Tasmanian Design House guidebook
Dining
Van Bone offers a high-end intimate dining space with a set menu of up to 14 courses. They suggest you allow 3 to 4 hours for the experience at this "destination restaurant".
9 moradores locais recomendam
Van Bone
357 Marion Bay RoadVan Bone offers a high-end intimate dining space with a set menu of up to 14 courses. They suggest you allow 3 to 4 hours for the experience at this "destination restaurant".
Our favourite place for breakfast and lunch, The Lanterns understates their exceptional offerings by simply advertising "coffee - food - provisions". The Lanterns is driven by an ethos to be healthy, organic, and local.
The Lanterns - Coffee, Food, Provisions
Our favourite place for breakfast and lunch, The Lanterns understates their exceptional offerings by simply advertising "coffee - food - provisions". The Lanterns is driven by an ethos to be healthy, organic, and local.
With sweeping views of the Port Arthur Historic Site, 1830 Restaurant & Bar is a perfect place to enjoy a long, relaxed meal, whether or not you visit the historic site. The menu uses fresh seasonal produce sourced from local growers and producers, and features a range of Tasmanian wines, craft beers, whiskies and spirits.
14 moradores locais recomendam
1830 Restaurant and Bar, Port Arthur
With sweeping views of the Port Arthur Historic Site, 1830 Restaurant & Bar is a perfect place to enjoy a long, relaxed meal, whether or not you visit the historic site. The menu uses fresh seasonal produce sourced from local growers and producers, and features a range of Tasmanian wines, craft beers, whiskies and spirits.
The chef, host, and owner at the wonderful Little Norfolk Bay Bistro is Eloise Emmett, award-winning author, publisher, and chef who aims to provide an inspirational menu with an emphasis on using fresh local produce.
Little Norfolk Bay Bistro & Chalets
The chef, host, and owner at the wonderful Little Norfolk Bay Bistro is Eloise Emmett, award-winning author, publisher, and chef who aims to provide an inspirational menu with an emphasis on using fresh local produce.
The Dunalley Hotel offers the quintessential Tasmanian pub experience - large and comforting pub meals, in a well-patronised dining area. Check out the menu and the opening hours on their website.
18 moradores locais recomendam
Dunalley Hotel
210 Arthur HwyThe Dunalley Hotel offers the quintessential Tasmanian pub experience - large and comforting pub meals, in a well-patronised dining area. Check out the menu and the opening hours on their website.
Popular for lunch, but equally great for dinner, the Cannery is located on the waterfront with great views across the bay.
11 moradores locais recomendam
The Cannery
4 Imlay StPopular for lunch, but equally great for dinner, the Cannery is located on the waterfront with great views across the bay.
Great for lunch - sometimes open for dinner - and located by the canal and opening bridge in Dunalley, the Seaside Market offers spectacular fish and chips and a scenic spot to eat them. The choices are likely to be limited, with the Market deciding on the mix of fish, scallops, calamari, and chips that make up the "meals" on offer.
34 moradores locais recomendam
Dunalley Fish Market
17 Fulham RdGreat for lunch - sometimes open for dinner - and located by the canal and opening bridge in Dunalley, the Seaside Market offers spectacular fish and chips and a scenic spot to eat them. The choices are likely to be limited, with the Market deciding on the mix of fish, scallops, calamari, and chips that make up the "meals" on offer.
With a great lunch menu in a pleasant and spacious environment, the lavender might not seem like the main attraction.
46 moradores locais recomendam
Fazenda de Lavanda de Port Arthur
6555 Arthur HwyWith a great lunch menu in a pleasant and spacious environment, the lavender might not seem like the main attraction.
Part of the Stewarts Bay Lodge property, the "On The Bay" restaurant is a fine place to sit back, relax and enjoy a drink from the bar with a fabulous meal.
11 moradores locais recomendam
Gabriel's on the Bay
6955 Arthur HwyPart of the Stewarts Bay Lodge property, the "On The Bay" restaurant is a fine place to sit back, relax and enjoy a drink from the bar with a fabulous meal.
If you can get past the fake-tudor, anti-historic nature of the building, the food and atmosphere at the Fox and Hounds make it a nice place to have a satisfying meal.
Fox and Hounds Restaurant
6789 Arthur HwyIf you can get past the fake-tudor, anti-historic nature of the building, the food and atmosphere at the Fox and Hounds make it a nice place to have a satisfying meal.
With the feel of a traditional seafront hotel, the Lufra does a good roast dinner, alongside fantastic water views and a nice selection of local wine. The Tessellated Pavement is right outside.
15 moradores locais recomendam
Lufra Hotel and Apartments
380 Pirates Bay DrWith the feel of a traditional seafront hotel, the Lufra does a good roast dinner, alongside fantastic water views and a nice selection of local wine. The Tessellated Pavement is right outside.
Several days a week in summer, Phoenix Farm opens to visitors for a country cooking food experience. Much of the food and wine comes from the farm and local suppliers with a focus upon traditional country cooking and Tasmanian seafood - with a few contemporary touches.
Phoenix Farm Tasmania
Several days a week in summer, Phoenix Farm opens to visitors for a country cooking food experience. Much of the food and wine comes from the farm and local suppliers with a focus upon traditional country cooking and Tasmanian seafood - with a few contemporary touches.
Coffee, take-away, and snacks
If the signs are out on the highway on the drive to Eaglehawk Neck, you should definitely turn off to visit the Cubed Espresso coffee van. The magnificent coffee is locally roasted and accompanied by some sweet treats but it is the location that cannot be matched. The Eaglehawk Neck lookout has views of the Neck extending south all down the rugged eastern coast of the Tasman Peninsula including Pirate's Bay, Cape Hauy, and the Hippolyte Rocks. If the weather's terrible, they won't be open.
25 moradores locais recomendam
cubed espresso bar
98 Pirates Bay DrIf the signs are out on the highway on the drive to Eaglehawk Neck, you should definitely turn off to visit the Cubed Espresso coffee van. The magnificent coffee is locally roasted and accompanied by some sweet treats but it is the location that cannot be matched. The Eaglehawk Neck lookout has views of the Neck extending south all down the rugged eastern coast of the Tasman Peninsula including Pirate's Bay, Cape Hauy, and the Hippolyte Rocks. If the weather's terrible, they won't be open.
Located in the orchard beside the Pear Shed Gallery, the Pickers Pantry offers a relaxed setting to enjoy wonderful plant-based snacks and coffee. Check opening times.
The Pickers Pantry
Located in the orchard beside the Pear Shed Gallery, the Pickers Pantry offers a relaxed setting to enjoy wonderful plant-based snacks and coffee. Check opening times.
With a friendly atmosphere and honest food, you'll feel welcome at the Blue Seal Cafe. Now with added food truck! Check opening times carefully as it isn't open year-round.
Blue Seal Cafe
5131 Arthur HwyWith a friendly atmosphere and honest food, you'll feel welcome at the Blue Seal Cafe. Now with added food truck! Check opening times carefully as it isn't open year-round.
Wineries and distilleries
A great place for lunch, and winner of the Gold Award for Wineries and Distilleries at the 2023 Australian Tourism Awards. Quality food, amazing wine and oysters complemented by the most beautiful panoramic water views. On a sunny day, the outdoor areas are a wonderful place to spend some quality time.
71 moradores locais recomendam
Bangor Vineyard Shed
20 Blackman Bay RdA great place for lunch, and winner of the Gold Award for Wineries and Distilleries at the 2023 Australian Tourism Awards. Quality food, amazing wine and oysters complemented by the most beautiful panoramic water views. On a sunny day, the outdoor areas are a wonderful place to spend some quality time.
Cape Bernier is a family owned vineyard overlooking stunning Marion Bay and is renowned for producing award-winning cool climate wines. Enjoy a couple of glasses accompanied by a cheese platter.
6 moradores locais recomendam
Cape Bernier Vineyard
230 Bream Creek RdCape Bernier is a family owned vineyard overlooking stunning Marion Bay and is renowned for producing award-winning cool climate wines. Enjoy a couple of glasses accompanied by a cheese platter.
These award-winning potato farmers decided to try their hand at distilling vodka. What a great idea! It's a favourite and it's no surprise to us that they continue to collect international awards for both their vodka and their gin.
8 moradores locais recomendam
Hellfire Bluff Distillery
55 Craigs Hill RdThese award-winning potato farmers decided to try their hand at distilling vodka. What a great idea! It's a favourite and it's no surprise to us that they continue to collect international awards for both their vodka and their gin.
McHenry was an early entry into Tasmania's modern distillery scene and this family-run operation is Australia’s southern-most whisky distillery . In Tasmania, you can be assured a place is good when it features a Tesla charging station. The cellar door is open most days but check the website for a distillery tour.
18 moradores locais recomendam
McHenry Distillery
229 Radnor RdMcHenry was an early entry into Tasmania's modern distillery scene and this family-run operation is Australia’s southern-most whisky distillery . In Tasmania, you can be assured a place is good when it features a Tesla charging station. The cellar door is open most days but check the website for a distillery tour.
The Dunalley Bay Distillery offers something for everyone: coffee, wine, gin, chocolate, cheese, and more. It might feel a bit disconnected but the location by the beach with views back to Hobart is perfect for a day with nice weather.
Dunalley Bay Distillery
3530 Arthur HwyThe Dunalley Bay Distillery offers something for everyone: coffee, wine, gin, chocolate, cheese, and more. It might feel a bit disconnected but the location by the beach with views back to Hobart is perfect for a day with nice weather.
Activities
Explore the incredible coastline of the Tasman Peninsula on a jet boat. A Tasman Island Cruise will be a well-organised adventure, combining wildlife and nature, that will not easily be forgotten.
25 moradores locais recomendam
Tasman Island Cruises
6961 Arthur HwyExplore the incredible coastline of the Tasman Peninsula on a jet boat. A Tasman Island Cruise will be a well-organised adventure, combining wildlife and nature, that will not easily be forgotten.
The Tasman Peninsula is home to world-class scuba diving sites such as the waterfall bay caves, historic wrecks, giant kelp forests and huge schools of fish. Eaglehawk Dive Centre provides qualified and experienced instructors to help you get the most out of your dive experience.
7 moradores locais recomendam
Eaglehawk Dive Centre
178 Pirates Bay DrThe Tasman Peninsula is home to world-class scuba diving sites such as the waterfall bay caves, historic wrecks, giant kelp forests and huge schools of fish. Eaglehawk Dive Centre provides qualified and experienced instructors to help you get the most out of your dive experience.
The Tasmanian Design House is the perfect place to prepare for or recover from the 48 kilometre trek of the Three Capes Experience, spread over 4 days of cliff-hugging wildness.
36 moradores locais recomendam
Three Capes Walk - Life's An Adventure
6955 Arthur HwyThe Tasmanian Design House is the perfect place to prepare for or recover from the 48 kilometre trek of the Three Capes Experience, spread over 4 days of cliff-hugging wildness.
Animal parks
The Unzoo will allow you to see a Tasmanian Devil up close but, for the best experience of Tasmania's unique native animals, we recommend the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Brighton near Hobart.
42 moradores locais recomendam
Tasmanian Devil Unzoo
5990 Arthur HwyThe Unzoo will allow you to see a Tasmanian Devil up close but, for the best experience of Tasmania's unique native animals, we recommend the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Brighton near Hobart.
Beaches
Sommers Bay is our local glamour beach. Visit when the tide is low and the beach will stretch out for hundreds of metres. At all times, the shallowness means that it is the perfect place for safe swimming. Sommers Bay is perhaps best avoided when there's a strong southwesterly wind unless you want to experience the wild weather coming from the Southern Ocean.
Sommers Bay
Sommers Bay is our local glamour beach. Visit when the tide is low and the beach will stretch out for hundreds of metres. At all times, the shallowness means that it is the perfect place for safe swimming. Sommers Bay is perhaps best avoided when there's a strong southwesterly wind unless you want to experience the wild weather coming from the Southern Ocean.
