Step off the Spirit of Tasmania

Spend a relaxing afternoon exploring the countryside just south of Devonport, starting at the Tasmanian Arboretum. After picking you up from your accommodation, we’ll transport you to this peaceful parkland filled with trees from temperate regions around the world.

Not only is it a wonderful spot to stroll for an hour or so, but it’s home to a lake with resident platypus - count yourself lucky if you spot one of these elusive creatures!

The Tasmanian Arboretum is open every day of the year from 9:00 to 17:00 (until 20:00 during daylight saving time) and entrance is $10 for adults.

Then, it’s a short hop up the road to Prickly Mo Vineyard, a rustic cellar door housed in a converted barn and shearing shed. Drink in the vineyard views while sampling cool-climate Tasmanian wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling varieties.

Pair your tasting with a cheese platter or, if your visit coincides with a weekend event, you might even catch some live music and a food truck feed. It’s a lovely way to round off the afternoon before returning to Devonport for the evening.

Prickly Mo is open Thursday to Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00 and on select evenings.

“Tasmania” and “shopping spree” don’t usually go together. But on this half-day itinerary, you’ll discover some of the North West’s most distinctive shopping experiences. From a wonderfully quirky emporium to traditional leathercraft and a historic country store, this relaxed outing is a fantastic opportunity to find unique Tasmanian souvenirs and gifts. 

Stop 1: Reliquaire, Latrobe

Begin your shopping adventure at Reliquaire, an eclectic emporium in Latrobe that’s been designed with an eye for detail. Established in 1995, this family business has evolved to include a fascinating collection of unique gifts, one-of-a-kind collectables and inspiring homewares. It’s like stepping into a world of curiosities!

We recommend this as your first stop of the day because there’s an on-site coffee bar where you can grab a morning pick-me-up or sweet treat before continuing your shopping adventure. 

Reliquaire is open from 9:00 to 16:30 daily.

Stop 2: Simon Martin Whips & Leathercraft, Spreyton

Next, head to Simon Martin Whips & Leathercraft, which celebrates traditional Australian craftsmanship and rural heritage. Located in Spreyton, this specialist workshop and retail store (run by Simon Martin) showcases handcrafted whips and leather goods, alongside quality Australian country brands such as Akubra and R.M.Williams. It’s a great place to find distinctive, locally made gifts.

If you want to delve a little deeper into the whip-making process and see the artisans at work, we recommend enquiring ahead about a workshop tour. 

Simon Martin Whips & Leathercraft is open 8:30 to 17:00 Monday to Friday (closed weekends, public holidays and for a three-week period over Christmas).

Stop 3: Slaters Country Store, Sheffield

Finish your shopping spree at Slaters Country Store, a beloved retailer on Sheffield’s Main Street. Trading for more than 120 years, five generations of the same family have been associated with the business, so it offers a fascinating glimpse into the town’s retail history. Alongside clothing and country essentials, you’ll find a few unique historical touches that make it a pleasure to explore. 

Combine your visit with a stroll through Sheffield to admire its murals or settle in for lunch at one of the local cafes.

Slaters Country Store is open from 9:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 16:00 on Saturday and 10:00 to 16:00 on Sunday.

Tasmania has a thriving craft spirits scene, and on this tasting trail, you’ll get to experience it with the safety of a designated driver. With one of our team at the wheel, you’ll travel through the rolling countryside and coastal towns of the North West to discover award-winning whisky, orchard-inspired spirits and innovative small-batch gin. Oh, and you’ll get to meet some of the makers too!

We’d recommend allowing five to six hours, depending on how long you would like to spend at each distillery and whether you’re joining a guided tour at Hellyers Road. If you’re staying within walking distance of Devonport’s Southern Wild Distillery, we can drop you there at the end of the day to spend as long as you please. 

Stop 1: Hellyers Road Distillery

Begin the day at one of Tasmania’s best-known whisky makers, Hellyers Road Distillery, which sits perched above Burnie with beautiful views across the Emu Valley. At the cellar door, you can sample its range of single malts and discover the popular whisky cream liqueur, or join a guided Whisky Walk to learn about the distilling process and maturation of its spirits.

If you’re a real whisky enthusiast, consider booking the Distillers’ Choice experience - you’ll get to taste directly from selected casks and hand-bottle a whisky to take home.

Hellyers Road Distillery is open from 10:00 to 16:30 daily and Whisky Walk tours take place at 10:30 and 11:30 each morning ($25 per person). Bookings for the Distillers’ Choice experience can be made at the cellar door and prices vary depending on the specific cask/bottle you select.

