southern BRUNY ISLAND THE CHANNEL 20 trove FAR SOUTH HUON VALLEY 20 Experience the treasure. Starting only 10 minutes from Hobart, discover the hidden gems and natural wonders of Tasmania’s south today. TOURING GUIDE AND MAP | southerntrove.com.au Contents Your Link to Adventure. Take in the amazing views across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel with SeaLink’s car and passenger ferries. Operating 7 days a week from Kettering to Roberts Point on North Bruny, the ferry crossing takes just 20 minutes. SeaLink – your link to Bruny Island. For timetables, fares and bookings visit sealinkbrunyisland.com.au Pied Oyster Catcher 4 Explore the 10 Walking Tracks 43 Calendar of Events Southern Trove 12 D’Entrecasteaux 44 Parks and 5 The Southern Channel Reserves Trove region 18 Bruny Island 45 Town Services Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett Tasmania Tourism Credit: 8 Community 22 Huon Valley Markets 24 Southern Trove 9 Boating and Centrefold Map Cycling around the Southern Trove 34 Far South MEMBER southerntrove.com.au 3 Explore the Southern Trove The Southern Trove region If you’re ready to explore the Southern Trove, consider this your treasure map. There are four distinct regions: D’ENTRECASTEAUX CHANNEL, BRUNY ISLAND, HUON VALLEY and the FAR SOUTH. This user-friendly guide has colour-coded chapters to showcase each region. Flip to the centre (page 24) and you’ll find a touring map of the entire southern region. Just a 10 minute drive from Hobart, the Southern Trove is within easy reach for a day of exploration. Those who take their time though, and stay overnight, are rewarded with unexpected finds. Days can be lost in these parts. Create your own southern adventure where World Heritage Wilderness mixes with world-class fare, and tree-lined country roads meet hidden bays. Southport Lagoon There are local stories, snap-worthy vistas and fine accommodation options to uncover. This is a place where memories are made. Waterways and Wilderness and opportunities to enjoy the water. As Tasmania’s most southern region, There are extensive bush and coastal HOBART the Southern Trove is wild. After all, the walking tracks, stretching far into South next stop is Antarctica. World Heritage Bruny National Park and along windswept Channel Wilderness and sheltered waterways beaches. Rare wildlife including albino HUONVILLE Huon Valley invite exploration on foot and by boat. wallabies and the world’s largest population of the endangered Forty- KETTERING Settlements hug the coastline where livelihoods are carved out through Spotted Pardalote call Bruny home. industries including fishing, aquaculture In the Huon Valley, the Huon River has its and tourism. beginnings in Southwest National Park’s DOVER Back in 1792 when Bruni D’Entrecasteaux rugged wilderness. With its flow comes ADVENTURE BAY sought solace from the Roaring Forties, superb fly fishing, on-water activities Far South Bruny he took shelter in The Channel’s and tales untold at the historic boating Island protected coves and bays. This expanse township of Franklin. of water between Bruny Island and Been to the Far South? It’s only an hour Tasmania’s mainland offers smooth from Hobart. It’s where the mountains COCKLE CREEK cruising waters and the coastal drive and forest meet the Great Southern is one of Australia’s best kept touring Ocean. Flanked to the west by the secrets. Dotted with seaside towns like rugged world of Southwest National Park, Kettering, Margate and Woodbridge, Businesses displaying these logos have completed an accreditation program the Far South also has many sheltered, cast a line or find a hidden cove to picnic. which ensures that they meet and adhere to a high standard and are committed to quiet bays and beaches along its eastern Follow D’Entrecasteaux’s lead. providing quality products, services and experiences. side. Walk a deserted beach, fish for your Bruny Island has often been referred to dinner, conquer a summit or sit with the Visit: tict.com.au as a microcosm of Tasmania. This island stillness. Dover is an ideal base off an island off an island is packed with – the gateway township to the Southwest This symbol indicates that a business has gained Rainbow Tasmania Tourism wilderness experiences, incredible food, National Park. Accreditation and provides a safe and comfortable environment for LGBTI clients. Visit: rainbowtas.org/pinktourism 4 southerntrove.com.au southerntrove.com.au 5 History and Heritage Tastes of the Trove The Southern Trove has been shaped by Cellar doors, artisan cheese makers, a rich history of whaling, timber cutting, boutique breweries and quality cider boat building and fruit growing. Journey producers. These are just some of to Cockle Creek to learn of the Far South’s the Southern Trove’s flavours. A strong rich history. It sits on the edge of the reputation in viticulture has now Southwest National Park and is literally the expanded to regionally produced cider, end of the road. You can drive no further beer and spirits. A tasting