Tamar Valley – Tasmania

Stretching 60km from the Bass Strait to Launceston, the valley is intersected by the Tamar River, a wide tidal waterway. The Batman Bridge unites the two shores near Deviot.

To make the most of the valley, drive south along the west side of the river, into Launceston and return along the east. On the way, you will find small pretty villages and plenty of viewing spots.

The undulating hills of the valley and its rich agricultural land attract growers and producers including ciders, truffles, walnuts, cherries, olive oil and more, all committed to their produce.

For wine lovers, there are some magnificent wineries with superb views and wine tasting, with a number of them offering tasting platters or restaurants. At many of the wineries, the makers will greet you and happily spend time talking about their craft. Visit Tamar Valley Wine Route for more information.

With rich farmlands, dedicated makers and good roads, the Tamar Valley offers some of Tasmania’s most enjoyable experiences.

West Tamar

Beauty Point

Beauty Point

Beauty Point is a small riverside town that is well catered for. We have a variety of dining experiences, some within an easy walk from our park. They include Riviera Hotel, Riverview Cafe, Chefs Catch, Waterfront Hotel, SueNaMi and Tamar Cove.

The safe waters of the Tamar River are ideal for kayaking, swimming and the fishing is pretty good.

Seahorse World and Southern Aquarium, a working seahorse farm gives you unique access to these magical creatures.

Platypus House offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch live Tasmanian Platypuses and Echidnas in daylight conditions

Beauty Point

Beaconsfield

A gold-mining town, its past tinged with stories of gold, wealth and survival.

Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre houses a museum of intriguing artefacts all presented in a multi-sensory manner that lets you not only see, but allows you to touch and play with many historic objects. The famous 2006 mine rescue is represented in a very special and poignant exhibition along with the famous mine yard.

Holwell Gorge, is just a few kilometres west, this fern laden gorge is an excellent 1 – 1/2 hours walk (one way). The track is a hiking track and is awkward in places.

With not one but two supermarkets, bakery and a butcher, your supplies are catered for.

Beauty Point

Exeter

The land around Exeter is predominately orchard and farming country.

The Beehive is definitely worth a visit for all things honey, Tasmanian whisky and gin.

Notley Fern Gorge, just west of Exeter on Frankfurt Highway, is a remnant patch of rainforest above the Tamar Valley. The wet sclerophyll forest area has a walking track and picnic area beneath towering trees. Marvel at large tree ferns, hard water ferns by the creeks edge and filmy ferns on the trunks of trees.

Just south of Exeter is Brady’s Lookout on the West Tamar Highway. The lookout offers great views and photo opportunities of the surrounding countryside.

Beauty Point

Glengarry/Grindelwald

Glengarry Bush Maze and Tearooms are located 15 minutes from Exeter on the Frankford Highway, at Glengarry.

Enjoy the challenge of the formal hedge maze or take a relaxing walk in a natural Tasmanian bush setting to the fern gully. On your return, you can relax with a light lunch and drinks in the tearoom.

The Swiss-themed resort at Grindelwald includes a range of activities. Test your skill at the 18-hole mini-golf course, or play a round on the ten-hole public golf course, paddle boat hire and canoeing on the lake, and then have a jump on the world’s longest bouncing pillow available for children. The turn-off for Grindelwald is on your right just past Brady’s Lookout.

Beauty Point

Legana

Tamar Island Wetlands is a unique urban wetlands reserve just south of Legana. A short (500 metre) walk from the interpretation centre takes you to a bird hide with seating where you can observe wetland birds on the lagoon and enjoy a restful break.

An outstanding interpretation centre offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the value of the wetlands. The interpretation centre and the boardwalk to the island have easy wheelchair access and both have disabled toilet facilities.

Beauty Point

Narawntapu National Park

Narawntapu National Park is a peaceful coastal refuge, with inlets, small islands, wetlands, sand dunes, lagoons and an amazing variety of plants and animals.

