There’s something quietly extraordinary about Tasmania. It’s close enough to feel familiar, yet far enough to feel like a true escape — where the air is crisp, the food is honest, and the pace is blissfully unhurried. For travellers in their wiser years, Tasmania’s gourmet trail offers a perfect trifecta: fine wine, pristine wilderness, and a deep sense of wellbeing.

A Taste of Tasmania’s Soul

Tasmania has become Australia’s food bowl and wine secret — a place where small producers, boutique vineyards and creative chefs work hand-in-hand with the land. From the rolling hills of the Coal River Valley to the rugged wilds of Cradle Mountain, every region feels handcrafted for slow, sensory exploration.

This isn’t about rushing from one winery to the next. It’s about taking your time: sipping a cool-climate pinot noir, chatting with the winemaker, and enjoying a long lunch where local scallops or leatherwood honey find their way into every dish.

Stop 1: The Coal River Valley — Elegance in a Glass

Just a short drive from Hobart, the Coal River Valley is home to some of Tasmania’s finest vineyards.Places like Frogmore Creek and Pooley Wines offer cellar-door tastings with a view, where each glass tells a story of soil, wind and patience.

Wander the cobbled streets of Richmond, explore its historic bridge (Australia’s oldest), and enjoy a lazy afternoon tea in one of the town’s charming cottages. It’s an easy start to the journey — refined, relaxed, and distinctly Tasmanian.

Stop 2: The East Coast — Wineglass Bay and Coastal Indulgence

The drive north along the Great Eastern Drive is pure magic — the kind of scenery that invites frequent stops just to breathe it in. Pull over at seaside vineyards like Devil’s Corner where the cellar door opens to sweeping views of Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay.

Pair a crisp sauvignon blanc with freshly-shucked oysters, and you’ll quickly understand why this coast has become a gourmet pilgrimage. Stay a night or two in Coles Bay or Swansea, where eco-lodges and boutique stays offer peace, privacy and panoramic ocean views.

Stop 3: Launceston and the Tamar Valley — Where Wine Meets Wellness

Tasmania’s north is known for its elegance. The Tamar Valley Wine Route winds through rolling vineyards, orchards and riverside towns.Here you can take your time — perhaps join a tasting at Josef Chromy Wines, enjoy a local cheese board, or book a slow lunch at a restaurant overlooking the vines.

For a touch of wellbeing, head to one of the region’s day spas or take a gentle walk through Cataract Gorge, right in the heart of Launceston. The combination of nature, good food and fresh air feels rejuvenating — the kind of nourishment that goes beyond the plate.

Stop 4: Cradle Mountain — Wilderness Therapy

No trip to Tasmania’s gourmet trail is complete without venturing inland to the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.You don’t need to tackle the Overland Track to appreciate its beauty, there are easy boardwalk trails and short lakeside loops perfect for a leisurely pace.

At dusk, the air cools and the scent of eucalypt deepens. Wombats wander across the grass, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a Tasmanian devil in the distance. End the day with a fireside glass of wine at your lodge, watching the mist roll in — a moment of quiet luxury that feels worlds away from the everyday.

The Art of Slow Indulgence

What makes Tasmania’s gourmet trail special isn’t just the quality of its food and wine, it’s the rhythm. It invites you to slow down, to savour, to reconnect. Meals stretch longer, conversations deepen, and even the drives between destinations feel meditative.

This is travel without rush or pretence, designed perfectly for those who’ve learned that the best journeys are measured not in distance, but in delight.

Tasmania’s gourmet trail isn’t just a holiday. It’s a reminder that joy lives in simplicity, in a shared meal, a walk in the wild, and the quiet clink of glasses under a southern sky.

Tasmania’s Gourmet Trail: Wine, Wilderness and Wellbeing