RESERVATIONS HOT LINE : 1 8000 TAMAR

Reception Staff will be delighted to help you plan your discovery of all that's best whilst you and your family are in the picturesque Launceston and Tamar Valley regions.

There are many fine vineyards close by. But we can also help you discover the very best shopping, restaurants, museums and galleries, heritage homes, gardens and adventure activities.

The special events held in the valley are always worth experiencing - shows, fetes, music, theatre, crafts, lots of children's activities and much more.At Grindelwald you're amongst it all. From Grindelwald you can discover and enjoy the very essence of Tasmania.

Some Tamar Valley Self Drive Touring Options are listed herewith: 

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN THE AREA

Aspect Tamar Valley Resort is the ideal base to explore the many natural and historic attractions Northern Tasmania has to offer. A wine and food lovers paradise, the area is made for losing yourself - in exploration, romance and adventure, by land, air, river or sea. The climate is similar to the south of France, and our locals are renowned for their friendliness. Take a quick flight from Melbourne or Sydney and you will find that Launceston and Tamar Valley is the perfect place to visit for a short break or a long Stay Holiday.

If you would like an activities plan arranged for you or your travelling party prior to arrival you can contact the Tour Desk at Aspect Tamar Valley Resort before arrival & the knowledgeable friendly staff will gladly organise your activities schedule before your arrival.

* Low Head Penguin Tours * Boag's Brewery Tours & Beer Lovers Mecca * Valley Brook Wine Tours - www.valleybrook.com.au * Fun Cable Hang Gliding * Cataract Gorge & Chairlift - World Longest Single Span Chairlift
* City Park & Live Monkey Display * The Ultra Design Centre * City Scary Ghost Tours * Historic Country or City Drives * Greens Beach
* Treetops at Holly Bank * Inveresk Art Gallery & Museum * Launceston Aquatic Centre * Launceston Seaport & Waterside Walk
* Legendary Tamar River Cruises * Wineries on the Relbia TouristRoute * Auto Mobile Museum of Tasmania * Inveresk Day Museum
* Aurora Stadium Home of the Hawks * Launceston Indoor Tennis Centre * Northern Basketball Stadium * The Roman Baths and Massage Centre
* Mowbray Race Course * Wineries for both the East & West Tamar * Millers Orchards * World Famous Beaconsfield Gold Mine
* Strawberry Farms * Lavender Farms * Seahorse Farm at Beauty Point * Platypus World at Beauty Point * Devonport Mainland Ferry
* Pipers Brook Vineyard * Rosevears River Drive * Heritage Towns * Barnbougle via Bridport - World Class 18 hole Golf Course
* Evandale Penny Farthing Display * Evandale Markets every Sunday * Agfest
* Festivale * Launceston Cup at the Mowbray Race Course * Launceston Show Day * MS Fest * Targa Tasmania * V8 Supercars

The centrepiece of Northern Tasmania is the world famous Tamar River as it meanders its way through scenic pastures, orchards, high yielding vineyards & forests to the Bass Strait.

The picturesque Tamar River has created a fertile Valley of beautiful & rich contrasts as it flows from Launceston to the sea. The Tamar River is Australia's biggest tidal navigatable River & there are dozens of interesting Towns & many beautiful natural attractions throughout the Tamer Valley on both sides of the River.

Only minutes away on the West side of the river you can discover many local wineries & admire the work of renowned craftspeople & acclaimed artists.

The Grubb Shaft Gold & Heritage Museum at Beaconsfield is a must see attraction with over 30 visitor interactive displays.

At Beauty Point you can take a scenic river cruise up the historic West Arm or Low Head. You can then cross The Tamar River at the Batman Bridge to historic George Town Australia's oldest Township where you'll also find Australia's oldest operating pilot station & maritime museum located at the Tamar River mouth. Learn about the area's history on the George Town heritage trail.

As the gateway to the Tamar Valley & Northern Tasmania Aspect Tamar Valley Resort is the perfect base for all your sightseeing & exploring adventures.


Tour: Wilderness & Wildlife
How long: One (1) day
Seasons: All year round

From the Resort take the West Tamar Highway (A7) towards Launceston and find the Tamar Island left-hand turnoff (9km). The TAMAR ISLAND WETLAND WALK and INTERPRETATION CENTRE is on the riverbank. An extensive boardwalk allows you to see bird hides in the reeds, marshland and mud flats. The Interpretation Centre offers valuable information about local birdlife and has a sheltered viewing platform. Continue through the TAMAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY to the TAMAR ISLAND RESERVE. The reserve is an extensive wetland on the tidal estuary. It is home to 12 waterbird species, 9 shore, 15 land, 5 brush and 1 coastal bird of prey. 21 additional bird species visit the area. (1-2 hours)

Travel back to Legana on the West Tamar Highway.

