Archive for the ‘Huon Valley & The Channel’ Category

Southern Tassie: a Winter Break

by Janette Bishop

This article about a winter break in southern Tassie has been
written for Think Tasmania by Janette Bishop.  She and husband Chris own
Beachside Retreat West Inlet in Stanley in the state’s north west.
Janette could have written about her own backyard; but she chose to share her
holiday experience in the Huon Valley region instead.  And we love that
Tasmanian spirit of networking and co-operation.  So please enjoy!

Luxury Accommodation Hideaway in the Huon

Our first three days were spent at Woodbridge Hill Hideaway, in one of the four eco-friendly cabins perched high on the hillside overlooking the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island.  Created artistically from Tasmanian timbers, luxuriously and beautifully furnished, including superb stained glass windows, this accommodation is magnificent.  The views of southern Tassie from the spa bathroom, with sliding windows opening up to the panoramic view below, are amazing.

Woodbridge Hill Hideaway, luxury accommodation in southern Tassie

Every comfort has been thought of; Nespresso coffee machine, generous breakfast provisions, wines to purchase and a large deck with barbecue to cook your own.  The complimentary WiFi was appreciated.  Best of all was the beautifully built, enormous, well heated indoor pool, which you can book all to yourselves.  It had of course, the usual magnificent panoramic view, which we were getting quite used to by now and swimming 10 to 12 lengths of the pool a day, was a lovely way to hopefully shed some excess kilos.

A winter break in the Huon Valley in southern Tassie at Woodbridge Hill Hideaway

We finally dragged ourselves away from the views and spent a little time exploring southern Tassie: Kettering and Oyster Cove.  We were amazed at the sheltered marina, absolutely packed with luxury yachts and craft of all shapes and sizes.  This is definitely the place to go, if you are looking for a mooring or boat to purchase.  I hastily moved on my better half; he was fairly drooling.

Winter break: Oyster Cove Marina, Kettering in southern Tasmania

We regretfully left this lovely hideaway and our amiable hosts, Fintan and Ruth.

• HOT TIP: Book via the online system on their website, as the owners
  lead very busy lives and are hard to track down.  Take your bathers.

Bruny Island: a Highlight of Southern Tassie

The 15 minute ferry ride from Kettering to Bruny Island was a pleasant experience, departing approximately every hour and costing $28 return for a vehicle and two passengers.  The southern Tassie island has a rich history, spectacular landscapes and delicious produce and was formerly inhabited by the Nuenanne band of Aboriginals for thousands of years prior to Abel Tasman arriving in 1773.  The last full-blood aboriginal Trugannini was also born here in 1803.

Leaving the ferry we passed a smokehouse and cheese factory, where we were looking forward to tasting the local delicacies, but unfortunately they were both closed during August; a reason to return.  The penguin rookery and lookout at the Neck, with it’s spectacular view was our next stop.  We did not linger, as we were expected at our next destination and did not want to keep our hosts waiting.  We passed through the small towns of Alonnah and Lunawanna on our way to Labillardiere Estate, on Lighthouse Road.

The Bruny Island Ferry transports cars and passengers to and from Kettering

As this is a private, gated 1500 acre wildlife property, arrangements were made for the electronic gate to be unlocked and our hostess Allegra Biggs Dale was waiting.  Our home for the next three days was Chez Discovery, a solar and diesel generated, environmentally sensitive abode, set in a clearing with views to Great Taylor’s Bay and D’Entrecasteaux Channel.  Two bedrooms, a spacious lounge and well equipped kitchen with gas cooker, laundry and modern bathroom more than supplied our needs.  Breakfast can be provided.

Chez Discovery (Labillardiere Estate) on Bruny Island in southern Tassie

Allegra and husband Adrian have lived at Labillardiere for 20 years, after foregoing exciting places like the Middle East, Maldives and Asia.  They are delightful people and will proudly show you the natural features of their property; the birds, forests, wetlands and of course the petit orchids, of which Allegra now has a book to her name.  Adrian’s hobby is his seven metre amphibious craft, ‘Aquila’ Sealegs, which is in full survey and available for tours for up to six passengers.

