How to spend an indulgent weekend away in the Tamar Valley

YOU probably know about its yoghurt, but there’s a whole lot more Tasmania’s Tamar Valley to discover and explore. Here are the best foodie spots.

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YOU probably know about its yoghurt, but there’s a whole lot more Tasmania’s Tamar Valley to discover and explore.

WE ALREADY know Tasmania makes the ideal backdrop for a weekend getaway; from stellar natural scenes, romantic places to stay, art, antiques and award-winning produce (especially wine).

While southern Tasmania has received plenty of worthy attention for Hobart’s restaurant scene, the Mona juggernaut and the charm of Bruny Island, the Channel and the Huon Valley, people in the know are heading north to another of Tasmania’s regional charms; the Tamar Valley.

You’ve heard of the yoghurt, but there’s more than delicious dairy to whet your whistle in this part of the world. Encompassing the city of Launceston and its growing restaurant scene, the gorgeous Tamar Valley wine route and some of the most spectacular natural wonders the ‘Little Island’ has to offer, you’ll find plenty of thrills in the Tamar.

Land in Launceston, pick up a car and fuel up on the local vibe before high tailing it to start this multiday road trip. If you have only one day, just pick one or two pitstops for your itinerary. Do as most of Launceston does on a Saturday morning and head to Harvest Farmers Market (in the carpark on Cimitiere Street 8.30am-12.30pm, weekly).

The dual Delicious Produce Award winning market will give you a taste of what the region has to offer, as well as an opportunity to soak up some local atmosphere. If you’re hanging around, grab a beer at Saint John Craft Beer; it’s a hit with the locals as well as visiting bearded ones, and with over 14 small craft brewery gems on tap, you won’t leave thirsty. Stillwater and sister restaurant Black Cow Bistro are long established heroes for good reason; showcasing the best of the region, the team are young, knowledgeable and passionate about what makes northern Tasmania special.

The Tamar Valley wine route is one way to see some of the best of the region and is rated one of the top 10 wine routes in the world, by Essential Travel Magazine (UK). For those who want to brush up on Tamar Valley Wine 101, the Tamar is a cool climate wine region, specialising in varietals including Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, and this region’s sparkling wines are regarded by many wine writers as some of the world’s top bubbles. Start with one of the big guns, Josef Chromy Wines are located just 15 minutes from Launceston in Relbia. From wine tasting and tours, to a lazy long lunch, the vineyard pairs fine wines with hatted dining, featuring killer produce from across the region.

Add a little bushranger history to your itinerary as you head north along the wine route and stop off at Brady’s Lookout. So named for being infamous casanova bushranger Matthew Brady’s hideout, today it’s more a location to have a picnic pig out from which to look 120kms down the Tamar River and take in the scenery. The bushranger’s namesake cider also lives in this region, in case you want to take a sip of defiance before heading back into wine territory.

Moving north, your next vino stop should be at Stoney Rise. Owned by Joe and Lou Holyman, the pair are regarded by Australian wine writers as some pretty special people to know. Specialists in Chardonnay, Pinot and Grüner Veltliner, methods lean towards minimal intervention and biodynamic practices, making for some truly interesting expressions of the noble grape.

Heading further north towards Beaconsfield, it’s time to take in some nature in Narawntapu National Park at the mouth of the Tamar River. Referred to as ‘Tasmania’s Serengeti’, for its abundant wildlife across the grassy flats in the park, be on the lookout for Bennett’s wallabies, pademelons, spotted-tail quolls and many more fuzzy, spiky and feathered friends.

A half hour down the road, stop in at the Tasmanian Food and Wine Conservatory. A greenhouse in its former life, it’s now a worthy road trip destination for those seeking exceptional food, wine and whisky. A true showcase of the jewels of the Tamar, it’s an ideal brunch or lunch spot. Filled with palms, woven wicker chairs, a gently spinning overhead fan, and a grand piano (naturally), the space channels classic plantation stylings … not something you’d expect in regional, well, anywhere really. From classic CWA iced sponges and cheeses from across the island, the deli counter also makes the Tasmanian Food and Wine Conservatory a convenient spot for some road trip refuelling.

From here, head east towards Piper’s Brook; a mecca for some of the Tamar’s most celebrated vineyards, including Jansz, Dalrymple, Delamere and of course, the area’s namesake, Piper’s Brook. As always, if you like what you’re sipping, swilling or swishing, almost all vineyards across the region are happy to ship wine directly to your door, back on the big Island, so you don’t have to trouble yourself with chaperoning your precious cargo home yourself; you are after all, enjoying a relaxing weekend away.

Round out your trip by continuing south, back to Launceston as your weekend draws to a close … a first trip to the Tamar merely scratches the surface of what’s there to discover, so consider this a reccy mission for your next weekend back.

Catch frequent and cheap flights to Tasmania from major cities on mainland Australia. Before you book, check out airlines via Helloworld Travel offering great package deals.