Wine, Cheese and Chocolate! A Decadent Guide to Tasmania
Tasmania is known for so many things, its quiet lifestyle, the kindness of its people, and most importantly it’s culinary experiences. It is home to over 60 wineries and has an abundance of food-related experiences to indulge in alongside your new favourite drop.
One of our favourite ways to indulge is with a cheeky glass of wine and to pair it with some local cheeses and perhaps a few artisan chocolates. In fact, we love cheese so much that we include a cheese board and knives in the kitchens of all our campervan rentals!
Whether you are adding a few of these stops to your itinerary or planning on undertaking one of the four wine trails throughout Tasmania, we have some of our favourite stops that we love to share with anyone who is looking for a Tassie Treat.
Coal River Farm
One of the best stops if you are looking for wine, cheese, chocolate or a combination of all three, is Coal River Farm. Located not far from our Hobart Depot in Cambridge, it is the perfect place to start your culinary journey. We highly recommend taking the time to indulge in High Cheese, where you can indulge in a selection of award-winning cheeses, chocolate and wine (or a hot chocolate for those who are driving).
You can also stock up on Coal River goodies at their shop, so no matter how far you travel you will always have some treats on hand. In fact, this is a great opportunity to fill up the fridge inside your campervan with cheese and chocolates to get you through the remainder of your trip, or at least until our next sweet stop.
Image: Coal River Farm – Destination Tasmania
Nutpatch Fine Chocolate
With shops located on the Hobart Waterfront and in Kettering, Nutpatch Fine Chocolates is a must visit if you are looking for a hand-crafted sweet treat. With a collection that boasts over two-hundred and eighty flavours, there will be something for everyone in the Nutpatch collection.
While visiting take a moment to admire the hand-crafted chocolate creations that are on display, and if you are visiting in the cooler months try their decadent hot chocolate which is usually available between late April and early September.
Image: View from Mount Wellington
Riversdale Estate
Another stop in the Cambridge area is the Riversdale Estate, known for its cool climate wines and multiple guest experiences this is also a must-see destination when it comes to wine and food in Tasmania.
If you are looking for a silver service experience then the Riversdale Estate has the High Tea for you, set in their Orangery with magnificent views over the Coal River Valley you will enjoy a two-hour experience filled with house-made and locally sourced treats. The winery also has their French Bistro which showcases the best Tasmanian cuisine and even holds events like the Faulty Towers Dining Experience on a regular basis.
Image: Riversdale Estate Orangery High Tea – Riversdale Estate
Ashgrove Cheese
Ashgrove Cheese is a brand that you will see throughout Tasmania, from their milks to cheeses, cream, butters and even snacks there is something to tempt everyone. So, we recommend taking the time to stop in at the Ashgrove Dairy Door, where you can not only stock up on wonderful cheeses to get you through your Tasmanian adventures, but you can also even stop in and enjoy a bite to eat from their Dairy Door Menu.
With a wide variety of cheesy options, from the traditional mac n cheese and nachos to cheesecake and open bruschetta there is a lot to choose from. If you arrive early in the day, you can even enjoy one of their Farm Breakfasts that are available until 11am daily.
Image: Ashgrove Cheese – Destination Tasmania
Puddleduck Vineyard
Puddleduck vineyard is a family friendly venue with dining options ranging including the deck, al fresco and their kids’ zone with resident ducks who come to visit. Located in Richmond just a short 20 minutes from the Hobart CBD. Puddleduck Vineyard has a great selection of wines as well as their Heritage Apple Cider and Brandy.
With their “Pecking Menu” offering a variety of choices for all tastes, stopping in and enjoying a bite to eat while admiring the wonderful views over the estate and on-site dam and hopefully getting a visit from a few of the visiting ducks.
