The Ultimate Guide to Food and Wine Travel in Tasmania

Australia’s Top Food and Wine Destinations in Tasmania

Tasmania’s untouched natural beauty and culinary delights are unparalleled in all Australia. With the purest waterways and cleanest air in the world, the water yields the freshest seafood and the soil is primed for producing exquisite wines.

Map of Tasmania’s Wine Regions and Top Destinations

Tasmania’s burgeoning wine regions are spread across its spectacular landscapes, from the coastal wine trails of the North West to the lichen-splashed East Coast.

The Tamar Valley is Tasmania’s principal wine producing region, yielding Chardonnays, aromatic whites and Pinot Noir. Here you’ll find the Pipers River micro wine region, with a climate close to that of Champagne in France, and home of Tassie Sparkling. The East Coast region produces some of the state’s freshest berries and seafood, paired with Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling along with Sparkling.

In the Southern Wine Trail you’ll find the Coal River Valley and Derwent Valley. The cool climate of the Coal River Valley produces sensational Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while historic towns, ancient rainforest and white-wine varieties are the specialty in Derwent Valley.

1. Taste the Food and Wine of Tamar Valley on a Guided Tour
2. Make Your Own Sparkling Wine at Josef Chromy Wines
3. Explore Cataract Gorge Natural Reserve
4. Celebrate Tasmanian Food, Wine and Music at Festivale
5. Sample the Pipers River Wineries
6. Indulge in Wine and Coastal Views at Devil’s Corner
7. Discover the Bays of Freycinet National Park
8. Cruise Spectacular Wineglass Bay
9. Enjoy a Pizza with Premium Wine at Pooley Wines
10. Taste Your Way Through Richmond
11. Experience a Day of Art, Food & Wine at Moorilla
12. Savor Fresh Tasmanian Seafood on a Gourmet Cruise
13. Enjoy a Seven-Course Tour of Bruny Island Produce
14. Meet Tasmanian Wildlife at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Follow our Tasmania Wine Regions map for the best destinations for food, wine and incredible natural scenery.

1. Taste the Food & Wine of Tamar Valley on a Guided Tour

You deserve a day of indulgence, and Tamar Valley is just the place. Located on the doorstep of Launceston, Tasmania’s second largest city, Tamar Valley is known for sensational Chardonnay and award-winning Pinot Noir.

Guided tours of scenic Tamar Valley take you through several wineries and artisan shops producing gourmet cheeses, ciders, beers, truffles and hazelnuts, giving you a little taste of everything. With over 30 wineries and award-winning cellar doors, it’s Tasmania’s premium wine region – and secretly one of Australia’s best.

Besides, to fully enjoy a day of good wine it’s always best to let someone else behind the wheel.

2. Make Your Own Sparkling Wine at Josef Chromy Wines

Experience the Art of Sparkling at Josef Chromy Wines and learn the process behind making Sparkling. You can even create your own bottle of Sparkling to enjoy, perfect for the amateur winemaker.

Josef Chromy is a powerhouse in the Tasmania wine scene, bursting into Australia’s ranks as the country’s best Pinot Noir in 2017 and 2019. Its passion for Sparkling, however, undeniably poses Tasmania as Australia’s Sparkling capital, often remarked as second only to Sparkling produced in Champagne, France.

The Art of Sparkling experience takes you on a tour of the vineyard and winery, where you’ll create your own Sparkling to enjoy on the day. The wine continues to flow with tastings and a 2-course lunch with matched wines.

3. Explore Cataract Gorge Natural Reserve

Take a break in Launceston after tasting your way through Tamar Valley. A heritage gem set within sumptuous hills, ancient forests and scenic waterways, Launceston blends natural splendor with historic charm.

The locals’ favorite hangout is Cataract Gorge, a natural wilderness reserve combining historic landmarks, bushland trails and parklands along the banks of Tamar River.

Take a ride on the chairlift over the Gorge, the largest single-span chairlift in the world, or explore the landscaped Victorian garden on the northern Cliff Grounds of the Gorge. The Tasmanian summers are perfect for a dip in the public swimming pool on the southern side of the Gorge.

4. Celebrate Tasmanian Food, Wine and Music at Festivale

If you visit Tasmania on the first week of February, add Festivale to your list!

Festivale is Tasmania’s premium summer event, a three day celebration showcasing the very best of Tasmanian food, beverages and entertainment. Staged in Launceston’s iconic City Park, the festival hosts over 80 vendors, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, master classes and live music.

It’s the perfect opportunity to meet local winemakers, distillers, cheese makers, truffle growers and craft brewers, and learn about the art and passion behind their processes.

Sample wines from boutique wineries, innovative craft beers and ciders, and the most delicious food imaginable. Join a master class such as cheese and beer pairing or watch a master chef demonstrate how to use unique ingredients, before enjoying an evening of local musicians and headline acts.

5. Sample the Pipers River Wineries

From Launceston you can easily reach the Pipers River wine region of the Tamar Valley, where cool climate wines brimming with the wild flavors of Tasmania are the specialty. This little corner is colloquially known as “Sparkling Tasmania,” for its production of world-class Sparkling.

Pipers Brook is considered the flagship winery of this region, producing a range of Sparkling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Riesling. Stop by for divine wine tastings with knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Taste premium vintage Sparkling from Jansz, one of the most highly regarded sparkling winery in all Australia. For exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, make an appointment at Dalrymple Vineyards.

6. Indulge in Wine & Coastal Views at Devil’s Corner

Wine with a view – it doesn’t get better than that. At Devil’s Corner and Lookout, a glass of wine and incredible coastal views await to exhilarate your senses.

