North East Tasmania: Not To Be Missed
June 25th, 2012 | 
Author: Earlier this month, we stayed in north east Tasmania at the delightful Tin Dragon Trail Cottages at Branxholm. We were invited by the owners (Graham, Christine and James) with a view to promoting their region. And what great ambassadors they are for the north east! Graham was happy to give up his time to act as our personal tour guide, and we definitely achieved a great deal during the three-night stay.
Tin Dragon Trail Cottages and our host in North East Tasmania, Graham Cashion
Giving North East Tasmania Top Billing
Despite powering around north east Tasmania, there’s still plenty of things we missed*. I do think Graham was very clever in this regard. We went to some places that we might never have found without his assistance; some places that are major tourist attractions; and some places we were given just a fleeting glimpse of, like the Blue Tier. He quite often said words along the lines of: “When you come back next time, you should…” If that’s not a ploy to whet the appetite for the region, I don’t know what is!
The Blue Tier Region (north East Tasmania) has so much to explore
But that’s what you’d expect from a good tourism operator with a passion for his community. And we loved the region, so we’ll be quite happy to return and explore in more detail. North east Tasmania has been kept a bit secret actually, wedged as it has been between two of the current major tourism zones: Launceston and the North; and the East Coast. Like many smaller communities around the state, it has such a diverse range of assets that it deserves to have its name up in lights.
The Sideling Lookout near Scottsdale, between Launceston and the East Coast
Think North East Tasmania: That’s A Plan
So that’s the next plan for Think Tasmania! Just as Roger Findlay, for example, has devoted himself to a series about Flinders Island (and prior to that King Island); I thought I’d write not one, but several articles about our recent visit to Branxholm. Of course I will be sharing details about the Tin Dragon Trail Cottages, which were awesome in every regard. That accommodation property could actually constitute a destination all on its own! But given our hosts wanted to showcase north east Tasmania, and did just that, we have so much more to write about.
Even small towns like Branxholm in north east Tasmania have much to discover
We saw beautiful waterfalls and magnificent bush-walks. We learned about the history and tragedy of tin mining in Derby and retraced the steps of Chinese miners. In the space of a single day, we covered wood carvings, mountain trails and a dairy making first-class cheese (and superb hot chocolates!). We ate and drank at country pubs that provide a huge feast without the huge price tag. And we had a very nice tour with the farm manager of Bridestowe Lavender Estate; out of season and still an interesting and attractive place to visit. Coupled with the articles written by our regular contributor, Gina Scott (also from north east Tasmania) hopefully we’ll go some way towards shining that light.
Just some of the attractions and features of north east Tasmania
North East Tasmania Articles…
- Weldborough Hotel
- Bridestowe Lavender Estate
- Mt Paris Dam (by Carol Haberle)
- Tin Dragon Trail Cottages
- Tin Centre – Derby
- Romantic Getaway – WIN Two Nights in a Spa Cottage!
- Norm Brown – Ralphs Falls Lookout
- Forest EcoCentre – Scottsdale
- Pyengana Dairy – Holy Cow Cafe
- Chinese Heritage – Henry Ah Ping Walk
- Tasmanian North East – More to Mention
This Series of Articles Made Possible By…
Thanks to our gracious hosts at Tin Dragon Trail Cottages, and thanks to all the welcoming people of north east Tasmania. To have someone hold the door open past closing time because they’ve seen our car pull up, is a lovely gesture.
The manager of the Hobbyts’ Dragon in Derby held the store open for us to visit
And we must also say thanks to Des Brown of Eagles Nest Retreat near Sheffield (so across towards the north west side of the state). We wrote an article for Des about his Love in Tasmania campaign about 18 months ago, and apparently Graham and Christine contacted Think Tasmania at his suggestion. We mention this because we like to see a spirit of networking and co-operation between operators from all regions of Tasmania. Just saying!
*Apologies to Ross Baker, who makes golf clubs at Barnbougle Lost Farm. We had hoped to visit to see his intriguing work, but didn’t make it that far north this time. And we were also hoping for a taste of cheese from Yondover Goat Dairy, but unfortunately they were closed. Anne from Berries Cafe in Derby is recuperating from an operation; and then there’s Scottsdale Art Gallery Cafe and Oakdene Gardens and Museum. Shall I go on? Like I said, we’ll be back!!
31 August ~ We’re very pleased to say we have now published this article…
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Map: North East Tasmania…
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Posted in East Coast, Launceston & Tamar Valley, Tasmanian Accommodation | 
Tags: Maps, Tourism, Travel Destination
2 Responses to “North East Tasmania: Not To Be Missed”
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And what great people they are, definitely good ambassadors for this region and this state. This little known or supported spot was voted best bed and breakfast accommodation in Tasmania by Lonely Planet.
Thanks David for your additional kind words. I’m not sure that Tin Dragon Trail Cottages is in Lonely Planet; but we did receive a peoples Choice Award from Trip Advisor (B&B and Inns category).
Think Tasmania is making a great contribution to the promotion of regional Tasmania. Thanks guys for all your work.