A private island, a resident penguin colony and only 100 nights a year to experience it – Picnic Island Tasmania is back.
After a major renovation, a private island retreat located 800 metres offshore from Coles Bay near Freycinet National Park has relaunched, and its deliberately limited availability might make it the hardest booking in the country.
Picnic Island Tasmania, has officially reopened with the addition of a brand-new primary suite. The island accommodates up to eight guests across four spaces and operates as a fully exclusive rental only. No other guests. No neighbours. Just you, your party and one of the most dramatic stretches of Tasmanian coastline in the country.
The catch? Owners Mark Israel and Elisa Yu have capped availability at just 100 nights per year – partly to protect the island’s resident Little Penguin colony, and partly because that’s what genuine exclusivity actually requires.
What’s new
There are four distinct spaces in the luxury retreat. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
See the island's resident Little Penguin colony. (Credit: Getty Images / phototrip)
The island accommodates up to eight guests. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
The reopening represents a significant step up from the island’s previous iteration. The centrepiece of the renovation is a newly built primary suite, joined by two fully renovated copper-clad structures that have been thoughtfully reimagined for modern luxury. The result is four distinct spaces that can sleep up to eight guests in total, with the intimate scale that defined Picnic Island’s original appeal deliberately preserved.
A custom-built Tasmanian boat now handles all transfers and marine excursions – meaning the journey to the island is as considered as the stay itself. The property runs entirely off-grid through advanced solar systems and rainwater collection, a commitment to environmental stewardship that sits at the core of the island’s philosophy.
What’s included
Enjoy personalised daily activities during your stay.(Credit: Adam Gibson)
You'll have a dedicated island host and skipper. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
Picnic Island has partnered with Waubs Harbour Distillery. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
At $16,000 per night with a three-night minimum, Picnic Island operates on a fully all-inclusive model. That rate covers complete island exclusivity, a dedicated island host and skipper, a private chef showcasing Tasmania’s exceptional produce, and a curated selection of premium Tasmanian wines and spirits. Daily activities are personalised to each group, with the island’s location offering direct access to Freycinet National Park, iconic Wineglass Bay and the pristine marine environment of Great Oyster Bay.
Exclusive partnerships with local makers – including Waubs Harbour Distillery, regional oyster farmers and cool-climate winemakers – mean the Tasmanian provenance story runs through every meal, drink and experience.
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The philosophy
Picnic Island is what genuine exclusivity looks like.
There are only 100 available nights annually. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
A private chef showcases Tasmania's exceptional produce. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
Israel and Yu are deliberate about what Picnic Island is – and isn’t.
“We’re not trying to recreate a five-star hotel on a remote island," Yu said. “We’re offering something more valuable: complete privacy in a place where nature still dictates the rhythm."
It’s a philosophy that extends to the renovation itself. “Their commitment to doing things right, rather than simply doing things quickly, has created something special," Israel said of the architects, builders, local artisans, and conservation partners involved in the project.
That restraint in scale, availability and approach is increasingly rare in a luxury travel market that often mistakes volume for value.
The island will likely attract discerning travellers who are looking for somewhere that feels genuinely irreplaceable. With only 100 available nights annually and bookings open, that somewhere is filling up fast.
Details
The property runs entirely off-grid.
The newly built primary suite is a highlight. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
Relax in complete privacy in a place where nature still dictates the rhythm. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
Price: $16,000 per night (3-night minimum) Number of guests: up to 8 Location: Coles Bay, Tasmania, 7215 Bookings and enquiries: Picnic Island Tasmania
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
Overlooking the winding Tamar River, the Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is where two of Tasmania’s most acclaimed wine labels come together. Sip award-winning cool-climate wines and world-class sparkling while soaking up the vineyard views in one spectacular setting.
The fire crackles softly as you settle into a comfortable armchair, a glass of Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir warming your hands. Outside, rows of vines stretch across the Tamar Valley, their gentle contours framed by rolling hills and ever-changing skies. Or perhaps it’s a sunlit afternoon, and you’re on the terrace with a flute of PIRIE Vintage sparkling in hand, watching the valley shimmer beneath you as each crisp sip captures the freshness of Tasmania. At the Tamar Ridge and PIRIE Cellar Door, the setting in one of Australia’s most celebrated cool-climate wine regions is every bit as special as the wines.
