Step off the Spirit of Tasmania

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.

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.

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.

“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.

Stanley is arguably one of Tasmania’s most picturesque towns, but sees only a handful of tourists due to its setting in a remote corner of the North West. This scenic day trip hugs the beautiful Bass Strait coast en route to this historic settlement, taking in gorgeous beaches and dramatic coastal lookouts along the way. 

Start the day early with a pick-up from your accommodation before heading west to Table Cape, a volcanic headland that rises dramatically above the surrounding farmland. Visit the Table Cape Lighthouse lookout to admire the steep coastal cliffs, sweeping ocean views and bright green fields stretching inland. If you're travelling in spring (usually around October), the rows of tulips add spectacular colour to the scenery.

Continue to Boat Harbour, home to one of the prettiest beaches on this stretch of Tasmanian coastline. The sheltered bay is famous for its white sand and azure waters - you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the tropics if the water wasn’t so chilly! Take a dip (if you’re brave) or grab a coffee and enjoy a stroll along the sand.

The next stop is Stanley, a historic fishing town that’s home to character-filled cottages, heritage-listed buildings and waterfront views. Lunch featuring one of the local scallop pies is the obvious choice, but there are also cafes serving brunch-style fare and pubs offering casual eats.

Afterward, you can work off your lunch while exploring The Nut, a flat-topped volcanic formation that dominates the town. If you don’t feel like climbing the steep track to the top, you can ride the chairlift while enjoying panoramic views across the surrounding coastline. Once on the summit, a circuit walk leads through open grassland and coastal vegetation to several viewpoints. Keep an eye out for seabirds and other wildlife along the way.

The Nut Chairlift operates from 9:30 to 16:00 (September to June) and until 17:00 over the summer months (closed for maintenance in winter). Adults cost $15 one-way/$23 return and children cost $10 one-way/$15 return. 

Before leaving Stanley, make a brief stop at Highfield Historic Site, which was established in the early 19th century as a headquarters of the Van Diemen's Land Company. Explore the restored homestead, outbuildings and gardens to learn about the area's colonial history or simply take in the sweeping views across Stanley.

Highfield Historic Site is open from 9:30 to 16:30 daily and entrance into the homestead costs $20 for adults and $5 for children (under 5s are free).

After a full day of coastal scenery, local history and fresh sea air, begin the drive back to Devonport, allowing between 1.5 and 2 hours for the journey.

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.