Allegra & Adrian from Labillardiere Estate on Bruny Island with their Aquila

Allegra with Adrian's hobby: Aquila Sealegs, Bruny Island in southern Tassie

Regretfully, the windy conditions were not conducive to either a trip in Aquila or the Bruny Island Cruise, so we made the decision to revisit Chez Discovery and Bruny Island in the autumn, when hopefully the weather will be more favourable. A pleasant stay with interesting hosts.

• HOT TIP: Let Allegra know your arrival time for scheduled entry
  via the electronic gate and take plenty of provisions with you.
  Internet connection is available.

Back to Basics for a Winter Break

We disembarked Bruny the same way as we came and spent a leisurely morning driving onto our next winter break destination, Huon Bush Retreats, stocking up on food, en route.  The roads were very quiet and we only passed one hire car with tourists, all morning.  The retreat is situated in an extensive private habitat reserve, at the end of a narrow, steep, winding, 4km gravel road and has a range of self contained cabins, tipees and campsites.

Our compact studio cabin, had a small kitchen/dining space, lounge and sleeping area, bathroom with shower and a composting toilet.  It was basically furnished, had 12 volt electricity and no TV or mobile phone coverage.  If urgent, we could have recharged our computer at reception, but decided to wait.  The surrounding bush was alive with wildlife which would enter your cabin uninvited, if a door was unintentionally left open.

The bush is alive with wildlife in southern Tassie (Photo by Dan Fellow)

We decided to visit Cockle Creek and Recherche Bay the following morning, which we thoroughly enjoyed.  The rain clouds cleared to shafts of sunlight, as we walked to the waters edge at the Whale Sculpture; a pod of dolphins appearing momentarily in the bay.  Pure magic and well worth the trip, over a sometimes waterlogged track.  Thank goodness for the Land Rover Defender; it was reassuring to know that we were not likely to get bogged!

• HOT TIP: Attempt the steep mountain road before dusk.
  Make sure your computer/shaver etc., are fully charged.

Recherche Bay, one of the most southern Tassie places you can visit

A wonderful, well-written article about southern Tassie, and we’re very pleased Janette decided to share with us.  Choosing to holiday-at-home proved beneficial for the Bishops, too.  After their winter break, they returned to the Beachside Retreat West Inlet in Stanley without any sign of a winter “mainland flu”.  Refreshed and devoid of any travel-related stresses, they have a renewed appreciation for southern Tassie after a 20-year break between visits.

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!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Southern Tassie…

Beth Russell, Manager at Hastings Caves, made contact in mid-September saying she’d love Think Tasmania to visit.  And we didn’t need to be asked twice!  We were very excited about the prospect of driving south of Hobart for a day out.  We started talking about the upcoming visit on Facebook, and do you know what?  We had the most feedback we’ve ever had about one of our planned journeys!

Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs: Huon Valley south of Hobart in Tasmania

Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs: On Everyone’s List

People were commenting about Hastings Caves in one of two ways…

• either they had been and it was wonderful, we were going to love it; or
• they’d never been but had always wanted to visit.  Could they come with us?

We can now understand why everyone was so excited.  It’s a fabulous and unique experience, and it’s quite easy to manage in a day trip from Hobart.  100km drive (or about an hour and a half) will get you there, through Huonville, Franklin and Port Huon.

Port Huon Marina in the Huon Valley (Photo by Dan Fellow)

We stopped briefly in Geeveston on the way, hoping to have some of Masaaki’s Sushi for lunch.  It’s another pretty popular draw card for the Huon Valley region, especially since his appearance on Gourmet Farmer.  The tiny shop (behind The HR Factor in the main street) hadn’t yet opened for the day, so we missed out.  But never fear, we’ll just head to the Farmers Market in Hobart one Sunday and have our fix of sushi!

