Tasmania is one of those places that possesses the unique ability to make you feel like you’re in multiple places at once. A 20 minute drive can offer a completely different landscape to the one you’ve just experienced, from rolling green hills to deep lakes and sprawling mountain ranges, it’s like something straight out of a postcard.
Unsurprisingly, the breathtaking Cradle Mountain is at the top of most people’s Tasmanian bucket lists, and while it’s rightfully earned a place there, the entirety of the Cradle Coast shouldn’t be overlooked. With wineries, fine dining restaurants, stunning accommodation and one-of-a-kind experiences, there’s no shortage of ways to experience all this region has to offer.
Below, the best places to eat, play and stay along Tasmania’s Cradle Coast.
EAT
Ghost Rock Vineyard
If you find yourself driving down Port Sorell Rd, stopping in for lunch at Ghost Rock Vineyard is a non-negotiable. Blissfully secluded and breathtakingly expanse, this cellar door and eatery boasts some of the best wine and produce in the Cradle Coast region.
Given that this site has created multiple award-winning drops, a tasting experience is an absolute must. With three vastly different collections on offer, ranging from unique natural wines to their more classic, most beloved bottles — every sip offers a new flavour profile and something to be learned about the creation process.
Grain Of The Silos
While off-road dining experiences and freshly baked bread are a big part of the Cradle Coast food scene, so too are the fine dining options that offer a sophisticated, elevated taste of the freshest produce imaginable.
Invermay’s Grain Of The Silos restaurant is attracting an expansive range of clientele, and after just one taste of the first course, it’s not hard to see why.
Our menu of choice? Start with the fresh oysters and baked scallops (which arrive in their shells, inviting you to pry them open), before moving onto a main course of spiced pumpkin tortellini with brown butter and a serving of market fish. Be sure to save room for dessert, too, because the apple tarte tatin with vanilla bean ice cream is an unmissable dish for the sweet toothed.
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
Nestled amongst the expansive greenery and sprawling mountain ranges, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge is like something out of a fairytale. With ornate leather couches, wood panel detailing and hanging light installations, you’re instantly enveloped by the warm open fires and smiling faces that’ll encourage you to nestle up for a cosy afternoon of wining and dining.
A long lunch at the Highland Restaurant will see you tasting fresh Tasmanian oysters with finger lime, which are a celebration of the region’s fresh seafood produce. The rest of the menu showcases a myriad of local delights from land and sea.
Hazelbrae
If you think you know what good hazelnuts really taste like, you need to put down the Nutella and think again.
After one lap around the tasting board at Hazelbrae hazelnut farm, you’ll come to realise that you’ve massively underestimated the potential of this nut. As owners Michael and Christie will tell you, there’s an unthinkable amount of work that goes into sourcing the finest hazelnuts — and once you’ve tasted it, there’s no going back.
Take a self-guided tour around the orchard, breathe in the crisp air and enjoy the serenity, before sampling a selection of treats from the farm’s onsite kitchen. From fresh apple slices dipped in hazelnut butter to dukkah-coated hazelnuts and a delicious cup of hazelnut milk — you’ll be walking away with a full belly and a warm heart.
PLAY
Tasmanian Truffles
If you’re looking for the most unmissable experience in North Tasmania, then you need to visit Tasmanian Truffles in Deloraine. After pulling onto the property, you’re immediately calmed by the sense of tranquillity that envelops the entire estate, before being greeted by beautiful four-legged fluffballs are overjoyed to see you.
Co-owner Anna mixes an incredible amount of knowledge with genuine love and passion for what she does, eager to teach guests about the practice that has been sustaining her family for countless years.
Booking a tour is a non-negotiable to get a feel for how truffle hunting works and more importantly, an opportunity to see Anna and the dogs in action. You’ll be surprised to find that Anna doesn’t rely on one breed of dog, instead choosing to fill her truffle hunting tribe with various breeds. As she’ll tell you, personality is the most important characteristic when it comes to her team, as she pours a lot of love and time into these dogs — and it shows.
Depending on the type of tour you book, you can expect to enjoy a taste of truffles afterward (which you’ll want to do after catching a whiff of them in the fields).
41 Degrees South Salmon Farm
Australia loves its salmon, whether it be fileted, raw or smoked — but you’ve never had salmon as fresh as it comes from 41 Degrees South. Owned by the charismatic Ziggy, he’s on hand to talk you through the processes behind the sustainable salmon production that fuels the farm.
Set off on a self-guided tour through the winding pathway as you pass through the ponds and tank which house the fish, along with the smokehouse where 41 Degrees’ signature hot smoked salmon is made. You can take a walk even further around the wetlands to visit the waterfall, or sit in the tranquil gardens and enjoy a tasting plate for lunch.
The spicy mayonnaise with a fresh salmon tasting will honestly change your perception of this remarkable fish — there’s just no going back afterwards.
Southern Wild Distillery
When someone is incredibly passionate about what they do it’s infectious, and the love that George Burgess has for gin is exactly that. If you’re lucky enough to catch him around the distillery, he’ll gladly talk you through the inspiration and processes behind some of Dasher + Fisher’s most popular gins, which are made at Southern Wild Distillery in Devonport.