Take the turnoff to Bridgenorth on the C732/731 roads and discover the NOTLEY FERN GORGE, an 11 hectare wildlife and rainforest sanctuary. The walk from the parking site and return takes approximately 1 hour.

Return to the Resort via Exeter (B71) to the West Tamar Highway (A7) and stop at Brady's Lookout (5km from Exeter) for a spectacular late afternoon view of the Tamar Valley. A great photo shot!

Tour: Arts and Crafts
How long: One (1) day
Seasons: All seasons

ASPECT TAMAR VALLEY RESORT offers great shopping all in one arcade: crafts and gift shops, Chocolate Shop, Village Bakery and Coffee Shop, Newsagency and General Store. Depart Grindelwald, down Atkinsons Road. Turn left onto West Tamar Highway (A7).

POTTERY CON DIOS, LEGANA
Find Pottery Con Dios on the left-hand side of A7. Turn left up Upper McEwans Road. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Exclusive domestic and artistic ware. Octagonal studio and shop. Depart Pottery Con Dios, cross over highway and down McEwans Road. Turn left onto Rosevears Drive for 1km.

PASTIMES COLLECTABLES & TEA ROOM, ROSEVEARS
On left-hand side of road. Gifts, crafts and small second-hand items. Great coffee stop. Depart Pastimes, turning left onto Rosevears Drive. Follow through to main road (A7) towards Exeter . Turn right onto C728 and drive past Gravelly Beach to Robigana.

ARTISAN GALLERY, POTTERY SHOP & WINE CENTRE, ROBIGANA
Leave Gravelly Beach and it is only 500 metres along the road on the right. Quality Tasmanian and Australian arts and crafts. Depart Artisan, drive north along the river C728. Arrive at T-junction and turn left, then first right (C724) to Kayena/Rowella. Follow road to Rowella.

LAVENDER HOUSE, ROWELLA
Turn right at sign marked 'Lavender House'. Over 50 exclusive health and beauty products. Exhibition field of all varieties of lavender. Follow road back to T-junction of C725. Turn right and follow road to junction A7. Turn left and return to Exeter via the West Tamar Highway.

CRAFTY LITTLE DEVIL, EXETER
On the left-hand side of the road, soon after entering Exeter . Comprehensive craft and souvenir shop. Drive south through Exeter and return to Grindelwald along the A7.

Tour: Attractions
How long: One (1) day
Seasons: All seasons

Depart from Resort, turn left on the West Tamar Highway (A7) and drive to Beaconsfield . Discover the BEACONSFIELD MINE & HERITAGE CENTRE. All the family will enjoy the superb working and hands-on displays, and there are games for children. The heritage centre sits next door to the famous Beaconsfield gold mine with its spectacular mine shaft. (1 hour) www.beaconsfieldheritage.com.au

Continue north (A7) to BEAUTY POINT and visit SEAHORSE WORLD which includes extensive aquaria, a gift shop, café and wine centre. Book your tour before you leave Grindelwald. (3/4 hour)


Drive to Kayena and Rowella along the (A7) (C72) (C724) to Rowella. Turn right at sign marked "LAVENDER HOUSE" (closed July, August). You can enjoy a delicious lunch here. Choose from over 50 exclusive health and beauty products made on the premises. See their exhibition field of all varieties of lavender.

Before you leave, visit the cellar door for tasting our famous local wines at HOLM OAK VINEYARD, Rowella (5 minutes from the Lavender House), or return to Kayena and the cellar door at TAMAR RIDGE VINEYARD (4km). Follow the signs.

Follow the road back to T-junction of C725. Turn left and you will find yourself close to the famous Batman Bridge which spans the Tamar River . You can turn left across the bridge and park on the eastern side for a good photo shot. Or turn right onto the Deviot Road (C728).

Continue along the Deviot waterfront road (C728) for 9 kilometres and discover ARTISAN ART & CRAFT GALLERY AND WINE CENTRE at Robigana. A great collection of quality Tasmanian arts and crafts. Taste some wines from our smaller vineyards.

Return to the West Tamar Highway (A7) via Gravelly Beach (4km). Turn left onto the highway at Exeter and drive to BRADY'S LOOKOUT (5km) for a late afternoon photo shot of the Tamar River and return to Grindelwald.

