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Visitors to Tasmania can immerse themselves in the island-state’s rich culture this May with Patricia Piccinini’s Evolution – an engaging exhibition on the possible flora and fauna of our future world – and the Tasmanian Heritage Festival, with its extensive line-up of exciting water-based activities that celebrate its 2009 theme, Water – Our Island’s Life Force.

The North West Coast
The North West Coast is renowned for its colourful, vibrant contrasts and delicious produce. The vineyards and distilleries boast spectacular views in autumn of the vibrant golden landscape, and the endless silvery blues of Lake Barrington and Bass Strait. There are many enchanting vineyards along the way, offering pinot noir, pinot gris, sparkling and chardonnay. Hellyers Road Distillery in Burnie, a leading distiller of quality Australian Single Malt Whisky, is worth a visit for a taste of the light, delicate, malty spirit.

The North West Coast is also home to the island’s renowned cheese farms and chocolate factories. Ashgrove Farm Cheese – a picturesque farm in Elizabeth Town surrounded by lush, green hills – produces 25 different types of handmade cheese: from specialty English style cheeses to vintage cheddars and an exotic range flavoured with ingredients such as lavender and wild wasabi. The National Foods Cheese Tasting Centre in Burnie is renowned for its soft cheeses, camembert and brie, while chocolate aficionados will love the House of Anvers in La Trobe, with its delectable truffles, rich, earthy chocolate aromas, fudges and chocolate offerings. Delish Fine Foods in Wivenhoe is also a must-visit, with its wide range of hams, prosciutto, gourmet sauces, cheese, fine Tasmanian wines and boutique beers, ideal for visitors wanting to fill their baskets for an autumn picnic.

Explore the North West Coast

Launceston, Tamar & the North
Launceston, Tamar & the North is a destination for romance. The area is home to stunningly-refurbished, elegant mansions and majestic country estates that have been transformed into luxury boutique hotels for romantic getaways. The exquisite Hatherley House (Launceston), Hargate (Launceston), Peppers Calstock (Deloraine) and Red Feather Inn (Hadspen) are just a few of the destination’s award-winning romantic havens, while some of Tasmania’s finest food and wine can be found at Stillwater Café (Launceston), its new sister eatery, Black Cow Bistro (Launceston), Daniel Alps at Strathlynn (Rosevears), The Terrace (Prospect), and Fee and Me (Launceston) – the area’s best restaurants.

Launceston, Tamar & the North is also home to some of the island’s most romantic and historical streetscapes. Bespoke shops, chocolatiers, bakeries, cafes, antique shops, jewellery shops and delis line the destination’s quaint streets, making it a wonderful place to explore on a cool autumn day. Tamar Valley’s wine route is also worth a visit for its world class wineries, from the award-winning Josef Chromy (Relbia) to the internationally renowned Pipers Brook Vineyard (Pipers Brook).

Explore Launceston, Tamar & the North

The East Coast
The East Coast features pure, tranquil and unspoiled beachscapes that are ideal for visitors seeking a coastal escape. Freycinet National Park has breathtaking views and distinctive pink granite mountains that make a spectacular backdrop for an outdoor getaway, while the iconic Wineglass to Wine Glass walk offers it all – pristine beach fronts, white sands, turquoise blue waters, a luxurious cruise, and breathtaking views of the Hazards Mountains, Wineglass Bay and the magnificent Freycinet Peninsula. The walk allows visitors to experience the lush and rich autumn landscapes, and enjoy an indulgent gourmet meal in a wonderfully secluded location.

The East Coast is also home to seaside villages where visitors can savour Australia’s freshest seafood and indulge in the re-energising coastal lifestyle. Bicheno is a local favourite, with cool cafes and bistros, good restaurants, and a winery at The Gulch, where visitors can sample the latest vintages with freshly-shucked oysters or crayfish while taking in the picturesque view on the sunny vantage point.

Explore The East Coast

Hobart and Surrounds
Hobart and its surrounding area comes to life in autumn, with its charming and vibrant café lifestyle in Salamanca Place and Battery Point, its lively Saturday Salamanca Markets, and its glossy fruit orchards and gold-hued vineyards in the Huon Valley region. Guests can embark on a self-drive tour through this beautiful area, stopping at Peppermint Bay Restaurant in Woodbridge to taste the freshest fish, crayfish and oysters, while enjoying the view of the spectacular D’Entrecasteaux Channel and the rugged beauty of Bruny Island.

The Henry Jones Art Hotel is a luxurious, boutique art hotel that epitomizes the cosmopolitan, exciting vibe of Hobart and Surrounds. Built in 1825 as the legendary IXL Jam Factory in a handsome row of historic sandstone warehouses, the Henry Jones Art Hotel is a place where ‘old meets new’ and cultural diversion abounds. The interior of the hotel was spectacularly refurnished in 2004 by award-winning architect Robert Morris-Nunn, who drew inspiration from the site’s rich colonial past, beautifully preserving the original staircase, exposed sandstone walls, and rich, timber beams while adding contemporary architectural influences. The hotel’s corridors showcase work by Tasmania’s finest visual artists while the breathtaking IXL Atrium umbrellas a sophisticated gallery and exhibition space.

Explore Hobart and Surrounds

The Western Wilderness
The Western Wilderness is an inspiring place to visit in autumn, with its grandeur, beauty, mystical connection and vast wilderness. Two luxurious accommodations can be found in the destination, Cradle Mountain Chateau and Cradle Mountain Lodge, which are the ideal base for exploring Cradle Mountain – Lake St. Clair National Park. The Lodge offers private guest cabins, set discreetly amongst tree-lined ranges with stunning views of the Lodge Lake or Pencil Pine River, and has self-guided or guided wilderness walks, mountain biking and native animal night tours. Cradle Mountain Chateau also offers guided walks through glaciated crags, wildlife and rare alpine flora, with visitors treated to the view of the snow capped peak of Cradle Mountain. The Chateau and Lodge feature warm log fires and signature spa treatments.

The Western Wilderness also harbours a rich mining heritage, most evident in Strahan, a picturesque waterfront town which once housed the pioneers of the area. Visitors can spend the day following the tracks of miners and piners on the scenic and exhilarating West Coast Wilderness Railway – which cuts across steep hills, dense rainforest, past cavernous gorges, rushing rivers and toy-town stations, an engineering feat in its day. Gordon River Cruises also touches on the history of the area, with the highly trained guides of the luxurious catamaran Lady Jane Franklin II telling stories of the original settlers as visitors cruise past ancient temperate rainforests on the majestic and mystical Tasmanian waterway. More intimate experiences are also available for visitors, with the Gordon River Paddle offering a guided kayak tour where guests can experience the thrill of the Gordon River while keeping an eye out for native platypus’, and the Piners and Miners tour which takes visitors on an intimate drive, walk and cruise through mining ruins and the majestic rainforest. After a day of adventure, guests can indulge in the area’s superb dining venues - View 42° Restaurant and Bar, Hamer’s Hotel and Fish Café on the Wharf – before returning to Strahan Village, with its luxurious and beautifully appointed historic cottages and terraces.

Explore The Western Wilderness

 

Media Contact
Caryn Ng
Email: caryn@mediamoguls.com.au
Phone: 03 9836 2167

For more information, visit www.discovertasmania.com