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Natural State News
Issue 10 2008
Tourism Tasmania image library: a3e116From degustation dinners to cooking demonstrations; fresh produce market to wine tastings; World Heritage wilderness walks to spa treatments at the luxurious Waldheim Alpine Spa; Tastings at the Top encompasses the very best of Tasmania.
This year, the 14th of this annual event, will be hosted by ‘The Wine Man’ Peter Bourne and Helen Waterworth a cheese consultant. Peter and Helen share an intimate knowledge of Tasmanian produce. Both are extremely enthusiastic and highly entertaining.
A unique selection of marketplace providores including boutique winemakers, brewers, cheese makers, confectioners, whisky distillers and specialist growers from various regions in Tasmania are taking part in this year’s event.
Tastings at the Top packages start from $1,405 per person (twin share) and include:
- Three nights accommodation at Cradle Mountain Lodge in a Pencil Pine cabin
- Full mountain breakfast each morning
- Lunch on Sunday and Monday
- Dinner on Saturday, Sunday & Monday
- Welcome pack
- Welcome drinks
- All scheduled Tastings at the Top program events
- Tastings of the Alpine Spa - sample a taste of the award winning Waldheim Spa treatments
- Sampling a variety of local gourmet produce while mingling with providores.
For bookings: Cradle Mountain Lodge (03) 6492 2100 or reception@cradle.voyages.com.au
On a Wing and a House
Cantilevered over the north-west coast The Winged House in Table Cape will open late April (2008). Designed by architect Richard Goodwin, winner of Australia's Bondi Sculpture by the Sea 2003, the house looks something like a plane about to take off from the cliff. There is a Japanese bath, a kitchen for gourmets, and 180 degree views from inside. The owners describe the place as a major contribution to sustainable eco-tourism. The Winged House is just 10 minutes from the Burnie/Wynyard airport.
Midweek rates from $350 per night. Two nights on weekends from $750
Almost French in Howden
Southern Tasmania's newest boutique hotel, the D’Entrecasteaux, opened on April 18. The French provincial-style hotel at Howden includes a private dining room, 10 accommodation suites, an indoor heated pool, balconies for most rooms and a foyer with a suitably grand staircase. Many of the rooms have views over North-West Bay toward the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. All the furniture is either custom made or antique and the Tower Suite includes a claw-foot bath.
The hotel, just 15 minutes from Hobart, will have a personal chef. Breakfast is included in the tariff and three course meals are available at one day’s notice. Free wireless internet is also available for guests and spa and massage treatments will be available in the pool area. The owner managers John and Sheryl Bullock have spent more than $3 million overhauling the property.
One night stays $330; $275 per night for three nights or more. The Tower Suite is $390 for one night and $320 per night for three nights or more.
(03) 6267 1161
The website is currently under construction
Tourism Tasmania image library: a1a230In May the park’s owners Bruce and Maureen Englefield will open their latest exhibit, a replica of a coal mine. Before its fishing and tourism days Bicheno was about coal. In the 1850s coal was hauled by a horse-drawn tramway from the Douglas River Coal Mining company site to Bicheno, then shipped to Hobart. Nature World is immediately adjacent to the original mine. This new exhibit delves into the east coast history. There are pictures, interpretative displays, a whole load of equipment that was rescued form the bush and even an original ‘Ticket of Leave’.
The underground mine replica has been designed by well-known Tasmanian artist and designer David Hopkins. Hopkins was responsible for the first Cadbury ‘glass and a half’ image and hasn’t missed too many of the details of 19th century mining. “It’s a fascinating story,” says Hopkins. “And that’s what we’ve depicted.” Bruce and Maureen, both 65 years old, have just completed the London Marathon (in April 2008) to raise funds for Nature World’s next addition, the Devil Island Project.
Entry to Nature World costs $16 adults. Family pass $45 (cash only).
www.natureworld.com.au
www.devilislandproject.com
(03) 6375 1311
Antarctic Midwinter Festival
Hobart is an international gateway to the Antarctic and has historical links to the great white continent.
The Midwinter Festival (Friday 20 June to Sunday 29 June) is a celebration of the city’s ties to Antarctica and includes an Antarctic Solstice Festival, a Lantern Parade, the One Planet Extreme Environment Photo Competition, the Longest Night Film Festival, and a Huskies Picnic in the Royal Botanical Gardens.
www.antarctic-tasmania.info/program.php
New Country Lodge
Tasmania’s newest fishing lodge is to open in June (2008). After a year of renovations the circa 1847 house has been reborn with just four luxurious bedrooms.