Hastings Caves Visitor Centre

As the Huon Highway turns towards Southport, you take the Hastings Caves Road to the right and drive towards Ida Bay Railway until you reach a gravel road into the state reserve, which is well sign-posted.  We arrived at the Hastings Caves Visitor Centre, half expecting to be the only visitors.  It was a public holiday for the show, and we thought everyone else would be at the Hobart Showground.  Wrong!!  The carpark was full, and when we met Erin at the counter inside, we learned a very valuable lesson that we can pass on to you… make a booking!

The visitor centre at the Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs complex

Each cave tour can accommodate about 30 people, and we just scraped in to the final tour of the day at 3:00pm.  The four tours prior to that had all been fully booked.  But waiting didn’t pose a problem at all, as we got to enjoy a walk through the forest.  Part way around the boardwalk, we saw an echidna scurry off the track and bury his head in the sand, trusting his spines to protect his bottom!

The Hot Springs Circuit and the Platypus Walk, both at the Thermal Springs complex

Swimming and the Thermal Springs

On the walk, you can stop to watch fish in the stream, or search for a platypus.  And there’s a special place you can lean down and touch the water to appreciate another phenomenon of the Hastings Caves Reserve: the Thermal Springs.  The underground springs feed a swimming pool, where the water is naturally heated to about 28C.

The thermal springs at the Hastings Caves state forest supply a public swimming pool

We joined several other families enjoying the surrounds of the thermal pool.  Plenty were swimming; others were playing ball games on the grass.  Even more were using the BBQ’s or having lunch at the picnic tables.

Lots of family fun in Tasmania's great outdoors at the Thermal Springs, Huon Valley

Great visitor facilities at the Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs complex

Locals can purchase an annual pool membership, and a family from Dover told us they made it their mission to visit quite often.  With two roaring open fires in the BBQ huts, the heated pool would be a pleasant experience even during cooler months.

The BBQ hut near the thermal springs swimming pool at Hastings forest reserve

Open fires keep swimmers warm when they leave the thermal springs pool

Newdegate Cave Tour

Before long, it was time to whip through the heated showers, make our way back to the car park and drive the 5kms from the Visitor Centre to the Newdegate Cave.  We donned jackets (the cave is about 9C) and sturdy footwear.  Then with tickets in hand, we made our way past signs detailing the accidental discovery of the caves by loggers, to meet our guide.

Trish, our Parks & Wildlife Service Newdegate Cave Tour Guide

Parks and Wildlife Service tour-guide Trish gave the group a quick introductory spiel, and then we were led into the entrance to face… the stairs!  Now anyone having read some of my previous articles would know I hate stairs.  With a passion!  Erin had given me the heads up: there was about 500 of the dreaded steps to negotiate.  Worried enough to hand over the camera so I could focus all my energy, I steeled myself.

Highlight of the Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs - Newdegate Cave tour

But I needn’t have worried at all.  Walkers set their own pace and when the whole group had assembled in each new chamber, Trish would shine her flashlight and explain how the spectacular dolomite features had formed over 40 million years.  While there’s a lot of stairs overall, you’re walking down, then up, then across; and all with breaks in between for photos and questions.  I managed the 50 minute tour, including the set of stairs dubbed “Jenny Craig”, with both dickie hip and lungs intact!

The photos don't quite show how fascinating the Newdegate Cave really is!

Hastings State Forest Reserve

Several of the formations have been given names: headache rock, birthday cake, champagne glasses and a champagne bottle.  And while photography (even flash) is allowed in the caves, nothing can compare to seeing the crystal straws, stalactites and glow worms in person.  The whole thing is absolutely amazing.  $60-00 will cover a Newdegate Cave tour; a swim in the thermal springs pool and a great family day in the Tasmanian forest reserve.

