This story was sponsored by Cradle Coast Authority.
There’s something magical about Tasmania’s North West.
Some say it’s the degree of isolation that has allowed a relaxed yet passionate culture to blossom. Others say the magic is locked up in the incredibly diverse landscapes and satiatingly-clean air.
Or maybe the magic comes from the Tasmanians themselves, who seem to add the secret ingredient of wholehearted hard-work to their farming, their accommodation and their artisinal produce.
Any way you do the North-West, one thing will become clear. There’s no wrong way to do it.
First – choose your accommodation.
Don’t let the outlandish material fool you – these upcycled containers might look utilitarian from the outside but they are the height of cool comfort inside.
Located on the banks of the Inglis River in Wynyard, this quirky waterfront accommodation includes two bedrooms with king beds, ensuites, a full-sized kitchen and even an intimate reading nook.
The hip lounge area is lit by a lighting-art fusion of hanging globes and opens onto a generous north-facing deck with soaring views across the river precinct.
This Wynyard Federation home was originally built in 1908 and retains much of its last-century charm, though following a lovingly careful renovation in 2015 also offers modern furnishings and comfort.
The charming seaside home offers four bedrooms with three queen-sized beds and two singles, ideal for those wanting to slow down and relax. A large deck and barbecue offer the perfect opportunity for those lazy evenings spent in, with a gas heater to warm the cockles. Bliss.
Located on an expanse of rolling waves of green Tasmanian terrain with views across the plateau fields, this award-winning accommodation is sophisticated and private. The Aquila Barn is located at Table Cape and is elegantly appointed with a queen-sized bed, a hay-loft mezzanine and high vaulted ceilings.
Enjoy the best of Tasmania’s local produce in the gourmet kitchen and open plan living while your crackling wood heater warms you to the bones.
A cinematic experience of wind and light interacting on the river valley below is visible through the double-glazed windows. Or sink into a big bath overlooking a fern garden with heated flooring to keep your tootsies happy when it’s time to pitter-patter to bed.
Dive into a culinary adventure and surprise yourself with flavours and aromas on a Cradle-to-Coast tasting trail. Discover the magic of the best local artisanal producers this unique region of Tasmania has to offer.
Grab an espresso at Infuse Coffee Roasters in Burnie, housed in a turn-of-the-century worker’s cottage. Feeling adventurous? Try the housemade coffee blend ‘Esta-Bien’, a new honey-infused blend taking inspiration from Colombian coffee.
Taste a traditional cider at Spreyton Cider Co where they are vigilant about using only the best apple varieties to create an incredibly authentic flavour. Or sample a ginger beer recipe if cider isn’t your thing – the family recipe has been passed down through five generations.
Closer to Devonport, Ashgrove Farm Cheese have been infusing modern cheesemaking methods with traditional techniques to create award-winning cheese, from gooey Camembert to tangy blue cheese. The lovely crew also sell a unique range of cheeses infused with Tasmanian flavours such as wild wasabi, lavender and bush pepper cheeses.
Next, pop into Melita Honey Farm for an incredible range of honey infusions, including apple honey, cinnamon honey, chocolate honey and even lavender honey.
For a full itinerary, click here.
Immerse yourself in the beauty and fragrance of Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden, which is host to over 23,000 rhododendron and companion plants in lush bloom across 11 hectares.
Get lost in the rainbow of foliage as you stroll the many winding pathways of the gardens with wildlife for company including shy echnidnas, lucid platypus and singing birdlife.
The sprawling flora paradise is dotted with bridges, waterways, gazebos and a fountain. Head to the quaint tea room for a fragrant hot drink to complete your tranquil experience at the gardens.
Finish off your day with a sunset at Table Cape Lighthouse, perched 180 metres up on the idyllic Wynyard coastline with humbling views across the vastness of the ocean and farmland.
Cruise up the magnificent plateau atop the ancient remains of a 12 million year-old volcano to reach the viewing platform and stroll along the cliff top walking track to the lighthouse. Ascend the spiral staircase of the lighthouse where you’ll gaze over endless serene ocean while breathing in the crisp Tasmanian air.
A rainforest teaming with life, golden sandy dunes and coastal heathland can all be used to describe the Tarkine Forest Reserve. The wildly diverse collection of natural wonders include a washing river, eerie caves, buttongrass morelands and rolling mountain ranges. Or head coastal to see the long stretch of beach lined with grassy woodland.
Say hello to native wildlife including possums, gliders and wombats, and be humbled by the strong Aboriginal connections evident in the many artefacts and rock engravings in the area.
Explore the area using transport of your choice. Hire a car and drive the coast and hinterland via the many recreational tracks for off-road vehicles, or hire a kayak and paddle through the many forests rich with myrtle and blackwood, or lace up those joggers and stroll one of the many walking trails.
When you’re ready, dine at the Tarkine’s only restaurant, Tannin, named after the tannin-stained waters of the Pieman and its tributaries. Enjoy rustic homemade Pieman pies, including steak and pepper or chicken and lemon myrtle, or taste the smoked bacon chop with apple and mustard sauce.
Enjoy country-style cooking with an Asian-inspired fine dining edge at Xanders Restaurant, a cool family-run dining experience. The menu is enhanced by seasonal and local Tasmanian produce like fish, scallops, octopus and oysters from nearby towns and pork, lamb and beef supplied from Tasmanian farmers.
Chefs at Xanders tempt you with tempura calamari caught “off our very own beaches [and] delivered on foot – it’s a bit hip!”, or go all in with a fresh oven-baked locally-sourced fish “swimming in an Asian broth with sweet potato dumplings”. It’s a funky dining experience where no fusion of flavour seems too outlandish.
The head and heart behind Anvers Chocolate Factory is Flemish-born Igor Van Gerwen, who spent time working in Antwerps finest confectioners and patissiers before opening his much-loved chocolate shop. His exotic blends of single-origin cacao mix with with fresh Tasmanian cream, butter, fruit, nuts and liqueurs to create a luxurious experience for the tongue.
Stare longingly through the viewing window to watch smooth truffles, fudges and praline made daily by a dedicated team of six chocolatiers. When you can’t resist any longer, enjoy a house-made hot chocolate and a plate of traditional Belgium chocolate waffles.
Be sure to sample Anvers Fortunato No. 4, a dark chocolate made with Nacional Cacao – a variety thought to have become extinct in 1916. Van Gerwen’s relationships with Peruvian farmers facilitated the new life for this rare breed of cacao in Tasmania.
Making a booking at Pier01 restaurant and bar, an award-winning fine dining experience on the waterfront of Ulverstone Whard, with views of the Dial Range and Leven River. The sophisticated menu offers unique concoctions of the finest Tasmanian seasonal produce to create inspired modern Australian dishes.
Pair your meal with a local glass of crisp riesling or pungent Pinot Noir for a stylish and elegant dining experience.
A must-do no matter what your interests, Cradle Mountain is a magnificent alpine landscape with a range of peaks, mirror-image glacial lakes and gorges with ancient forests.
Bring your joggers and hike though the many twists and turns of the National Park any way you’d like – as long as you end up at Dove Lake, an incredible glassy lake perfectly reflecting the stunning mountain behind it.
This story was sponsored by Cradle Coast Authority.