moana McRae