Following the wild coastline of Bass Strait is an opportunity to fill up on northern Tasmania’s incredible array of delicious offerings, with plenty of detours to distract all the senses along the way.Perhaps it's because it has some of the cleanest air in the world, but a trip around Tasmania's northern coast sure works up an appetite. Which is just as well, because this stretch bordered by the Bass Strait produces some outstanding culinary options, with some of the most fertile farms and pasture in Australia. In between mouthfuls, you'll be treated to beaches and mountains on the east side of the Tamar River, an abundance of wildlife on its west side. Ocean views will propel your journey across the fertile food bowl of the central north, and in the north west, Australia's largest cool-climate rainforest will clear the lungs. Here's a tasty sample of what to expect on the Northern Forage's self-drive journey, where you can pick and choose an itinerary for every taste.
Food and drink
The Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail is a food experience trail within the Northern Forage. Choose one of many themed itineraries or follow your nose to more than 30 of the north-west's finest farms, cellar doors, distilleries and makers. Whether you're a sweet tooth, top-shelf connoisseur, can't get enough of the fruits of the sea or need to know where to pick up the best honey, wine, ice cream or cheese, this site will guide you to the best the Northern Forage has to offer.
Wine buffs will want to head to the Tamar Valley Wine Route which surrounds the boutique city of Launceston. Established some 25 years ago, this wine trail features 32 vineyards, most with cellar door tasting rooms and many open all year round. It doesn't hurt, of course, that the wineries sit among picturesque orchards, forests and fertile pastures. Chardonnay, riesling, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris and gewürztraminer are the white varietals that reign here, while pinot noir is king of the reds.
If whisky is more your speed, Hellyers Road Distillery, a port city in the north-west coast of Burnie, operates a behind-the-scenes tour of their working distillery, culminating in pouring and wax sealing your very own bottle of Hellyers Road. But beer and cider drinkers are well catered for too, with plenty of cideries and craft breweries to visit and taste-test.
Nature and wildlife
The Northern Forage's coastline is home to some incredible fauna. At Low Head, at the mouth of the Tamar River, you can take a penguin watching tour for a fascinating insight into the lives of Little (or Fairy) Penguins, as they make their nightly journey to their burrows.
Thirty kilometres west of Wynyard you'll find the entrance to Rocky Cape National Park, a promontory extending out in the Bass Strait, with scenic walks, beaches, and rock climbing some of its highlights. Witness coastal heathlands blooming with wildflowers in summer and on an evening walk you could spot wallabies, wombats and possums.
For some natural wonderment rubbing up against an urban landscape, walk 15 minutes along the banks of the Tamar River from central Launceston and you'll find yourself in Cataract Gorge Reserve. From there you can follow a path originally built in the 1890s along the cliff face, looking down onto the South Esk River. A Victorian garden with ferns and exotic plants adorn the Cliff Grounds on the shady northern side. Peacocks can be found strutting here, and if you walk the grounds at dusk you'll likely be in the company of wallabies.