Flying into Burnie places you on the edge of Tasmania’s raw, untouched wilderness, surrounded by fresh produce and fascinating people.
For a small island, Tassie packs a powerful punch – boasting 2800 kilometres of walking tracks throughout pristine bush and what feels like more experiences each kilometre than anywhere else in the world. With a bounty of fresh produce, it’s no wonder local chefs, winemakers, brewers and distillers are winning countless international awards. And it’s easy to tie all this up on some amazing Tasmanian road trips.
On these two journeys, you’ll discover contrasting stories of ancient culture and tenacious pioneers, to wineries handed down over generations and seafood plucked fresh from the ocean.
Western Wilds
Day 1: Burnie to Corinna
Burnie is a natural starting point for a journey into the Western Wilds. Once an industrial centre on Tasmania’s north-west coast, Burnie has emerged as a creative hub with quality produce, art deco architecture and coastal scenery. Get your bearings at Burnie Regional Museum with its immersive exhibits and extensive collections detailing the experiences of pioneers from more than 110 years ago. The museum is only open Wednesday-Friday, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly.
Head toward Waratah, on the edge of the diverse takanya / Tarkine Forest Reserve to explore its mining past at the Waratah Courthouse Museum. In the middle of town, you will find the iconic tumbling waterfall, which contributed to hydropower here more than 100 years ago and is now a pretty spot to enjoy a picnic.
The takanya / Tarkine Forest Reserve is home to Australia’s largest temperate rainforest. On the drive to Corinna, stop at Philosophers Falls for a 45-minute walk through the wilderness with its cartoon-like fungi and towering trees.
Your first night can be spent at Corinna Wilderness Village, where historic cottages back directly onto the rainforest. Guests can enjoy a restaurant, bar and communal BBQ facilities, and Pieman River cruises can be booked from the tour desk. For an immersive natural stay, it doesn’t get better than this.
Day 2: Corinna to Strahan
After an invigorating morning walk in Tarkine forest, head towards Strahan via Zeehan. Zeehan was once Tasmania’s third largest city, built on the back of lucrative silver mining. Much of the opulent architecture has been restored, and you can learn about its history at the West Coast Heritage Centre. Kids will love the 30 themed exhibition spaces, including the police station, court house and mining cavern.
Once in Strahan, make your way to the waterfront and join a World Heritage cruise on the Gordon River. The Grining family have been running tours here for more than 100 years, with its fifth generation now taking guests into Franklin-Gordon Rivers National Park with an on-board lunch and live commentary from the skipper.
Retire for the night at Lettes Bay, an historic village of Tassie ‘shacks’ or small cabins overlooking the water. Try Salt Box Hideaway, which has been restored with modern luxuries, including your own private deck and a firepit down at the water’s edge. In the morning, you’ll wake to views over the mountain from your terrace.
Day 3: Strahan to Tarraleah
Today’s drive is a winding journey from the windswept coastline toward the agricultural heart of the west. First stop is Queenstown, another fine example of a town once reliant upon mining (the world’s richest, in fact) that has creatively reinvented itself. The landscape is dramatic and moon-like, and its streets are filled with historic buildings. The West Coast Wilderness Railway departs from here on a journey deep into the wilderness, stopping at Lynchford Station for a gold panning experience and Rinadeena for lunch.
Back on the road, wind along the banks of expansive Lake Burbury as you head towards Derwent Bridge, the gateway to the southern end of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Lake St Clair is Australia’s deepest lake, which you can explore on foot or by ferry.
End your day at Tarraleah Estate, a historic property with a stunning wilderness backdrop. While here, you can meet Scottish Highland Cows, kayak, mountain bike, or join a fish-flying tour.
Day 4: Tarraleah to New Norfolk
Heading back towards Hobart, the roadside scenery graduates from wilderness to agricultural land, passing through small historic towns like Ouse and Hamilton. Take the turn off to Mt Field National Park, Tasmania’s first national park. It’s an accessible 20-minute walk through towering swamp gums, ferns and cool temperate rainforest to Russell Falls, a magnificent cascading waterfall. In autumn you can witness the spectacular ‘Turning of the Fagus’, when the endemic fagus plant changes from green to shades of red and gold.
Charming roadside stalls abound here, so keep an eye out for cherries, honey and vegetables, and stop by the farm gate shop at Westerway Raspberry Farm for fresh berries, ice-cream, coffee, and raspberry picking in the fields. The shop is only open from December-May, but other roadside stalls can be found year-round.
Make sure to try the local hop at Two Metre Tall Brewery, where free tastings and bottle sales are available. You can also bring a picnic or barbecue and set yourself up on the grassy area near the Farm Bar overlooking rolling hills.
Stay in style for your last night on the road at The Woodbridge Waterfront Rooms in New Norfolk. The hotel features free WIFI, private bathrooms, and garden or terrace rooms overlooking the river.
Day 5: New Norfolk to Hobart
New Norfolk is Tasmania’s third oldest city, established when early settlers were evacuated from Norfolk Island to Tasmania in the early 1800s. It’s now the heart of the Derwent Valley, surrounded by lush agricultural land. The hops here supply most breweries in Australia. Explore its antique and bric-a-brac stores, and Tasmania’s oldest church, the Anglican Church of St Matthew.