Stop 2: Wilmot Hills Orchard & Distillery

Next, head back along the coast towards Devonport and inland to Wilmot Hills Orchard & Distillery, where the focus is on handcrafted spirits inspired by Tasmanian produce. 

During a tasting, you can discover their aromatic gins, zesty limoncello, Calvados-style apple brandy, absinthe and other small-batch creations, all in a relaxed rural setting. Don’t miss the hot mulled cider if you’re visiting in the cooler months!

Wilmot Hills Orchard & Distillery is open from 10:00 to 17:00 Thursday to Tuesday (until 18:00 in the summer).

Stop 3: Dasher + Fisher/Southern Wild Distillery

Finish your distillery adventure at Dasher + Fisher, which is located in Devonport’s Market Square Pavilion. Created by Southern Wild Distillery, it takes its name from two rivers that flow from the Cradle Mountain region, and its spirits celebrate the island’s distinctive landscapes and locally sourced botanicals.

Grab a tasting board to sample their inspiring range of gins, such as the Ocean Gin, which incorporates wakame seaweed sourced from the Tasman Sea, or the multi-award-winning Sloe Gin featuring foraged Tasmanian berries.

Dasher + Fisher/Southern Wild Distillery is open 13:30 to 17:00 Monday to Thursday and 13:30 to 18:00 Friday and Saturday (closed Sunday). A tasting flight costs $10 to $15, depending on the selection and is often refunded with bottle purchases.

Combining native Tasmanian wildlife with hidden underground wonders, this half-day trip to Gunns Plains is one for the nature lovers. It includes close-up encounters with native Australian animals at Wing’s Wildlife Park and an exploration of the spectacular limestone formations of Gunns Plains Caves.

After being picked up from your accommodation, head directly to Wing’s Wildlife Park, a family-run attraction that’s home to more than 150 species of native and exotic animals. Within the park, you can get up close to Tasmanian devils, wombats and wallabies, as well as kangaroos, koalas and reptiles.

Included in the entrance price are keeper-led wildlife presentations, which offer insights into animal behaviour, care and conservation. If you arrive early, you can catch the koala presentation at 11:00, followed by the meerkat presentation at 11:30. Animal feed is also available for purchase if you want a hands-on experience with the resident kangaroos and wallabies.

Wings Wildlife Park is open from 10:00 to 16:00 daily and entrance costs $37 for adults and $22 for children (family passes are available). There’s also an onsite cafe, 80 Acres, offering light meals, snacks and drinks - we recommend grabbing lunch here before continuing to the Gunns Plains Caves.

After lunch, it’s just a short hop to Gunns Plains Caves, where guided tours reveal a surreal world of limestone formations and underground rivers. Not to miss is the aptly named Wedding Cake and the glow worms that light up darker sections of the cave. Keep your eyes peeled!

Guided tours run at 13:30, 14:30 and 15:30, so we’ll time our arrival to coincide with one of these. Be aware that the cave entrance involves descending 54 steps and the route includes a short ladder. We’d recommend that you wear sturdy, low-heeled walking shoes. Unfortunately, this tour is not recommended for visitors with health or mobility concerns.

Tours of the Gunns Plains Caves cost $20 for adults and $8 for children (under 4s are free).

As you return to Devonport, enjoy a leisurely drive through the surrounding countryside, with its rolling hills, green pastures and quiet rural roads.

If cider is your go-to drink, then Tasmania’s North West has some gems in store. On this relaxed half-day itinerary, discover two of the region’s best cider-making (and drinking) destinations, all with the safety of a designated driver. It combines an orchard lunch at the Spreyton Cider Co. with a laid-back tasting in the picturesque Meander Valley at Red Brick Road Ciderworks.

After a mid-morning pickup from your accommodation, your cider adventure begins at Spreyton Cider Co, just 10 minutes’ drive south of Devonport. This family-owned business has been growing apples in the region for generations and its cider is made using fruit from its own orchard. 

Grab a tasting paddle at the cider bar or settle in amidst the orchard to sample their crisp apple ciders and seasonal releases. Ginger beer and non-alcoholic drinks are also available.

We’d highly recommend grabbing lunch at Spreyton! Their kitchen serves seasonal dishes featuring Tasmanian produce, with options ranging from smoky kransky and pot pie to grazing boards and hearty soups. If you have room afterwards, finish with house-made apple pie, made with fruit fresh from the orchard!

Spreyton Cider Co. is open from 10:00 to 17:00 daily.

After lunch, continue to the Red Brick Road Ciderworks, which is located on the banks of the Meander River in Deloraine. It’s a relaxed setting for learning about Red Brick’s cider-making process, which focuses on locally sourced fruit, traditional methods and creative small-batch releases.

