Huon and the Channel - Waterways, Wilderness and Wine
Roadside orchards are a froth of white blossom in spring, a rustle of
leaves in summer, a harvest of glossy fruit in autumn, a bare tracery
of branches in winter. On the eddies of a broad river, creamy clots of
foam spin beneath lime-green tendrils of Huon pines. Along the Channel’s
waterways, yachts and fishing boats sit on their reflections in quiet
anchorages.
Deep underground, lights sparkle on dolomite decorations – stalactites, stalagmites, straws and crystals. Far deeper, pure rainwater runs through hot rocks, bubbling up in a warm forest river and pool.At sea, flocks of shearwaters dip and swoop; in sheltered bays, salmon and oysters thrive. Across the water, Bruny’s beaches beckon. Beyond the bitumen, Australia’s most southerly road runs down to a bay where the French flag flew and a European garden was planted in foreign soil. On the western horizon, the mountains of the World Heritage Area pierce the sky.
Deep underground, lights sparkle on dolomite decorations – stalactites, stalagmites, straws and crystals. Far deeper, pure rainwater runs through hot rocks, bubbling up in a warm forest river and pool.At sea, flocks of shearwaters dip and swoop; in sheltered bays, salmon and oysters thrive. Across the water, Bruny’s beaches beckon. Beyond the bitumen, Australia’s most southerly road runs down to a bay where the French flag flew and a European garden was planted in foreign soil. On the western horizon, the mountains of the World Heritage Area pierce the sky.
The journey along the Huon Trail begins as you descend the sweeping
curves to Grove and follow the long straight to Huonville, fruit-growing
town and busy regional centre on the banks of the Huon River. The
tannin-stained waters of the river rise deep in the Southwest wilderness
– a jet boat ride upstream from Huonville is a thrilling whirl through
rapids and alongside riverside rainforest. In this region of Tasmania
you can sample the vintages at Australia’s southernmost vineyards. Home
Hill at Ranelagh, close to Huonville, has a wonderful vineyard
restaurant – a vision in glass, steel, oiled timber and rammed earth.
Hartzview Vineyard, perched on a sunny hilltop between Woodbridge and
the Huon River, makes a fine pinot noir and a range of luscious fruit
ports and liqueurs. Panorama Vineyard at Cradoc, on the eastern bank of
the river, has a wine centre at the vineyard as well as a cellar door on
the highway at Grove, near Huonville.
Another way to explore the flavours of the valley is on the innovative Huon Food Trail – pick up a brochure and follow the ‘hunting & gathering’ clues to collect the makings of a memorable meal! Franklin is a river town – today, Tasmania’s maritime heritage is celebrated in the Wooden Boat Centre, on the banks of the Huon River.
Another way to explore the flavours of the valley is on the innovative Huon Food Trail – pick up a brochure and follow the ‘hunting & gathering’ clues to collect the makings of a memorable meal! Franklin is a river town – today, Tasmania’s maritime heritage is celebrated in the Wooden Boat Centre, on the banks of the Huon River.
The Dentrecasteaux Channel
Sheltered bays, open reaches, waterfront hamlets, rocky shores and sandy
beaches – the Channel has them all. To explore the area, take the road
from Kingston to Margate – turn right on the Sandfly Road to find
Nandroya, the source of a wonderful pinot noir and sauvignon blanc. The
next Channel town is Snug – hen continue south past the Bruny Island
ferry port of Kettering. Take a break at Peppermint Bay in Woodbridge.
Enjoy lunch in the restaurant or on the sunny deck and stroll in the
grounds, with picturesque views across to Bruny. Nearby are the
delicious sheep-milk cheeses at Grandvewe. Southward are the coastal
villages of Middleton and Gordon.
Just before Cygnet, a scenic route crosses back to Woodbridge. In the creative town of Cygnet, follow the town’s Art Trail to meet some of the region’s many talented artists and see them at work in their studios and galleries. Geeveston is a timber town – a gateway to the tall forests inland and the access point to the awesome Tahune AirWalk, where you can take a stroll above the riverside forest canopy, looking out to the mountains of the World Heritage Area from a dramatic cantilevered platform, and swoop across the river on a thrilling flight with Eagle Hang Gliding. Southward, the road detours to the underground wonders of Hastings Caves – join a guided tour and explore the richly-decorated dolomite caverns, take a dip in the naturally-heated Thermal Pool and explore the network of forest walking tracks.
After passing the fishing towns of Dover and Southport, you’ll drive along the shores of Recherche Bay. This is where French explorers landed, meeting Tasmanian Aboriginal people, collecting specimens of flora and fauna and conducting scientific experiments, including planting a vegetable garden.
At Cockle Creek, you’ve driven as far as it’s possible to drive in Australia. From here, the only way onward is by foot, on the famous South Coast Track, a multi-day bushwalk to Port Davey; or on the short stroll around the bay to the bronze sculpture of a whale calf; or the 14 kilometre-return walk to South Cape Bay, to see ocean swells crash on lion Rock.
Just before Cygnet, a scenic route crosses back to Woodbridge. In the creative town of Cygnet, follow the town’s Art Trail to meet some of the region’s many talented artists and see them at work in their studios and galleries. Geeveston is a timber town – a gateway to the tall forests inland and the access point to the awesome Tahune AirWalk, where you can take a stroll above the riverside forest canopy, looking out to the mountains of the World Heritage Area from a dramatic cantilevered platform, and swoop across the river on a thrilling flight with Eagle Hang Gliding. Southward, the road detours to the underground wonders of Hastings Caves – join a guided tour and explore the richly-decorated dolomite caverns, take a dip in the naturally-heated Thermal Pool and explore the network of forest walking tracks.
After passing the fishing towns of Dover and Southport, you’ll drive along the shores of Recherche Bay. This is where French explorers landed, meeting Tasmanian Aboriginal people, collecting specimens of flora and fauna and conducting scientific experiments, including planting a vegetable garden.
At Cockle Creek, you’ve driven as far as it’s possible to drive in Australia. From here, the only way onward is by foot, on the famous South Coast Track, a multi-day bushwalk to Port Davey; or on the short stroll around the bay to the bronze sculpture of a whale calf; or the 14 kilometre-return walk to South Cape Bay, to see ocean swells crash on lion Rock.
Geeveston is a timber town – a gateway to the tall forests inland and
the access point to the awesome Tahune AirWalk, where you can take a
stroll above the riverside forest canopy, looking out to the mountains
of the World Heritage Area from a dramatic cantilevered platform, and
swoop across the river on a thrilling flight with Eagle Hang Gliding.
Southward, the road detours to the underground wonders of Hastings Caves
– join a guided tour and explore the richly-decorated dolomite caverns,
take a dip in the naturally-heated Thermal Pool and explore the network of forest walking tracks. After passing the fishing towns of Dover and Southport, you’ll
drive along the shores of Recherche Bay. This is where French explorers
landed, meeting Tasmanian aboriginal people, collecting specimens of
flora and fauna and conducting scientific experiments, including
planting a vegetable garden.
Information with thanks from www.discovertasmania.com and images from google images
