Our Tasmanian adventure began at the Port or Melbourne were we boarded the Spirit of Tasmania, a passenger and vehicle ferry which travels daily between mainland Australia and Devonport, Tasmania.
There are two trips each day from Melbourne to Devonport, one leaves in the morning and sails through the day arriving in Devonport late afternoon. This is the trip we took. The other leaves in the evening arriving in Devonport in the following morning, sailing overnight.
once your vehicle is secured then then go to the main decks were you will find restaurants and lounges. There are a number of ways you can make the tip, have a private cabin for the journey, up the found in designated lounge chairs, or general seating around the many lounges. We chose the designated lounge chairs for both trips.
After disembarking we headed to our accommodation in Devonnport where we spent the first night. A quick feed at the pub and a beer to wash it down our day was done. After breakfast and check out we were in search of our first coffee in Devonport.
The rain had arrived but that was not to dampen our spirit of adventure. We headed south to Launceston with our first stop at House of Anvers, Chocolate Factory and Café.
After a cup of Hot Chocolate and a few chocolate purchases for the trip we continued to head south.
Our next stop was Ashgrove Cheese. If you love cheese this is well worth a stop. We chose a cheese tasting plate and a Tasmanian Sauv Blanc to wash it down with. $12 tasting plate 4 very generous servings of cheese (great value). Of course we purchased a few cheeses for the trip.
The Ashgrove milk and cheese factory is located at Elizabeth Town, in the heart of the dairying and cropping region in Northern Tasmania. Several generations of Bennett families have been farming the land surrounding the milk and cheese factory since the 1880’s.
Next stop was just south of Launceston, Clarendon House, a National Trust Property and the Historic Town of Evandale.
Set in 7 hectares of parklands on the banks of the South Esk River, this magnificent three-storey Georgian house has servants’ quarters, a heritage walled garden, several farm buildings and a rare avenue of elms.
It was built in 1838 as an extraordinary statement of achievement for wealthy wool grower and merchant, James Cox, who was born in Wiltshire, England.
Although Clarendon was built with convict labour, Mr Cox was known to treat his convicts well and he later played a major role in the abolition of transportation and convict labour.
Entry to Clarendon Estate includes the gardens; Clarendon Fashion Collection with precious gowns from the 1830’s to 1960’s; and the Norfolk Plains Heritage Centre, offering photo collections together with family history records and advice.
We then headed to our accommodation before going into town for a walk around town to check out the city of Launceston.
We finished the day with a walk around Cataract Gorge Reserve where we saw some seals sunning themselves on the rocks in the river. Great way to finish the day.
Located just just a 15 minutes walk from the city centre. The reserve offers walking and hiking trails, the world’s longest single span chairlift, swimming pool, restaurant, kiosk, cafe peacocks and wildlife, beautiful gardens, suspension bridge, inclinator for easy access, interpretation Centre and panoramic lookouts with spectacular views.
Today we started with a tour of the Boags Brewery,Boag’s Centre for Beer Lovers, 39 William St, Launceston. Boags, Cascade, Little Creatures and the list goes on all owned by Lion Nathan. We finished the tour with a beer and cheese tasting.
We then headed north to George Town and then Low Head. Nice quaint maritime village. Dinner at the local pub with stunning views of the bay then off to see the fairy penguins.
Low Head is five kilometres north of George Town on the north coast of Tasmania. Located on the eastern side of the Tamar River, this small town is home to Australia’s oldest continuously operating pilot station.
We were lucky tonight could not have got a better night to see the little furry creatures, warm and still, no wind which seams to be rare in Tassie. Saw lots of penguins as they walked almost over our feet.
For our tour of the penguin’s we booked through Low head Penguin Tours. The tour is for about 1 hour from sunset and cost about $22.00 per Adult. Although we made our own way to Low Head you can get transport from Launceston as an additional cost.
The scientific name of the Little Penguin (formerly known as Fairy Penguin or Blue Penguin) – Eudyptula minor – is most descriptive. Not only are these penguins the smallest of the species, but Eudyptula means ‘good little diver’.
Only 30cm tall and 1.1kg (2.4lbs)
Little Penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world. They are flightless seabirds who breed in colonies along the southern coast of Australia, as far north as Port Stephens in the east to Fremantle in the west. Subspecies are also found in New Zealand.
Their dense waterproof plumage is dark blue on the upper parts of the body and white on the underside. The single Australian subspecies is distinguished from the five New Zealand subspecies by having a margin of white feathers on the tail and on the rear edge of each flipper.
We left Launceston and traveled south to Hobart. Stopping at a couple of small historic towns on the way. We stopped at the towns of Ross and then Oatlands where we had our picnic Christmas lunch.
Oatland
Then off to Hobart with a quick visit to Richmond along the way. Nothing was open but we took some time out and walked the street as the town is full of historical sandstone buildings including the Historic Richmond Gaol which was built by convict labour in 1825.
Next stop is Hobart arriving last afternoon on Christmas Day. Here were explored, with trips to Bruny Island and Port Arthur. You can read more about Hobart in a separate blog.
Our time has come to an end and it is time to make our way back to Davenport to catch the Spirit of Tasmania back to the mainland. We tried to take a different road back north and this time we went through the historic town of Kempton
Just an hour from Hobart is our heartland, the historic Nant Estate (circa 1821). Today it is the proud home to the Nant Distillery, producers of the internationally renowned Nant Single Malt Whisky.
In 2012, just four years after beginning commercial production, Nant Single Malt Whisky was catapulted to global renown when Jim Murray, the world’s foremost whisky commentator, scored Nant Single Malt Whisky – American Oak Bourbon Wood 95.5 out of 100. This rarest of scores saw Nant rated among the top 50 whiskies in the world.
Nant Estate sits higher in altitude than many of the famed Scottish distilleries. At sea level the whisky tends to ‘pump’ in and out of the timber at a much faster rate. At Nant Estate, over 1,000 feet above sea level, the whisky is drawn in and out at a much more considered rate; an effect that results in a more intense take up of the timber’s flavour and colour.
Our last night in Tasmania was spent in Devonport were we found a great little Asian restaurant for dinner. Little Asia Restaurant is located at 153 Rooke Street, Devonport Tasmania 7310, Australia.
It was opened on 27 March 2013 and continues to serve fresh Asian cuisine. If in Devonport we highly recommend a visit.
234 Clarendon Station Road
Nile, via Evandale 7212 TAS
Ashgrove Farm
6173 Bass Highway, Elizabeth Town Tasmania 7304
Tours start at the Boag’s Centre for Beer Lovers, 39 William St, Launceston.
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