'Tassie' is, of course, Tasmania, Australia's southernmost, and only island-state. It may be a little isolated, but it more than makes up for this by having a calendar choc-full of things to do and see. 

As the temperature rises in Tassie, so too the waterfront also heats up as yachties cross the finish line in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and local producers dish up gourmet plates at the Taste of Tasmania Festival. But there's a lot more on over summer than you might think... explore forests on two wheels, see cutting edge music and art, or head off on a beer, whisky or cider trail.

The MyState Australian Wooden Boat Festival is held every two years and the next one's coming up from10-13 February 2017, when Hobart's historic waterfront will come alive with the colour and excitement of Tasmania's rich maritime culture and history. 

You will see hundreds of wooden boats, from magnificent tall ships to classic sailboats, rugged working boats to superbly detailed models. You'll have a chance to talk to the owners and builders, the crafts people and sailors, and shipwrights who still practice traditional skills every day.

There's a vibrant program of entertainment and fun planned, special guests, brilliant Tasmanian food and drink, demonstrations, races and displays.  You can visit the Shipwright's Village, the Maritime Marketplace, the Children's Circus School, the International Wooden Boat Symposium and much, much more. The MyState Australian Wooden Boat Festival is the largest wooden boat festival in the Southern Hemisphere and admission is entirely free! 

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Sip around the state

Tasmania has a long history of brewing and distilling that combines traditional craft with state of the art technology and a commitment to sustainability.

The major beer breweries - Boags in Launceston and Cascade in Hobart - inspire local pride and friendly rivalry. Both use the finest local hops and pure mountain water to create award winning lagers, ales, draught beers and boutique brews. And both boast impressive heritage buildings and great visitor centres with places to eat, drink, shop and relax.

Tasmania has a long and growing list of craft breweries where you can meet a local brewer, and with Tasmania's long standing reputation as the apple isle, it's no surprise plenty of delicious ciders are made here, too.

Tasmania's pure water is also perfect for distilling whisky, vodka and gin, and several award-winning distilleries produce some of the world's greatest spirits. Take a break and try some.

DID YOU KNOW that Tasmania has one of only two 'paddock to bottle' single malt whisky distilleries in the world (the other is Kilchoman in Scotland).

For those exploring the regions, there is a beer trail, whisky trail and cider trail.

Right now riders worldwide are planning on making tracks to Tasmania. This island at the world’s edge is covered in wild mountain bike trails with ribbons of dirt tracks passing some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet.

Whoever said ‘the fun is over at the end of the trail’ didn’t ride this island. Adrenaline pumping adventures are just minutes from trails. Jump on a quad bike and seek out secluded beaches, fly above the forest canopy, raft wild rivers and abseil Gordon Dam.

Blue Derby Trail (photo Rob Burnett)

It’s not just mountain biking trails drawing people to Tasmania. It also has a good reputation for tantalising food and wine trails and more recently lesser-known beer and whisky trails (see above) are making their mark. It’s just the ticket to quench your thirst, warm your cockles, and calm your nerves.

Here are the SIX rides shifting the island’s mountain biking reputation up a gear. To nail your trip on and off the trails, tuck these insider tips firmly in your back pocket.