southern BRUNY ISLAND THE CHANNEL 20 trove FAR SOUTH HUON VALLEY 18 Experience the treasure. Starting only 10 minutes from Hobart, discover the hidden gems and natural wonders of the south today. TOURING GUIDE AND MAP | southerntrove.com.au What’s on Contents There’s plenty happening in the Southern Trove; events to celebrate the season, others with folky roots and one where you can sing to apple trees. Check out our highlights below and head to page 43 for the full calendar or visit southerntrove.com.au SUMMER Cygnet Folk Festival A village festival all about real music, real people and real experiences. A Taste of the Huon For over a quarter of a century the event has celebrated fine food, wine, entertainment, and artists from the region. AUTUMN Art Farm Birchs Bay Sculpture Trail Prize Follow the trail and discover outdoor sculptures. Targa Tasmania A tarmac-based rally bound to get the heart pumping. WINTER Huon Valley Huon Valley Mid Winter Festival Sing to the apple trees, warm up by the bonfire and celebrate winter in style. 4 Explore the 12 Huon Valley 43 Calendar of Events Southern Trove 14 Far South 44 Community Markets SPRING 5 The Southern Trove 24 Southern Trove Map 45 Parks and Reserves region Bruny Island Bird Festival (biennial 2018) 40 Walking Tracks 46 Town Services 8 D’Entrecasteaux 42 Boating and Cycling A celebration of Bruny’s birdlife featuring Channel around the Southern multi-day bird tours, expert guides, 10 Bruny Island Trove workshops and more. 2 southerntrove.com.au 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, 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. There are local stories, snap-worthy vistas and fine accommodation options to uncover. This is a place where memories are made. Waterways and Wilderness bush and coastal walking tracks, As Tasmania’s most southern region, stretching far into South Bruny National HOBART the Southern Trove is wild. After all, the Park and along windswept beaches. next stop is Antarctica. World Heritage Rare wildlife including albino wallabies Channel wilderness and sheltered waterways and the world’s largest population of the HUONVILLE Huon Valley invite exploration on foot and by boat. endangered Forty-Spotted Pardalote call Bruny home. KETTERING Major settlements hug the coastline where livelihoods are carved out through In the Huon Valley, the Huon River has industries including fishing, aquaculture its beginnings in Southwest National and tourism. Park’s rugged wilderness. From here, it DOVER Back in 1792 when Bruni D’Entrecasteaux joins with the Picton River near Tahune ADVENTURE BAY sought solace from the Roaring Forties, Forest before flowing through Huonville Far South Bruny he took shelter in The Channel’s and Franklin, out to the D’Entrecasteaux Island protected coves and bays. Today, Channel. With its flow comes superb find the same quiet and stillness. This fly fishing, on-water activities and tales expanse of water between Bruny Island untold at the historic boating township COCKLE CREEK and Tasmania’s mainland offers smooth of Franklin. cruising waters and the coastal drive Been to the Far South? It’s where the down is one of Australia’s well-kept mountains and forest meet the Great touring secrets. Dotted with seaside Businesses displaying these logos have completed an accreditation program Southern Ocean. Flanked to the west towns like Kettering, cast a line or which ensures that they meet and adhere to a high standard and are committed by the rugged world of Southwest find a hidden cove to picnic. Follow to providing quality products, services and experiences. National Park, the Far South also has D’Entrecasteaux’s lead. many sheltered, quiet bays and beaches Visit: tict.com.au Bruny Island has often been referred to along its eastern side, around which This symbol indicates that a business has gained Rainbow Tasmania Tourism as a microcosm of Tasmania. This island most settlement occurs. Walk a deserted Accreditation and provides a safe and comfortable environment for gay and off an island off an island is packed beach, fish for your dinner, conquer a lesbian clients. with wilderness experiences and summit or sit with the stillness. Dover is opportunities to enjoy the water, from an ideal base – the gateway township to Visit: rainbowtas.org/pinktourism sailing to surfing. There are extensive Southwest National Park. 4 southerntrove.com.au southerntrove.com.au 5 History and Heritage Tastes of the Trove The Southern Trove region has been Cellar doors, artisan cheese makers, shaped by a