Luxury Hotel Best Tasmanian Experiences
If you are in the market for a Luxury Hotel Best Tasmanian Experience, we can put that together for you.
We find that our guests want one or more of several things from their stay in the Derwent Valley.
- wilderness, wildlife and walking
- adventure outdoor activities
- cellar door and distilleries
And The Woodbridge Tasmania is so centrally placed that they can also include an exploration of all of southern Tasmania.
One of the most exciting developments over the last 10 years has been the proliferation of new distilleries. These now complement the already existing world class wineries.
And with the emergence of the boutique beverages scene, there has been an influx of new Derwent Valley cellar door tours.
The Derwent Experience offers tours tailored to your preferences. They suggest the fooling as a starting point.
Notes from Derwent Experience
The Derwent Valley in Tasmania officially starts at the Granton roundabout. Before you know it a trio of vineyards and cellar doors welcome the connoisseur of craft drinks.
Good neighbours
Derwent Estate Winery and Stefano Lubiana Wines have gorgeous cellar doors overlooking the River. These two adjacent properties showcase their award wining cool climate wines, and have spectacular ‘dining with a view”.
Broadview Vineyards is snuggled into the hills in this area as well. Broadview has tastings by appointment only. It is also open for he Open Vineyards Weekend in March and October each year.
From the old to the new
New Norfolk is the heartbeat of The Valley of Love. In the 2020’s it is gaining a reputation for hand crafted artisan beverages..
Lunch at The Bush Inn, New Norfolk
The Bush Inn, is one of Australia’s oldest Pubs. It lays claim to being the countru’s oldest continuously licensed pub (1825).
New Norfolk Distillery is a contemporary Distillery nurturing Australia’s rich history with and love of Rum – it does pre-date beer! They are also the energetic crew behind the Fresh Hop Beer Festival held in New Norfolk in April each year. The festival launches just after the Hops have been harvested up the road at Bushy Park. Bushy Park produces 70% of Australia’s Hops, and dried hops are infused into new beer for the freshest of fresh flavours. Also in New Norfolk The 11th Order Brewery and Welcome Swallow Brewery are both producing brilliant beer and ales from their micro-breweries.
These trendy establishments are,very popular with the locals. Tastings at these three super cool “fun-labs”have you ‘meeting the Makers’. And a ‘damn that is good’ beer on the deck is a great way to appreciate the local talent.
Cider a Plenty
Plenty Cidery is in the small hamlet of Plenty, just near the Salmon Ponds. The cider house opened in late 2021. Owners Alex and Grace have been producing their cider for market for a couple of years now.And once again this is fresh as it gets – fruit is straight from the orchard less than 500m away. You can taste apple mixed with local berries and grapes for delicious ciders that are being discovered far afield.
Not easy to get to, but for true Wino’s, one of Australia’s finest cool climate winemakers – taste here right at the source
True icons
Meadowbank Winery is high in the Derwent Valley. Hidden at the end of a winding dirt road, this historic property has only recently opened to the public. However it has long provenance. It produces wines from vines that have consistently produced quality grapes for over 30 years. True “homegrown greatness” in a private cellar door in the shed by the tractor. If you value your wine above all else then a visit and tasting is a must.
World class “paddock to bottle” whisky made right here in the Derwent Valley
Even further up the valley is Lawrenny Distillery sitting prettily in an amazingly beautiful historic property. Lawrence has just bottled its first release of Estate Whisky , and it has sold out of Ascension already.
A true paddock-to-bottle distillery, Lawrence produces from their own estate-sourced ingredients. The bond store barrels have eleases planned over the next 18 years.
Lawrence also produces paddock-to-bottle Vodka and Gin. Globally the Paddock to Bottle process is very rare and it is a delight to experience it first hand in such a spectacular setting.
Ashley and Jane are doing something quite special down the dirt road and by the holding yard – let’s go and pay them a visit.
Back closer to New Norfolk
Heading back down the other side of the Derwent River there is a true Farm Bar, the wild and funky Two Metre Tall Farmhouse Ale and Cider . It is set back a little ways from the river, and yes, at the end of another dirt road. Locals love this place. What comes out of the shed magicked up by Ashley and Jane is sold to connoisseurs all around the world.
Meet the Makers in the shed that pours delicious and arresting tastings with frothy tales of trial and error. Ask about their woodfire BBQ using their own ‘beer-fed’ beef – cattle fed on the byproducts of their artisan ale.
Robbie and Emma have some stories to share and some damn fine whisky as well
We leave you with a true labour of love
Just south of New Norfolk is the newest of the Valleys treasure’s, The Derwent Distilling Co’s brand new distilling site with tasting deck. Drink in the million dollar views along at this inspiring labour of love.
Robbie and Emma have taken the name from one of the first legalised Distilleries in Tasmania. They focus on both the old and the new. True to their visionary plan, they have been laying down a rare and unique selection of one off casks since 2016.
Book our Luxury Hotel Best Tasmanian Experience
Our Luxury Hotel Best Tasmanian Experience can be arranged as part of a group tour, or as a private tour tailored to your preferences.