Wineglass Bay Photo by Daniel Tran

If you’re marrying in winter, there has to be no better place to take your honeymoon than Tasmania. Stunning scenery, amazing food and a plethora of adventures to be had. Today, let’s escape and take a honeymoon down south! If you’re a local or have travelled to Tassie recently and have anything to add to my lists, please leave a comment!

Five Fantastic Places To Stay

Cradle Mountain Lodge & Waldheim Alpine Spa

Tourism Tasmania & Emilie Ristevski

Right amid breathtakingly beautiful Cradle Mountain sits Cradle Mountain Lodge and Waldheim Alpine Spa. The closest accommodation to the mountain, Cradle Mountain Lodge is all about getting back to nature. Surrounded by walking trails, the pine cabins offer luxuries like log fires, spa baths, three onsite bars & restaurants and the gorgeously decadent Waldheim Alpine Spa. The lodge allows you to be wildly adventurous with a daily activity schedule, or just relax in your room and enjoy the sweeping views!

Saffire Freycinet

Supplied Courtesy of Saffire Freycinet

Saffire Freycinet is located on Tasmania’s East Coast and overlooks Great Oyster Bay & Hazards Mountains, Everything is a pure luxury here- perfect for your Tasmanian honeymoon! From the organic design of the buildings (which include Tasmanian woods) to the beautiful suites (all include king-sized beds with double shower & bath and guests staying in the Premium Suites enjoy their private plunge pool). There’s a day spa on-site and a divine restaurant featuring (of course) local produce, meaning you never have to go outside…unless of course that hike beckons!

Peppers Calstock

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Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett

Peppers always has some stunning properties and their Tasmanian property Peppers Calstock doesn’t let the team down! Set on 200 acres, accommodation is offered within the mansion built in the 1800s. There are seven guest rooms and two guest suites. The adults-only retreat has a French provincial style with beautiful food (overseen by chef Stuart Godfrey) served on-site.

Eagles Nest Retreat

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Tourism Tasmania & Dan Fellow

Overlooking Mount Roland. Eagles Nest Retreat provides an intimate setting with panoramic views. The retreat is filled with locally crafted furniture, a fully equipped kitchen, dream chef service, in house massages and open fires. you can even take a spa underneath the stars!

@ VDL Stanley

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Tourism Tasmania & Jason Clare

Right on the shore in Stanley (home of natural wonder The Nut), sits @ VDL Stanley, an architecturally designed boutique hotel. Housed in bluestone walls, VDL Stanley only has three guest suites, so privacy is ensured. Each suite features flat-screen TVs, coffee machines and luxurious “signature” beds! Each room has water views and the owners even provide a munchie box full of treats to keep you satisfied while relaxing your day away!

Five Fun Things To Do

I will admit I picked mostly adventures for “things” but Tasmania lends itself so easily to getting back to nature – because the scenery is so completely stunning. it seems a shame not to do something on your honeymoon that gets your feet thumping on the dirt or your arms rowing along a river. Plus there’s nothing more romantic than a quiet walk between two newlyweds.

Salamanca Markets

Tourism Tasmania and Alastair Bett

Well, admittedly I did have to throw in a little bit of shopping! If you can get to Tasmania when the Salamanca Markets are on, they’re a ‘must visit’! They’re held every Saturday in Hobart and are a cross between a farmer’s market and an art & crafts market. There are dozens and dozens of stalls selling all kinds of odds and ends, beautiful foods, treasures and one-offs, plus buskers providing free entertainment too!

Overland Track

Tourism Tasmania & Tayla Gentle

The Overland Track is for true adventurists- it requires a booking and has a few shorter walks and a magnificent six-day hike between Lake St Clair and Cradle Mountain. Through mountains, hills and valleys- this honeymoon adventure will take you back to the peace of nature with some of the most beautiful Australian landscapes you will ever see.