Pirates Bay is the sandy surf beach at Eaglehawk Neck. The main carpark near the start of Blowhole Road has toilet facilities but the beach can be accessed in many places including the Tessellated Pavement, the Eaglehawk Neck Historic Site, and points further south along Blowhole Road.
Pirates Bay
Pirates Bay is the sandy surf beach at Eaglehawk Neck. The main carpark near the start of Blowhole Road has toilet facilities but the beach can be accessed in many places including the Tessellated Pavement, the Eaglehawk Neck Historic Site, and points further south along Blowhole Road.
Marion Bay is a wonderful "locals" beach. It's not unusual to have 7km of pristine beach to yourself with great views out to Maria Island.
11 moradores locais recomendam
Marion Bay
Marion Bay is a wonderful "locals" beach. It's not unusual to have 7km of pristine beach to yourself with great views out to Maria Island.
Convict history
World-heritage-listed Port Arthur is Tasmania's major heritage destination, shedding light on Tasmania's and Australia's convict history. While all of Tasmania (known then as Van Diemen's Land) was a place of exile for offenders from Britain, Port Arthur housed those men who continued to offend; a prison within a prison. The historic site is over 100 acres (40 hectares) of gardens and grounds featuring some 30 or more ruins in various states of repair to explore. The entry ticket, which lasts for two days, includes a 25 minute boat cruise around the harbour. Allow a minimum of 3 hours; visitors often choose to return on the second day of their ticket.
67 moradores locais recomendam
Port Arthur Historic Site
World-heritage-listed Port Arthur is Tasmania's major heritage destination, shedding light on Tasmania's and Australia's convict history. While all of Tasmania (known then as Van Diemen's Land) was a place of exile for offenders from Britain, Port Arthur housed those men who continued to offend; a prison within a prison. The historic site is over 100 acres (40 hectares) of gardens and grounds featuring some 30 or more ruins in various states of repair to explore. The entry ticket, which lasts for two days, includes a 25 minute boat cruise around the harbour. Allow a minimum of 3 hours; visitors often choose to return on the second day of their ticket.
The Coal Mines Historic Site is world-heritage-listed as part of the Australian Convicts listing. In comparison with the Port Arthur Historic Site, there is no entry fee and there are a lot fewer visitors. However, there are no guides, little signage, and no facilities beyond a toilet.
If you've already been to Port Arthur and have some idea of the history, this is a great place to explore in a relaxed manner. A walk around the site is considered to be another of Tasmania's "Great Short Walks".
32 moradores locais recomendam
Coal Mines Historic Site
The Coal Mines Historic Site is world-heritage-listed as part of the Australian Convicts listing. In comparison with the Port Arthur Historic Site, there is no entry fee and there are a lot fewer visitors. However, there are no guides, little signage, and no facilities beyond a toilet.
If you've already been to Port Arthur and have some idea of the history, this is a great place to explore in a relaxed manner. A walk around the site is considered to be another of Tasmania's "Great Short Walks".
In the convict era, the small piece of land (just over 100m wide) that connects Tasman Peninsula to the rest of Tasmania was the site of a military outpost, and a line of ferocious dogs chained across the isthmus, intended to prevent the prisoners from escaping Port Arthur. The old officers' quarter is reportedly the oldest surviving wooden building in Australia and contains a uniquely quaint do-it-yourself kind of museum. With limited time, a walk past the dog sculpture may be enough to appreciate just how strategic and important this site was.
Eaglehawk Neck Historic Site
In the convict era, the small piece of land (just over 100m wide) that connects Tasman Peninsula to the rest of Tasmania was the site of a military outpost, and a line of ferocious dogs chained across the isthmus, intended to prevent the prisoners from escaping Port Arthur. The old officers' quarter is reportedly the oldest surviving wooden building in Australia and contains a uniquely quaint do-it-yourself kind of museum. With limited time, a walk past the dog sculpture may be enough to appreciate just how strategic and important this site was.