Drive, she said: the perfect Tassie road-trip with the girls

Want to get away with your besties for an extra-long weekend – no kids, no partners, no work? A road trip in Tassie is the perfect antidote to life’s busyness: divine food and wine, endless natural beauty, and a little culture, too. Here’s an itinerary that’s very hard to resist …

From this bustling port, it’s about a three-hour drive to Hobart. A little longer when you add in a few interesting diversions, like the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe in Elizabethtown. If you’re there for brunch, you’ll all want to try the French toast, sandwiched with ricotta and berries. It’s a short hop to Mole Creek, where you can all “ooh” and “aah” at the cute creatures at Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary. Then head back to National Highway 1 and on to Hobart. A long afternoon walk around the city centre, the waterfront and Battery Point will build up your appetite for a fancy first-night dinner at Franklin. This restaurant-bar was awarded two coveted ‘hats’ in the national 2019 Good Food Guide.

If your group of girlfriends are culturally minded, you’ll want to spend a day at Mona. Brainchild of eccentric millionaire David Walsh, the 6000 square-metre private museum on the Berriedale peninsula is jam-packed with ancient and modern, sacred and profane art. Before Mona came along, the site was home to a winery, established in 1962. It’s still producing wine under the Moorilla label and has its own award-winning brewery called Moo. As well as the winery’s cellar door, there’s also The Source, Mona’s exceptional restaurant – and two bars.

Hit the coastal road that wends its way from Hobart to the astonishing Freycinet National Park on the island’s east coast. Give yourself enough time to stop at some of the many vineyards and foodie spots along the way. Set on a fifth-generation sheep farm, Spring Vale winery has turned the stable built by convicts in 1842 into an atmospheric tasting room. Kate’s Berry Farm has remarkable views across Great Oyster Bay, and unusual sweet treats such as mingleberry jam made from Kate’s own strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. In Freycinet National Park, walk the 4-5 hour Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach Circuit, or go straight for the spectacular Wineglass Bay lookout (1½ hour return).

After spending the night at the remarkable Saffire, which is among Australia’s best lodges, head to Launceston, one of the nation’s oldest cities. There are lovely heritage buildings to explore, the Cataract Gorge to conquer, and great Tassie creativity to browse at Design Tasmania. Enjoy a farewell lunch at the acclaimed Stillwater before returning to Devonport for your journey back to the mainland – the ideal time to start planning your next Tassie road trip

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.