Day 1 LaUnCeStOn AnD SuRrOuNdS Into Launceston and out of Hobart, with plenty of ‘west’ in between, prepare for a wild week. To begin your day in adventurous style, fly through the canopy of a Eucalypt forest. At Hollybank Treetops Adventure, zip line your way between cloud stations. If heights aren’t your thing, a space-age Segway ride along the forest floor trails might appeal. Regardless, Hollybank has new ways to see the old (and new growth) forests of the region. If wild rides don’t take your fancy, the Josef Chromy winery in Relbia takes life at a more relaxed pace. With the cellar door open daily, this restored 1880s homestead is a relatively new base for Josef Chromy, the long-time Tamar Valley vintner, who’s regarded as a bit of a local hero. Stay for an à la carte lunch overlooking the 60-hectare vineyard. Alternatively, you may like to visit the friendly folk of Lilydale Larder – who will undoubtedly have home-cooked scents wafting through their café. Don’t be surprised if there’s a local enjoying a wine at the bar – residents and visitors consider this their comfy, rustic local. Order from the seasonal menu and stock up on larder treats from the Providore. Cruise along to Bridestowe Lavender Estate after, and meet Bobbie the famous lavender bear at the world’s largest commercial lavender farm. Or you may like to drive on through to Barnbougle Dunes, a golfing destination that’s been rated Australia’s number one public course more than once. Tee off to the sound of crashing waves on a links course where sweeping beaches, farmland and manicured greens mix effortlessly. Challenge yourself to 18 holes followed by a Tasmanian whisky in the clubhouse. Whether you’ve ventured to Barnbougle or Bobbie’s backyard, get back into Launceston in time for a riverside dining experience at Stillwater Café. Book ahead if you’d like a table by the window. Check into The Quality Inn Heritage Edenholme Launceston accommodation Joesf Chromy Wine 7 DaY SeLf-DrIvE DiScOvErY ToUr WESTERN WiLDERNESS WWW.GOBEHINDTHESCENERY.COM.AU
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Day 1 Launceston and surrounds
Into Launceston and out of Hobart, with plenty of ‘west’ in between, prepare for a wild week. To begin your day in adventurous style, fly through the canopy of a Eucalypt forest. At Hollybank Treetops Adventure, zip line your way between cloud stations. If heights aren’t your thing, a space-age Segway ride along the forest floor trails might appeal. Regardless, Hollybank has new ways to see the old (and new growth) forests of the region.
If wild rides don’t take your fancy, the Josef Chromy winery in Relbia takes life at a more relaxed pace. With the cellar door open daily, this restored 1880s homestead is a relatively new base for Josef Chromy, the long-time Tamar Valley vintner, who’s regarded as a bit of a local hero. Stay for an à la carte lunch overlooking the 60-hectare vineyard.
Alternatively, you may like to visit the friendly folk of Lilydale Larder – who will undoubtedly have home-cooked scents wafting through their café. Don’t be surprised if there’s a local enjoying a wine at the bar – residents and visitors consider this their comfy, rustic local. Order from the seasonal menu and stock up on larder treats from the Providore.
Cruise along to Bridestowe Lavender Estate after, and meet Bobbie the famous lavender bear at the world’s largest commercial lavender farm.
Or you may like to drive on through to Barnbougle Dunes, a golfing destination that’s been rated Australia’s number one public course more than once. Tee off to the sound of crashing waves on a links course where sweeping beaches, farmland and manicured greens mix effortlessly. Challenge yourself to 18 holes followed by a Tasmanian whisky in the clubhouse.
Whether you’ve ventured to Barnbougle or Bobbie’s backyard, get back into Launceston in time for a riverside dining experience at Stillwater Café. Book ahead if you’d like a table by the window.
Check into The Quality Inn Heritage Edenholme Launceston accommodation
To cradLe mounTainHop in the car and prepare for a road trip that only Tasmania can deliver. With road signs pointing to ‘Paradise,’ ‘Nowhere Else,’ ‘Promised Land’ and the self-proclaimed Platypus Capital of the World, it’ll be an interesting ride. Equally important, this route includes some delicious stops along the Cradle Coast Tasting Trail.
