Archive for the ‘Tasmanian Food and Drink’ Category

Tasmanian Gourmet Hampers

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

Tasmanian Gourmet Hampers shop in East Devonport, near the Spirit of Tasmania terminal

I recently spent the morning with Susanne from Tasmanian Gourmet Hampers, located in Murray Street, East Devonport.  Right near the Spirit Of Tasmania!  Tasmanian Gourmet Hampers is a retail and online business specialising in genuine Tasmanian products sourced from producers throughout this beautiful state of ours.

Susanne only uses products that are 100% Tasmanian in the Gourmet Hampers

Tourism and All Things Tasmanian!

Susanne has a BA (Hons) in Tourism Management and has over 20 years experience in management, tourism, hospitality and customer service.  She also has a passionate and enthusiastic approach to her business, tourism and all things Tasmanian.  This dynamic lady has many fantastic ideas and plans for future projects which I can’t wait to see unfold and will be an added bonus to this exciting business.

Gift wrapped Tasmanian Gourmet Hampers to collect or have mailed for you

Tasmanian Gourmet Hampers are elegantly packaged in glossy black reusable boxes with hot pink ribbon for the ladies and silver for the men (or let them know your thoughts and they will gift-wrap accordingly.)  You can choose from carefully created ready-to-go hampers or select your own items for that personal touch.

There’s a wide range of Tasmanian gourmet products to choose from and they make an ideal birthday, anniversary or Christmas gift. Just let them know what you need and where you need it delivered and they will do the rest.  You can also pick up pre-ordered gourmet breakfast requirements or picnic hampers.  What a great way to start the day!

Speak to Susanne about your selection of gourmet products for a truly Tasmanian Hamper

Spirit of Tasmania Passenger Ferries

The Tasmanian Gourmet Hampers shop has opening hours coinciding with the Spirit of Tasmania sailings which makes it a great place to stop and buy truly Tasmanian products.  Why not phone ahead and pre-order a hamper to pick up on your way on or off the ferry.  Or if you are looking for a corporate gift alternative, one of these hampers would be a great choice.  There are a number of sizes to choose from and you can make it as individual as you want.

Tourists can also purchase gourmet Tasmanian products as individual souvenirs

There’s visitor information here as well for all your touring needs.  You’ll be able to find out information about accommodation, tours, where to eat, etc and Tasmanian Gourmet Hampers also act as a referral service to tourism related businesses throughout Tasmania.  While visiting the shop have a look at the Tasmanian-made non-edible products such as Pure Sense Candles and Saward Glass Art.

To get in touch with Susanne at Tasmanian Gourmet Hampers phone: 0405 625 032 or find them on Facebook.

Products are beautifully presented in black boxes with either silver or hot pink trim

Michelle Kneipp Pegler writes a blog called Leven River Farm
about the ups and downs of her Good Life
and occasional forays delving into the lessons of the past.

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Map: Tasmanian Gourmet Hampers, East Devonport…

Ten Things That Attract Me to Tasmania

by Roger Findlay

If you asked me to name ten things that attract me to Tasmania as a holiday-maker I would come up with the following:

1. Beauty of the island, breath-taking scenery and clean air.
   

   The breath-taking scenery and clean country air of Tasmania

2. Temperature and climate, most suitable for a Pommy!
3. Unspoilt places.  Slow to exploit tourism through changes.
   

   The pristine wilderness, another Tasmanian attraction high on Roger's top ten

4. Sailing on the Spirit of Tasmania.  It’s a great experience every time.
5. Salamanca Market and any farmers market that we find along the way.
6. Food: especially seafood, cheese and beef.
   

   Roger enjoys the Tasmanian produce, including seafood, cheese and beef.

7. Pubs: Knopwoods, Shippies and the Royal Oak.  Gunners Arms – R.I.P.
8. Fish punts, Tassal and the Wursthaus.
9. Walking on the deserted beaches.  Douglas River springs to mind.
   

   Beaches make Roger's list of top ten attractions for holiday-makers in Tasmania

10. People we’ve met and friends we’ve made…
    The Madsden family, Patricia, Eddie & Dulcie, to name a few.

That’s ten things that attract me to Tasmania but there are so many more.

People often ask me why I choose to travel and holiday in Tasmania so much.  They often ask whether I get tired of visiting the same place year after year.  My answer is always the same; but I don’t have to change my lifestyle to suit them or anyone else.

I must confess that in recent weeks, I have been toying with the idea of a first visit to New Zealand.  I’m sure it is a very beautiful country with the South Island being exceptional, but for now I have unfinished business in Tasmania so NZ will have to wait until I retire in a few years’ time.