Take your time over a tasting and chat with the makers or settle in for a glass of cider while listening to a vinyl record and challenging your travel mates to a board game.

Red Brick Ciderworks is open from 12:00 to 18:00 Wednesday to Sunday (until 20:00 on Friday).

Before returning to Deloraine, stroll along the Meander River or enjoy a short walk through Deloraine’s historic town centre. Emu Bay Road is lined with heritage buildings and independent shops, as well as several cafes if you need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

Looking for a fun family day out in Tasmania’s North West? Combine the wonderfully quirky world of Tasmazia and the Village of Lower Crackpot with a visit to Sheffield, a town famous for its colourful outdoor murals. Kids can get lost in hedge mazes, explore a miniature village and hunt for artworks, while adults enjoy the region’s rural scenery, local cafes and creative community.

Start your day with a 40-minute drive through rolling countryside to Tasmazia and the Village of Lower Crackpot, which is located in the aptly-named rural area of Promised Land. Allow the kids to lead the way through Tasmazia’s collection of eight different mazes. From winding hedge pathways to the challenging Great Maze, each offers a different puzzle to solve.

Next, step into the miniature world of Lower Crackpot, a quirky model village built at one-fifth scale. See how many unusual features the family can spot before admiring buildings from more than 40 countries in the Embassy Gardens. If you're visiting in January, don’t miss the lavender field, which adds a splash of colour (and fragrance) to the surrounding countryside.

Tasmazia and the Village of Lower Crackpot is open from 10:00 to 16:00 and entrance costs $34 for adults and $16 for children (3s and under are free).

If tummies are starting to rumble, you can grab lunch at the Crackpot Cafe or wait to eat until you arrive in Sheffield, which is just 10 minutes up the road. Pies and sweets to-go are available at Bossimis Bakehouse while hearty salads, soups and sandwiches are on the menu at the Epicurean Cafe.

After lunch, take time to wander through Sheffield’s outdoor art gallery. Its streets feature close to 100 murals celebrating the region’s history, people, landscapes and rural heritage. You can pick up a self-guided mural walking trail from the Sheffield Visitor Information Centre or just follow your curiosity. If the kids aren’t up for walking, head straight to Mural Park to see some of the town’s best!

Finish your outing with an ice cream, cake or afternoon pick-me-up at one of Sheffield’s cafes before making the 30-minute return drive to Devonport. This itinerary is intentionally flexible, so you can spend longer at Tasmazia and less time in Sheffield (or vice versa), depending on your family’s interest.

Combine handcrafted chocolates with cool-climate wines and magnificent vineyard scenery on this half-to-full day itinerary. 

After being picked up from your accommodation, the first stop is La Villa Wines. At this family-owned Spreyton vineyard, you can sample handcrafted wines in a cellar door that exudes old-world European charm. Take your time discovering the estate’s Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines while hearing about the owners’ Italian inspiration.

La Villa is open from 11:00 to 16:00 Wednesday to Sunday (October to May only).

Next, head to Ghost Rock Wines, which enjoys sweeping views across the countryside towards Bass Strait. You can opt for a guided cellar-door tasting of cool-climate wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, or settle in for a leisurely lunch featuring local Tasmanian produce.

Ghost Rock is open from 11:00 to 17:00 daily. Lunch bookings are recommended.

Finish your afternoon at Anvers Chocolate Factory, where Belgian chocolate-making traditions are on show. You can watch the chocolatiers at work, browse the tempting selection of handmade truffles, pralines and fudge, or make a beeline for the cafe to enjoy a hot chocolate and something sweet. There’s also a chocolate museum onsite, making this a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Anvers is open from 7:00 to 17:00 daily and entrance if free.

Full to the brim at the end of your culinary adventure, we’ll drop you back at your accommodation.

Watching Tassie’s little penguins return to shore after a day fishing at sea is enchanting and you don’t have to travel far from Devonport to experience it!

Just before sunset, we’ll pick you up from your accommodation and transfer you to Lillico Beach Conservation Area, which is home to a colony of little penguins. At the designated viewing platform, you can watch these endearing birds return to their burrows as the evening sets in.

Between September and April, local rangers and volunteers are on hand to answer any questions you might have and they’re equipped with red light torches that don’t disturb the penguins (please don’t bring torches or use flash photography). Once you’ve had your fill of penguin cuteness, we’ll transport you back to your accommodation.

The experience of seeing the world’s smallest penguins is completely free, but donations to support their conservation are always welcome.