Tree-hugger in the Huon Valley: the Thermal Springs Circuit bush walk

The writer and her family were guests of Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs.
For more information visit the website or phone (03) 6298 3209

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!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs…

Gourmet Farmer and Associates

by Roger Findlay

Meeting the Gourmet Farmer…

Travelling around Tasmania I have met so many people enjoying life; doing the things that they enjoy best.  If you’ve walked through Salamanca Market on a Saturday, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

Salamanca Market on a Saturday in Hobart (Photo by Dan Fellow)

Matthew Evans

Matthew Evans was the editor and restaurant reviewer for the Sydney Morning Herald food supplement before starting a new life in Cygnet, Tasmania.  He was escaping from the rat-race of city life and the pressure of the job.  By reporting the truth on a few upmarket restaurants it got to the stage where his life had to contend with an element of animosity and threat.  His book, Never Order Chicken on a Monday, is intriguing stuff and tells the full story.

Never Order Chicken on a Monday, according to Matthew Evans!

The Gourmet Farmer on SBS

On Thursday, August 25 at 7.30pm, SBS will be screening the first episode in the second series of Gourmet Farmer.  I do know that Evans and associates did some filming on Flinders Island as well as mainland regions of Tasmania.

Nick Haddow and Ross O’Meara share and live the same dream as Evans.  Nick is the owner of the Bruny Island Cheese Company and Ross O’Meara is an artisan butcher who makes the most wonderful pork pies!

A Common Ground

Until quite recently, the trio and their wares could be found running a stall at Salamanca Market, but they have now moved to a small shop called A Common Ground at the bottom end of Salamanca.

The Gourmet Farmer SBS Series DVD, Salamanca Market Hobart

Farmers Markets & Artisan Producers

On our last visit to Hobart in July of this year, Matthew Evans had a stall at the Hobart Farmers Market and my wife, Jeanette, purchased his latest cook book: Winter on the Farm.

Jeanette Findlay meets Matthew Evans, the Gourmet Farmer in Hobart

I can’t wait to see the next Gourmet Farmer series; or to visit Tasmania again, where the produce is so fresh.  We should all support the likes of Matthew Evans and the other growers at farmers markets.  They are the ones preserving the values of what food used to be like.

Pork sausages: now sold at A Common Ground in Salamanca, Hobart

Editor’s Note: A Common Ground is also the name given to a collaboration between the Gourmet Farmer (Matthew Evans), Ross O’Meara, Nick Haddow and other Tasmanian artisan producers.  With the dynamic trio at the helm, farmers, fishermen, winemakers and brewers present their gourmet produce at functions held in unique locations.

So far one event has been hosted in a stone barn in Stanley.  Another in a paddock on Flinders Island.  Apparently, Mount Wellington makes the perfect location for a winter feast of fondue and mulled wine.  Go figure!

Map of Cygnet Tasmania…

The Wooden Boat Centre: Franklin Tasmania

by Roger Findlay

The Wooden Boat Centre is located in Franklin, is a 40 minute drive south of Hobart on the western side of the Huon River.

The Huon River near the Wooden Boat Centre.

Franklin, Huon Valley Tasmania

The Huon Valley town was named after Sir John and Lady Jane Franklin, who lived in the town and commuted to Hobart in a wooden boat named Huon Pine.  Once an apple orchard area, Franklin is surrounded by small farms and the town itself retains the aura of a former port.  The changing colours and reflections on the river make this a photographers paradise.

The Craft of Building: Wooden Boat Centre

The Wooden Boat Centre sits alongside the jetty and is a great place to visit.  You can watch craftsmen and trainees building wooden boats from complicated plans.  To fulfil their lifetime ambition, trainees pay for the unique experience and dedicate countless hours of labour in achieving their goal.

The Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin, Huon Valley, Tasmania

Tasmanian Ambassador: Tetsuya Wakuda

We talked to one of the boat builders and he was proud to tell us about the boat he was building for Sydney restaurateur Tetsuya Wakuda.

The Wooden Boat Centre built a Huon pine boat for Tetsuya

Tetsuya is a great fan of Tasmanian produce and works closely alongside Brand Tasmania as an international ambassador.  His boat is made of Huon pine that came from a stockpile found on the forest floor near Lynchford.

Franklin for a Huon Pine Boat… or just Coffee!

If you have a spare $800,000, you too can have a wooden boat like the one that Tetsuya owns!  Even if you can’t afford one right now, Franklin and the Wooden Boat Centre are well worth a visit.

