While Australia as a whole is synonymous with gourmet fare, it may be Tasmania that tops the nation for edible offerings. Attracting foodies in their droves, the island is a hot spot for food odysseys, those road trip explorations that take in distilleries, wineries, artisan produces and so much more beyond. Of particular note is the Tamar Valley – home to some of the nation’s finest wines, as well as producer Tamar Valley Dairy Yoghurt, which sources all of its milk locally. Nestled in the north of the state next to Launceston, the region is a fantastic spot to spend a weekend wining and dining to your heart’s content. Best get exploring.

 Where to stay

Bed and breakfasts are a dime a dozen on the Tamar Valley trail. Or there is the opportunity to stay in the big smoke of Launceston, which sits just 30 minutes or so away. But for a real treat, head to Quamby Estate, one of Tassie’s most historically significant properties. The estate house was built in 1828 and was the ancestral home of Sir Richard Dry, the state’s premier between 1866 and 1869. A popular wedding spot for its sweeping views of the nearby Ben Lomond ranges, the homestead provides 10 restored guest rooms and a nine-hole golf course for guests.

 Where to eat

Sitting on the banks of the Tamar River is Stillwater. A leader of Launceston’s fine-dining scene, the restaurant focuses on contemporary fare with a focus on (not surprisingly) Tasmanian produce. Sitting in a historic mill dating from the 1830s, the restaurant is also home to a providore offering fresh meats, cheeses and preserves. A little further afield, deep in the Tamar Valley, is Josef Chromy Wines. The winery and cellar door is a popular destination for lunch or dinner thanks to its all-encompassing district views, including a postcard-perfect lake.

Where to drink

A trip to the Tamar Valley is incomplete without a sojourn to one of its many wineries. Among the area’s most famed is Goaty Hill. Two families are behind the vineyard – close friends who banded together to make fine wine. The vineyard has a mantra of “educated enjoyment” and seeks to deliver a lesson in viticulture to visitors – while they indulge in a good drop at the cellar door of course. But alongside the traditional there are also plenty of wineries that are challenging the norm. One such is Sinapius – a vineyard that embraces minimalism in its approach to premium wine making, from the close-planted vines to elements such as natural fermentation, basket-pressing and minimal fining and filtration.

Where to play

Immerse yourself in the produce of the region with a visit to Hillwood Berry Farm, one of the pick-your-own farms in the valley. The primary enterprise of this petite business remains the production of commercial berries, but it allows the public to partake in their own picking of select produce, as well as indulge in other Tamar Valley delicacies at the farm-gate cafe. There’s also nearby Low Head Pilot Station and Lighthouse. Built in 1805, Low Head is the oldest pilot and signal station in Australia. There you can explore the many 19th-century buildings that make up the establishment, as well as enjoy the location’s incredible views out over the Bass Strait.

This article was brought to you by Tamar Valley Dairy – The Little Taste of Tassie.