A Taste of Tassie

There is no doubt Hobart’s food and wine scene has well and truly come of age over the past few years and you’ll see why on this five day ‘A Taste of Tassie’ tour. Your food journey begins with a welcome dinner at one of Hobart’s best restaurants. Savour food straight from the paddock to table at the Fat Pig Farm’s Friday Feast. Experience a Rockstar afternoon at Mona with a five-course degustation dinner at Faro. Taste your way across Bruny Island, sampling the island’s local produce. And sample some of Tasmania’s best wine and cider. Staying in luxury accommodation, this fully escorted tour is for a fortunate few and is the ultimate way to experience Hobart’s thriving culinary scene.

Your Small Group Tour Includes:

• 4 nights at MACq 01 Hobart in a Superior Hunter Room
• Full breakfast daily
• Welcome drink in the Story Bar at MACq 01
• Welcome dinner at Aloft – five course tasting menu with matched wines
• Private wine tasting at Home Hill Wines
• Join-in Friday Feast at Fat Pig Farm including wine and beer
• Private guided tour and tasting at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed
• Free morning to explore Salamanca Market
• Rockstar Afternoon at Mona with five course degustation dinner and matched wines
• Private day tour to Bruny Island including lunch, wine and tastings
• Autographed copy of Matthew Evans’ book “The Commons” (per booking)
• Fat Pig Farm apron (per booking)
• Private car transfer from Hobart Airport to hotel
• Group coach transfer from hotel to Hobart Airport
• Services of tour leader and professional driver/guides
• Small group travel – maximum 12 people

***Rate based on 5 May 2022 to 9 May 2022. Departure also available on 8 September 2022.***

***Solo traveller pricing also available.***

Day 1: Thursday – Welcome to Hobart
On arrival at Hobart Airport, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the city. Tonight, meet your fellow travellers over a glass of sparkling wine in the Story Bar before the short walk to Aloft for our welcome dinner. Located on the top floor of the award-winning Brooke Street Pier, Aloft boasts one of the most stunning views of Hobart’s Derwent River. Dolphins, seals, spectacular sunsets, and dramatic weather changes provide a backdrop for what is sure to be a tantalising journey for your tastebuds. The five-course tasting menu focuses on local produce with a pan-Asian twist of flavour, inspired by the changing seasons and the raw nature of Tasmania, accompanied by matched wines.

Day 2: Friday – A Feast At Fat Pig Farm
This morning we head south of Hobart to the beautiful Huon Valley for what is sure to be a feast for the senses. Our first stop is Home Hill Wines, one of the most popular and well-loved destinations in the Huon Valley. What started as a relaxing hobby farm with six rows of vines has turned into an award-winning vineyard producing some of Australia’s top Pinot Noir. Relax on the deck and taste a selection of wines while your host imparts their knowledge of the vineyard and wines.

Continue on to Fat Pig Farm, home to Gourmet Farmer and author of nine cookbooks, Matthew Evans^. On their 70-acre farm, Matthew and his family nurture food from the soil to turn into great meals for the farmhouse table. Join in the Friday Feast and enjoy dishes straight from the gardens and paddock – all seasonal, all grown by hand and all cooked in the open kitchen. In between courses, tour the farm, including the 1.5 acre market garden. The meal is celebrated with specially matched beer, wine, cider and spirits from around Tasmania. Settle in for a long, lazy afternoon!

On the way back to Hobart, we’ll stop at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed and learn a little about Tassie spirits. Take a stroll through the distillery and be introduced to the process used to create the unique cider spirits and fine apple brandies. Get up close and personal with the copper alembic Charentais still – one of a kind in Australia – and taste Apple Spirit and Apple Brandy. Return to Hobart fully sated and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Day 3: Saturday – Salamanca Market & A Rockstar Afternoon At Mona
After breakfast, the morning is free to explore the famous Salamanca Market at your own pace. Held every Saturday, it’s one of Australia’s most vibrant and loved outdoor markets. Here, you’ll find a collection of more than 220 stallholders representing artisans, designers and producers. Tasmania’s ‘Own Market’ is one of those special places where you can find Tasmanian handmade and home grown produce, talk to the makers and producers, and discover the heart of this creative and resilient island.