Photographer Heaven: Franklin Tasmania (Photo by Dan Fellow)

Map of Franklin Tasmania…

Seafood:  what’s that old saying about the diet?  See food… and eat it?  Well if you’re remotely interested in undertaking a diet of seafood, and want both quality and variety of selection… Tasmania is the place for you!  Options include a fresh catch, a fine-dining platter or a take-away paper cone-full of fish n chips.  And any of them taste so much better with a view of the very place they came from.

A seafood dinner, water views... yum! (Photo by Dreamstime)

Seafood: Catch a Connoisseur

Reading the articles from Roger Findlay (detailing his gastronomic travels with wife Jeanette to the Apple Isle) would make anyone hungry.  He’s always up for a challenge too.  When I mentioned smoked trout once, I’m pretty sure he booked the next plane he could catch bound for Tasmania!

The Woodbridge Smokehouse came to my attention when I noticed the fabulous graphic on their website.  When I made a comment to the Smoke Master (Roger Scales, although I’m not convinced that could actually be his real name); his reply was simple… if you think the website is good wait till you try the product! Woodbridge is located between Snug and Middleton in The Channel region south of Hobart.  I’m sure we’ll have more details to bring you one day.  Wild horses couldn’t keep our man Roger away!

Smoked fish: Woodbridge Smokehouse website

Hook Your Own Fish

If you prefer your seafood to be fresh rather than smoked, you could try your hand at a little fishing.  There’s plenty of Tasmanian trout fishing experts around the state, and you can charter tours offshore for the big game fish.  Locals might even take you for a spin in their boat if you ask them really nicely.  We met some chatty fishermen at Birchs Bay (also near the D’Entrecasteaux Channel) who were quite pleased with their catch:  tuna, I think?

A seafood catch: fresh tuna at Birchs Bay, Tasmania

Want your adventure in Tasmania to remain strictly on dry ground?  You can dangle a basic old fishing line (or a flash new one) from a jetty or wharf.  Marine and Safety Tasmania do a fantastic job providing facilities around the state to encourage recreational fishing.  Flathead make a tasty seafood dinner, and these beauties were caught by George from South Arm.  George was just five at the time!

Flathead: fresh fish for dinner!

Cooking the Catch

Nice as a fresh catch may be, what if you prefer your fish to be cleaned, cooked and presented to you on a plate?  I’m sorry, you just can’t find that anywhere in Tasmania.  Kidding!  Many of you would’ve already read our rave reviews about Pedro’s Seafood Restaurant in Ulverstone.  Popular place with Tasmanian tourists and locals, always a good sign.  The seagulls even set up camp on the lawns, waiting for a stray chip.  Obviously too lazy to catch their own fish!

Seafood platter from Pedro's The Restaurant, Ulverstone

The east coast of Tasmania is a region well known for its fishing.  While the seafood processing plants are no longer operational, in places like Bicheno, you can still manage to score a crayfish from the butcher.  Our host Debbie from Bicheno Ocean View Retreat suggested we try a meal at the Sea Life Centre, a local institution in the town.  We took her advice and had a generous feed…

Sea Life Centre in Bicheno: seafood on a fish platter!

As we came to expect in the east coast town, we had great service at the restaurant.  Over lunch we had a lovely chat with our waiter Tim, who was a wealth of knowledge about the local area.  As it turns out, he’s also a very creative photographer.

Fishing Boats & Take-away Seafood

In Doo Town near the Tessellated Pavement on the Tasman Peninsula, we bought lunch near The Blowhole.  Behind the vendor, whose caravan was wildly popular (that day at least), there’s a view to the fishing boats that deliver the produce straight from the Tasman Sea.  And the strawberry and raspberry sundaes were also a sight to behold!

Catch some calamari and chips in Doo Town, Tasmania!

So there you have a tiny taste selection from the Tasmanian menu.  By no means an exhaustive list of options, as you will see from Roger’s article about Stanley next week.  Feel free to leave a reply about your own special seafood experience below.