Gordon River Paddle

Supplied Courtesy of RACT Destinations

The Gordon River Paddle is a fresh way to see Tasmania- from the water! Departing from Strahan, the Gordon River Paddle takes you for a day of exploration. Accompanied by a trained guide, you’ll pass through some of Tasmania’s untouched landscapes and be enthralled with stories of moments past. All cruises include meals (fresh Tasmanian produce of course) and in the summer months a trip to Sarah Island.

Cataract Gorge & Kings Bridge

Nat Mendham

If you’re staying close to Launceston, but still want a little nature, Cataract Gorge & Kings Bridge are only 15 minutes away from the city centre. There is a multitude of fun adventures to be had here- walking trails, a suspension, and most famously The basin chairlift which covers 457 metres.  If you’re the type that likes to spend your holidays sleeping or with a good book, Cataract Gorge may be the perfect way to get some fresh air without the trouble!

Wineglass Bay Walk

Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett

I must admit there is a lot of nature-inspired to-dos in this list, but it’s just because the landscapes are so marvellous! I did leave my favourite until last though- look at that view! Wineglass Bay is located halfway down the east coast of Tasmania. Both treks don’t take very long but provide a picture-perfect view. Alternatively, you can visit the Wineglass Bay beach- which has been named as one of the best in the world (and who can resist the crystal blue waters, white sand and perfect shape?). There are plenty of fun activities available too- snorkelling, mountain bike riding and sea kayaking to name a few!

 

Five Fabulous Things To Eat

On any trip, my favourite thing to do is to check out local produce (especially wine!) Tasmania is full of local delicacies and here are five of my favourites!

Ashgrove Cheese

I love my cheese and Ashgrove Cheese is a family run business producing cheese from dairy milk fresh from the cows living on site. They specialise in Australian cheddar (with varieties spanning Rubicon Red and Crumbly Tasty), though they also get a little creative with varieties such as Lavender and wild wasabi! The cheddar factory allows you to view the process through the viewing room, have a cheese tasting and browse other local produce.

House of Anvers

 Tourism Australia & Graham Freeman

Honestly, could there be anything better than a chocolate factory? (In Adelaide, I always go straight to the Haighs Factory first to stock up)! You know I’d have to find you a decadent place of deliciousness to visit on your honeymoon! House Of Anvers in Latrobe, use Tasmania’s creams and butter to produce truffles, pralines, fudges and of course – pure chocolate! Not only can you visit the Museum of Chocolate (I think museums just got enticing!) but a tasting centre and a coffee shop specialising in..chocolate!

Sorrell Fruit Farm

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Tourism Tasmania & Lap Fung Lam

After all that cheese and chocolate, you may need something a little healthy to kick start you for the rest of your trip! Sorrell Fruit Farm in Sorrell allows you to pick your berries and beans (and they have a lot of berries- from strawberries to loganberries, blackberries and even cherries) while enjoying the local birdlife. You can even pick up a few jars of jam, chutneys and vinegar made from the farm’s produce.

Barilla Bay

Tourism Tasmania & Bill Bachman

So we have pre-dinner cheeses sorted, dessert and even the health base covered – but what about something for dinner? Being in Tasmania, you have got to try the seafood and Barilla Bay at Cambridge is the perfect place to start. Fresh pacific oysters are available for your purchase (along with their blend of Worcestershire sauce) and their acclaimed restaurant pairs their local produce with local wines and other scrumptious delicacies!

The Honey Farm

Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett

Honey on crumpets your style? The Honey Farm in Chudleigh is a must for lovers of the bee! They make over 50 different types of honey (sent all over Australia) and their “farm door” showcases their entire range, the background to their process and every honey related product you can think of, including (my favourite) beeswax candles.

Want more?

A Honeymooners Guide to Tasmania’s Bruny Island

The Tasmania Issue 

All images are © Tourism Tasmania. All Rights Reserved. Licensed to Polka Dot Wedding.