Tides Reach

Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs is situated in the far south of Tasmania’s beautiful Huon Valley, a 90-minute drive from Hobart. A Parks and Wildlife Service guide will lead you through a living and breathing ecosystem that boasts an identity like no other. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in an ancient yet ever-changing environment. You will discover within the dolomite cave spectacular subterranean formations including flowstone, stalactites, columns, shawls, straws, stalagmites and the unusual helictites. The cave is spacious and there are no narrow passages. The light level is low. There are 250 stairs each way, equipped with handrails. Opening hours and cave tour times vary throughout the year, so we recommend you check times on the Parks and Wildlife Service website before you embark on your journey. It is recommended that you arrive at the Hastings Visitor Centre 45 minutes prior to your chosen tour. This is where you purchase tickets for cave tours or the thermal spring reserve. Enjoy a coffee or light snack in the Café area of the Visitor Centre, and shop for souvenirs. You can swim in the 28-degree thermal swimming pool, which gathers and circulates natural thermal spring water, which is full of rich minerals. Change-room amenities are near the pool. Remember, outdoor temperatures in southern Tasmania may be cool, pack warm clothing and wear sturdy footwear.

The Geeveston Town Hall Visitor Centre provides a diverse range of information and assistance to visitors to the Huon Valley and the Far South of Tasmania. The visitor centre is located within the Town Hall which can be easily found on Church Street, the main street of Geeveston, less than an hours' drive from Hobart. The visitor centre is housed inside the elegant red brick building, which dates back to the early 1900's and has been featured in ABC TV's fictional series 'Rosehaven'. Once inside, take time to explore the exhibits and displays positioned amongst the large timber beams of the hall which features a gallery and woodworking exhibit on the upper level. The visitor centre and gift shop is easily accessible on the ground floor along with an artist-in-residence studio and a large wood burning stove resembling and industrial furnace. We are open 7 days a week (reduced to 6 days in winter), and the friendly volunteer staff provide a warm welcome, local knowledge and expertise. At the centre, you have access to free WIFI internet and can purchase locally produced artworks, handicrafts, books, maps, guides and souvenirs. We also sell and showcase southern Tasmanian wines, beer, cider and spirits plus non alcoholic beverages, snacks and preserves.

Bruny Island Premium Wines, Cellar Door and Restaurant is situated on Bruny Island in Tasmania's South. Carved from bush and pasture land on the outskirts of the settlement of Lunawanna, is Australia's southernmost vineyard. Owned and operated by a direct descendent of one of Bruny Island's first settlers, Bernice Dillon. Bruny Island Premium Wines is open for all day lunch, seven days a week all year round and Saturday nights during daylight savings, in a relaxed alfresco dining area overlooking the vineyard. An extensive menu specialising in local produce, all perfectly matched with their premium cool climate wines. The vineyard, established in 1998, is set on a gently-sloping site with a sunny north-westerly aspect. In an ideal season, Tasmania's calm, clear autumn days are perfect for the slow fruit-ripening conditions needed to create premium cool-climate wines. Their wines are grown, made and bottled by hand on site. The Cellar Door opened in 2005, constructed with timber from the original vineyard site, and offers tastings and sales.