Devil’s Corner Cellar Door sits in the East Coast region of Tasmania, overlooking Moulting Lagoon and The Hazards mountain range. Its range of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Cuvee captures the elements of its wild location, sitting beside the deep blue sea.

With an onsite cafe and seafood kitchen, grab a wood-fired pizza or freshly farmed oysters with paired wine and drink in the view.

7. Discover the Bays of Freycinet National Park

As you make your way through Tasmania’s east coast, stop by one of Tasmania’s most treasured natural gems – Freycinet National Park.

Its white sand beaches, sparkling turquoise bays and pink granite cliffs create a coastal splendor unparalleled in all Tasmania. Secluded coves and bays carve into the untouched white sands of the park. Pristine bushland grows over walking trails, proving a slight challenge rewarded with breathtaking views.

Explore Freycinet on your own or join a guided tour, hitting the must-see highlights of this unique spot.

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8. Cruise Wineglass Bay

Wineglass Bay is the undisputed gem of Tasmania’s east coast.

Sparkling turquoise waters perfectly scoop into pristine white sands, shaped exactly like a wineglass. The trek to the lookout for panoramic views of the bay may prove challenging, but are absolutely worth it.

Scenic cruises depart from Coles Bay into Wineglass Bay, with a stop at the beach for a chef-prepared lunch of fresh Tasmanian produce.

9. Enjoy a Pizza with Wine at Pooley Wines

From the east coast make your way south to the Coal River Valley, characterized by heritage towns and wineries.

Stop by Pooley Wines in Richmond for award-winning Rieslings, Pinot Noir and other varietals set in a gorgeous historic estate.

This family-owned cellar door has won multiple awards including Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine’s “Best Small Cellar Door.” But the true prize lies within its wood-fired pizzas fresh from the glowing oven.

10. Taste Your Way Through Richmond

This picture-perfect historic town is a popular food, wine and art destination in the Coal River Valley. Here you’ll find Australia’s oldest gaol (jail) and Richmond Bridge, the oldest sandstone bridge still in use in Australia.

Browse the traditional bakeries, shops and cafes set in gorgeous heritage buildings, offering everything from specialty Tasmanian fudge to gourmet lunches made of local produce. Sweets & Treats is a popular candy shop where wall-to-ceiling displays of treats make it hard to resist temptation. Break for tea at Ashmore House, a beautiful tearoom in a colonial-style building serving innovative and fresh dishes with generous servings.

If you’re feeling parched, head to the local wineries and breweries dotted throughout Richmond and Coal River Valley. Puddleduck Vineyard is perfect for a graze of cheese with a glass of delicate vino and Tasmanian Craft Cellars offers an excellent selection of local beers, cider and spirits.

11. Experience a Day of Art, Food & Wine at Moorilla

Travel across to the Derwent Valley to Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, and home to the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), one of the world’s most controversial museums.

Located on the Berriedale peninsula in Hobart, the museum is actually located beneath Moorilla Winery. Its exclusive Posh-As Day Out experience combines wine, food and art for a super luxe day of indulgence.

The experience includes private exploration of the museum, a private tour of Moorilla Winery with tastings and a two-course lunch at the onsite Source Restaurant with matched wines. After your Posh-As Day Out, no other wine and art experience will come even close.

12. Savor Fresh Tasmanian Seafood on a Gourmet Cruise

Enjoy a feast of succulent rock lobster, oysters, abalone and sea urchin plucked straight from the sea.

Departing from Hobart, this popular small-group cruise navigates the crystal waterways of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, yielding the freshest seafood. The rock lobster, locally known as crayfish, is extremely sought after and exported all over the world. The fresh oysters are shucked and enjoyed straight from the shell, with a handful also cooked in sparkling wine. It’s simply not possible to buy seafood this fresh and delicious anywhere else.

After gathering the day’s catch, a spread of local breads, salads and artisan cheeses matched with Tasmanian wines, local beers and ciders awaits.

13. Enjoy a Seven-Course Tour of Bruny Island Produce

Travel down the channel from Hobart to Bruny Island, a destination of spectacular landscapes and gourmet local produce. Enjoy a delicious day out on this guided tour, where every course on the menu is a stop on your journey.

Bruny Island is a perfect mix of Australia’s best qualities – amazing coastal landscapes, dense rainforests, rare wildlife and great food. Sample artisanal cheeses, handcrafted whiskies and gin, fresh oysters and local chocolates as you visit Bruny Island staples.

Highlights include cheeses from Bruny Island Cheese Company, fresh oysters from Get Shucked, tastings at Bruny Island Premium Wines and single malt whiskeys from Bruny Island Whiskey.

14. Meet Tasmanian Wildlife at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Home to unique Australian animals, Bonorong is a Tasmania-wide wildlife rescue. Here you can meet Tasmanian devils, wombats, quolls and hand-feed kangaroos on a Sanctuary Tour.

The sanctuary’s aim is to nurse animals back to health and release them into the wild. Run by volunteers and housing species extinct everywhere in the world but Tasmania, Bonorong is truly special.

Besides, no trip to Tasmania is complete without meeting its extraordinary wildlife.

Ready to Explore Tasmania?

As one of Australia’s best kept secrets, Tasmania has wine, food, wildlife and class. What it doesn’t have are the fully booked tables and month-long wait lists.

For more recommendations and tips on what to do in Tasmania, contact one of our Destination Specialists. As experts in Australian travel, we can plan the perfect Tasmania food and wine trip for your Australia vacation.

Plan My Trip to Australia!

Phone us Toll Free on 1-888-359-2877 (CT USA, M-F 8.30am – 5pm).

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