Hit Tassie's {Wine} Trails
Congratulations on exploring Australia’s coolest wine region*!
With vineyards scattered right across the island, you'll find cellar doors (and boast-worthy experiences) within easy reach of major centres and located along the journey to some of Tasmania’s iconic attractions and experiences. Tassie's wine growing areas are divided into four wine touring trails and most are situated a short journey from the major cities of Devonport, Hobart and Launceston, as well as along the famous Great Eastern Drive.
Tasmanian wine is perfectly crafted to complement our island’s produce, so find a world class view (there are plenty) and feast like a local. Whether you’re embarking on a dedicated wine and food adventure or fancy mixing it up a little – a cellar door visit is doubly rewarding after one of Tassie’s many great hikes – you’ll find your perfect destination on Tasmania's Wine Trails.
*(OK, we may be a little biased, but we are sure that you will thoroughly enjoy the delicious wine from our little island with latitude).
They stand by a recipe in the North West. Lush. Bountiful. Welcoming. Untamed. And a good dose of fine produce straight from the source. We’re talking farm stalls flanked by rich red soils and crays plucked straight from the ocean by friendly small-town folk.
Beneath broad skies, nature’s dance stretches from ancient Cradle Mountain to sandy coves dotting Bass Strait. In these parts, take your time and don’t forget to breathe deeply. After all, the winds of the Roaring Forties deliver some of the freshest air on the planet.
After driving through the fertile growing areas of the region, it’s only natural that you’ll be keen to taste what they are producing. Local cooks and chefs will present you with the best the region has to offer. They showcase more than nourishment – they’re offering you a link to the growers and the land they love. Every mouthful savoured in the North West becomes more special when you learn the stories behind the outstanding food and beverages on offer.
Experience first hand the supremely fresh fruit and vegetables sourced from roadside stalls or the paddock to plate experience of eating food sourced from local ingredients. The region is fringed with mountain tiers where the soft water from snowmelt rivers nourishes the surrounding fields and crops. Sample seaside berry farms, highland truffles, artisan cheese and the wine – definitely the wine.
Generosity and token dairy cows come standard. That’s the simple, pure, time-honoured recipe that awaits your visit.
Get captivated by history, lost in an underground world of art and dazzled by natural wonders – the South is truly full of surprises.
From the city of Hobart, roads in any direction lead through meandering river valleys, wind past apple orchards, convict cottages, fishing ports and (of course) vineyards. It’s the gateway to southern lutruwita / Tasmania and it doesn’t really matter whether you love trekking into the wilds or unearthing cosy bars and sipping a crisp Riesling.
There’s a little something for everyone in a place so compact that a few days will feel like a week. With short travel times between adventures, you can be atop kunanyi / Mount Wellington and swimming at a beach on the same day, cruising up the River Derwent and meeting a local artist in Salamanca on the very same afternoon.
And there’s good reason well-known foodies have settled in southern Tasmania. The soil is rich, the water and air pure, and innovative locals serve up paddock to plate goodness. Growers and makers deliver everything from soft goat’s cheese, smoked salmon and roadside apples to world class wine of extensive variety. Pick your own fresh produce direct from the source or pull up a seat at a stylish eatery.
Tasmania may look little on the map, but it’s brimming with things to do. Whether you’re into art and culture, outdoor adventure or have a penchant for exploring the past, Southern Tasmania has plenty to fill your day.
Pull on some boots and venture into the wilderness to discover glacial tarns, or drive through vineyard landscapes and meet our makers. Perhaps you like the idea of cruising southern waterways and exploring wild ocean and towering sea cliffs. Or perhaps browsing colourful market stalls. There are things to experience anywhere else on the planet.
Time to get out a pen and paper. It could be a quite a list!
Slow down. There's a view around every corner and a long white sand beach in between. Places that make you feel like you’re the first person to leave a footprint. National parks filled with wonders, and seaside towns filled with welcome. A gourmet food bowl bursting with the best local fare.
Here, you can experience one of Australia’s greatest road trips – a journey that will lead you to places and moments you’ll never forget. lutruwita / Tasmania’s East Coast is a place of stories, encounters and treasures. A place where small, unexpected moments become lifelong memories and where taking a break can not only refresh but reinvent.
When you embark on the Great Eastern Drive, you’ll need to come with an appetite. The East Coast’s mild climate creates perfect growing conditions for the state’s premium fresh produce, from sweet berries and nuts to award-winning cheeses and the freshest seafood imaginable (for which local wine is the perfect pairing).
Along the East Coast, vineyards are perched above rocky headlands and extend almost right down to the water's edge.
The region has long attracted passionate growers, producers, winemakers, cheesemakers and chefs – indulge yourself with their creations. Explore, feast and wander. Slurp oysters straight from the sea and indulge in fresh crayfish (or any other of the ocean's bounty).
Break your journey at a B&B with an ocean view, a luxury lodge or coastal retreat and – when you need time to digest all that delicious produce – grab a taste of some of the region’s most memorable experiences. Kayak along the coast, take a cruise to the east coast’s famed beaches, or work up a fresh appetite on some of Australia’s best walks.
Take to the road on the Great Eastern Drive and experience a true food and wine lover’s adventure – on island time.
Northern lutruwita / Tasmania is a feast of historic streetscapes and heritage estates, rich farmland, a vibrant food scene and a haven for artisans eager to share their work.
Launceston is a vibrant hub for food, wine and culture. An abundance of farm fresh produce, vineyards, distilleries, cooking schools and dining experiences make this part of Tasmania irresistible to lovers of great food and distinctive drinks.
Just minutes from the centre of town Cataract Gorge marks the dramatic beginnings of kanamaluka / the Tamar River before this expansive waterway wends its way north to the open ocean. As you drive downstream from Launceston, the meandering roads that wind along the banks of the river will take you past cellar doors, lavender plantations, strawberry farms and orchards snuggled side-by-side. There are some magnificent vineyards around the valley offering superb views and gourmet experiences. Many of the makers will personally greet you and happily spend time talking about their craft.
On the eastern side of the Tamar River you will find the vineyards of Pipers River, which spans this inland area almost right the way to the coast. Flat land becomes a little harder to find here – vineyards extend from the hilltops to the valleys below and have their roots planted deeply in the rich red volcanic soils. Elevation coupled with fresh sea breezes mean ideal conditions for making some of the world’s most famous sparkling wine, paired perfectly with a seared scallop or two plucked from the ocean just to the North.
From the Tamar Valley to Pipers River in the north, through to Launceston and Relbia in the south, there are numerous vineyards all within easy driving distance of each other. With rich farmlands, dedicated makers, and quiet country roads, the Tamar Valley offers some of Tasmania’s most enjoyable attractions.
