Scottsdale

North East Park


Surrounded by beautiful parkland, trees and lakes, this pretty camping ground is just 1 km east of Scottsdale and just 20 minutes from Bridport.
There’s a well-designed playground on site along with some other residents - ducks, wallabies, a platypus or the rare burrowing crayfish. Scottsdale’s modern Forest Eco Centre in King St has a wealth of information about the area and is also well worth a look whilst in the area visiting North East Park.br>


Derby

Trail of the Tin Dragon

Situated in Derby and surrounding areas, the Trail of the Tin Dragon is the story of human endurance based on the discovery of tin
by Renison Bell in the late 1800’s. At that time tin was a very valuable commodity, highly prized for its non-corrosive properties and its usefulness in manufactured ‘tins’ for the preservation of food. Literally hundreds of mines were established, ranging in size from the large workings at places like Derby and Anchor Mine, to the many smaller, transient mine sites that were worked by small groups of men or single operators. As can be appreciated, the discovery of tin attracted thousands of fortune seekers from all over the world. Around nine hundred came from China, and archaeologists have identified nearly 40 sites throughout the north east where remains of Chinese mines can be found.
The Trail explores the Chinese influences, and our changing attitudes. Although the remains of the many Chinese mine workings
has been largely lost, evidence of their presence can still be found, especially in Branxholm, Moorina, and Welborough.

The Trail explores the story of mining at places like Derby, where the workings were so intense that they physically changed the landscape. The valley the township now stands in was largely created by the ‘hosing down’ of the hillside to release the alluvial tin deposits. In the process, the course of the Ringarooma River was changed. The mine created great wealth for its owners, until the 1929 flood burst the Cascade dam above the town, and washed away the mine workings, the low-lying parts of the township and a number of its inhabitants.
Although the mines have gone the land has been opened up to the next wave of settlers. The rich agricultural areas around Scottsdale were cleared, a railway was put through from Launceston, and the North-East as we know it today was established.
This is well worth the effort of stepping back in time and appreciating the “Trail of the Tin Dragon experience!

Legerwood

Legerwood Tree Sculptures
Just minutes from the township of Ringarooma are the magnificent Legerwood 'Memorial Tree Sculptures”. The history of the tree sculptures is based on local men killed in World War 1. The soldiers were subsequently recognised by the planting of the trees.
A few years ago the council declared the trees dangerous and ordered they should be cut down. The community was unhappy with this decision and there begun the idea to research the history of each soldier and come up with a solution to preserve their memorial.
Northeast chainsaw sculptor Eddie Freeman was commissioned to sculpture the trees at Legerwood. In an innovative solution,
Mr Freeman was asked to carve each of the remaining trunks to represent the men they honoured. Each carving depicts a story
of a soldier’s life and in amazing detail the sculpturing provides an insight into a
“work of art” which protects their memory for years to come. This is well worth the drive to Legerwood!

Pyengana

Pyengana Dairy Co Pty Ltd
Pyengana is a half hour drive from the north east coastal town of St Helens (27 kilometres/17 miles) and an hour from Scottsdale (73 kilometres/45 miles).
Pyengana is an Aboriginal word meaning the meeting of two rivers - and the Pyengana Dairy Company sits in this lush river valleyfavoured by dairy farmers. Tasty, sturdy cheeses have been made using traditional methods at Pyengana for more than 100 years, and present cheese maker Jon Healey still uses equipment from that time. You can watch cheese being made, sample some of Pyengana's award-winning produce and then buy your own hearty, mature cheddar. Or perhaps take home a fresh, cloth-wrapped cheese and lay it down to mature over winter. Visit the Dairy Shop for fresh milkshakes and cakes or browse the range of locally-made crafts and pottery.

St Columbia Falls

You can also visit some of the area's waterfalls including the cascading St Columbia Falls, plunging nearly 90 metres/295 feet from the Mount Victoria foothills to the South George River valley.
St Columbia Falls
The spectacular St Columbia Falls is situated about 30 minutes from St Helens and 12 kilometres from the township of Pyengana.
The Fall’s, which plunge 90 metres from the Mt Victoria foothills, can either be viewed from the car park or from a viewing platform at the end of an easy 15-20 minute rainforest walk.
The beautiful walk to the Fall’s is suitable for young children who will revel in the unique surroundings.
Ralph Falls are about 20 k.m’s from the township of Ringarooma is situated close to St Columbia Falls. Ralph Falls provides a spectacular display as it plummets down the channelled cliffs of Mt Victoria in the Mt Victoria Forest Reserve. As the longest single drop waterfall in Australia it’s worth the 20 minute return walk to ‘Norms Lookout’ at the top of the falls to see the single sheet of water plunge down the mountain. From the lookout, the panorama of the Ringarooma Valley opens before you with views to Bass Strait and the Furneaux Islands. Enjoy your walk under the Myrtle Rainforest canopy as you delight in the mosses and fern glades that thrive in this environment. An Eco-Toilet, Barbeque and shelter are available.

