bon vivant guide to tasmania
DESCRIPTION
Bon Vivant Guide is a free online travel guide to Tasmania for people who value the finer things in life. Inside you will find details on the best accommodation, restaurants and activities Tasmania has to offer.TRANSCRIPT
bon vivantGuide to Tasmania
the guide for those who enjoy the best things in life
When in Rome...
eat where the locals eat
PLUSQuintessential experiencesWhat’s on & when?
Ease into relaxation mode
SAMPLE
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EDITOR’S LETTER
Hello,I’m so pleased to present a sample of Bon Vivant Guide to
Tasmania. My hope is that it will provide you with an idea
of the finished product’s look and feel.
While planning our Tasmanian honeymoon my husband
and I really wished we could access a guide that was as
particular as us. That’s when the seed of the idea for
Bon Vivant Guide to Tasmania was planted. I wanted to
craft a selective guide that was packed with beautiful
photography, insider tips, and information on only the best
Tasmanian travel experiences.
In deciding which content to include in the guide all I had
to do was ask myself one simple question - what are the
things I genuinely love? To provide you, dear reader, with
the most useful guide possible even our advertisers will be
hand selected and individually invited to advertise.
This is just the sort of guide I wish that I had been able to
access while planning our honeymoon, and I hope you will
find it equally valuable in planning your special holiday or
break.
Kindest regards,
Katrina
Editor of Bon Vivant Guide to Tasmania
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Contents
HUON VALLEY AND FAR SOUTH .....5
What to do .........................................................................5Where to eat ......................................................................6Markets ................................................................................7Where to stay .................................................................. 8Wineries to explore ...................................................... 9Index .................................................................................. 10
bon viv·ant (French) n. masc.
a person with cultivated and luxurious tastes, especially one who enjoys superb food and drink.
[from bon (good) + vivre (to live)]
DiscalimerWhile every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, Bon Vivant Guide accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance on information in this publication.
Published byKatrina Martin
ABN 88 406 168 477© 2012
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Wind your way along the river and enjoy
the tranquility...
HUON VALLEY AND FAR SOUTH
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Huon Valley and far south
Just forty minutes away from Hobart lies the Huon Valley, a beautiful little valley that became well-known for its apple and
Huon pine industries. The drive is delightfully scenic, with an abundance of distant hills, rolling pastures, and roadside orchards. All townships in the Huon are gorgeous, but if you only have time for a day trip perhaps consider just visiting Huonville, Franklin and Cygnet. If you have time for a longer sojurn think about venturing further south and enjoying Geeveston, Dover, Cockle Creek or any of the other charming, yet tiny towns.
One of the highlights of the drive from Hobart is the beautiful scenery – don’t forget to stop off at some of the lookouts and take some photos (keep an eye out for the Sleeping Beauty range), or pull over and pick up some local fruit or flowers from the roadside stalls dotted along the way.
While in Huonville, why not rent a paddle boat from Huon Jet Boats and wind your way along the river for a couple of hours? It’s a fabulous way to relax and fully appreciate the beauty of the area. Or take a winery tour of the Huon Valley (see the page in this section for details).
For lunch during the warmer weather, consider packing (or buying) some picnic supplies, a blanket, and a bottle of wine. If you’re coming from Hobart, we have some useful picnic supplies suggestions listed in our (soon to come) Hobart section. If you would like to pick up some supplies in Huonville, visit the IGA
WHAT TO DO
Stop off at a roadside stall
Eat a picnic by the Huon River
Visit Cygneture Chocolates
Have a wine tasting or lunch at Home Hill Winery
Eat lunch at The Red Velvet Lounge or The Lotus Eaters
Check out the little galleries and gift shops in Cygnet
Paddle up the Huon River in a boat
Take some little side roads and explore the views and countryside
If you have more time to spend in the region, why not spend some time exploring the far south, including visiting:
Tahune Airwalk
Hastings Caves
Ida Bay Railway
Cockle Creek (beautiful bushwalks)
HUON VALLEY AND FAR SOUTH
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Supermarket on the main street, which stocks some delicious local produce.
If you’d prefer to eat out, there are a few excellent options around the Huon. The Red Velvet Lounge is an extremely well-regarded café/restaurant in Cygnet. The menu is seasonal and local, and often includes plenty of homemade pickles, breads and other goodies. Warning: the dessert cabinet is likely to eliminate any (however unrealistic) thoughts of self-restraint you may have had.
Another lovely option is the Lotus Eaters Café in Cygnet. Home Hill Winery in Ranelagh is a favourite with locals and tourists alike. Either choose to stop in for a wine tasting or
opt to have a delicious lunch and look out at the vines. For all options down the Huon, if you have your heart set on one particular venue, it is best to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
While in Cygnet spend some time wandering around the little galleries and boutiques, mostly found on the main street. If you are a chocoholic, you should definitely pop into Cygneture Chocolates where you will find the most delicious locally-made couverture chocolates.
One of the best days to drive down to the Huon Valley is Sunday, when there are plenty of little markets to be found, showcasing goods from the large number of local artisans, boutique farmers and craftspeople. Market times for each locality vary, so check out the handy box in this article that outlines times and locations.
One of the premier events in the region is the Taste of the Huon, held in the long weekend in March each year at Ranelagh. It’s a celebration of local produce and community, and attracts both local producers and other producers that can be found at the Salamanca markets in Hobart. It can get extremely busy during the warmer weather, but on cooler days the
HUON VALLEY AND FAR SOUTH
WHERE TO EAT
Home Hill Winery
Red Velvet Lounge
The Lotus Eaters
Huonville IGA (for picnic supplies)
Cygneture Chocolates
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crowds are much reduced, so consider coming prepared with cool weather clothing.