I first visited Tasmania in the mid 80’s.  I was chasing a job at the ACL plant in Launceston but it didn’t lead to anything except a brief look at the island.  The drive north and then down the east coast to Hobart convinced me that this was the place for me and I’ve been obsessed ever since.

Beware: Sub-Standard Accommodation

There is only one criticism that I have to make and that is the rapidly increasing price of accommodation.  Some of it is mediocre and we have found a few of our hosts unsuited to the hospitality industry.

Beware!  Don’t be fooled by some of the places you find on the internet.  The photos and write-ups published by the owners themselves can make the accommodation look most attractive; when in reality it can be well below expectation.  If you do get caught out, don’t put up with it.  Let the owner know of your objections and demand a refund.  Then take your business elsewhere.

Rustic accommodation! Beware the tourist of the internet booking...

Beware Tasmania!  Don’t price yourself out of the market.  It is a fact that I can holiday in Vietnam or Thailand cheaper than Tasmania but that’s not for me.  However, when it comes to the decision of others, the attraction of a cheap overseas holiday may be their choice.

To attract the tourist keep the price reasonable, ensure good quality and make it so that the visitor wants to return.

Photos that accompany Roger’s article titled
Ten Things That Attract Me to Tasmania
have been taken by Dan Fellow of Tasmania Photos.

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Ulverstone in the Spotlight

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

With a population of around 12,000, the town of Ulverstone on the North West Coast of Tasmania still retains that small town feel.  It is located between the larger cities of Burnie and Devonport and is situated on the mouth of the beautiful Leven River.  With gorgeous beaches right on its doorstep, Ulverstone is an ideal place to live or visit.  It is under the municipality of the Central Coast Council, which also encompasses the towns of Penguin, Turners Beach, Leith, Gawler and Forth.

Ulverstone, located on the north west coast between Burnie and Devonport

Living or Staying in Ulverstone

Ulverstone has all the amenities you’re likely to need:  four primary schools, one high school plus a school that caters for K to Year 12.  You will also find all professional services such as doctors, dentists, and optometrists, solicitors, etc.  If you are looking for accommodation there are four motels and two hotels catering for guests, as well as two caravan parks.  Other great accommodation options are Ulverstone River Retreat, Winterbrook B&B, Boscobel Of Ulverstone B&B, Westella House and Moonlight Bay B&B.

The main street shopping precinct of Ulverstone in the north west of Tasmania

Shopping and Eating

If you feel the need to shop there’s Coles, Woolworths and IGA for those grocery items.  Then there are the various gift and craft shops packed full of great bits and pieces and a great array of Tasmanian wares.  If you love looking at antique shops Ulverstone has four fabulous antique shops full of old and interesting objects.

Eating out in Ulverstone is a treat with numerous places to dine, all with great menu options.  Enjoy the seafood and the views across the Leven River at Pedro’s Restaurant, drop in to Lancaster House for coffee, wine and fine food or try one of Deli Central’s tantalizing dishes while checking out their exciting selection of food and gifts.  The Bass & Flinders Motel and the Beachway Motel both have restaurants and you will also find a number of cafes and bakeries in town as well.  So there’s no excuse for not easing those hunger pains while visiting.

Ulverstone Beach

Time to relax on Ulverstone’s beautiful long sandy beach and watch the blue waters of Bass Strait roll in and out.  This is a great beach for walking along and there are plenty of areas to park the car.  Ulverstone has a great Visitor Information Centre located in Alexandra Road, which is open 7 days a week.  Here you will find all the information you need about things to see and do in and around Ulverstone and surrounding areas.

The magnificent sandy beaches of the Ulverstone region, perfect for relaxing

Michelle Kneipp Pegler writes a blog called Leven River Farm
about the ups and downs of her Good Life
and occasional forays delving into the lessons of the past.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

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Map: Ulverstone Tasmania…

We ventured to Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe after our treetops adventure at Hollybank.  Nothing unusual about grabbing a drink or a bite to eat after an outing with a group of friends.  What was unusual however, was the combination of beers and pies… we weren’t at a footy match!

The pies & cakes section of Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe, north east Tasmania

Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe: Open for Business

The first point I’d like to make is this:  we arrived at about 4pm.  Now it’s not unusual for Tasmanian business owners to close their doors at about that hour.  And it soon became apparent that the staff at the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe had been preparing to leave for the day.  But they welcomed us with open arms, and served us with a real smile (not the forced sort, when someone has had to grit their teeth).

