It's oh-so-cool down here and we're not talking about the leaf-changing, warmer-layer inducing, red-wine loving weather. Across Tasmania this Autumn we have foodie openings, we have new cellar doors, we have new boutique tours and accommodation to explore. But don't just read about it, get down here and create your own Tasmanian story – from the beautiful introduction to the final conclusion (which should be that Autumn in Tasmania is simply perfection).
Par Avion HelicoptersHow does a private little picnic on the East Coast sound? Want to get there by helicopter? No worries! A Par Avion Helicopter Tour starts from Cambridge, near Hobart, then follows the breathtakingly rugged coastline of Storm Bay to Bangor Farm. Pick up the freshest produce for a delicious picnic then head back out to the secluded Lagoon Bay to enjoy the local seafood and wine. This tour is $375pp, other tours start at $220pp. Check out the incredible range of food and drink itineraries at www.paravion.com.au/helicopters/wine-dine-and-whisky
Entally Estate
Eighty years after part of the property was sold, Entally Estate is whole again, with the purchase and blending back in of the former Rutherglen Holiday Village. The complete Entally Estate now features 20 Scandinavian inspired, contemporary guest rooms with king beds, modern amenities and high quality linens. The Kitchen at Entally Lodge supports local farmers by serving up fresh and healthy foods – healthy for bodies and for the local food economy. Perch in the bar and enjoy a local beer, wine or cider with well-crafted tapas. More information at www.entally.com.au
Ocean View Eco-Studios at Freycinet Eco Retreat
With compelling views over Saltwater Lagoon and the Friendly Beaches, Freycinet Eco Retreat have just released their new Ocean View Eco Studios. Nestled in the hills of Mt Paul and perfect for two (with luxuriously snuggly king beds), the open deck offers a sweeping vista out to the Tasman sea, complete with walking tracks through the bushland and friendly wildlife. Eight studios, all designed to high environmental standards, feature water and energy saving devices and appliances, water self-sufficient, super insulated to cut down on heating, and are 6-star energy efficient.www.freycinet.com/cabins/eco-studios
Tasmanian Boat Charters - Odalisque
Explore untouched and remote South West region of the Tasmanian UNESCO Wilderness World Heritage Area in optimum comfort on board the custom built 20 metre luxury vessel, Odalisque. Choose a three, five or seven day all-inclusive ecotourism expedition, beginning with an extraordinary flight in to Melaleuca to explore Bathurst Harbour and Port Davey from February to May. The stunningOdalisque is also available for tailored day charters from May to January, cruising the Derwent River or overnight adventures exploring Tasmania's breathtaking coastlines, including Bruny Island, the East Coast and the Tasman Peninsula. Bookings and prices at www.tasmanianboatcharters.com.au
Wild West Coast Tour with Par Avion
How's this for the ultimate day out. Par Avion's Wild West Coast Tour departs from Hobart in the morning for a cool scenic flight over the Central Highland, marvelling at the grand scale of Macquarie Harbour (it's six times the size of Sydney Harbour!) then descending into Strahan to join the award-winning Gordon River Cruise aboard a luxury catamaran. Check out 'Hell's Gates' and the local salmon and trout farms, before heading into UNESCO Wilderness World Heritage Area to breathe the freshest air and see ancient Huon Pines. Next stop is the once feared penal colony of Sarah Island, for a guided interpretative tour before hopping back on the plane to head back to Hobart. What a day. From $450 each adult, including a chef-prepared buffet lunch is included.
The Rustic Hut Bush Retreat
Nestled at the base of the beautiful Dial Range, inland from Penguin, The Rustic Hut Bush Retreat is a working farm, home to friendly animals and set on 50 acres of secluded bushland. The four rustic timber huts are uniquely designed to blend in with the natural surroundings and feature lots of timber and natural handmade furnishings. Each is different so they're perfect for couples, families and friends travelling together. Complimentary hampers with the farms own eggs and bacon, as well as wine and locally sourced goodies greet guests on their first night.www.therustichut.com.au
Devil's Corner Cellar Door and Lookout
The new Devil's Corner Cellar Door, home to one of Australia's most popular Pinot Noir, is more than just a place to taste award winning Tasmanian wines, it's a spectacular spot to take in the panoramic views of the majestic Hazards and Freycinet Peninsula. Enjoy the views from the deck while enjoying fresh seafood straight from the Freycinet Marine Farm, while Tombolo Café dish up pizza straight from the wood-fired oven, with espresso coffee and gelato a delicious specialty.www.brownbrothers.com.au/visit-us/tasmania/taste/devils-corner-cellar-door/
Bruny Island Light House ToursIf these walls could talk…they'd probably tell salty tales of near misses and wild, crashing oceans. Australia's southernmost, second oldest and longest continually staffed extant lighthouse now offers day and sunset tours, where guest learn all about it's marine past – from the 1835 wreck of convict boat George III, to stories of keepers who toiled for long hours under the light of the kerosene lamp, until 1996. Between October and May, see short tailed shearwaters return to nesting burrows on sunset and watch as the sun drops behind the Tasmanian Southwest Wilderness from the amazing balcony vantage point perched 114 metre above the Tasman Sea. www.brunyislandsafaris.com/bruny-island-sunset-tour.html
The Sensory Tasmania
Our state smells so good, some smart nose has decided to try and bottle it.