The two brands now share a beautifully refurbished cellar door, giving visitors the opportunity to sample both still and sparkling wines from the Brown Family Wine Group’s luxury portfolio in a single stop. Alongside the shared tasting space, they’ve also introduced a range of premium experiences tailored to each brand.
Tamar Ridge’s story began in 1994, when vines were planted at Kayena in Tasmania’s Upper Tamar Valley. Guided by renowned viticulturist Dr Richard Smart – the “Flying Vine Doctor” – the vineyard quickly gained a reputation for quality, with a new winery established in 1998 and the Tamar Ridge label born.
Sit outside to soak in the sun as you enjoy Tamar Valley views. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Today, New Zealand-born head winemaker Tom Wallace leads the cellar, brings his passion for cool-climate winemaking to help shape Tamar Ridge’s reputation for elegant, expressive wines.
Founded by Dr Andrew Pirie in 1995, PIRIE helped prove the island’s potential for world-class cool-climate sparkling.
Crafted in the traditional method from hand-picked Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the Valley, PIRIE Tasmania sparkling wines are celebrated for their fine beads, depth and elegance. With a collection of trophies, gold medals and top honours behind them, these rare vintages showcase the very best of the state’s sparkling wine.
Brown Brothers – now known as the Brown Family Wine Group – acquired Tamar Ridge, PIRIE and Devil’s Corner on the island’s east coast in 2010, extending the legacy of a family wine company founded in 1889 at Milawa in Victoria’s King Valley. The company has continued its pursuit of exceptional cool-climate vineyards, recognising Tasmania’s unique potential in a changing climate.
Location
Get cosy by the roaring fireplace. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is set on the west bank of the Tamar River, just 20 minutes north of Launceston and around two and a half hours’ drive from Hobart near the riverside village of Rosevears in northern Tasmania. Stretching more than 60 kilometres along the river, from the mouth near Launceston north towards Bass Strait, the Valley is a vast patchwork of vineyards, orchards, farmland and historic townships.
Style & decor
Come for a regular tasting, or book an experience. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase panoramic views, while outdoor decks make the most of the surrounding scenery. Inside, the refined contemporary interiors strike a balance between modern luxury and the natural surrounds, with a double-sided fireplace to linger by. A Tamar River view creates a warm focal point. Natural wood accents add a sense of place, including a handcrafted 12-seat Tasmanian oak table that anchors the space with understated elegance.
Wine experiences
The cellar door’s curated wine experiences pair award-winning wines with local produce and the stories behind them. For those who prefer a leisurely visit without a set itinerary, the cellar door also offers cheese platters and small plates, best enjoyed with a glass in hand while taking in those Tamar River views.
Come for a taste, stay for an experience.
PIRIE & Oyster Experience
Taste the best of PIRIE matched with oysters. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
A true taste of Tasmania comes to life in the PIRIE & Oyster Experience, created in partnership with Tasmanian Oyster Co. Exploring the connection between merroir and terroir – the influence of the sea and soil on flavour – this guided tasting pairs three premium oysters from different Tasmanian growing regions with three expressions of PIRIE sparkling wine: the NV, 2021 Vintage and Blanc de Blanc.
As each oyster and wine pairing is revealed, guests discover how Tasmania’s unique landscapes shape flavour, from the mineral freshness of the ocean to the elegance and precision of cool-climate sparkling wine.
Pinot Noir Blending Experience
Try your own hand at mixing. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
For those who want to step behind the winemaker’s bench, the Pinot Noir Blending Experience offers a hands-on journey into the art of creating great wine.
Guests taste through three to four individual Pinot Noir clones from the previous vintage, each revealing its own personality through aroma, structure and character. Guided by the cellar door team, visitors explore how these individual components come together to create balance and complexity – before attempting their own blend.
Will you recreate the house style, or create something entirely original? This immersive experience offers a fascinating insight into the craft, creativity and precision that goes into every bottle.
Supreme Indulgence
Settle in for true indulgene. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
The most elevated experience at the cellar door, the Supreme Indulgence (PIRIE Sparkling with Caviar tasting) is a celebration of luxury, refinement and Tasmania’s exceptional produce.
Priced at $99 per person, the tasting pairs PIRIE Tasmania’s most distinguished sparkling wines with carefully selected sturgeon caviar, chosen to enhance the elegance, texture and finesse of each cuvée. Hosted by an expert member of the team, the experience unfolds as a thoughtful exploration of fine bubbles, delicate flavours and the craftsmanship behind every bottle.