Hobart tours!  Who would have thought the article called Tour Tasmania: a Day Trip on Steroids would be so popular?  While I still prefer a more relaxed approach, I’ve bowed to the will of the people and devised another day trip option from Hobart.  This time, heading south…

Hobart: tours from the city to the south (the Huon Valley)

Hurry: Hobart Tours

First, we need to set the alarm clock and bound out of bed early in Hobart.  Tours could head in any direction from the capital of Tasmania, but today I thought we’d give the Huon Valley the focus of our attention.  To get a reasonable amount of driving done while we’re still fresh, let’s make just a brief stop at Franklin.

While Huonville is the larger, service hub of the region, Franklin is a tiny village on the banks of the Huon River, 45kms south-west of the city.  It’s the perfect place for us to buy a first-class coffee.  And maybe a biscuit, too!  And now we’ll have enough energy to tackle our first major attraction.

Huon River, Franklin (Photo by Jo Kuchel)

You won’t be surprised to learn that the Tahune AirWalk near Geeveston is featured on this day-trip plan.  It’s a highlight on practically all Hobart tours to the Huon Valley.  We could spend almost a whole day wandering around the Tahune Forest Reserve and nearby attractions like Eagle Hang Gliding, Hartz Mountains National Park and Arve Falls.   But to keep on schedule, today we only have time for a quick gallop around the tree-top canopy walkway.  We must take in the swinging bridges, though.  They’re awesome!

Tahune AirWalk, a popular feature on Hobart tours

Far South to Southport

Because we set the alarm early, and we’ve sprinted around Tahune, I’ve included a substantial detour to Southport.  With so many attractions on the Huon Trail, you might be tempted to skip this beauty in the far south.  But the lovely bay surrounding the town faces south-east to the Great Southern Ocean; and the drive to the region (via Dover) also has wonderful views.

Like Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula, the Tasmanian history books show that Southport also had a convict station.  Originally a busy port for timber and whaling industries, the town now has a much smaller population.  Shack owners and visitors take advantage of the recreational fishing waters and surrounding beaches.

South Tasmania: 100kms from Hobart, Southport boat ramp

Even if we skip the Southport detour, the next stop on today’s south-of Hobart tour is scheduled for Cygnet.  The tag of alternative lifestyle is often applied to the residents here, but who gets to decide: what’s normal and what’s alternative?  It seems perfectly reasonable to make a living from arts and crafts, hobby farms and orchards to me!

Regardless of the name applied to the town, Cygnet has a lovely marina and is a great Tasmanian town to visit… quirky or not!  And although I can’t personally confirm this, I’ve read the town is home to one of the best restaurants going around.  Might have to investigate that in more detail another time!

Cygnet Tasmania: take your own tour from Hobart for lunch!

Now we’re homeward bound, heading back to our house or holiday accommodation in Hobart.  Tours can sometimes take longer than you think when travelling in Tasmania due to the windy roads.  But if you aren’t sick of driving yet, I would strongly recommend we take the long way around via Middleton and Birchs Bay.  The road runs very close to the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and the scenery is magic.

Birchs Bay has more to offer than you might think!

Kettle or Keg: Kettering

Back through Kettering we go, home of the vehicle ferry to Bruny Island.  And to continue today’s theme of boats and beautiful waterways, we might stop and take in a bevvy at the local hotel.   There’s an outside deck overlooking the yachts in the marina, with a very relaxing ambiance.  Perfect for sampling a drop of the local wine.  (Lemon squash for the driver, of course!)

The marina at Kettering, taken from the pub!

With the Kettering stop-over option, even if we bypass Snug, we’ll probably arrive too late to buy lollies at the Margate Train.  Aside from sweets, shop owners at the site offer books, pancakes and bric-a-brac.  But from memory the carriages close their doors at 4pm.  There’s a big shed at the back housing antiques and second-hand goods, and a carpet store that may keep longer hours.  At one stage the Margate Train Market was held onsite on Sundays… can’t confirm that one either, sorry!