First stop of the morning is Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm. There’s no good reason why dark chocolate dipped raspberries cannot be considered late-brekkie fuel. They go beautifully with a latte dusted with ‘raspberry lust dust.’ Next stop is Ashgrove Cheese, where the cows are just beyond the tasting room. Try wasabi or lavender infused cheeses and grab a sample pack to enjoy during your alpine evenings.
Alternatively, if you are still hungry you may like to have lunch served up by the relatively new Tasmanian Food and Wine Conservatory near Sassafras. This café with its delightful natural light and Parisian feel has a providore stocked with 100 per cent Tasmanian produce and commits the same ethos to their lunch offerings. Tucked away off the road, the conservatory has quickly become a favourite stop for travellers. Why not gather picnic supplies to enjoy on a bush walk tomorrow.
Further up the road, turn off at Latrobe (that platypus capital we mentioned) and if you feel like exploring 26 rooms of fascinating toys pop your head into Reliquaire. It’s about as unique as the topiary town of Railton just up the road. Marvel at the well-groomed elephants and leafy emus before a beer stop at Seven Sheds Brewery.
Call into the town of Sheffield, known as the town of murals courtesy of 140 plus outdoor artworks. Keep up that Reliquaire quirk by pulling into Tasmazia – located at none other than Promised Land. Explore the Village of Lower Crackpot before venturing into true alpine territory en route to Cradle Mountain.
Check into your Cradle Mountain Hotel accommodation for the next two nights.
Tonight, find a cosy table near the fire at Hellyers Restaurant in the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village.
Day 3 cradLe mounTain
This morning it’s time to slip into a wetsuit and explore The Lost World Canyon. This three-hour canyoning adventure (call ahead for availability) departs at 8.30am and is one of the ‘tamer’ options from the Cradle Mountain Canyon crew. Float and jump (if you so wish) through the upper reaches of the Dove River through quartzite gorges and past button-grass plains. You may
Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm
Waldheim Spa, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
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Spray Tunnel
Blacksmith Shop West Coast Heritage Centre
even get a friendly nod from a wandering wombat as you float by.
After a warming lunch, drive to Dove Lake carpark and if the clouds are kind, the postcard view requires no trekking. From Dove Lake, there are a range of walking tracks suitable for the energetic through to the one-hour wanderers.
A pleasant, relatively flat walk is the Dove Lake Circuit (suitable for tired morning canyoners), hugging the Dove Lake shores in a six-kilometre loop. This walk ventures through the Ballroom Forest beneath the crags of Cradle Mountain and often rewards with a resident wombat or two. For a steeper climb, Hansons Peak or Marion’s Lookout are great options. Reach the peak and tuck into your picnic supplies gathered yesterday – everything tastes better in the Tasmanian wild.
Come afternoon, slip into the spa looking out to King Billy Pines at Waldheim Alpine Spa or venture across to look at the current exhibition at The Wilderness Gallery at Cradle Mountain Hotel.
At 5.30pm, head to Devils@Cradle for an after dark Tasmanian devil feeding – your up-close encounter with this endangered icon. Watch the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial enjoy din dins then head back to
Cradle Mountain Hotel to enjoy your own. Start with a Tasmanian single malt at Brushtail’s Bar and dine at Quoll’s Restaurant this evening – also part of the Cradle Coast Tasting Trail.
Day 4 cradLe mounTain
To strahanTasmania’s rugged west coast beckons today. Before heading off, enjoy a hearty breakfast and take some time to enjoy a walk around the peaceful Dove Lake. Then hit the road for Strahan via mining towns Roseberry and Zeehan. Stop in at Zeehan, once Tasmania’s third largest town. It was also called ‘Silver City’ in the late nineteenth century – and a visit to the West Coast Heritage Centre takes you through this mining history.
Head out to the Spray Tunnel, a 100-metre-long train tunnel once used to transport ore from the Spray Silver Mine. It’s about a ten minute drive from the main street and if you have a torch and are game, walk inside and look for glow worms. Take a look at the grandly restored Gaiety Theatre before leaving town, rumoured to have hosted Dame Nellie Melba, Australia’s first opera star. Enjoy lunch at Mid’l Café.
