In the face of dramatic range-wide losses of Australian Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) forests across south-eastern Australia, The Nature Conservancy has spearheaded a collaborative restoration project focused on the east coast of Tasmania, where 95% of forests have disappeared over recent decades. To date, the project has leveraged the experience and expertise of delivery partners from the University of Tasmania, NRM South, and CSIRO, and the support of diverse stakeholders focused on the delivery of 3 ha of restored kelp areas in the first instance and developing an approach for large-scale Giant Kelp restoration. Selection of restoration locations was the result of a rigorous process which included development of a restoration suitability model (considering the environmental tolerances of Giant Kelp, user conflicts and logistical requirements of restoration), and field-based outplant trials spanning 16 locations across the eastern coast of Tasmania. Here we present the site selection approach and (interim) restoration project results. Furthermore, we will showcase how we are using cutting-edge geospatial analysis tools, identifying changes in kelp distribution and cover over time using satellite imagery and machine learning models, to inform and expand our restoration effort to larger scales.