Another popular event is the Cygnet Folk Festival, which is held each January. This festival showcases Tasmanian and other talent in different genres. It has been running since 1982, and many people choose to go and camp for the whole weekend.
If you have more time to spend in the Huon why not venture further south? Many popular tourist destinations such as the Tahune Airwalk, Hastings Caves, Ida Bay Railway, and Cockle Creek (for bushwalking) are located in this area.
The Huon Valley and far south of Tasmania feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Every return trip as we round the corner of the highway that reveals a view of Hobart, I always feel a twinge of regret at having to return to normal life. So I make myself another promise to return before long... a promise I can’t help but honour as regularly as possible. Above: tiramisu from the Red Velvet Lounge; facing
page: pressed tin counter at the Red Velvet Lounge.
HUON MARKETS
Cygnet marketFirst and third Sunday of the month at Cygnet Town Hall, Mary Street.
Huonville marketSecond and fourth Sunday of the month at Coolstore Road.
Geeveston marketSecond Sunday of the month at Geeveston Community Hall, Brady Street.
Judbury marketSecond Sunday of the month at Judbury Park.
Franklin marketFourth Sunday of the month at Franklin Palais, Main Street.
For further information view the Huon Valley Council website.
HUON VALLEY AND FAR SOUTH
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HUON VALLEY AND FAR SOUTH
Where to stayWith so much to see, and with a quiet solitude that lulls visitors into peacefulness, why not
consider lingering a while in the Huon Valley? These two lovely properties are lovingly presented and are filled with luxurious little details, giving them the Bon Vivant Guide tick of approval.
SHANLEYS HUON VALLEYShanleys Huon Valley is a delightfully secluded self-contained property created by Kay and Eamon Shanley. Situated at Police Point in the southern-most part of the Huon region, it is approximately one hour’s drive from Hobart.
Cost: $280 per couple per night ($310 per couple per night in January). Minimum stay of 2 nights.
For further information call 03 6297 6245, email [email protected] or visit the website.
THE PENINSULAR EXPERIENCESituated on 250 acres, The Peninsular Experience provides visitors with solitute and privacy. Just over an hour from Hobart, this fully renovated turn of the century farmhouse will make you feel like you are a world away from your cares.
Cost: $440 per night for two adults, extra $150 per night for second bedroom and $150 per night for third bedroom. Minimum two night stay.
To book, contact Rachael at Driftwood Cottages on 03 62981441, email [email protected] or visit the website.
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Wineries to explore
St Imre VineyardTending the vines using minimal intervention, this winery is owned by Hungarian couple Paul and Kat. Cellar door and cafe/gallery attached and open daily 10am - 5pm. Dinner can be organised if you ring five hours in advance. Located at 6902 Huon Hwy, Dover.
Hartz View VineyardCreating wines, ports and liqueurs, Hartz View Vineyard is located at 70 Dillons Road, Gardners Bay, Tasmania, 7112. Onsite cafe.
Home HillAward-winning wines, producing pinot noir, chardonnay, sylvaner, cuvee, sauvignon blanc and dessert wines, with a lovely restaurant onsite. Located at 38 Nairn Street, Ranelagh, Tasmania, 7109.
Panorama VineyardCreating wines, ports and liqueurs, Panorama produces 13 wines, but is particularly well-known for its pinot noir. Located at Cygnet Coast Road, Cradoc, Tasmania 7109. Picnic and BBQ facilities onsite.
D’Meure WinesAlthough not technically a part of the Huon Valley, this winery is too good to miss a mention. With an holistic approach to winemaking, this outstanding artisinal winery specialises in pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris. Located at 16 Fleurtys Lane, Birchs Bay, Tasmania, 7162 .
HUON VALLEY AND FAR SOUTH
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HUON VALLEY AND FAR SOUTH
IndexWHERE TO EATHome Hill Winery
(03) 6264 120038 Nairn Street, [email protected]
Red Velvet Lounge(03) 6295 046624 Mary Street, Cygnetwww.theredvelvetlounge.com.autheredvelvetlounge@bigpond.com
Lotus Eaters Café(03) 6295 199610 Mary St, Cygnetwww.facebook.com/pages/the-lotus-eaters-cafe/123892878401
Huonville IGA supermarket(03) 6264 146619 Main Road, Huonville
Cygneture Chocolates7a Mary St, Cygnetwww.cygneture.com.au
WHERE TO STAYShanley’s Huon Valley
(03) 6297 6245119 Police Point Road, [email protected]
The Peninsular Experience1800 353 983 or (03) 6298 1441Esperance Coast Road, Doverwww.peninsulatas.com.au
ATTRACTIONSHuon Jet Boats
(03) 6264 1838The Esplanade, Huonvillewww.huonjet.com
Tahune Airwalk1300 720 507Tahune Forest Reserve, [email protected]
Local marketsHuon Valley Council website: www.huonvalley.tas.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=684&c=4722
Hastings Caves(03) 6298 3209754 Hastings Caves Road, Hastingswww.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=4212
Ida Bay Railway(03) 6298 3110Lune River Station, Lune [email protected]
Cockle Creek (Southwest National Park)
(03) 6264 8460Cockle Creek Rd, Cockle Creekwww.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=3801
WINERIESSt Imre Vineyard
(03) 6298 1781 or 0428 107 4516902 Huon Hwy, [email protected]
Hartz View Vineyard(03) 6295 162370 Dillons Road, Gardners [email protected]
Home Hill(03) 6264 120038 Nairn Street, [email protected]
Panorama Vineyard(03) 6266 3409Cygnet Coast Road, [email protected]
D’Meure Wines(03) 6267 448316 Fleurtys Lane, Birchs Baywww.dmeure.com.au
EVENTSTaste of the Huon
www.tasteofthehuon.com
Cygnet Folk Festivalwww.cygnetfolkfestival.org