If there’s one region to forage for the best of Tasmania’s renowned food and drink, it’s across the island’s lush and abundant north. Northern Forage road trips focus on the bountiful food and drink, landscapes and environment of the north, with something new to be discovered around every corner. Road-trippers on the Northern Forage can taste some of the finest cool-climate wines and spirits in the nation at distinctive cellar doors and distilleries. Enjoy freshly picked raspberries for breakfast, produce pulled straight from the ground for lunch and seafood plucked straight from the ocean for dinner.
1. Seahorse World and Platypus House
Learn about the breeding of seahorses for the marine ornamental market at Seahorse World, Beauty Point, or pop into Platypus House next door and watch platypus feed and play as you wander through the platypus ponds and echidna garden.
2. Tamar Valley and the Tamar Valley Wine Route
Explore the beautiful Tamar Valley wine region from Launceston to Bass Strait. The route meanders for nearly 170 kilometres through the heart of vineyard country past orchards, scenic pastures and forests where you can sample cool climate wines from cellar doors including Josef Chromy and Jansz Tasmania.
3. Woolmers Estate and Brickendon Estate
These two UNESCO World Heritage listed convict sites just 10 minutes from Longford are some of Australia’s finest examples of pioneer farming life in the early 1800s.
4. Devonport
For those who start their Tassie holiday arriving in Devonport on the Spirit of Tasmania, the Bass Strait Maritime Centre is well worth a visit or wander the waterfront on the Victoria Parade walking track.
5. Burnie
Once an industrial centre, Burnie has reinvented itself as a home to makers, craftspeople and boutique food and drink producers, in particular cheese and whisky.
6. Stanley
The pretty town of Stanley is dominated by The Nut, a huge volcanic plug that you can walk up or explore via chairlift. Nearby, Highfield Historic Site dates back to the 1830s and tells the story of early life in the region.
7. Tarkine Reserve
The Tarkine Reserve is Australia's largest patch of temperate rainforest and is home to mountain ranges, wild rivers, buttongrass moorlands and a rugged coastline with long sandy beaches and coastal heath. The Tarkine Drive loops through the area and is accessed from Stanley, via Smithton.
8. Tasting Trail
Feed your senses and taste fresh produce, fine wines and other delicious treats on the tasting trail that snakes along the north-west coast then on to Cradle Mountain. Choose from chocolate, cheese, ginseng and honey and lots more. You’ll find all of the options on the interactive map on their website.