Luxury Apartments Scrapped, Festival Of Bright Ideas

Events For The Weekend

Author

David Rowe
August 22, 2025

Good Morning Hobart,

Looking like plenty of sunshine for the weekend.

In today’s newsletter:

  • Luxury Apartments Scrapped

  • Property Of The Week

  • Festival Of Bright Ideas

  • New Pollutant Trap To Save Platypuses

  • Events For The Weekend

Luxury Apartments Scrapped

An $80 million luxury apartment project in Hobart has been scrapped due to soaring construction costs.

The 56-unit Macquarie Place development faced a 30% budget blowout, with some materials priced up to five times higher than expected.

Despite strong demand – three penthouses sold for $3 million each – developer Paul Huggins said the project was no longer viable.

All deposits will be refunded, and the former Holden dealership site may instead be converted into an electric vehicle showroom.

Hobart Directory

The Hobart Directory continues to grow, now with over 2500 listings.

Business owners, claim your listing to secure lifetime early bird pricing.

Our aim is to build this into the best resource for all of Greater Hobart.

Property Of The Week

Modern and light-filled, this 2012-built home at 59 Ruth Drive, Lenah Valley offers a perfect balance of privacy and contemporary design.

Soaring raked ceilings, split levels and full-height windows create airy living spaces that flow seamlessly to two timber entertaining decks.

The gourmet kitchen features stone benches, gas cooking and a walk-in pantry.

Three bedrooms plus study, ensuite with private balcony, and ducted gas heating ensure comfort year-round.

Set on a leafy allotment just 12 minutes from Hobart’s CBD.

Festival Of Bright Ideas 2025

Launched in 2015, the Festival of Bright Ideas (FOBI) is a vibrant Hobart event celebrating science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Supported by 30+ organisations, it attracts over 5,000 visitors annually with hands-on exhibits that whiz, bang, and inspire curiosity.

Hosted at Princes Wharf 1, the festival includes a school day and public sessions, showcasing Tasmania’s STEM strengths and encouraging youth and lifelong learners alike to explore, connect, and embrace an innovative, solutions-focused future.

New Pollutant Trap To Save Platypuses

A $500,000 pollutant trap has been installed in Hobart’s rivulet system to protect its fragile platypus population from deadly litter.

Replacing an inadequate old filter, the new system will capture 9.4 tonnes of waste annually, including fine debris like rubber bands and hair ties that have killed or injured local platypuses.

Sparked by community advocacy led by guardian Pete Walsh, the project reflects over a year of council–community collaboration and offers renewed hope for Hobart’s dwindling platypus numbers.

Events For The Weekend

Friday 22nd

☺️ Hobart Twilight Market | 4:30PM

Location: 12 Franklin Wharf Hobart
Description: Eats, drinks, design, music! Tasmania is renowned for its quality produce, and that’s what you’ll find at this market; a diverse range of food and locally-crafted small batch drinks alongside a myriad of design stalls. Add in live music from local talent and the scene is set for a wonderful Friday night!

Location: Theatre Royal Hobart
Description: The Simon & Garfunkel Story tells the fascinating tale of how two young boys from Queens, New York went on to become one of the world’s most successful music duos.

😁 The Good-er Life Tour | 7:00PM

Location: Altar Bar 112 Murray St Hobart
Description: The Good-er Life Tour, mammoth, 27 date party around Australia. With an explosive live show, a litany of certified classics, and an album of new hits, Illy and the band are bringing high octane energy to this show.

🌃 Night At The Huts | 7:30PM

Location: Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum
Description: Step into Antarctica’s heroic age with a special after-hours experience at the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum. Discover the remarkable story of Sir Douglas Mawson and the 1911–14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Saturday 23rd

🚸 Mawson’s Huts Kids Day | 10:00AM

Location: Mawson's Huts Replica Museum
Description: Special Museum Entry Deal: From 10 am – 2pm, all adults just $12 and children 16 and under get in free! From penguins to polar explorers, it’s the perfect winter day out for curious kids and adventurous grown-ups.

🤣 The Grandparents Club 2 | 3:00PM & 7:00PM

Location: Theatre Royal Hobart
Description: Packed with new side-splitting laughs, catchy tunes, and cheeky, highly relatable characters and stories, the Grandparents Club 2 is a feel-good, one-of-a-kind celebration of grandparent life.

Location: Sandy Bay Senior Citizens Club
Description: This is a fun beginner-friendly social event bringing together lots of different styles. There are FREE classes before the social included with your social ticket, and all dances taught in the classes will be danced at the main event.

🍸️ Jamie Pregnell Quartet | 8:00PM

Location: 101 Harrington Street, Hobart
Description: Jamie Pregnell and his Quartet return to Pablo’s Cocktails And Dreams and are excited to be joined by special guest Dan Sulzberger on keys! They’ll be playing a mix of classic jazz standards, some lesser know tunes and a couple of originals.

Sunday 24th

❄️ Antarctic Womens Voices | 11:00AM

Location: Mawson's Huts Replica Museum
Description: Step inside Nipaluna/Hobart’s own slice of Antarctic history — the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum — for a special public storytelling session in partnership with the Antarctic Women’s Network, spotlighting personal stories from women working in or connected to Antarctica.

🎸 The Roy Orbison Story | 2:00PM

Location: Theatre Royal Hobart
Description: Experience the wonder of Roy Orbison in this brilliant theatrical portrayal of the man, his music, his voice and his life. Mark Shelley is brilliant in his characterization of Roy, with the vocal range and tone to honour his songs plus the sensitivity and artistic ability to ‘be’ Roy.

Location: Casey Dome @ Constitution Dock Bridge
Description: Violaloop is Charlie McCarthy’s mesmerising blend of live-looped viola, ambient textures, and subtle grooves. Using a 5-string viola and a single loop pedal, he crafts immersive soundscapes that are both meditative and rhythmically alive.