Tasmania has long been known for its pristine wilderness, world-class produce and passionate outdoor community. From the rugged highlands to the remote west coast, our state has built a reputation for producing some of Australia’s finest food and offering unforgettable outdoor experiences.
Now, we’re adding something new to that story.
The Tasmanian Jerky Prize has been created to celebrate the people behind one of the oldest and most respected methods of preserving meat. More importantly, it has been created for Tasmanians.
A Competition Built for Tasmania
The inaugural Tasmanian Jerky Prize isn’t just another food competition. It’s an opportunity for home enthusiasts and amateur jerky and biltong makers from every corner of the state to showcase their creativity, craftsmanship and passion.
Whether you’ve spent years perfecting a traditional family recipe or developed a unique flavour inspired by Tasmania’s landscapes, this competition gives you the chance to put your skills to the test.
It’s about recognising the incredible talent that already exists across our communities and giving local makers a platform to shine.
Showcasing Tasmania’s Wild Game
Tasmania is fortunate to have access to some of the highest-quality wild game in Australia.
Species such as fallow deer, wallaby and other legally harvested game provide lean, sustainable meat that is perfectly suited to jerky and biltong production. While traditional beef entries are welcomed, the Tasmanian Jerky Prize also provides an opportunity to highlight the exceptional quality of our locally sourced wild game.
By showcasing these products, we hope to encourage greater appreciation for ethical, sustainable harvesting and the outstanding food our island can produce.
Wild game has been part of Tasmania’s history for generations. This competition celebrates that heritage while inspiring new ideas and recipes for future generations.
Promoting Tasmania to Visitors
The Tasmanian Jerky Prize will be held during Highlands BushFest, one of Tasmania’s premier outdoor lifestyle festivals.
Each year, thousands of visitors travel to Bothwell to experience everything BushFest has to offer. By introducing the Tasmanian Jerky Prize, we’re adding another unique attraction that encourages visitors to explore local flavours, meet passionate producers and discover another side of Tasmania.
As the competition grows, we hope it becomes an event people travel specifically to experience—bringing additional visitors into regional communities and supporting local businesses across the state.
More Than Just a Competition
The Tasmanian Jerky Prize is about much more than winning a trophy.
It’s about:
- Celebrating Tasmanian craftsmanship.
- Supporting local communities and businesses.
- Promoting ethical and sustainable use of wild game.
- Encouraging people to share their knowledge and recipes.
- Building friendships within the jerky, biltong and outdoor community.
- Creating a new annual tradition that Tasmanians can proudly call their own.
People’s Choice
One of the most exciting parts of the weekend will be the People’s Choice Award.
Festival visitors will be able to purchase tasting plates featuring a selection of competition entries before casting their vote for their favourite jerky or biltong. This gives competitors not only the opportunity to impress the judges but also the chance to earn the support of the public.
Supporting the Tasmanian Jerky Prize
Bringing a brand-new statewide event to life takes the support of passionate businesses and organisations that believe in community, local produce and the outdoors.
We are incredibly proud to already have the support of Hunting and The Outdoors and Carnivore Collective, who have come on board as foundation sponsors of the inaugural Tasmanian Jerky Prize.
However, we’re only just getting started.
We are actively seeking additional sponsors and partners who would like to be part of building what we hope will become Tasmania’s premier annual jerky and biltong competition.
Whether you’re interested in:
- Financial sponsorship
- Product or prize donations
- In-kind support
- Promotional partnerships
- Or have a unique idea to get involved
we’d love to hear from you.
Partnering with the Tasmanian Jerky Prize is more than simply displaying your logo. It’s an opportunity to connect with thousands of outdoor enthusiasts at Highlands BushFest, support Tasmanian makers, promote local produce and be part of an exciting new event from the very beginning.
Join Us for History
Every great tradition starts with a first event.
The 2026 Tasmanian Jerky Prize marks the beginning of what we hope will become Tasmania’s premier annual jerky and biltong competition. With the support of competitors, sponsors, volunteers and the community, we aim to create an event that proudly showcases the best of Tasmania for many years to come.
If you’ve ever believed your jerky or biltong deserves recognition, now is your chance.
Join us at Highlands BushFest on 21–22 November 2026 in Bothwell and help make history.
Whether you’re entering the competition, tasting the entries, cheering on competitors or partnering as a sponsor, you’re helping build something that celebrates Tasmanian people, Tasmanian produce and Tasmania itself.
We can’t wait to see you at the inaugural Tasmanian Jerky Prize.
