Seven-day family-friendly foodie road trip

From renowned restaurants to fun farms, fresh fish ‘n’ chips to Tasmania’s yummiest lolly shops, it’s an easy-going week of edible pleasure the whole family will never forget.

Start your tasty tour with breakfast at Laneway, a hidden café serving hearty breakfasts like Farmers Mess omelettes, North African Spiced Beans, and waffles three ways. If you just want coffees, go to the source: Devonport’s own Gioconda coffee roasters.

It’s about three hours’ drive south via Highway 1 to your lunch destination, so take a break in one or two charming heritage towns along the way. Ross boasts Bakery 31, which is famous for scallop pies, and an 1836 stone bridge with lots of fascinating carvings including faces and animals.

New Norfolk’s The Agrarian Kitchen is often rated Tasmania’s best restaurant, but their $120-a-head set menu may have you thinking it’s got to wait until the kids are older. Good news then: there’s now a family-friendly lunchtime kiosk, so everyone can try their irresistible takes on local, seasonal produce.

Hobart is just 30 minutes away. Everyone makes a beeline for the waterfront’s floating fish ‘n’ chip shops, but work up an appetite first with Roaring 40s Kayaking’s easy Hobart City paddle. Children seven and up are welcome, and midway fish ‘n’ chips are included. Constitution Dock bystanders will be jealous when you chow down while floating in a kayak!

Explore Hobart on foot this morning with Gourmania’s City Tour, which has a children’s rate. Walk around meeting the locals and sampling their fab food on this progressive brunch. Spend the afternoon at Hobart attractions like the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Or just relax at the beautiful Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens or Coningham beach, enjoying what you couldn’t help buying on the tour.

Hobart’s many dinner options include fine diners like Aloft if you have older children. Foodie families love smart-casual Room For a Pony, a former garage with ample room for kids too, and a menu ranging from Japanese-style fried chicken to wood-fired pizzas. Another cool conversion is Preachers, a fun indoor-outdoor pub conjured from an 1849 sailmaker’s cottage and a vintage bus. They serve comfort food like burgers and dumplings, plus craft beers for mum and dad.

Spend today in the Huon Valley on Hobart’s south-western doorstep. Try timing your visit around Fat Pig Farm’s school holiday tours. Meet cows, goats, chickens and, of course, the pigs on the 2.5-hour Family Farm Day experience, which also takes in the micro-dairy and big veggie garden.

Other delicious, down-to-earth options include tastings at Grandvewe. Renowned for sheep-milk cheese, they also produce even more rarely found sheep-whey spirits. Picturesque Campo de Flori specialises in olives, saffron and lavender, including culinary varieties, and there’s also gorgeous ceramics including cups and bowls made by the owner.

Keep your eyes peeled for the valley’s roadside farm stalls and farmers markets, and be sure to visit Wall of Lollies. It’s Tasmania’s biggest sweet shop, with treats from around the world including house-made chocolates, fudge and nougat.

Lunch is at Willie Smiths, a fourth-generation apple farm that’s now also a cidery, eatery and mini-museum dedicated to the region’s apple-growing history. The big old apple shed is a welcoming space for kicking back with good things like gourmet toasties, local pork belly, homemade apple pie, apple cocktails or scrumptious apple juice. The outdoor tables are prime real estate on sunny days. From here, Hobart is only 30 minutes away.

Breakfast is in the Coal River Valley, just north-east of Hobart. Coal River Farm’s restaurant uses produce and products from on-site and the region, so expect great things – like Coal River Farm brie on toasted house-made bread. Then pick berries and other fruits in season, and watch their cheese and chocolate makers in action.

Another valley favourite is Riversdale Estate. Grown-ups like the cellar door, while kids love the Peter Rabbit garden. Book your place for high tea in the elegant, European-inspired restaurant – ideally the Peter Rabbit or other themed high teas, prepared with young gourmands in mind. Before leaving the valley, don’t forget lolly shop stop number two: Sweets and Treats, in historic, picturesque Richmond.

It’s about two hours via the Tasman Highway to the east coast’s Freycinet Peninsula. Build up your appetite with outdoor activities in Freycinet National Park, from walking up to Wineglass Bay lookout to snorkelling in the clear blue sea.

Your gourmet priority is Freycinet Marine Farm. Savour their freshly prepared oysters and mussels alongside other local seafood, either on the deck or get takeaway and head to the beach. Serious foodies should book the tour, which includes donning waders and tasting oysters fresh from the water. It’s aimed at adults but children are welcome.

Tasmania’s second city is about two hours away, via Lake Leake Highway and Highway 1. If it’s Saturday don’t miss the Harvest farmers market. Buy picnic or barbecue goodies here and at gourmet food store Alps and Amici, then go to Launceston’s much-loved Cataract Gorge Reserve.

Next up, another sweet stop: Gourlay’s Sweet Shop was established in 1896, and makes the best fudge, chocolates, fruit jellies and more.

Don’t spoil your dinner though, because Launceston boasts one of the state’s best restaurants: Stillwater has Tamar River views, heritage charm and contemporary fare focused on seasonal Tasmanian ingredients. If you’ve got little ones or just want to keep things casual, The Metz is a top option. This attractively renovated old pub has equally appealing food, including a quality children’s menu and wood-fired pizzas that everyone can tuck into.

Spend your final day filling up along the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail. Wend your way from Launceston to Devonport, pausing at family favourites like House of Anvers chocolate shop and café (bookings recommended!), Ashgrove Cheese for everything from toasties to ice-cream, and Christmas Hills raspberry farm and café. Other highlights include Melita Honey Farm’s shop, where there’s a live beehive behind glass, and Spreyton Cider Co, which has ciders for juniors and seniors alike, plus a playground.

Squeeze in Reliquaire along the way. Selling all sorts of lovely things, including tableware and aprons, this emporium has little hidden spaces with themes like Harry Potter and dinosaurs, which kids love exploring.

Finally, go to Devonport’s Strait Off the Boat for your last supper in Tasmania. Their freshly caught fish and chips are best enjoyed up the street near Mersey Bluff Lighthouse. Take in the epic Bass Strait views and delicious food, before boarding Spirit of Tasmania for your journey home.

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