The Huon Trail

A region of contrasts, the peaceful Huon River and the national parks offer visitors fascinating points of interest.

Bruny Island
Take the car ferry from Kettering, about 30km south of Hobart, to Bruny Island. The northern part is more settled and farmed, while the south is known for its fairy penguins and has Australia's second oldest lighthouse. The Bligh Museum at Adventure Bay has records of early maritime expeditions.
Bruny D'Entrecasteaux Visitor Centre, Kettering; Open daily. Ph: 6267 4494
Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration; Open daily 10am-3pm. 6293 1117
Art at the Point Gallery, Dennes Point. North Bruny Island
Bruny Island Cheese Factory 1807 Main Road, Great Bay. Tel: 6260 6353. For exquisite artisan cheeses made on the island, coffee, cakes, bread, pizzas and more. Visit www.brunyislandcheese.com.au
Bruny Island Berry Farm, Adventure Bay. Visit: www.brunyislandberryfarm.com.au
Wayaree Estate: Lunawanna. For premium, Bruny Island wine, including award-winning Chardonnay. Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration, dventure Bay. Open daily 10 - 3. Tel: 6293 1117

Fleurtys at Birchs Bay
With a backdrop of native forest and with stunning views to Mount Wellington and the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, the newly opened Fleurtys, at Birchs Bay offers delicious local fare prepared by chef Jude Marshall. Check out the Diemen Pepper range, and many other local specialities: Hill Farm, Fudge A’Fare, Gillespie’s, Lucaston Park, and sample local wines.
3866 Channel Highway, Birchs Bay

Geeveston
At the Forest and Heritage Centre you can learn about the local forestry industry and see the wood-turning workshop. Visit the Tahune Forest AirWalk, the longest elevated walkway of its kind.
Ph: 6267 4078
Forest & Heritage Centre, Geeveston; Open daily 9am-5pm. Ph: 6297 1836
Tahune Forest Airwalk; Open daily 9am-5pm. 6297 0068

Hartz Mountains National Park
This World Heritage Area, 80 km southwest of Hobart, is a mecca for wilderness enthusiasts.
Forest & Heritage Centre, Geeveston 6297 1836

Hastings Experience
Explore Hastings Newdegate Cave on a 45 minute guided tour. You will be enchanted by the richly-adorned chambers in one of the world’s greatest dolomite caves.
Situated beside the naturally heated 28 degree swimming pool are forest walks, an undercover canopy picnic area with electric barbecues and cosy log fires.
Café meals are available at the Visitor Centre.
Hastings Cave State Reserve. Open 365 days 6298 3209
www.parks.tas.gov.au/reserves/hastings

Huonville
This town, 50km southwest of Hobart, was renowned it's apple orchards but has more recently diversified to include wine grapes and other foodstuffs. Indulge yourself at Home Hill Winery and Restaurant, try your hand at catching a trout at the snowy Range Trout Fishery or simply relax at the Huon Manor by the River and enjoy their delicious Tasmanian scallops.
Visitor Centre, The Esplanade 6264 1838
Home Hill Winery, 38 Nairn Street, Ranelagh 6264 1200
Huon Manor by the River, 1 Short Street, Huonville 6264 1311
Snowy Range Trout Fishery, Little Denison River via Judbury. Open daily (closed July) 6266 0243

Margate Cottage
Margate Cottage is beautifully located twenty minutes from Hobart and a short scenic drive to Kettering where the Bruny Island Ferry departs numerous times, daily. This enchanting cottage is nestled in over two acres, with charming cottage gardens and enviable mountain views. You will be surrounded by secluded beaches, superb restaurants, cafes, wineries, antique/craft shops and local tourist attractions. In the dining room, you will be served a scrumptious gourmet breakfast with fresh local produce. Fully licensed, you can enjoy by arrangement, an intimate candle lit dinner of fine Tasmanian cuisine and wine.
31 Miandetta Drive, Margate. 6267 1583

Peppermint Bay
Peppermint Bay, just 35 minutes drive or and exhilarating 60-minute cruise, is a stunning waterfront showcase. In addition to enjoying the finest in fresh regional cuisine, guest can take home handmade products from the Providore, explore the art gallery, gardens and fish race and wander the quiet streets of the Woodbridge village.
Ph: 6224 1749

Snowy Range Trout Fishery
Located on 160 hectares of stunning Tasmanian temperate forest in the picturesque Huon Valley, the Snowy Range Trout Fishery is an experience you will never forget. They have something for everyone, from the international visitor wanting to take their fish home, children learning to catch their first fish to corporate groups requiring tailored experiences to meet their needs. Whether you’re interest is Fly Fishing, spinning, bait fishing or you’ve never caught a fish in your life, they’ve got it covered. (Bookings are required for Fly Fishing instruction.)
Open seven days a week from 9am until late.
Ph: 6266 0243
www.snowyrangetrout.com.au

Wine South
With 22 member-vineyards scattered from Cranbrook to Cradoc, this wine touring route now spans the East Coast, Coal River Valley, Tasman Peninsula, Derwent Valley, Huon Valley and the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.
It takes in the forests, farms, cities and townships of Southern Tasmania, with some surf and sweeping white beaches thrown in along the way, for good measure.Tasmania looks like a small island, but it takes longer than you think to get from region to region, so we recommend that you plan your wine touring alongside some other activities. Within each cluster of vineyards are many other touring activities and attractions which enable you to enjoy our wines in the context of all the other wonderful treats southeast Tasmania has to offer.
www.winesouth.com.au

This worthwhile detour off the highway, halfway between Hobart and Launceston, reveals noteworthy architecture and some unexpected shopping opportunities. Boasting the largest number of colonial sandstone buildings in Australia, Oatlands is also home to the famous Roman Catholic church designed by the father of Gothic Revival, Augustus Welby Pugin. Stay at historic Oatlands Lodge, from where you are perfectly positioned to discover the delights of 3 Windows: Art Glass and Wares, a fascinating and eclectic mix of art, bags, retro clothes and special gifts, as well as beautiful art glass made on the premises. Further down the road, Casaveen offers the finest home-grown and produced Merino wool knitwear for the entire family. Buy on the spot or consult their catalogue from home. You can even take in a factory tour. Casaveen is the best place in town for a delicious lunch, coffee and cake
www.casaveen.com.au