Hobart’s Wrest Point is marking its 40 birthday with four weeks of celebrations until February 10.
Titled ‘4 Decades in 4 Weeks’, the packed celebration schedule kicked off with the Wrest Point community barbecue breakfast in the rooftop car park earlier this week (Jan 14) and culminate with the highly anticipated Red Hot Summer Tour Concert on February 10.
“Rather than just celebrate on the official birthday date (February 10), we decided to put together four weeks of activities that truly capture what Wrest Point is all about – from its early history to its current role as an integral part of the Hobart entertainment and tourism landscape,” said Wrest Point Marketing Manager Matt Mellor.
“Over the four weeks we will be running a variety of activities including food and wine events, a photography competition, a barbecue on the lawns for Australia Day and various events for current and past staff to gather and celebrate.
“We will even be reopening Regines as a tribute to Wrest Point’s entertainment past, and asking boats to Light Up the Derwent to highlight our connection with Hobart’s spectacular waterside location.
“We encourage everyone to come and help us celebrate this major milestone for Wrest Point, as well as rediscover what the property has to offer.”
When Wrest Point Hotel Casino (as it was then known) opened on the banks of the Derwent River on February 10, 1973, it received national and international acclaim not only as Australia’s first legal casino, but as putting Tasmania and its tourism attributes firmly on the global map.
“Wrest Point plays a significant part in Australian history, being the country’s first legal casino,” said Wrest Point General Manager Mike Davey.
“The property also opened up Tasmanian tourism to a new level of sophistication and customer service. In its first five years of operation, Wrest Point entertained more than five million visitors and held more than 100 conventions and trade gatherings.
“The iconic tower is a distinctive part of the Hobart landscape and is etched in many Australians’ memories from their visits during the past four decades.
“In 40 years of operation, Wrest Point has hosted a variety of people from royalty to politicians, celebrities to a large percentage of Australian and international visitors to the state.”