The Margate Train: one option for Hobart tours to the south

Galloping Through: Kingston Town

Leaving Margate, we’ll travel through Kingston, the heart of the Kingborough municipality and only 15kms south of Hobart.  Tours sometimes rudely ignore this residential seaside suburb, but there is a lovely sheltered swimming beach.  The popular Kingston Beach Golf Course has a great reputation with golfers from all around Australia.  And for another walk before returning to base, we could take a stroll along the Alum Cliffs.

The tranquil swimming beach at Kingston, Tasmania

By this stage though, we might be ready to just drive on home.  We can take the multi-lane carriageway for a speedy finish.  Or we could take the scenic route via Taroona; past the historic Shot Tower overlooking the Derwent River towards the South Arm Peninsula.  But surely everyone would be sick of the never-ending fabulous vistas on these Hobart tours by now?

Hobart Tours: Don’t Blink & Miss It!

Hopefully everyone reading this will realise:  if you take the fly-by option on Hobart tours, there’s things you’re going to miss.  The Huon Valley is such a gorgeous region, you could visit many, many times and still experience new and interesting places.  I’ve briefly mentioned only some of the towns; and hardly any of the actual attractions, places to eat, or things to do.  What a pity there’s not a better, more relaxed way to enjoy this touring around Tasmania…

Hire a motorhome in Tasmania for Hobart tours

If you’d like to add a comment about your favourite place
to visit in the Huon Valley region, please leave a reply below.

Map of Hobart Tours (Southport, Kingston)…

Visit Tasmania: Opportunity Knocks

Why don’t you visit Tasmania?  That was the question we asked our close friends from South Australia.  They wrangled some time off work; added the Easter public holidays; and we all spent a fabulous week together.

Of course there’s no way the whole island can be covered in a single week.  But here’s a brief outline of what we did achieve.

The Spirit of Tasmania

We’ve mentioned before that travelling via the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne allows you to bring a car load of luggage.  And that’s what our friends did, so they had their own wheels when they arrived.  After a smooth passage, they started their Tasmanian visit in Devonport.

Bring your own car on the passenger ferry when you visit Tasmania

Visit Tasmania: Visit Launceston!

Spending the first night in Launceston allowed a glimpse at some of the highlights at the northern end of the state.  There’s no shortage of things to do in Launceston, but we chose the chairlift at the Cataract Gorge as a starting point.  The reserve was back to normal after some serious flooding over the Trevallyn Dam recently.

Chairlift ride, Cataract Gorge Reserve, Launceston Tasmania

Monkeys!  Who doesn’t like monkeys?  Launceston City Park is beautiful in any weather, and is especially good on a gorgeous autumn day.  The John Hart Conservatory is magnificent in full bloom.  Not everyone likes flowers and gardens, but the Automobile Museum of Tasmania is right across the road, which is convenient for groups on a quick tour of Launceston.

Visit the Tasmanian monkeys in Launceston City Park

Drive the East Coast of Tasmania

We’ve established that time was limited on this visit.  Tasmania just has too many things to do!  But a coastal trip along the beautiful beaches of the East Coast just had to sneak in to the itinerary.  Even though a hike in the Freycinet National Park to Wine Glass Bay was unfortunately out of the question, a leisurely drive anywhere between Orford and Binalong Bay was always going to be a winner!

We didn’t set quite the cracking pace of contestants in The Three Peaks Race, which was also held last week.  An extreme adventure event, the course follows the east coast of Tasmania.  Crews depart from Beauty Point (just north of Beaconsfield) and via Flinders Island and the Freycinet Peninsula, they sail to Hobart.

Catamaran (visitflindersisland.com.au) in the Three Peaks Race

As if the non-stop, offshore sailing component wasn’t challenging enough… some team members have to race up and down three mountain peaks as well.  The final leg of the race includes the summit of Mount Wellington in Hobart.

