Coal River Valley

Just a 20-minute drive from Hobart, the Coal River Valley unfurls like a pastoral painting of vineyards, orchards, and historic sandstone buildings. This is Tasmania's original wine region, where cool-climate wines — particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — thrive in the rain shadow of the Wellington Range. Beyond the cellar doors, the valley holds convict-era homesteads, a world-class cheese maker, and the kind of quiet country lanes that beg for a lazy afternoon drive.

Highlights & What to See

• Wine tasting at Moorilla Estate – A striking modernist cellar door overlooking the Derwent River, with an onsite museum and sculpture trail.
• Historic Richmond village – Wander Australia's best-preserved Georgian town, cross the convict-built Richmond Bridge (1825), and browse artisan galleries.
• Coal River Farm – Watch cheese being made, sample truffle-infused honey, and eat a berry-laden ice cream on the sunny deck.
• Craigow Vineyard – A small, family-run winery known for its elegant Riesling and Pinot Noir; book ahead for a relaxed tasting.
• Wicked Cheese – A tiny fromagerie in a restored barn; try the ash-rolled brie and the valley's own sparkling wine.
• Puddleduck Vineyard – Quirky and welcoming, with a duck pond, live music on weekends, and a sparkling wine range that locals love.

Suggested Time to Spend

Dedicate at least a full day to explore the valley at a leisurely pace — start with a coffee and pastry in Richmond, then meander from cellar door to cheese room, stopping for a long lunch at one of the vineyards. If you're a keen wine enthusiast, an overnight stay lets you enjoy dinner without driving and take a morning walk through the vineyards. Two days is ideal for combining with a visit to the Huon Valley or the Tasman Peninsula.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Hobart – Base yourself in the capital, just 20 minutes west, for Salamanca Market and MONA.
• Huon Valley – South of Hobart, this lush valley is famous for apples, cider, and the Tahune AirWalk.
• Port Arthur & Tasman Peninsula – A 90-minute drive east, offering convict history and dramatic sea cliffs.
• Mount Field National Park – An hour northwest, with towering eucalypts, Russell Falls, and winter snow.
• Bruny Island – A 40-minute drive to the ferry, then a day of cheese, oysters, and lighthouse walks.

Please check official sources for current details.