In a world first, The Sensory Tasmania is working with a scent scientist to recreate the Southwest wilderness, the leatherwood flower and the Tasmanian devil aroma scents, which you can smell for yourself at their unique retail experience in Richmond. Also check out local Bridestowe Lavender products, Anvers chocolates, Smitten Merino and Tasmanian honey, woodcraft and jewellery.www.thesensorytas.com.au
On Yer Bike Tours
If taking a leisurely three and a half hour bike ride through historic and happening Launceston with On Your Bike Tours and hearing intriguing stories of our pioneering past wasn't enough, then the Tassie Taste plate, enjoyed with a drink along the way should do the job. Tours every Friday and Sunday from $60 for adults, $50 for kids over 10. www.onyourbiketours.com
FOOD Glorious FOOD
Food experiences can make or break a getaway so here's a round up of the hottest new bars, restaurants and products on offer in Tasmania right now. These will definitely make, not break.
The popular North Hobart cafe, Room for a Pony (www.facebook.com/Room-for-a-pony/), housed in an old servo, has opened a bar out the back and is serving up Tassie wines and pints, and pumping out modern bar snacks.
Hola! Pancho Villa (www.facebook.com/Pancho-Villa-Restaurant-and-Bar/) has landed with lots of tacos, tequilas and tasty treats in a darkly delicious space in North Hobart.
Fancy sunset and dinner with a stranger? Enjoy sunset at MONA (www.mona.net.au) courtesy of James Turrell's rooftop spectacular, Amarna (2015), then retire to the Wine Bar for some top-notch tucker on the communal table. Golden Hour is $79 for three courses, add $50 for matched wines too.
Tucked away in an old sandstone warehouse on Hobart's iconic waterfront, Peacock and Jones (www.peacockandjones.com.au) celebrates the beauty of Tasmanian food, best viewed perched on a stool in front of the open kitchen.
Like a fine Greek sculpture, Garagistes has been remodeled into Urban Greek, the Kakkos family's new venture after returning from Greece, serving up traditional Greek food with a Tasmanian and Greek centric wine list.
Tasmanian produce in a relaxed enviro, that's Smolt Kitchen(www.smoltkitchen.com.au)for you! The menu supports sustainable, ethical animal husbandry and fishing, using free-range chicken and grass-fed, ideally home-produced, beef, lamb, venison or wallaby.
It's all about “that base” you say? I think the young lass was singing about the pizza base at Local Pizza (www.localpizzatas.com.au) in Berriedale, home of hand crafted premium pizza with a water view.
Get a window seat to Hobart's best view at Aloft Restaurant(www.aloftrestaurant.com), upstairs at the Brooke St floating pier. Chef and owner Christian Ryan features a changing menu focused on seasonal herbs and vegetables, locally caught and harvested seafood, and small-farm free-range meat and dairy.
Check out Post Street Social (www.poststreetsocial.com.au) for a clever chef, snappy drinks maker, gorgeous view and bang on interior to enjoy a sociable menu made for conversation.
Bag one of the 20 seats at Templo (www.templo.com.au)and you won't regret it. Owners Matt Breen and Chris Chapple, chef and front of house respectively, are the hosts with the most – beautiful handmade pasta and gnocchi, excellent conversation and a killer view into the kitchen from the tiny bar.
Daci & Daci Bakers owners Cheryl and Naser Daci have opened The Black Footed Pig (www.facebook.com/theblackfootedpig) serving up small and large plated tapas, wines and cocktails in the beautifully restored Old City Flour Mill building.
Just outside Hobart among the vines of Riversdale Estate(www.riversdaleestate.com.au) is a Gallic lunch oasis – their new restaurant serving up classic French dishes with a uniquely Tasmanian twist.
Learn the long-held culinary secrets of Giuliana White and her southern Italian family at new cooking school, The Farmhouse Kitchen (www.thefarmhousekitchen-tas.com), near Cygnet with classes like the Versatility of Sugo and the Pasta Masterclass.
It's a little regional emporium of food in a theatrical old greenhouse on the outskirts of Devonport, the Tasmanian Food & Wine Conservatory houses our state's finest under one roof. Try a Conservatory platter and a local wine, or enjoy a decadently iced cake and coffee. (www.facebook.com/tasmanianfoodandwineconservatory).
A trip to Emilia Wines (www.facebook.com/emiliawinestasmania) is like taking a secret back road and ended up in Italy. Gail and Marcus Burns spent years living in Italy and now produce beautiful Tasmanian Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, all available for tasting a the North West coast cellar door.
Jovial host Tim Lynch welcomes wine lovers to Prickly Mo(www.facebook.com/PricklyMo) to enjoy a rustic tasting experience at Eugenana. The team are firing up the pizza oven, or you can buy a picnic basket loaded with steaks to cook on the paddock barbecues.
Try the Pinot Noir that took home the gold medal at the Australian Small Winemakers Show at Milton Vineyard (www.miltonvineyard.com.au),whilst sampling the daily tapas tasting menu at their contemporary Basque-inspired restaurant Mahasti(www.mahasti.com.au).
Spring Vale Vineyard (www.springvalewines.com) are Pinot Noir specialists and now, with the opening of Vineyard Seafood Restaurant, they've nailed seafood from the grill and wood fired oven as well.
Look out for the blue caravan peddling Melshell Oysters(www.melshelloysters.com.au). The farm gate sells fresh, plump oysters taken straight from Great Oyster Bay - a stunning view to shuck by.
Join cyclist Sally Fletcher on a Swansea Cycle Tours(www.swanseacycletours.com.au) cycle for an exclusive tour like the Oyster Tour tasting oysters and local wines ($110), or the Four Vines Tour taking in local wineries ($160).
Priory Ridge Estate (www.prioryridgewines.com)is a boutique vineyard near St Helens on Tasmania's East Coast – try their award winning Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc at the rustic cellar door.
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