Service with a real smile at the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe

Our large group managed to clean up the last of their available pies and cakes in a flurry.  And they were good.  The pies were hot and fresh and they gave us tomato sauce for free!  And the cakes were cheap.  Not in a nasty kind of way; but in a “pay a reasonable price for a decent product” kind of way.

Cornish pasties fresh out of the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe oven

Who doesn't like a fresh muffin or two, especially when they're reasonably priced?

Although we all thought it was a strange combination, the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe did the trick for us.  The adults bought a few beers from the pub section and the kids were more than happy with their lot.  In fact, if we’d arrived earlier, we would have racked up the pool table and played a few rounds as well.

Adding yet another string to their bow, the business also provides budget accommodation.  I can’t verify the quality of that part of the business, though.  I’m only aware of the accommodation option, because I include a link to a relevant website in each article, offering extra information to readers.  When I searched for a website for the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe, I couldn’t find one.  But I did find a website listing the business for sale, showing the units.

The Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe is at 1983 Lilydale (Main) Road Lilydale 7268 TAS

The Home of the Painted Poles

The small township of Lilydale is known as “the Home of the Painted Poles”.  Settled in the 1860′s, the town has a population of about 350, including potters, craftspeople and artists.  Some of those artists have painted the power poles, hence the slogan.  A naturally beautiful region, the main industries include agriculture and viticulture.

Quirky Tasmanian slogan: Lilydale is the "Home of the Painted Poles"

Lilydale is about 30kms from Launceston; 50kms from Bridport and 40kms from Scottsdale.  It’s also close to Bridestowe Lavender Estate and several vineyards including Pipers Brook Vineyard.

And as I mentioned earlier, it’s only five minutes from the Hollybank Forest Reserve, where you can fly through the treetops.

Fly through the forest with Hollybank Treetops Adventure

The town boasts several other assets and things to do besides the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe…

Lilydale Attractions & Reasons to Visit

You can visit two small waterfalls at the Lilydale Falls Reserve.  A comfortable stroll from Lilydale Park will have you bushwalking in rainforest (or you can just enjoy a picnic with some of those Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe goodies!).

Lilydale Falls, just a stroll from the carpark through temperate rainforest

Now privately owned, the William Alexander George Walker Rhododendron Reserve has exotic trees and shrubs up to 60 years old.

William Alexander George Walker Rhododendron Gardens, Lilydale Tasmania

Mount Arthur is one of the state’s highest peaks, and provides a lovely scenic backdrop to the township of Lilydale.  If you’re energetic, you can take the three-hour trek to the summit giving magnificent views over the valley.  If you do that, you would have definitely earned yourself some Tasmanian gelati back at the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe!

Enjoy a serve of real Tasmanian gelati at the Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe

Images were taken by professional tourism
photographer Dan Fellow of Tasmania Photos

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Map: Lilydale Tavern Bakery Cafe…

Tasmanian Menu is the title of a new book written by Simone Bett in conjunction with her husband Alastair.  Simone sent me a copy of the book so I could write a review for Think Tasmania.  And as luck should have it, the copy arrived on my birthday!  And for someone who loves books, food, photography and Tasmania, it made the most perfect present ever.

Just launched: Tasmanian Menu, a book by Simone Bett

What’s on the Tasmanian Menu?

I admit I haven’t read every word of Tasmanian Menu yet, despite poring over the pages.  But it’s the sort of book you can love instantly.  With the kids away (one at a friend’s house following a late-night Hobart Hurricanes match, and the other at the Moorilla Hobart International) I toyed with the idea of a day off myself.  But I was too excited about the book, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you.

A mouth-watering beef wellington, one of the delicious mains on the Tasmanian Menu

Books Lovers Please Note…

As far as books go, I love all sorts.  Novels, autobiographies, photography books and recipe books.  I visit the State Library of Tasmania regularly, and I share books with friends.  Having led the life of a gypsy, constantly on the move, my personal collection is minimal.  But this is one book that will always stay with me.

Beautiful images of Tasmania accompany the recipes using local ingredients

It’s not just a cook book, although the recipes are divine.  And it’s not just a book of photos, although they too are divine.  Tasmanian Menu is a gorgeous collection of pages combining Simone Bett’s passion for food and photography with the essence of what makes Tasmania so great.

Food by Simone Bett

I’ve openly confessed that I’m not a great cook.  But with the stunning produce available in Tasmania, I feel compelled to make more of my culinary opportunities.  Maybe that’s why I love this book so much.  Simone (who describes herself as an avid cook but not a chef) has shared her all-time favourite recipes.  And naturally, those recipes incorporate ingredients available locally.  But they’re not what you’d expect from an everyday Tasmanian menu.  Simone has been influenced by the foods from several cultures, and her choices reflect a very unique style.

