Wheels, wine and whisky

Kickstart your winter road trip with specialty coffee and breakfast from the all-day menu at Tinka Coffee Brewers in Launceston.

It’s a scenic 1.5hr drive to the mountain biking mecca and adventure playground of Derby, in north-east Tasmania.

Hire an e-bike from Evolution Biking to give you an extra boost on the myriad mountain bike trails, from cruisy lakeside cycles and full throttle descents to routes through shady fern glades, tall trees and tunnels.

Enjoy woodfired pizza, cold beer or cider at the Hub to refuel for more exploring the famed Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails by bike or hike.

Seek post-ride refreshment at Lot 40. This bar, cafe, brewery and gin distillery in the middle of Derby also serves hearty meals and snacks.

Retreat to heritage-listed Derby Bank House B&B to relax in the complimentary woodfired tub under the fairy lights and twinkling stars.

Be sure to include the fully cooked breakfast as part of your B&B stay.

For a truly invigorating start to the day, book a morning session at the Floating Sauna Lake Derby.

Slowly wend your way to Clover Hill Wines, one of Tasmania’s top sparkling wine producers. Rug up for a guided walk through the vineyard to learn the art of vine pruning, then warm up with a sparkling wine tasting masterclass and tasty cheese platter. Designated driver options available.

Detour to Hollybank Forest Reserve, where you can walk off the indulgence on the short 2km circuit (30–40min) through a mix of native and deciduous trees.

Returning to Launceston, it’s time to tuck into a casual dinner at Boatyard Launceston, overlooking one of the oldest slip yards in Australia.  

Then, settle into a stay at Stillwater Seven, a historic flour mill turned hotel on the banks of Kanamaluka / River Tamar.

Enjoy a sleep-in and breakfast from the comfort of your Stillwater suite.

It’s a short, 15min drive to Launceston Distillery in historic Hangar 17 for a foray into Tasmania’s worldclass whisky. Take a tour, taste a tipple then relish the rare opportunity to bottle your own small batch spirit from the Off Season cask.

Continue down the road to charming Evandale for tastings of a different kind at the Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company. Think chocolate, chilli, chutneys, jams, mustards and more. There’s also an open garden filled will fanciful topiary.

Stop in at the Clarendon Arms for a tasty pub lunch before heading back to Launceston.

Next, it’s time to play Italian nonna in the Stillwater Restaurant kitchen. Join a 3hr pasta-making workshop as part of the indulgent eatery’s stay, play and penne Off Season offer.

You’ll be rewarded with a three-course pasta dinner paired with wine. Lucky it’s not far to roll into bed upstairs.