Flavours of Tassie profile: Cradle To Coast Tasting Trail

1. Tell us about the Cradle Coast Tasting Trail.

The Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail was formed in 2012 to promote the amazing food and beverage experiences of the North West region of Tasmania. A group of seven like-minded producers and tourism operators passionate about their products and their region set about creating a ‘tasting’ experience to showcase local producers and attract visitors to Tasmania. The Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail now has more than 30 member businesses from berry, nut and olive growers, to cheese and chocolate makers, a whisky distillery, brewery, cidery and lots of vineyards, as well as cafes, providores, restaurants and accommodation places who all serve, use and promote locally produced food and beverages.

What do you love most about what you do?

I work as a project-officer to help promote the Trail as well as coordinate membership, manage social media and organise marketing campaigns, advertising and communication.

I love what I do because I get to work with people who are very talented at what they do, make, grow, produce or sell, and who are also extremely passionate about growing the region as a tourist destination and giving visitors an awesome experience while they are here.

I also get the chance to taste a little bit here and there…all for research purposes of course :)

3. What is it about the region in which you operate that enhances the quality of the products ?

Just like the rest of Tasmania, our region has quality clean air, plenty of sunshine and usually just the right amount of rain to grow beautiful crops such as berries, apples, grapes, olives, truffles and nuts. It is also home to some of the best grazing land for dairy cattle so we have the beautiful milk for making cheese, butter, ice-cream…or just milk.

We also think the Cradle to Coast region has some of the nicest and friendliest people in Tasmania, so we hope that adds to the experience when you visit one of our member businesses.

4. How can a visitor best explore the Cradle Coast Tasting Trail?

The great thing about travelling on the Spirit is that you can bring your car and you’ll need it to explore the Trail (or you can book a hire car). We think the best way to see as much as possible is to plan ahead by looking at our website www.cradletocoasttastingtrail.com.au but you can also grab a copy of the Tasting Trail map once on board and a pen to start planning. Draw a circle around all those places you know you want to see and join them up, check opening hours on the website and travel distances and you’re away! Another tip is to ask each Trail business to recommend where to go to next. And here’s a tip, allow enough time on your way back to the Spirit of Tasmania Terminal to call in and purchase all the goodies to take home with you that you can’t live without – cheese, wine, olive oil, whisky, cider…

5. How long have you been a part of Flavours of Tassie?

This is the Trail’s first year on board with Flavours of Tassie, however many our members such as Anvers, Ashgrove, 41 South Salmon, Spreyton Cider and Red Cow Dairies have been involved since it began.

6. What attracted you to the program?

Many of our small members don’t have the time or resources to participate in the program so we want to promote as many of these businesses as we can so visitors can see how much our region has to offer you and your tastebuds! The program gives Tasmania’s producers, makers and growers the opportunity to talk to potential customers and visitors and hear first-hand what they think about our products.

7. What’s your top tip for visitors to Tasmania?

If you are still in the planning stages, allow plenty of time. It’s not a ‘holiday’ if you’re rushing from place to place and believe me–you will find plenty of things to distract you along the way and time will just fly. Relax, unwind and enjoy our beautiful state.