This afternoon, head to Mona for your Rockstar experience. Mona, the Museum of Old and New Art, is Australia’s largest privately-owned gallery and museum. Showcasing the diverse collection of its owner, Tasmanian gambler and maths nerd David Walsh, Mona exhibits everything from ancient Egyptian funerary objects and modernist masterpieces to a word waterfall and a machine that mimics the human digestive system. Your Rockstar experience kicks off as you board the Mona ferry and settle into The Posh Pit – of course! Enjoy Moorilla wine, Moo Brew beer and canapés as you sail up the Derwent River to Mona.

On arrival, enjoy an absinthe-heavy cocktail from the Void Bar before heading into the museum to check out David Walsh’s sprawling underground collection of art and antiquities. Then swan into the museum’s Faro Bar and Restaurant for an excessive, five course feast imagined by Rockstar executive chef Vince Trim. Sip on fancy wines delivered from Mona’s infamous wine bunker. You’ll then have exclusive access to some neuron-tingling James Turrell artworks to further addle your synapses, before your coach transfer back to the hotel.

Day 4: Sunday – A Taste Of Bruny Island
Today, we taste our way across Bruny Island, visiting renowned artisan producers on a gourmet wilderness adventure, while discovering the spectacular scenery and cultural heritage of Tasmania’s favourite island. Enjoy award-winning cheeses, premium wines and beer, freshly shucked oysters, handcrafted fudge, local honey and a delicious lunch at Pennicott’s beachside restaurant with sweeping views of Adventure Bay.

Meet and hear the stories of island producers including an exclusive cheese and beer experience at Bruny Island Cheese Company and sweet taste sensations from Bruny Island Chocolate Company and Bruny Island Honey.

But it’s not all about the food and wine! Take in the glorious views from iconic Neck Lookout, climb the 240 wooden steps to take in the narrow isthmus between north and south Bruny Island. Step back in time with a walk through the ancient Mavista Rainforest and breathe in the cleanest air as you stroll under the towering canopy. Return to Hobart around 6pm.

Day 5: Monday – Farewell Hobart
All good things must come to an end. After breakfast, check out of your accommodation before a group coach transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Prices listed are per person in Australian/New Zealand Dollars, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. All bookings are subject to availability. Minimum nights stay may apply. Other travel periods may be available. Some block out dates may apply. Rates may alter depending upon the dates requested and surcharges if applicable.  Offers subject to availability. (All savings and bonus nights are included in the advertised price). Amounts payable to third parties not included. Cancellation fees apply, offers may be withdrawn without notice and are not combinable with any other offers unless stated. Final booking confirmation only provided once payment has been processed. Contact our travel team for more details. Our Vacation Centre reserves the right to withdraw this promotion without notice at any time. Flights are not included. Pricing correct as at 1 December 2021 but may fluctuate due to surcharges, fees, taxes, or currency exchange.

All arrangements are subject to availability, cancellation, or modification due to inclement weather, late running of services or other unforeseen circumstances. A minimum non-refundable deposit equivalent to 20% of the tour cost is payable within 7 days of confirmation of your booking and cancellation prior to final payment will result in your deposit being forfeited. Final payment of your holiday cost is required at least 60 days prior to departure, there will be no refund for bookings cancelled less than 60 days prior to travel. The travel services provided by these suppliers are subject to the conditions imposed by the suppliers and their liability may be limited by their tariffs, conditions of carriage, and agreements. All travellers must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to travel on this tour. ^There is no guarantee that Matthew Evans will be at the Fat Pig Farm on the day of the tour.