Continue on to Queenstown where you’ll find a heritage listed football field – made from gravel. Little wonder visiting teams feared playing here over the course of 100 years. Venture up Spion Kop hill for a full view of the town (including the football field) or take an above ground tour of the old Mount Lyell Mine. Grab a coffee at Tracks Café and if you’re in town on a Thursday, listen out for the lone Devils@Cradle
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Sarah Island
Gordon River Cruise
West Coast Wilderness Railway
bagpiper on the main street. From here, it’s about 40 kilometres of winding road to Strahan.
Check into your Strahan Village accommodation for the next two nights.
Come dinner, enjoy freshly caught mussels or a pub-style steak at Hamers Hotel Bar and Grill along the waterfront.
Day 5 strahan and surrounds
Hop aboard the Lady Jane Franklin II for the Gordon River Cruise, departing at 8.30am this morning. Your atrium seating includes lunch and returns to dry land 5.5 hours later. Cross Macquarie Harbour (six times the size of Sydney Harbour) and gain a sense of the Southern Ocean’s power at Hells Gate before venturing up the Gordon River. Here, ancient forest tumbles down to the river’s edge where it meets glass-like reflections.
The cruise includes river stops where you’re invited to explore on foot. At Heritage Landing there is a Huon pine believed to be 2,000 years old set amongst rainforest species of sassafras, myrtle and blackwood. Enjoy a chef-prepared lunch on board before the next stop – Sarah Island. This island was the largest boat building settlement in the British colonies and was also said to be the most feared penal colony in Australia. Find out why on your Sarah Island wanderings.
Be back in Strahan with plenty of time to enjoy The Ship That Never Was performance at 5:30pm, depicting a true story of convicts hijacking a vessel built in Sarah Island. If you’re in the front row, don’t be surprised if you become part of the cast.
Tonight, enjoy á la carte dining by the water’s edge at Risby Cove. Freshly caught seafood is a must.
Day 6 strahan To Tarraleah
Ready for your next west coast full-day adventure? Hop aboard the steam train at West Coast Wilderness Railway in Strahan and enjoy the full-day Queenstown Explorer return tour. Sit back in a balcony carriage with a glass of sparkling and enjoy this spectacular journey deep into the heritage of the wild West Coast. You’ll be amazed at the tales of deception, swindling and resilience that occurred to the locals living and working in the region. And the good thing about this tour is you get to stop in Queenstown for an hour to explore the historic town before heading back to Strahan.
After your adventure-filled day, drive through to Tarraleah for a night in art-deco accommodation and dine on the edge of Tasmania’s wilderness. Originally home to a
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hydro-electric scheme, your cottage was hand-built back in the 1930s. Don’t worry, today it’s fitted out with modern comforts. Enjoy dinner onsite.
Check into your Art Deco Cottages at Tarraleah accommodation.
Day 7 Tarraleah To hobart
On the way back to Hobart, drop into the Salmon Ponds – the oldest trout hatchery in the Southern Hemisphere and birthplace of trout in Australia. Here you can spend the morning feeding the fish, walking amongst the historic buildings, or visiting the restaurant to enjoy some yummy European style crepes.
Further along at Westerway awaits the Possum Shed for homemade scones with highland berry jam. Those with a keen eye might just spot the resident platypus beyond their coffee cup. Flossie doesn’t normally appear by name, but it doesn’t hurt to whisper it down by the river’s edge.
Drop into New Norfolk for lunch at the Cheeky Little Place or Patchwork Café. This town is a haven for antique hunters, so have a poke through stores dotted around town as well as exploring the former mental asylum of Willow Court.
If you’re passing through Granton before closing time of 4pm, make Stefano Lubiana your final stop for the day. Enjoy a cellar door tasting and perhaps a sneaky afternoon Italian bite – the menu is prepared with seasonal produce from their bio-dynamically run vegetable garden. Oh, and the award-winning NV Brut Reserve sparkling matches the menu beautifully.
Tarraleah Lodge
Willow Court Antique Centre
Tarraleah Lodge spa
Availability of experiences in this itinerary may be subject to opening times, seasonal operation or booking requirements, please call ahead to plan each day.
Photo Credit: Tourism Tasmania. All rights reserved @Tourism Tasmania and Rob Burnett, Joe Shemesh, Lisa Dunn, Brad Harris, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, Melinda Ta, Adrian Cook, Nick Osborne, Graham Freeman, Dan Fellow, RACT Destinations.