WEST TAMAR WINE & FOOD TOUR (Self-Drive)
The Tamar Valley is Tasmania's foremost wine growing region and has established a reputation as a producer of premium cool-climate red, white, and now sparkling, wines; the region has long been a national supplier of quality apples, pears, stone fruits and berry fruits, and more recently, cow's milk and goat's milk cheeses.

Starting from Launceston, drive along the West Tamar Highway (A7) to Legana (13km). Just past Legana turn left and follow the road up to GRINDELWALD, a charming Swiss-style resort with a restaurant, café and gift shops. Sample succulent cherries at EVERSLEY CHERRIES in Atkinsons Road. Before returning to the West Tamar Highway call into ROSEVEARS ESTATE, a winery and restaurant with spectacular views, there is a winery tour at 11.00am daily and cellar door sales. Back track a little and head down the C733 road on scenic Rosevears Drive (8kms) alongside the Tamar River to Rosevears where there are some great vineyards. The first wine stop on the C733 is the delightful STRATHLYNN WINE CENTRE and vineyard, reached via a road lined with 100 year old trees, offering a restaurant, wine centre and gift shop with wine tastings and sales.

A short distance away on Rosevears Drive is the ST MATTHIAS VINEYARD, which overlooks the Tamar River in a pleasant setting (cheese, antipasto platters, lunches by arrangement, wine tastings and sales). Past Rosevears the road rejoins the West Tamar Highway for a few kilometres. Turn right on the C728 road to Deviot (10km); meander along picturesque Foreshore Road to Gravelly Beach, where you can sample blueberries and cherries (when in season) at the AVIEMORE FARM. Continue to PAPER BEACH where there is a river walk and then discover quality Tasmanian arts and crafts at ARTISAN GALLERY & POTTERY at Robigana, where is also the popular LYNTON VEGGIE FARM CAFÉ AND CRAFT SHOP. Make a stop at MARIONS VINEYARD, a small winery with a garden setting and a café/coterie, wine tastings and sales.

Continue to the BATMAN BRIDGE (8km), turn left on the B73 road then right to reach Kayena and Rowella on the C274 road. At Kayena try the new TAMAR RIDGE VINEYARD (wine tastings and sales). Follow the road to Rowella and visit the LAVENDER HOUSE for quality lavender products and then to the picturesque HOLM OAK VINEYARD (wine tastings and sales). Return to the B73, via Sidmouth to Exeter , and have a coffee break or lunch at the EXETER COUNTRY KITCHEN. Return to Launceston via Legana (25km).

(Tour time 4-6 hours; distance 80-90km return)

LAUNCESTON & TAMAR ADVENTURE / NATURE TOUR
(Self-Drive and Walking)

TOUR A: TAMAR WETLANDS WALK
About 9km from Launceston on the West Tamar Highway (A7) between Riverside and Legana is the Tamar Island Wetlands Walk, operated by Parks & Wildlife. Walk on the wooden bridges and boardwalks past bird hides and across reed swamps, marshland and mud flats, through the Tamar Wildlife Sanctuary to the 60 hectare Tamar Island Reserve, about 2km away. The reserve, an extensive wetland on the Tamar River tidal estuary, is home to 12 waterbird species, 9 shore, 15 land, 5 brush, 1 coastal sea-bird species, while 21 additional species visit the area. Picnic on tree-covered Tamar Island and admire views of the glorious Tamar River , hills and mountains.
(4km return walk, tour time 1-2 hours)

TOUR B: BUSHWALK HOLWELL GORGE
About 50km north of Launceston and 8km from Beaconsfield on the West Tamar Highway (A7 and 715 road) is the Holwell Gorge, a medium to hard bushwalk through a small gorge alongside a stream, past huge manferns, rainforest trees and rock pools to reach two small waterfalls. Enjoy the tranquil forest, see native birds, and wildlife such as pademelons (small brown kangaroos) may be sighted.
(Walk time about 3 hours return)

TOUR C: BUSHWALK NOTLEY FERN GORGE
Closer to Launceston via the A7 highway is the Notley Fern Gorge, reached via Legana and Bridgenorth on the C732/731 roads. At the Notley Gorge, an 11 hectare wildlife sanctuary, walk down into the gorge past giant manferns, moss-covered forest and remnants of rainforest to Gowans Creek.
(Walk time 2 hours return; 48km return drive from Launceston)