Tamar Valley

Stretching north from Launceston to the Bass Strait coast, the Tamar Valley is Tasmania’s premier wine region, where cool-climate vineyards cascade down rolling hills to the river’s edge. Beyond the cellar doors, you’ll find a landscape of towering eucalypts, historic villages, and wildlife-rich wetlands — all within easy reach of Launceston. This is a place to slow down, savour a glass of pinot noir, and explore at your own pace.

Highlights & What to See

• Wine trail: Follow the Tamar Valley Wine Route, visiting iconic producers like Josef Chromy, Tamar Ridge, and Pipers Brook — many offer tastings with river views.
• Hollybank Treetops Adventure: Glide through the forest canopy on zip lines or take a segway ride among giant eucalypts and ferns.
• Low Head Penguin Colony: At dusk, watch little penguins waddle ashore at Low Head — a magical wildlife experience.
• Beauty Point & Seahorse World: Tour a working seahorse farm and visit the Platypus House to see these elusive monotremes up close.
• Narawntapu National Park: Known as the 'Serengeti of Tasmania', this coastal park is prime for spotting wombats, wallabies, and kangaroos on its grassy plains.
• Historic George Town: Australia’s third-oldest settlement, with well-preserved Georgian buildings, the Bass and Flinders Centre, and the Watch House museum.

Suggested Time to Spend

Give yourself at least two full days to explore the Tamar Valley. Day one can focus on the wine trail and a treetop adventure; day two is perfect for wildlife encounters at Low Head and Narawntapu. If you’re short on time, a day trip from Launceston can cover a few cellar doors and a penguin tour, but you’ll wish you’d stayed longer.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Launceston: The vibrant gateway to the valley, with Cataract Gorge, the Queen Victoria Museum, and excellent dining.
• Bay of Fires: A stunning coastal drive east of Launceston, with white beaches and orange-hued granite boulders — about 1.5 hours away.
• Ben Lomond National Park: Tasmania’s premier ski destination in winter, offering hiking and alpine scenery year-round, an hour’s drive southeast.
• Barnbougle Dunes & Lost Farm: World-class links golf courses on the northeast coast, about an hour from the valley.

Please check official sources for current details.