Plotting a road trip in a wine-growing area is simple in Tasmania, with the state’s four wine trails neatly spaced across the state.
The Tamar Valley and Coal River Valley are short drives beyond Launceston and Hobart, respectively.
The east coast’s sunny ways are reflected in the fresh flavours of its wines, while a tasting or two (or three) can even be built into a drive to Cradle Mountain.
Tamar Valley Wine Trail
The island’s oldest and largest wine-growing area has more than 30 cellar doors cosied up around kanamaluka / River Tamar in northern Tasmania. From Launceston, the trail stretches along both sides of the river, to Beaconsfield in the west and the renowned sparkling-wine region of Pipers Brook in the east, and also taking in Relbia, south of Launceston. Take a day to drive the loop, or break it up with a separate riverbank each day for full cool-climate wine immersion.
North West Wine Trail
Whether jumping straight off the Spirit of Tasmania ferry in Devonport or wandering down from the slopes of Cradle Mountain, a cluster of vineyards is waiting after your maritime and mountain adventures. The vineyards form a widespread arc around Devonport, from Port Sorell to Gunns Plains, dotted with scenic town stops such as Penguin and Sheffield in between.
East Coast Wine Trail
Drop anchor at Swansea, the east-coast town on the fringe of a collection of bright and cheery cellar doors arranged around tiny Cranbrook, just to the north. The experiences are as varied as the wines, with cellar doors ranging from a convict-built stable at Spring Vale Vineyard to an architectural masterpiece at Devil’s Corner Winery. Some of Australia’s top pinot noirs are found here, and it’s a short drive from the cellar door to Freycinet Peninsula – a journey from wine to Wineglass Bay.
Southern Wine Trail
What’s not to love about a capital city surrounded by vineyards? The Southern Wine Trail encircles Hobart, with wineries ranging from blockbuster to boutique. Set a different compass bearing each day and set out for the short trip into the Coal River Valley, upstream to New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley, east to the coast at Turrkana / Tasman Peninsula, or south into the Huon Valley. There’s a range of cellar-door tours on offer from Hobart if you’re after a designated driver.
Wine Tasmania
Not sure where to begin your wine tasting tour of Tasmania?
Visit Wine Tasmania and start planning your trip.