Image: Puddleduck Vineyard – Destination Tasmania
Norman and Dann
If you are looking for some unique gifts to take home, or a treat for yourself, a stop in at Salamanca Place on the Hobart waterfront will bring you to Norman & Dann. From their wide variety of handmade chocolates to their collection of quality teas and freshly roasted coffee you will find something to stock your motorhome with.
For those who are inclined you can grab a selection of their chocolates in the gift boxes of various sizes or build your own selection to suit your own tastes. Make sure to check out the selection of small bags of chocolates in milk and dark chocolate, especially their dark-chocolate coated freeze-dried raspberries.
Image: Norman & Dann – Destination Tasmania
Home Hill Winery
The Home Hill Winery and Restaurant located in Ranelagh, just south of Hobart, is a beautiful estate that showcases views over their vineyard, pastures and surrounding mountains. The winery has some fantastic varieties of wine including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, courtesy of the climate at the winery that is similar to that found in the famous Bordeaux region in France.
The award-winning restaurant showcases local ingredients including oysters from Bruny Island, Huon Trout and Salmon and they even include herbs that are grown in their own on-site garden. This is a perfect stop for anyone who enjoys a fine dining experience with their wines.
Image: Home Hill Winery – Destination Tasmania
The Wicked Cheese Company
Located only a three-minute drive away from the historic town of Richmond in Tasmania’s south is the Wicked Cheese Company. With their collection of award-winning Tasmanian cheeses, including their Wicked Pepperberry Cheddar which features the native Tasmanian Pepperberry with its subtle bush-pepper flavouring, there is something for all cheese lovers in the Wicked Collection.
If you are looking to stay a little longer you can enjoy a cheese platter or some lunch at the on-site Wicked Cheese Café. With a selection of small meals to pies and cheese platters alongside a collection of Tasmanian wines, beers and ciders there will be something to tickle your taste buds.
Image: The Wicked Cheese Company – Destination Tasmania
Josef Chromy Wines
Located just a 10-minute drive from Launceston, the Joseph Chromy estate is a 1880s homestead that boasts a variety of cool climate wines. The estate is also the home to the hatted restaurant, where you can choose from either the fine dining experience, or from their walk-in brasserie.
For those who would like the opportunity to explore the estate, Josef Chromy offers their Sights and Delights tour, where you will be greeted at the cellar door with a glass of bubbles before being given a guided tour of the estate while hearing about the history, not only of the estate and Josef Chromy but also of the Tamar Valley before enjoying a two-course lunch and wine pairing in the hatted winery restaurant.
Image: Josef Chromy Wines – Destination Tasmania
Federation Artisan Chocolate
Located only 2 kilometres away from Hobart, hidden in amongst the vines of the Every Man and His Dog Vineyard, is Federation Artisan Chocolate, where you can witness the magic of chocolate making firsthand. You can stock up on their delightful handmade chocolates while watching the chocolate making process from the viewing windows.
If you are keen on getting a closer look at the craft of chocolate making you can take on one of their exciting experiences like the “Meet the Chocolate Maker” and the create-your-own chocolate workshops.
Image: Federation Artisan Chocolate – Destination Tasmania
Jansz Tasmania Winery
Located in the beautiful Pipers River around one-hour away from Launceston is the Jansz Tasmania Winery and their Wine Room. With picturesque views overlooking a lake the Wine Room offers visitors the opportunity to sample some of the best Tasmanian Sparkling Wine, with a curated tasting of the Jansz Tasmania Collection.
You may also choose to stay a little longer and enjoy a cheese platter or some light bites while overlooking the vineyard and lake. Jansz Tasmania takes pride in curating an experience focused on calm and appreciation rather than haste, so enjoy this down time and soak in the views.
Image: Jansz Tasmanian Winery – Destination Tasmania
Ready to start planning your trip?
We have a bunch of resources, including itineraries, available on our website. You can find some holiday park recommendations in our travel blog, and check the amenities that are included in the campervans that are available.
Ready to start your trip? Call our friendly reservations team on 1300 664 485 or check out our website to see the campervans we have available at our branches!