The Priory Country Lodge is in historic of Bothwell, one hour north of Hobart. Bothwell is a gateway to the central highlands and fly fishing country. The Priory is a sister property of Hobart’s acclaimed Islington hotel.
Beyond the bedrooms the Priory has a library, hunt room, dining, reading and movie rooms, a barbecue area and an outdoor infrared sauna. The manager lives off site but is the property’s host and chef.
The Priory offers a refined country experience. It is for travellers who are looking to blend luxury with hunting and fishing. Priory guests will also have ready access to the oldest golf course in Australia, whisky tasting at the exclusive NANT estate, private tours and historical walks.
The Priory costs $550 a night per room. All rooms can be yours for $2000 a night. Breakfast and dinner are included in the tariff.
To arrange a familiarisation visit to The Priory Country Lodge contact Nicholas Parkinson-Bates:
Tel: 0415 431 016
Email: gm@vandiemenhotelgroup.com
Whisky Tours for Tassie
On this new four day tour you become the distiller. Whisky aficionados and the just plain curious can experience every aspect of the whisky maker’s art.
Lark’s guest distillers even travel to the Tasmanian Central Highlands and dig their own blocks of peat from the Lark (peat) bog. In fact, every element in the time-honoured tradition of single malt whisky production is seen and experienced – the peat, smoking the malted barley, fermenting, distilling, and filling an oak barrel. In something of a considerable option, guests can select a special 20-litre oak cask at the cooperage and have it filled with the 65% proof whisky they have helped nurture. The people at Lark Distillery believe that there is no tour like this anywhere in the world.
The four day tour includes transport, lunches, afternoon teas and a final whisky dinner costs $1600 per person (This is an introductory price. Accommodation and flights not included).
A one day tour costs $189. The two day tour is $340 per person.
www.larkdistillery.com/tours
Tourism Tasmaniaimage library: a1c429
Higgins’ will encourage guests to visit producers at cellar doors, farm gates and other outlets (specialty producers of preserves, for example) to buy ingredients for the menus and recipes included in the booklet. Featured producers include the Snowy Range Trout Farm, the roadside stalls at Franklin and the Huon Valley Mushroom Farm.
Higgins hopes that hunter gatherers will bring the ingredients back to their accommodation and try the recipes out for themselves. For those who would rather sample the regions wines on the deck of their cottage than cook, Higgins and Co. can prepare the dishes.
The booklet will be produced four times a year to reflect seasonal influences and will include three different menus, three local food and wine trail itineraries as well as recipes. The autumn menu has been set and the booklet is expected to be ready for April. In the first instance the booklet will be available free to guests staying at Huon Bush Retreats.
Free Spirit
Free Spirit is a 43ft power boat and available for charter on waterways including the Huon River, Bruny Island, Recherche Bay, the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and the Derwent River.
Port Huon Charters, run by owner and skipper Mike Wilson, began operating the first week in March with six cruise options. There is a three hour cruise along the Huon River where smoked salmon and other treats are served for morning tea. A four hour cruise to Bruny Island includes a crayfish and chicken lunch and Huon Valley wine. The Recherche Bay trip cruises down the Huon River past Southport and Partridge islands. The price of $250 per person includes morning and afternoon teas as well as a Tasmanian seafood lunch, regional wines and Tassie beer. Wilson also runs Port Huon Cottages and there are cruise and accommodation packages.
Down the Food Track
13 July: Chocolate Winterfest in Latrobe
20-21 September: Southern Vineyards White Wine Weekend
11 October: Oliebollen Festival at Kingston (just south of Hobart). The oliebol is a Dutch donut but there will be plenty of other food and entertainment options.
18-19 October: The Great Tasmanian Oyster Riot at Barilla Bay, just 15 minutes from Hobart.
Contact:
Kerry Lorimer, kerry@splashcomm.com or Jill Collins, jill.collins@barkingowlcommunications.com.au
Download: High-resolution images from Tourism Tasmania's Visual Library.
Check the Events Tasmania website for upcoming events:
www.eventstasmania.com
For further information:
travelmedia.tourismtasmania.com.au
www.discovertasmania.com