journey might south in Australia. include liqueur tastings, plump cherries from a farm gate and delicate croissants It was once a settlement with over 2000 from a wood-fired bakery. residents. Explore the area’s Aboriginal sites, abandoned tramways, whaling With a temperate climate, four distinct stories, gravestones and ruins. seasons and good rainfall, there’s little wonder diverse agriculture flourishes The first Europeans to set eyes on the here. The area has always been famous Huon River were the crew commanded for its apple industry. But a visit today by Admiral Bruni d’Entrecasteaux. The rewards with a list that stretches across river was named by him in honour of fine seafood, distilleries, stone and berry his second in command, Captain Huon fruits, vineyards, mushrooms, saffron and de Kermadec. The name is preserved grass-fed beef. today with a town, river, and the district all bearing the Huon title. Some of the larger wineries are ideal for that long lazy lunch in the countryside. The Huon Valley is well known as one of There’s also an abundance of quality Tasmania’s primary apple growing areas. cider producers, some families Sample organic ciders made from the having been orchardists for up to four valley’s bounty and pick up crisp, freshly generations. Many have reinvented picked apples from roadside stalls. These themselves, tending to the thirst of those days, it’s not just about apples though. acquainted with Tassie organic cider. Cherries, small-scale distilleries and Not only are apples used in making these aquaculture are emerging economic refreshing drops – pears, cherries and drivers for the region. even quinces enhance the flavour profile. The valley also has a proud boat building Local producers busy themselves heritage that continues on Franklin’s preparing premium products including waterfront. At the Wooden Boat Centre, soft cheese, wine, chocolate, bread, bush not only can you delve into the maritime food, locally-pressed olive oil, ice cream, past, but the school also offers courses in yoghurt and more – all easily enjoyed handmade boat building. Further south at events, eateries and local markets. in Geeveston are stories of the forestry When talented chefs have access to this industry, dating back to early colonisation. produce, you can be sure that tasting your way through the Trove is a treat. For the foragers, collect your produce along the way and prepare a private feast at your accommodation by night. 6 southerntrove.com.au southerntrove.com.au 7 Community Markets Activities Willie Smith’s Artisan & Produce Market CYCLING ALONG THE SOUTHERN TROVE Every Saturday, 10am – 1pm Apple Shed, 2064 Grove Highway, Grove Whether you’re a mountain bike buff seeking southern hillsides or an Woodbridge Village Market adventure tourer circumnavigating Tasmania, the Southern Trove is made for 2nd Saturday of the month, two wheels. year round 10am – 2.30pm Woodbridge Hall, Channel Highway, Shorter expeditions might include a cycle Woodbridge loop around the Cygnet Coast Road with superb Huon River views, the Esperance Kingston Beach Handmade Market Coast Road from Dover to Police Point 2nd Sunday of the month, with some short, steep undulations or a year round 10am – 3pm 7km pedal from Dover to Roaring Beach. Kingston Beach Hall, For the more ambitious, take in the whole 20 Beach Rd, Kingston Beach Trove on a 240km self-guided tour. kbhm.com.au Don’t have your own bike? Pick up a hire bike from Huon Valley Bicycle Hire Cygnet Market in Wilmot Road. There is a network of 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, Kingston Rotary Market backroads weaving through Ranelagh, year round 10am – 2pm Every Sunday, year round 8am – 2pm Lucaston, Crabtree and Mountain River Cygnet Town Hall, Mary Street, Cygnet 42 Channel Highway, Kingston to explore. cygnetmarket.com.au Snug Market For more cycling tips Dover Community Market Last Sunday of the month, visit southerntrove.com.au 2nd Sunday of the month, year round, 10am – 2pm BOATING AROUND THE year round – 10am – 2pm Snug Hall, 62 Beach Rd, Snug SOUTHERN TROVE Southgate Shopping Centre, It’s a boat enthusiast’s utopia – nearly 1 Station Rd, Dover Market of Designers Eclectic every Southern Trove township sits Last Saturday of the month, on the edge of the Huon River or The Market at Franklin Sept – June, 9am – 3pm D’Entrecasteaux Channel. That means Last Sunday of the month, Kingston Senior Citizens Club, the distance between boat and water is year round 10am – 2pm Redwood Road, Kingston never far. Jetties and boat ramps are as Palais Theatre, Main St, Franklin common as locals with tall fisherman’s Sandfly Community Market tales. Sheltered bays provide overnight Judbury Market Last Saturday of the month, refuge, catamarans from Hobart offer 2nd Sunday of the month, year round 10am – 3pm lunch escapes down The Channel and year round 10am – 2pm Sandfly Hall, Corner Sandfly and marina facilities are available at Margate, Judbury Community Centre, Pelverata Roads, Sandfly Kettering, Franklin and Port Huon.