We were clearly inspired by their efforts, as we set off to conquer the climb as well.  We did however, choose to drive, rather than run!  The views were amazing, as always.  And it was such a gorgeous day, we also took the kids to the Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, where they enjoyed a ride on the 1882 steam-powered Gallopers Merry-Go-Round.

Steam carousel at the Tasmanian Royal Botanical Gardens, Hobart

Take in The Capital, Hobart

Obviously, when you visit Tasmania, Hobart and the surrounding regions offer up some serious choices.  Do you drive to Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula, maybe checking the Tessellated Pavement at Eaglehawk Neck?  Or perhaps you could take a Peppermint Bay Cruise, or maybe even venture to Bruny Island?

All fabulous ideas, but we decided the kids needed another dose of chocolate, and took them to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory in Claremont.  Easter Bunny had parked all his leftover eggs at their factory outlet, and we managed to secure a few more sweet treats.

A visit to Tasmania isn't complete without the chocolate factory!

A Tasmanian Valley Trio

Derwent Valley

Choosing something to suit all tastes and ages can sometimes be a little daunting for the poor tour guide.  But not when you visit Tasmania!  A drive to New Norfolk takes in some of the magnificent Derwent Valley scenery, while Mt Field National Park has some great waterfalls and bush walks, even for young children.  And a Tasmanian Devil Jet Boat ride can add a rush of adrenalin to an otherwise relaxing day trip.

Devil Jet Boat, New Norfolk: Tasmania's Derwent Valley

Here’s a tip:
if someone from your group is charged with capturing the experience on
camera, there’s a great vantage point at Windsor Corner.  It’s a ten minute
drive west of New Norfolk on the Lyell Highway, enroute to Hamilton.

Huon Valley

About a 30-minute drive from the capital of Hobart, the delights of the Huon Trail await.  Again there’s a choice: a visit to the D’Entrecasteaux Channel towns of Margate, Snug, Woodbridge, Kettering and Middleton; or you can choose the Huon Valley as we did.  We had a BBQ lunch at Franklin (behind the Petty Sessions Gourmet Cafe) along side the peaceful Huon River, on our way to Geeveston.

The magnificent Huon River at Franklin in the Huon Valley

From “The Gateway to the Southern Forests” we chose to visit the Tahune AirWalk Adventure.  Turned out to be a good decision this time around… but then it’s always a great place to take visitors.  The dare-devils can try cable hang-gliding, and the more sedate can enjoy coffee in the cafe.  For the majority of visitors, the main attraction (which includes two swinging bridges and the actual cantilevered treetop walkway) is easy to manage.

Visit Tasmania and the Tahune Forest AirWalk, Huon Valley

Here’s another tip:
if you’re local and you do invite friends to visit Tasmania, you can register
with Forestry Tasmania as a Friend of the Forest.  You are then given free
entry to the Tahune Forest AirWalk when you bring another family along,
saving $50 between you (to possibly spend on souvenirs and snacks!)

Coal River Valley

Also within comfortable day-trip distance from Hobart: Richmond.  We arranged to meet more friends, also on holiday in Tasmania, in the small village of Richmond in the Coal River Valley.

Separating into groups by gender, the girls took to the shops before selecting from the delectable array of cakes at the Richmond Wine Centre.  The fellas left the car by the historic bridge near Australia’s oldest Catholic Church and walked through town to the Richmond Arms Hotel, where they enjoyed a Cascade beer.

By some strange co-incidence, both groups managed to find their way inside the lolly shop in the main street.  Amazing!!

The historic village of Richmond in the Coal River Valley, Tasmania

The Visit to Tasmania: Final Verdict?

Our friends would be way too polite to say if they didn’t enjoy their visit to Tasmania.  But they seemed to have a good time.  We certainly did.  They also managed to experience a surf beach with some wicked sand dunes and very cold water; and the Salamanca Market on Saturday morning.  And of course we sampled lots of the local Tasmanian produce!  But there’s no escaping the fact we missed some excellent attractions.  They’ll just have to book another Tasmanian holiday!!

Photo Credit:
Thanks to Jo Kuchel for some of the photos used on this page.

Map: Visit Tasmania…