Woodbridge
Woodbridge is one of the prettiest towns on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and is a lovely place to stay while exploring the Huon Valley and Bruny Island. Woodbridge is a 35-min drive (35 km) south of Hobart. This semi-rural area of rolling hills and winding roads is home to small farms and craft makers. The area produces apples and stone fruit while the Channel is well known for its Atlantic salmon farms. Woodbridge is also home to the Peppermint Bay Restaurant complex. The restaurant offers transportation in style aboard the luxury, high-speed catamaran, Peppermint Bay II. The fully guided cruise departs from the Hobart waterfront, travelling along 40 km of coastline to the restaurant's waterside destination. Nearby is Grandvewe Farm Sheep Cheesery where you can sample 15 different cheeses and enjoy a glass of wine while watching the process of cheese making and maturing. From September to March you can also see sheep milking demonstrations, if your timing's right (4.30 pm). Be sure to travel a few minutes down the road to visit the Birchs Bay Art Farm which has a cafe on site, as well as some lovely walks through their sculpture trail. Also nearby is Hartzview Vineyard with its chapel-like tasting room and beautiful views across the Huon River to the Hartz mountains. The ferry across to Bruny Island, departing from Kettering, is just a few kilometres north.