rich history of whaling, boutique breweries and quality cider timber cutting, boat building and fruit producers. These are just some of growing. Head for Cockle Creek to learn the Southern Trove’s flavours. A strong of the Far South’s rich human history. It sits reputation in viticulture has now on the edge of Southwest National Park expanded to regionally produced cider, and is literally the end of the road. You beer and spirits. A tasting journey might can drive no further south in Australia. include hilltop liqueur tastings, plump It was once a settlement with over 2000 cherries from a farm gate and delicate residents. Explore the area’s Aboriginal croissants from a wood-fired bakery. sites, abandoned tramways, whaling With a temperate climate, four distinct stories, gravestones and ruins. seasons and good rainfall, there’s little The first Europeans to set eyes on the wonder diverse agriculture flourishes Huon River were the crew commanded here. The area has always been famous by Admiral Bruni D’Entrecasteaux. The for its apple industry. But a visit today river was named by him in honour of rewards with a list that stretches across his second in command, Captain Huon fine seafood, distilleries, stone and berry de Kermadec. The name is preserved fruits, vineyards, mushrooms, saffron and today with a town, river, and the district all grass-fed beef. bearing the Huon title. Some of the larger wineries are ideal for The Huon Valley is well known as one of that long lazy lunch in the countryside. Tasmania’s primary apple growing areas. There’s also an abundance of quality Sample organic ciders made from the cider producers, some families valley’s bounty and pick up crisp, freshly having been orchardists for up to four picked apples from roadside stalls. These generations. Many have reinvented days, it’s not just about apples though. themselves, tending to the thirst of those Cherries, small-scale distilleries and acquainted with Tassie organic cider. aquaculture are emerging economic Not only are apples used in making these drivers for the region. refreshing drops – pears, cherries and even quinces change the flavour profile. The valley also has a proud boat building heritage that continues on Franklin’s Local producers busy themselves waterfront. At the Wooden Boat Centre, preparing premium products including not only can you delve into the maritime soft cheeses, wines, chocolates, breads, past, the school offers courses in bush foods, locally-pressed olive oil, handmade boat building. Further south ice creams, yoghurts and more, easily in Geeveston, are stories of the forestry enjoyed at events and local markets. industry, dating back to early colonisation. When talented chefs have access to this produce, you can be sure that dining along the Southern Trove is a special treat. Or, for the hunter and gatherer, collect your produce and prepare a private feast. 6 southerntrove.com.au southerntrove.com.au 7 D’ENTRECASTEAUX CHANNEL The gateway to the Southern Trove. Known to locals as ‘The Channel’ and right round the coast road you’ll it was first discovered by French find Cygnet. navigator Bruni D’Entrecasteaux Drop in to Cygnet for a bite or take a whilst seeking reprieve from the dip on a warm summer’s day. There’s ferocious Roaring Forties. Those local artisan markets, petite cafes secret coves and protected bays and the likes of Eggs and Bacon Bay Bruni happened across in 1792, are to discover. A high road through to yours to enjoy today. the Huon Valley (Woodbridge Hill Just 10 minutes from Hobart, the Road) offers a fresh perspective Channel Highway winds south along as it ambles through orchards and the coast and is considered one of farmland. From here, the outlook Australia’s great (yet lesser known) reaches across boats on the Huon coastal drives. Peppered along the estuary to World Heritage Area way are seaside towns of Margate, wilderness beyond. Snug and Kettering, the gateway to Bruny Island. Further along are Woodbridge, Birchs Bay, Middleton insider tip Snug Falls is a pleasant one hour return walk from the Snug township. Head there after a heavy rain for spectacular falls! 8 southerntrove.com.au southerntrove.com.au 9 BRUNY ISLAND Island hop to Bruny. In a little over an hour from Hobart the island’s presence. Or venture you can be standing on Tasmania’s north where sprawling pastures original treasure island. Bruny Island and light bushland wrap around is just a 45 minute drive and short the townships of Dennes Point and ferry ride from Hobart’s CBD, yet Great Bay.