Willow Court is Tasmania’s oldest asylum, now home to two-hatted restaurant The Agrarian Kitchen. Here, you can enjoy a set lunch menu, where 90 percent of ingredients are sourced from the on-site garden. The Agrarian is also home to a cooking school, where you can learn the art of cheesemaking, pasta-making and charcuterie before finishing your road trip in Hobart.
North & Great Eastern Drive
Day 1: Burnie to Hadspen
After flying into Burnie, jump in the car and start your exploration of the delicious Tasting Trail Tasmania, a highlight of the North & Great Eastern Drive, one of the best Tasmanian road trips. Agriculture is central to industry on the north-west coast, so you’ll see rolling hills striped with crops and roaming livestock. Stop at Anvers Tasmania for handmade chocolate tasting and Ashgrove Cheese for cheese, cream and butter.
If you’re more interested in grapes, taste cool climate wines at Ghost Rock Wines with views over Bass Strait. For dinner, we suggest the Red Feather Inn in Hadspen, which uses local ingredients, often grown or raised onsite, to prepare an ever-changing menu well-matched with its extensive wine list. It also boasts suites and rooms to stay the night, with delicious breakfasts and a secluded garden included.
Alternatively, retire in one of the 10 beautifully restored luxurious guest rooms at Quamby Estate. This bed and breakfast includes a sun terrace, lush garden, and cosy bar for drinks after a long day of exploring.
Day 2: Hadspen to St Helens
The Tamar Valley produces some of Australia’s best cool climate wines, especially sparkling wine, second only to Champagne, France. Explore the Tamar Valley Wine Route to taste your way through several varietals across its 30 vineyards. Have lunch at one of the many cellar door restaurants such as Timbre Kitchen at Velo Wines (open Thursday-Sunday) or Clover Hill Wines, where you can enjoy a guided tasting with a multi-course dining experience (open Wednesday-Sunday).
Head to the coast in the afternoon, where Pyengana Dairy have produced handcrafted cheese onsite for more than 130 years. Be sure to taste the award-winning cloth matured cheddar and enjoy a gourmet platter with matching Tasmanian wine or beer at Pyengana Farmgate Café.
At night, explore the St Helens food scene. The Wharf Bar and Kitchen celebrates the best local produce with its seafood-based menu. Tuck into a bowl of seafood paella for two, or try prawn spaghetti with truffle and rosemary pangrattato.
Day 3: St Helens to Coles Bay
Tasmania’s east coast is home to the Great Eastern Drive, which starts at the Bay of Fires, north of St Helens. The middle section of the drive is dotted with coastal towns and villages where locals have holidayed for generations. Just south of Scamander, Ironhouse Brewery, Winery & Distillery at White Sands Estate make four handcrafted brews using water sourced from their own spring, and wine produced from 60 hectares of vines. The single malt Tasmanian whisky has been aged for half a decade, and tastes incredible.
Take a detour to Freycinet Marine Farm near Coles Bay. Oysters and mussels are harvested daily here, and you can also buy scallops, abalone, rock lobster and salmon sourced from local fishermen. Enjoy it fresh on the deck or take your haul with you. You can even join an Oyster Bay Tour to harvest your own oysters and learn how to shuck before enjoying a selection of the freshest catches with a glass of local wine.
Spend a luxurious night in one of the architectural award-winning Coastal Pavilions at Freycinet Lodge, set within the gorgeous Freycinet National Park. Here, you can enjoy two restaurants, an elegant bar, guided walks, wildlife tours and incredible panoramic views.
Day 4: Coles Bay to Twamley Farm
Start your day with a walk to the lookout over Wineglass Bay, then hit the road to explore the wineries of the Great Eastern Drive. Devil’s Corner Vineyard is open for tastings daily, and also serves wood-fired pizzas. While there, take in views of the pink granite formations of the Hazards and Freycinet Peninsula. Then pop into Spring Vale cellar door, a small family vineyard producing award-winning drops.
Stop in at Triabunna to see the busy marina and enjoy fresh fish and chips at The Fish Van. It’s the launch pad to visit Maria Island, a natural wildlife sanctuary with the most intact example of a convict probation station in Australia.
Stay the night at Twamley Farm, a 7000-acre working farm outside Buckland dating back to 1842. The Turvey family, who run the farm today, have been at Twamley since 1874. Stone farm outbuildings have been reimagined as boutique accommodation, plus there’s pods and bell tents. On-farm activities include trout fishing, birdwatching, bush walking, and encounters with the farm animals.
Day 5: Twamley Farm to Hobart
Prepare a sumptuous breakfast from the Twamley Farm provisions or order a Gourmet Picnic Hamper to take with you. Drive the longer route to Hobart and explore the historic town of Richmond, at the heart of the Coal River Valley wine region. The centrepiece of this Georgian-era town is Richmond Bridge – it’s Australia’s oldest, built by convicts in the 1820s.
Wind your way through Coal River Valley and stop at one of the many cellar doors. The region’s oldest vineyard is Domaine A, planted in 1973, now owned by Moorilla Estate and open Friday to Monday for tastings. Or pop into Puddleduck for delicious wines paired with Al Fresco dining and a children’s playground for the little ones.
To discover the best farm experiences in Tasmania, click here.
Rex flies to Burnie. To book your trip, check out the website here.