The biggest driver for George is the ability to give back to the community and support the local growers on whom he relies for delicious produce that are oozing with flavour and personality and make his gin truly unique. On the website, you’ll find a list of the local growers from berry makers to herb growers, which form the backbone of the brand’s gins.
Embarking on a tasting flight is a necessity while here, as it’ll give you the opportunity to trial an array of flavours and landscapes from the range. The saffron gin is a full sensory experience that begins with the rich, golden colour within the glass, followed by the notes on the nose and tongue. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the strawberry gin is a knockout, so you’d be wise to have a taste of the gin on its own and blended in a French Champagne (because it really is that good).
Devils @ Cradle
Despite being known for our obsession with wildlife, it’s possible to have lived in Australia your whole life and without ever truly understanding the value of the Tasmanian Devil. Many of us don’t know that what threatens this species’ extinction is a fatal facial tumour disease that is rapidly spreading through the population. It’s a very sad reality for an critical part of Australian fauna, but through visiting sanctuaries and supporting their important work, we can help to save their future.
Devils @ Cradle is a facility located on the edge of the Cradle Mountain National Park World Heritage area which conducts daily tours and conservation programs (including onsite breeding) for the insurance of our devils. You can opt for a day tour, a night tour or a feeding tour depending on what kind of encounter you’re looking to have. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and incredibly passionate about the devils, so you’ll leave with a tonne of interesting information about these little guys.
And, even if you’re not a big wildlife fanatic, you’ll want to book a tour just to hear them scream, because it’s unlike anything you’ve heard in your entire life… trust us.
STAY
Eagles Nest Retreat
Given that Mount Rowland is a tourist destination in and of itself, it’s not surprising that visitors are keen to stay somewhere with a view of its unique outline — and no accommodation is more breathtaking to do so at than Eagle’s Nest Retreat.
With three different nests and a sky view barn attic, the operation is run by a father/daughter duo, with the land purchased by Des Brown in 1973. In the years since, the Brown family toiled tirelessly to pay homage not only to Mount Rowland, but to other exquisite ranges across the world.
The three bedroom outlook of Nest Two is like something straight out of a postcard. With more windows than walls, guests can bask in the seemingly endless expanse of lake and rolling hills, overlooked by the majestic mountain in the distance. The Middle Eastern Reading Loft, Asian-Themed room and African-Inspired master bedroom are truly a sight to behold. From colourful tapestries to thoughtful ornaments, each room pays tribute to the rich, historical landscapes of our expansive world through its design influences.
In the morning, step outside to breathe the fresh mountain air, without another living soul as far as the eye can see. It is true tranquillity at its finest.
Given that seclusion is its selling point, a pub dinner is obviously out of the question – but the alternative is far, far better. Naomi Parker, owner of Roaming Harvest and freelance chef, offers her culinary services in your own Nest kitchen. With an unrivalled passion for working with the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients, Naomi is a true advocate for the diversity and deliciousness of the land. Whether it be grilled Tasmanian scallops plucked from the sea or truffles dug from the earth that very morning, every last ingredient has been carefully considered in her cooking, and it shows.
Tiny Escapes
When you’re surrounded by expansive greenery, natural wildlife and sprawling skyline, you want to soak it up as much as possible, right? Luckily for us, the founders of Tiny Escapes in Cradle Valley are well aware of the overwhelming desire to be surrounded by nature, and decided to build six tiny houses across 260 hectares of land.
No matter which tiny home you set foot into, you can expect to be immersed in Tasmania’s natural beauty, experiencing unparalleled serenity and a chance to unplug from the grind of daily life. Despite the name, each cabin feels incredibly roomy, which is only heightened by the wall-to-wall windows which create the feel that you’re sleeping outside (while wrapped in the warm embrace of a comfy bed).
With an abundance of rivers, rainforest and trails around, you can hike through the day before returning to your tiny home at night. Pop on the kettle, sit beside the roaring fire pit and listen to the sweet serenity of, well, absolutely nothing.
Stillwater Seven
When a hotel sends you a questionnaire prior to your stay, asking for your favourite music and magazines, you already know it’s going to be a delightful stay.
Located in the heart of Launceston, Stillwater Seven is the transformation of an 180-year old flour mill offering seven exquisite rooms, each with their own unique character. The attention to detail is impeccable, and you can expect to find a freshly baked loaf of bread and locally-made butter waiting for you upon arrival, to kickstart your foodie experience.
Every meal can be taken care of inside the venue, meaning you can enjoy an extra lie-in and an extra late night, without having to step foot outside (read: more time spent within the confines of the sprawling bed).
For breakfast, opt for the Rosella Roost free range eggs, with truffle shavings, of course. Lunch and dinner are a celebration of land and sea, meaning a taste of sustainably harvested seafood as an absolute must. The extensive wine list has been carefully curated to compliment each dish, with the friendly team on hand to answer any burning questions, or help with pairings. It’s this unwavering commitment to ensuring you have the best possible stay that separates Stillwater Seven from the pack.
The writer travelled courtesy of Tourism Tasmania.
