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- Expressions of Interest Open for Hobart’s Inaugural Aurora Flavours Trail
Southern Tasmanian cafés, restaurants, bars and hospitality venues are invited to become part of a new culinary experience celebrating Tasmania’s unique connection to Antarctica.
The Mawson’s Huts Foundation is seeking expressions of interest from waterfront hospitality businesses to participate in the inaugural Aurora Flavours Trail, running as part of the Australian Antarctic Festival from 19–23 August 2026.
Designed to encourage festival visitors to explore Hobart’s waterfront, the trail will feature exclusive Antarctic-inspired food and beverage experiences created by participating venues. From signature cocktails and warming winter dishes to creative desserts, themed coffee specials and share plates, businesses are encouraged to interpret the Antarctic theme in their own unique way.
Participation offers a valuable opportunity to showcase your venue to thousands of festival visitors while being featured in the festival’s marketing campaign. Participating businesses will be included on the official Aurora Flavours Trail map, listed on the festival website, promoted through social media and visitor information channels, and may also receive dedicated promotional features during the event.
Venues can also choose to enhance the festival atmosphere by decorating their premises with Antarctic-inspired displays. Ideas include aurora lighting, blue and white colour schemes, penguin decorations, polar-themed menus or creative window displays, helping transform Hobart’s waterfront into an immersive festival experience. Decoration is entirely optional but encouraged.
Businesses are free to decide how many themed menu items they offer, along with their own pricing and style. Inspiration can come from Tasmania’s role as Australia’s Antarctic Gateway, the Southern Ocean, Antarctic wildlife, historic expeditions, glaciers, auroras, or legendary explorers such as Mawson and Shackleton.
Expressions of interest close on Friday 17 July 2026, with participating venues to be announced later in July ahead of the official trail launch. To register, venues are asked to provide their business details, a short description of their festival offering, imagery, pricing, dietary information and social media handles.
Destination Southern Tasmania encourages eligible hospitality operators to consider taking part in this exciting new initiative, which offers another opportunity to showcase southern Tasmania’s vibrant food and drink scene while supporting one of the region’s newest winter events.
For further information or to register your interest, contact Lara Colrain, CEO of the Mawson’s Huts Foundation, via lara.colrain@mawsons-huts.org.au.
