The Spirit of Place
Last month, we unveiled our new whisky cask partnership with Waubs Harbour Distillery, in alignment with our mission to showcase exceptional Tasmanian artisan producers.
Bottles from the private cask will be available exclusively to Picnic Island guests, embodying a modern luxury philosophy of connecting travelers to place through hyper-local food and beverage experiences.
A Whisky Collaboration
The partnership represents a unique collaboration between two projects that share a commitment to terroir-driven luxury and sustainable practices. Waubs Harbour Distillery, located on Tasmania’s East Coast, creates single malt whiskies distinguished by their maritime influence—barrels aging just meters from the Southern Ocean absorb the salt-laden air that gives these spirits their distinctive character.
“This partnership is the perfect example of our approach to food and beverage at Picnic Island. There is no luxury playbook. We’re creating genuine connections between our guests and Tasmania’s most passionate makers—people whose craft reflects this place in ways that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere.”
— Mark Israel, co-owner of Picnic Island Tasmania
Bottles of Picnic Island’s private label whisky will be available exclusively to guests, a taste unique to the island. The cask will remain at Waubs Harbour, with Picnic Island guests invited to follow its development through tastings and distillery visits included in their experience.
Our Modern Luxury approach to Food and Beverage
“For us, modern luxury isn’t about the most expensive label or the longest wine list. It’s about how we can cultivate an authentic connection to place, about understanding the story behind what you’re tasting, and about experiences that transform a simple drink into a memorable moment. This partnership with Waubs Harbour Distillery allows us to offer exactly that.”
— Elisa Yu, Picnic Island co-owner
In a comprehensive approach to food and beverage, every ingredient used on Picnic Island is carefully selected, every meal thoughtfully designed, and every experience curated to connect guests to Tasmania’s exceptional produce and makers—through all the senses.
As an all-inclusive retreat, the island features a private chef who sources ingredients almost entirely from Tasmanian producers, even from within sight of the dining table when possible. Fresh seafood comes from surrounding waters, oysters from nearby Great Oyster Bay, vegetables from local organic farms, and wines from Tasmania’s renowned cool-climate vineyards.
The Story of Place: From Waubs Harbour Whisky to Personalised Tastings
Picnic Island’s approach centers on curation and storytelling. Each meal is an opportunity to experience Tasmania’s terroir through ingredients prepared with minimal intervention, allowing the flavors and quality to speak for themselves. Our private chef works closely with guests before arrival to understand preferences and dietary requirements, then crafts bespoke menus that balance sophistication with an authentic taste of place.
Of course, beverage experiences extend beyond the dining table. Guests can participate in exclusive distillery tours, visit local winemakers in their vineyards, or harvest oysters directly from growing lines.
Actively engaging with the people, flavors, and produce of the region, guests build connections with Tasmanian makers.
The Waubs Harbour partnership also reinforces Picnic Island’s commitment to supporting Tasmania’s artisan economy and sustainable production practices. Both properties operate with minimal environmental impact—Picnic Island off-grid, Waubs Harbour with careful attention to coastal ecosystem preservation—demonstrating that environmental stewardship can enhance luxury.
“In a world of global supply chains, we’re taking a different path. Every bottle of wine, every wedge of cheese, every dram of whisky at Picnic Island has a story connected to this place. When guests taste our exclusive Waubs Harbour cask, they’re not just enjoying exceptional whisky—they’re tasting the salt air of Tasmania’s east coast, the passion of dedicated distillers, and the unique terroir that makes this island state unlike anywhere else on earth.”
The private cask represents the first of what Picnic Island envisions as an ongoing series of unique collaborations with Tasmania’s finest producers, each designed to offer guests experiences and flavors available nowhere else.
For more information about Picnic Island Tasmania and to inquire about bookings, visit www.picnicisland.com.au.
About Picnic Island Tasmania:
Picnic Island is a private island retreat located 800 meters offshore from Coles Bay, Tasmania. The island accommodates up to eight guests across four luxuriously appointed spaces. As a protected seabird sanctuary, the island offers unprecedented access to wildlife, including a resident little penguin colony, while providing sophisticated luxury, exceptional food and beverage experiences, and personalized service in one of Australia’s most pristine natural settings.
About Waubs Harbour Distillery
Waubs Harbour Distillery, located on Tasmania’s east coast, produces award-winning single malt whiskies distinguished by coastal maturation in bond stores just meters from the Southern Ocean. The distillery combines traditional Scottish techniques with Tasmanian terroir to create spirits of exceptional character and complexity.
