Top 10: Spring in Tasmania

Tasmania offers four seasons of fun, perhaps more so than anywhere else in Australia. Spring, in particular, is the season of pastoral, Kermit the Frog-green countryside, the provocative aroma of gardens in blush, good surf and the bite of hapuka and red rock cod on the lure. Our Tasmania top 10 covers a lot of territory and provides a comprehensive look at the best of the best on the singular island.

Binalong Bay, Tasmania – Photo credit

10. Larceny’s
22 Tamar St, Launceston

Launceston is just 50 min from Melbourne and a popular portal to Tasmania. The small city is much more than a transit gateway, however, as the exquisite spring menu at Larceny’s – one of the best restaurants on the island – proves.

Where to stay: Clarion Hotel City Park Grand Launceston

Launceston City Guide

9. Tasmanian Farm Gate
Melville St car park, Hobart

Salamanca Market is a desirable target in Hobart and, without a question, a must on Saturdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. But do not skip Tasmanian Farm Gate, a Sunday farmers market that transforms a humble car park from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Discover the spring bounty of Tasmania here.

Where to stay: Mercure Hotel Hobart

8. Australian Convict Sites

A new UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, the eleven landmarks that make up the Australian Convict Sites form a vital piece of the nation’s puzzle. The five sites in Tasmania include Port Arthur and the Coal Mines Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula; the Cascades Female Factory in South Hobart; Darlington Probation Station on Maria Island; and Woolmers and Brickendon Estates near Longford.

Where to stay: Somerset On The Pier Hobart

7. Southwest National Park Day Walks

Spring is the start of the day walk season in gorgeous Southwest National Park, which forms a considerable chunk of the Tasmanian Wilderness UNESCO World Heritage Site. The two on tap, Eliza Plateau and Lake Judd, provide a stiff challenge, wow scenery and take up to eight hours to complete.

Where to stay: Tynwald Willow Bend Estate B&B New Norfolk

6. Alps & Amici Foodstore & Kitchen
52 Abbott St, East Launceston

More proof that Launceston is a mini-foodie hub is on hand at Alps & Amici. The store and culinary school is a paragon stockist of Tasmanian products. Take a class, browse, shop and taste.

Where to stay: The Lido Boutique Apartments Launceston

5. Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Queens Domain, Hobart

The Spring Community Festival comes to the elegant Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on October 8-9.

Where to stay: Grand Chancellor Hotel Hobart

4. Calm at Cradle Mountain Chateau
3718 Cradle Mountain Rd, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Melt away cares at the plush Calm Day Spa at Cradle Mountain Chateau. All in all, a sumptuous intro to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

Where to stay: Cradle Mountain Chateau

3. Surf Shipsterns Bluff
Tasman National Park

Kelly Slater made a not-so-secret crusade to Shipsterns Bluff to take on some of the most epic waves on the planet. You may not have the skills of a world champ but Tasmania is a surfer’s island paradise for all levels. From Park and Clifton Beach to Eaglehawk Neck, Orford to Bicheno, Cloudy Bay to Mersey Mouth at Devonport, Marrawah to South Cape Bay, long bushwalks unfurl gnarly groundswells all over the island.

Where to stay: Fox & Hounds Inn Port Arthur

2. Hellyers Road Whisky Walk
153 Old Surrey Rd, Burnie

You know about Tasmanian wine. Maybe you know about the Cascade Brewery. But what about whisky and vodka? Go to Burnie and take the Hellyers Road Whisky Walk. The distillery pours a fine single malt.

Where to stay: Killynaught Spa Cottages Burnie

1. Museum of Old and New Art
655 Main Road Berriedale, Hobart

David Walsh made sure his second kick at the museum can would make a rattle that nobody – critics and public alike – could possibly ignore. The multi-millionaire art collector, entrepreneur and owner of Moorilla Estate winery opened the Museum of Old and New Art in January 2011 to praise and derision (one journalist called it “macabre and ungodly”. Go an wide open mind – the largest privately funded museum in Australia deserves a visit.