Recipes in Tasmanian Menu reflect the unique eclectic style of Simone Bett

The book has been divided into four sections, covering recipes for entree, main, kids and dessert.  I firmly believe in the motto “Life is Short, Eat Dessert First”, so of course I went straight to that section.  Lemon tart, apple crumble,  creme brulee… and profiteroles with chocolate, toffee and raspberry coulis.  Y.U.M.  And if the juniors in my house read the section titled “Kids Menu” they will be seriously disillusioned when they compare their own diet to that proffered by Simone Bett!!

Desserts to die for, one of the sections in Tasmanian Menu

If dessert doesn’t excite you (hey what?), don’t be concerned.  Tasmanian beef and seafood also star in the recipes, while the vegetarian has not been forgotten.  Leek and goat’s cheese tart anyone?  Followed perhaps by Moroccan spiced lamb rack.  Did I mention it was my birthday?

Photography by Alastair Bett

At Think Tasmania, we aim to provide photos on the website that reflect the actual scene a first-hand visitor could expect.  Nothing too fancy or manipulated, just an honest, holiday snapshot.  But that doesn’t stop me drooling over the images taken by professional photographers, and wishing I could be that clever.  In fact, in my next life, I’d like to be blessed with creative genes.  Just a few would be reasonable to expect the next time around.

Photography promoting tourism & agriculture all in one beautiful Tasmanian book

The photos Simone has used in her book have been taken by Alastair Bett, and they are everything a novice photographer could dream of achieving.  The food photography is superb; the images of scenery even more so.  I can imagine Tasmanian Menu being an absolute winner for both the local tourism industry and the agricultural sector at the same time.

Tasmanian Menu: A Recipe for Success

It’s no secret I’m biased about Tasmania.  I love living here; I love writing about it and I can’t imagine ever leaving.  It’s really nice to network with others who feel the same way.  Validation, if you like.  So even though I haven’t read every word yet, I’m sure I will… and not just once.  This is one book I can definitely recommend without any hesitation.

Tasmanian Menu, the first book released by passionate foodie, Simone Bett

Tasmanian Menu: the perfect souvenir for a foodie tourist to take home as a memento of their holiday.  As I’ve already said, the book makes a perfect present for anyone with interests similar to my own.  And it’s also the perfect inspiration, for those looking to forge their passion into a career.  With years of hard work, dedication and determination, Simone Bett has delivered a real treasure.  Probably the first of many, I would imagine.

Tasmanian Menu is sold online for $39.95, including postage.
The website also lists current stockists of the book.

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The Taste Festival: Starring Mr Squid

by Cassandra Wunsch

The Taste Festival in Hobart draws huge crowds, keen to dine at the banquet of fresh fruit, seafood and decadent wines Tasmania has to offer.  This year there was a seven-day program of wine tasting events, and themed tours of the festival for visitors were back by popular demand.

The Taste Festival crowd inside the updated Princes Wharf Shed, Hobart

Media releases and television spots for the Taste always focus on the food, the wine and of course the prime location to watch the boats come in at the conclusion of the Sydney to Hobart, all of which draws tourists by the score.  Tasmania is already famous for Boag’s and Cascade; for Mures and abalone; and of course for wine.  The Taste also gives local performers the opportunity to strut their stuff on what is rapidly becoming a national stage.

Cascade Brewery, a major sponsor of the Taste Festival, in Hobart

Introducing Mr Squid, Sword Swallower Extraordinaire!

It is at this point in time I’d like to introduce you all to Mr Squid.  A Tasmanian by birth, he comes back every year for the Taste Festival, to dazzle and amaze, and of course to yell at his audience.

The sword swallower Mr Squid entertains the crowd at the Taste Festival

The unstoppable Mr Squid performs a number of eye-popping and stomach churning tricks, including fitting his entire body through a tennis racket, and swallowing a sword, much to the amusement of the kids.  For all the gasps and cries of dismay, not a single person managed to pry themselves away from the spectacle, and from Mr Squid’s cavalier disregard for his own body.

Crowds at the Taste Festival in Hobart appreciate the buskers every year

According to Mr Squid, he is one of only five sword swallowers in Australia at this time, out of 52 registered practitioners in the world.  It says something about Australia that such a high percentage of the world’s sword swallowers are here, doesn’t it?

