Southern Tasmania tourism operator recognised among the world’s top 10%
Destination Southern Tasmania congratulates Huon River Cruises, based in the Huon Valley, on being awarded a 2025 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award. This recognition places the Franklin-based operator among the top 10% of tourism experiences worldwide, celebrating its role in delivering exceptional visitor experiences on Tasmania’s waterways.
The prestigious award is based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews collected over a 12-month period. To qualify, operators must demonstrate consistently high ratings and outstanding feedback from genuine visitors.
Celebrating a Local Success Story
Operating from a private jetty at Heriots Point Vineyard near Franklin, Huon River Cruises invites guests to step aboard La Drone, a beautifully restored 1948 wooden motor cruiser. With just 12 passengers per cruise, the experience is intimate, relaxed, and deeply Tasmanian. Morning and afternoon sailings offer a unique perspective of the Huon Valley’s waterways, framed by the dramatic Wellington Ranges and steeped in maritime history.
Guests frequently praise the comfort of the vessel’s enclosed cabin, fitted with striking Tasmanian Blackwood, and its year-round all-weather capability. Onboard tastings of Huon Valley produce, including artisan cheeses, salmon, tapenade, wines, ciders, and beers, add a delicious local touch to the journey.
Owner and skipper Taylor Wilkin has been recognised for his warm hospitality, deep knowledge of the region’s history, and storytelling that brings the river’s past and present to life.
A Boost for Southern Tasmania
Huon River Cruises’ international recognition strengthens Southern Tasmania’s growing reputation as a destination offering world-class experiences. The award follows Tasmania’s strong showing at the 2025 Australian Tourism Awards, where Bangor Vineyard Shed and Pennicott Wilderness Journeys also achieved national honours.
“Achievements like this highlight the depth and diversity of experiences in Southern Tasmania,” said a spokesperson for Destination Southern Tasmania. “They reinforce the value of our region’s operators, not only in attracting visitors but in ensuring those visitors leave with lasting memories that inspire them to return.”
Why It Matters
For visitors, a Huon River Cruise is more than a scenic outing, it’s a chance to connect with Tasmania’s natural beauty, rich history, and celebrated food and drink. For the Huon Valley community, it represents how small, locally-owned businesses contribute to the broader visitor economy, creating opportunities across accommodation, dining, and retail.
Just 40 minutes south of Hobart, the Huon Valley is renowned for its orchards, vineyards, and access to World Heritage wilderness. Huon River Cruises captures this essence, offering travellers a quintessentially Tasmanian experience.