Cradle Mountain sounds like a ride I went on at Disneyland when I was 10 years old. It’s not. (That was Space Mountain.) Cradle Mountain is one of Tassie’s sexiest destinations thanks to it’s beautiful backdrop and insane experiences on offer. Everyone wants to go there. But do you simply *arrive* there? No, definitely not. You venture in and explore a whole lot of scenic sexiness and destroy your stomach with Tassie’s finest local feeds along the way.
The North West of Tassie is where it’s at, and no, we’re not in any way, shape or form talking about a Kardashian offspring. Loosen your pants and salivate your mouth, because you’re about to get hungry for all the scenic, satisfying stops along the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail to the hotspot.
TAS FOOD & WINE CONSERVATORY
9 Conservatory Rd, Sassafras 7307
Tue-Sun, 9am-4pm
The cafe / providore takes full advantage of its 100% Tassie produce from esteemed growers across the state by changing its menu daily. The conservatory is as lush as it is satiating, and you can wash it all down with an extensive wine, beer, cider and spirits list from boutique producers. Look at the above and just TELL ME you’re not the slightest bit keen to get right on in there.
SEVEN SHEDS BREWERY
Wed-Sun, 11am-5pm
22 Crockers St, Railton 7305
Seven Sheds Brewery, Meadery and Hop Garden dishes out its flagship Kentish Ale, seasonal frothies, honey wines and melomels from their Railton Brewery. Co-owner Willie Simpson is famed for writing The Beer Bible back in 2008, before he turned to brewing hand-crafted beers in his backyard. Seven Sheds grows their hops onsite using organic methods, local honeys and local malts where possible. It’s halfway between Launceston and Cradle Mountain and has everything you could want or need with a purpose built tasting room, brewery tours and cellar door sales. See more here.
HOUSE OF ANVERS
9025 Bass Highway, Latrobe 7307
Open every day, 7am–6pm
You know what my fave part about going to Costco is? The free tastings. If you can relate, then you’ll get a kick out of House of Anvers. The confectioner and bonafide chocolate wizard, Igor, weaves his magic using fresh Tasmanian cream, pure butter, exquisite liquors and the world’s finest chocolate. They offer up free tastings, factory tours, a museum and a lactose-heavy cafe for your pleasure. I mean, come on, who passes up a local Willy Wonka?
BARRINGWOOD WINERY
60 Gillams Rd, Lower Barrington 7306
Thurs-Mon, 10am – 5pm
Vanessa and Neville Bagot were visiting from Sydney in 2012 when they fell in love with this location, and bought it as a distraction from the hustle and bustle of the city (can relate, IMO). So why not take a leaf out of their books by unwinding and taking in the scenery with Tassie’s famous cold-climate wine in hand? Exactly. WHY. NOT.
MT GNOMON FARM
886 Ironcliffe Rd, Penguin 7316
Restaurant and tours re-opening from October
Just like some partners in life can be good and honest, so can food. Eliza Wood and Guy Robertson are the proud owners Mt Gnomon Farm, welcoming visitors to taste ethically raised pork in their dining room and take a wander through their paddocks on their secret life of pigs tour. The cute little stop-off is situated on a stretch of wilderness from Penguin to Cradle Mountain.
SOUTHERN WILD DISTILLERY
17 Fenton Way, Devonport 7310
Sun-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri- Sat 10am-midnight
New kid on the distillery block, Southern Wild Distillery, is doing something very, very right and looking at the interior heaven of Southern Wild Lounge above, it’s not hard to guess what. Distiller George Burgess is a food scientist by trade with years of technical expertise who helps support over a dozen family-run local businesses to offer up premium gin, whisky and liqueurs created around pure water and fresh ingredients.
As you can see, North West Tassie is naturally #blessed and surrounded by clean air, pure water and stacks of primo local produce. Whether you’re into sweets, fresh produce or le fine wines, there’s something tasty and thirst-quenching for literally everyone.
What we’re trying to say is that even if you’re bringing your mumma along, you’ll be right. Meanwhile, I’ll be waiting for my non-existent boyfriend to fill the quota. If you have someone you’d love to explore Tassie with (I don’t want your pity, thnx), be sure to enter our weekender there below, or create your own story HERE.
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