Narawntapu stretches from Greens Beach on the mouth of the Tamar River to Bakers Beach in the west and is one of the best places to view free-ranging wildlife in the state. The park boasts a rich array of easily observed animals that come out in the evening to graze on the grasslands, including Forester kangaroos, Bennetts wallabies and wombats. Listen for the growls and screeches of Tasmanian devils.

Beauty Point

Greens Beach and Surrounds

Narawntapu National Park has an access point at Greens Beach. From the carpark, it is an easy 270 metres (295 yards) walk to the West Head lookout for spectacular clifftop views along Badger Head beach and beyond westward as far as Table Cape and the Dial Ranges behind Ulverstone.

Discover the nearby Kelso Beach and enjoy a great spot for fishing. You can access Garden Island on Clarence Point, now a barren lookout point at the mouth of the Tamar River. There is good fishing here as well as a scenic lookout.

East Tamar

Beauty Point

George Town

George Town, Australia’s third oldest settlement after Sydney and Hobart has a rich maritime past. You can explore the town’s history at the Watch House, the former goal, is now an information centre, museum and Tasmanian art and craft display. Pick up a copy of the George Town Heritage Trail for a self-guided walk around the town’s historical sites.

The Bass & Flinders Centre is the home of “The Norfolk”, the full-sized replica of the Norfolk that Bass and Flinders sailed from Sydney and around Tasmania in 1798. The centre includes other historic boats that visitors can explore in detail.

Beauty Point

Low Head

Low Head Lighthouse was built in 1888, the nearby Foghorn was installed in 1929 and restored by volunteers in early 2000. Sounded each Sunday at noon, it’s a unique piece of maritime history.

Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum occupies the 1835 convict-built Pilots Row, the oldest and largest building on the site. It tells stories of shipping on the Tamar River and has an extensive display of relics from the days of sail and steam.

Low Head Penguin Tours offer a unique nature experience to get up close and personal with the Little Blue Penguins as they return from the pristine waters of Bass Strait to nest in their burrows.

Beauty Point

Hillwood

Tasmania and Hillwood Berry Farm

Hillwood is a small collection of properties that is home to seasonal sheds and farm gate sales. Millers Orchards offers a stone great range of seasonal stone fruit and a variety of apple and pear varieties. Seasonal vegetables, drinks and local gourmet products.

At Hillwood Berry Farm, you can pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and more. They have a farm gate cafe and the freshest produce from local farms, including Meander Valley Dairy, Southern Sky and Pyengana cheeses, and wine.

Beauty Point

Bridport

Bridport, famous for its white sandy beaches, seafood, coastal parks and bushland reserves.

Two of Australia’s top golf courses, Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm are just east of Bridport.

Overlooking Anderson Bay, Bridport offers excellent river and sea fishing, bushwalking and beach activities.

The Bridport Wildflower Reserve in the Granite Point Conservation Area bursts into colour in spring with spectacular wildflower displays and feeding birds.

Beauty Point

Bridestowe Lavender

Bridestowe Lavender Estate, one of Tasmania’s iconic tourist destinations, is rich in history and surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

It runs over 260 acres and is the world’s largest privately-owned lavender farm. Bridestowe Estate is spectacular all year round, from the vibrant purple haze of summer to the moody mysterious landscape of winter.

They have a cafe with a seasonal menu that features produce from both the estate and the north east and a fabulous gift shop.

Beauty Point

Lilydale

Lilydale is nestled under the slopes of Mount Arthur.

Hollybank Treetop Adventures is an opportunity for thrill seekers to swing through the canopy or race through the forest on two-wheeled Segways.

Lilydale Falls is located 3km out of Lilydale on the Scottsdale Road. The reserve provides an opportunity to explore the region’s temperate rainforest, have a picnic, and inspect the falls.

Hollybank Forest Reserve has a distinctly European flavour. In autumn, exotic deciduous trees are a colourful contrast to the natives. As well as a picnic area, toilets and BBQs, there is even a bush cricket pitch (BYO cricket gear).