One of the most frequent drive journeys that I undertake is the Southern Edge drive. Starting in my hometown of Taroona, which is located 15 minutes south of Hobart and is home to the Shot Tower Historic Site and the Tower Tearoom. The Shot Tower is one of Tasmania’s most distinctive heritage landmarks and is one of the tallest shot towers in Australia at 59 metres tall. It offers fantastic views over the Derwent River and looks out to Opossum Bay and the South Arm Peninsula. There is a fantastic walk that starts from the Shot Tower called the Alum Cliffs Track which is 6 kilometres long (2 hours return walk) offering great coastal views and allows dogs on a lead.
Heading further south, the next stop is Margate- home to the famous Margate Train, Inverawe Native Gardens & the Channel Museum. It also has a great fruit and veg shop called Meredith’s Orchard. Margate also has a park called Dru Point a great place to take your dog/dogs for a walk or let the kids run free in the great playground! Recently, they added a “storybook”, which is on sixteen pedestals along the main footpath - the current story is about Tasmanian Tigers travelling around Tasmania.\
Driving down the Southern Edge (Credit: Bradley Hudson)
Up next is Snug, which has one of Tasmania’s best waterfalls and is a real hidden gem being only a one-hour return walk and is dog friendly. Kettering is another great spot to visit, being the gateway to Bruny Island, and also has a cute little chocolate shop called Nutpatch chocolates. For a great meal, head to the Seawall café which has fantastic views over Oyster Cove Marina.
Continuing the loop in Woodbridge, you will find Grandvewe Cheese and Hartshorn Distillery. Sample sheep’s cheeses at Ewenique Tasting House at Grandvewe, a farm and cheesery that is also home to Hartshorn Distillery, producing spirits based on sheep’s whey, usually a waste product in cheesemaking.
Making your way around the loop you come to a lovely town called Cygnet. A quirky town with lots of arts and crafts shops and galleries. It’s a great place for brunch or lunch as there are some great cafes. At the end of the loop is Huonville, which is the main town in the Huon Valley. The Huon Jet boat is great fun and an exciting activity for families. The only white-water rapids jet boat ride in Australia, it takes you on a thrilling 35-minute journey through the riverbank, weaving in and out of the forest canopy, over exciting rapids, and through 360-degree spins.
Finish up the day at Willie Smiths Apple Shed and Charles Oates Distillery - sample some of Tasmania’s best cider and enjoy their famous apple pie! I recently volunteered there as part of their annual Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival, which was great fun for all ages and featured costumes, the burning of Big Willie and great music!
Bradley Hudson - Travel Advisor
Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre
