Country House and Garden Tour of the Northern Midlands

The Meander Valley of Tasmania located near Launceston is a unique cultural place with attributes like no other. The backdrop of the magnificent Central plateau - the Western Tiers frames the view as a strong natural, physical element rising up out of a rich hidden valley. It is the land of milk and honey, raspberries, wasabi and other fine foods. This exclusive tour of the Meander Valley will explore the private and public places that are significant to this beautiful fertile valley. You will travel along the Meander Valley Touring route and visit places rich in cultural heritage. Stories will be conveyed by personal guides and there is the opportunity to meet private owners - you will not be disappointed. The Meander Valley has a reoccurring theme of hawthorn hedges and behind these hedges lay some magnificent gardens and country houses not available to the general public. It is also becoming a significant area to the production of gourmet foods, wasabi, honey, salmon and cheeses. Your exclusive day tour will take in the arts, the gardens, the food and natural and cultural heritage attributes. Departing Longford and / or arranged location near Launceston

Showcasing Tasmanian and Australian artists whether painting, sculpture or works on paper in a beautiful gallery space located in a country garden setting with rural outlook to the Western Tiers.

Indulge you interest in art and visit Carlton Cox's exhibtion. Carlton is celebrating "A Thirty Year Journey" of printmaking as a linocut Tasmanian artist with an exhibition at Blenheim Gallery. Carlton brings into the show not only Longford and Tasmanian locations imagery, but also as he travels further afield he is inspired by Brisbane, Bryon Bay and Sydney locations. This show is a must see and illustrates his skill as a significant printmaker in Tasmania.

Carlton Cox at Blenheim Gallery Longford celebrates "A Thirty Year Journey" as a linocut printmaker with an exhibition of new works. This exhibition brings in local visual material from Longford his home town to further a field including Brisbane, Sydney and Bryon Bay places he has visited in recent times.

Cressy House Estate Farm Stay (1827) is a family farm that offers a fully private self-contained home within a home (part of the original homestead). Cressy House is situated in beautiful natural surroundings five kilometres south of the historic town of Longford, 20 minutes from Launceston and 15 minutes from Launceston Airport. Come and stay and enjoy the beautiful nature, play a game of tennis on our court, go fishing on the farm's nearby river or jump in for a swim in the warmer months from our pontoon or why not play a game of golf at Longford Golf Club. You can also sit on the private verandah and enjoy the views of mountains and farm animals walking in the nearby paddock. There are plenty of animals to enjoy, horses, dogs, cat, chooks, ducks, guinea fowls, peacocks and sheep just to name a few. Cressy House is truly a home away from home and once our guests arrive they never want to leave. We highly recommend minimum two nights stay. Cressy House Estate Farm Stay accommodates two to four guests with one bedroom with one queen-size bed and one fold-out bed/sofa in the large living room. The cot is also available free of charge. Please also check out our new luxury country stay "Chatsworth Tasmania" which is only 3km from Cressy House.

Chatsworth is a luxury three-bedroom country homestead (1838) with a beautiful established private garden surrounded by paddocks and animals as well as views of The Great Western Tiers and Ben Lomond. Chatsworth is situated in The Northern Midlands, 6 km south of the heritage town of Longford. Close access to the farms' river where you can go fishing or simply enjoy a picnic or a walk and pick your own vegetables and fruit from the garden as you cook up a storm in the gorgeous country kitchen. The lovely three french doors lead you from a beautiful, spacious and light kitchen/dining/sitting area directly out to the covered verandah where you can sit and take in the view with a great book or enjoy a meal while overlooking the one hectare country garden. Chatsworth has its own little chook house where you can collect eggs and guinea fowls who are a delight to watch. Enjoy one bottle of Tasmanian produced wine on the house and if you need to open another bottle there is plenty to choose from in the pantry's bar fridge (extra fees apply)! . You can also stay at our already existing country stay: Cressy House Estate Farm Stay. The two properties are three km from each other.

Brickendon Estate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site offers visitors a delightful collection of self-contained Historic and Farm Cottages. The Coachman's, Gardener's and Old Farm Historic Cottages are surrounded by gardens and offer traditional colonial accommodation with open fires combined with modern facilities. Each cottage has its own character with options including deep baths, separate showers and bathroom floor heating. Pumpkin, Sweetcorn, and Pea in a Pod Farm Cottages enjoy the magnificent views of the English-style countryside and were built from recycled materials. Wood heaters keep our Farm Cottages toasty warm overnight. Electric heating and electric blankets are also provided for guest comfort in all cottages. Hearty continental breakfast provisions are included in the tariff of each cottage and our cottages are fully self-contained with all linen and cooking facilities provided. When you stay with Brickendon Estate you can : Wander the gardens surrounding the Georgian Homestead, Take the 'Convict Walk' to Woolmers Estate, Enjoy animal feeding our friendly farm animals at 10.15am daily, Explore the 1820s convict-built farm buildings Brickendon is 20 minutes from Launceston and 15 minutes from the Launceston Airport. We are pet friendly, but please enquire as to which cottages are suitable for pets before making a reservation.