He wasn’t alone at the Taste though.  Over the course of the day the crowd was treated to a pair of unicycle riders on bikes some 15 feet high!  A pair of ‘bouncy brothers’ in the entryway performed tricks for startled new arrivals that involved a lot of air time.

Roving performers, the Bouncy Brothers, greet arrivals at the Taste Festival

The Taste: Something for Everyone!

Thanks to all these performers and practitioners of ancient arts, the Taste was not only a bright and vibrant experience, it was also blissfully calm, with culture and food for mum and dad, and massive unicycles and men swallowing swords for the kids!

It was requested by the performers that at the conclusion of this article I mention that they are all buskers, who live on the enjoyment of the crowd and its expression in terms of remuneration.  In the words of Mr Squid, “these are hard times, but if you’re wearing $500 shoes, you can probably spare me a fiver!”

The Taste Festival runs every year in Hobart during the new year week and has been steadily increasing in size.  In an economic environment as volatile and uncertain as this one, many Australians are choosing to spend their holidays at home, discovering some of the amazing things we have to offer.  The Taste Festival in Hobart is rapidly rising in profile as more and more people discover Hobart’s unique flavour!

Patrons continue to flock to Princes Wharf for the Taste Festival in Hobart

Cassandra Wunsch is a third-year journalism student at Open Universities
Australia. She lives in Hobart with her husband Florian and daughter Taliesin,
and would like to continue to write full-time when she graduates.
Her personal blog is www.10percentinspired.com

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Map: Taste Festival, Hobart Tasmania…

Bruny Island: An Introduction

by Roger Findlay

The isthmus joining north and south Bruny Island

Bruny Island Ferry: Kettering

Bruny Island can be accessed by regular ferry service from Kettering in the Huon Valley region.  Kettering is a comfortable 45 minute drive south of Hobart on the southern outlet via Kingston.  To make the journey a bit more interesting, we usually travel along the coast road through Sandy Bay and Taroona where you may wish to visit to the Shot Tower.

Before you commence your journey, check out the Bruny Island Ferry departure times so that you don’t have to wait for too long.

Take the vehicular ferry from Kettering to Bruny Island

The ferry boat is of drive on-drive off style and the cost for a return trip is between $28 and $42 depending on the season and length of the vehicle.  The good ship Mirambeena sails at a steady pace for twenty minutes before docking at Roberts Point south of Barnes Bay right at the start of the Bruny Island main road.  The crossing can be a bit blowy but I don’t think you need to take tablets for sea sickness!

The vehicle and passenger ferry between Kettering & Bruny Island (Photo by Dan Fellow)

Isthmus: Memorial to Truganini

Now for those of you that don’t know what an isthmus is, I can tell you!  It is a narrow strip of land between two seas.  Bruny is almost like two islands (north and south) joined by an isthmus just wide enough for the road.  With the sea either side, it makes for a very different drive.  Half way across the isthmus is a lookout and a memorial to Truganini who was born on the island and was married at the island’s mission in 1829.

A memorial to Tasmanian aboriginal Truganini on the isthmus of Bruny Island

Read all about Tasmanian aboriginal Truganini on the isthmus of Bruny Island

Lookout for Bruny Island Residents…

Before we went, I read there are more snakes on Bruny than anywhere else in Tasmania.  This didn’t stop us from staying a few days and we’re glad we did as there’s so much to see and do.  The coastal views are breathtaking especially at Kelly’s Lookout.

Breathtaking coastal views abound on Bruny Island

We stayed in a small house in Lunawanna (South Bruny).  It was fairly close to the Cape Bruny lighthouse where we spent time walking the surrounds.  For those interested in history, you can visit the location of Captain James Cook’s 1777 landing at Adventure Bay.

Lighthouse, Cape Bruny (Photo by Dan Fellow)

Bruny Island Foodie Paradise!

For the foodie, Bruny Island is paradise.  I am told the Bruny Island Smokehouse (BISH) is a must.  We chose a cheese platter and fresh baked bread from Nick Haddow’s cheese factory but you may choose to source freshly caught fish or oysters.  The Hotel at Alonnah serves hearty pub food and you can sit outside drinking a cleansing ale right beside the sea.

Bruny Island Hotel at Alonnah, the place for hearty pub food

We’ve been to Bruny Island twice now and it’s a place we would visit again.  Three days on the island makes it worthwhile and reduces the odds of seeing one of those snakes I told you about!

Roger's daughter Carly Findlay enjoys the view over the Bruny Island isthmus

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Map: Bruny Island Tasmania…