Pub in the Paddock

Pyengana is a half hour drive from the north east coastal town of St Helens (27 kilometres/17 miles) and an hour from Scottsdale
(73 kilometres/45 miles).
Licensed since 1880, the Pub in the Paddock is one of Tasmania’s oldest country pubs. Literally sitting in the middle of a paddock in the verdant Pyengana Valley, the Pub offers hearty country meals or morning and afternoon teas along with comfortable pub accommodation.
The Pub in the Paddock offers country accommodation and meals at Pyengana, North East Tasmania.
There are six rooms available with shared facilities. Choose from double rooms, a twin room or a single room.
There is also a room with a double bed and two bunks, accommodating up to four guests. Call in for a cool drink and meet the locals or stay a little longer and explore the local area.

Bay of Fires
The Bay of Fires is situated on the North Eastern coast of Tasmania extending from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point.
The bay was given its name in 1773 by Captain Tobias Furneaux, who saw the fires of Aboriginal people on the beaches.
This magical landscape of stunning contrasts features pure white beaches, vivid orange granite boulders and a ribbon of sapphire
and emerald seas, all fringed with rich forests. In 2009, this area was named one of the world's hottest travel destinations by international guide book Lonely Planet, once you experience it first hand, you'll understand why.
A wide range of activities can be pursued in the Bay of Fires area, including camping, beach activities, boating, bird watching, fishing, and swimming, surfing and walking tours.
The significance of the area has been acknowledged with national park status. This is a “have to see”, ask Rob for details!

Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm

Located at Nabowla, Tasmania, Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm was established in 1922. Bridestowe is one of the world's
largest single commercial lavender farms, producing the finest quality lavender flowers and lavender oil used traditionally in the perfumery industry. Developed by C. K. Denny, a highly skilled London perfumer who arrived in Tasmania in 1921. In 1922, Denny obtained lavender seeds from the French Alps which were planted at North Lilydale, not far from the present site. Such was the specialised and demanding nature of the project that it took 43 years before the Estate’s management was satisfied that problems f economic efficiency and rigorous quality control had been solved. Nowadays, Bridestowe Estate is internationally renowned for its technical and botanical research.
Bridestowe is considered to be one of Tasmania’s most spectacular sites during flowering in December and January. The five week harvest begins in late December with the distillation and processing of the lavender in full swing. The air of tranquility, subtle fragrance and beauty of Bridestowe continues to attract visitors throughout the year.
Tours
Informative guided tours are conducted during December and January. A transcript of the tour is available in Japanese, Indonesian and German. The tours help visitors to learn a little bit more about very special lavender, and hear a wonderful Tasmanian story
(over 85 years in the making) and experience the excellence in lavender that only Bridestowe can offer.
Visitors
Visitors are welcome to picnic under the established oak trees, walk through the endless fields or visit the Woodcrofte Café for
a bite to eat. Lavender products can be purchased along with locally made arts and crafts.

George Town & Low Head

Many visitors are surprised to hear that George Town is one of the oldest towns in Australia. George Town has one of the most important historic sites in North Eastern Tasmania and can claim to be one of the earliest European settlements in Tasmania.
As early as 1804 William Paterson camped on the site and by 1811 a permanent settlement had been established by Lachlan Macquarie and named after King George III.
The population reached 5000 around the turn of the century when gold was discovered at Lefroy (15 km east of town) in 1870's. Today George Town is a modern administrative centre. It is economically driven by the aluminium industry at Bell Bay and the
tourist industry which attracts people to this attractive area of northern Tasmania.
Old Watch House Museum
The Old Watch House Museum in Macquarie Street, George Town was originally the local lockup for both male and female offenders, originally built in 1843 it has been restored and now operates as a focal point of the regions rich history. View the Model Village - painstakingly recreated to scale by volunteer labour and the History Room operated by the George Town & District Historical Society.
Bass & Flinders Centre
In 1798 the explorers Bass & Flinders sailed with a crew of 8 in HM Colonial Sloop Norfolk right into the Tamar River and anchored off what is now George Town. The replica of His Majesty's colonial sloop Norfolk can now be viewed in the Bass & Flinders Centre
at 8 Elizabeth St, George Town along with a host of maritime history.

Pilot Station & Maritime Museum

A Pilot Station was established and manned at Low Head in 1805 but the stone buildings built by convicts to shelter workers from the weather didn't happen until 1835. The pilot station still guides ships in the River Tamar - it's the oldest continuously operating station in Australia.
The complex includes 10 rooms of maritime and communication memorabilia salvaged from the many shipwrecks on the north coast. Try the cafe for Devonshire teas or other light snacks, and enjoy the view.

Pipers Brook Estate

Just 15 minutes from Bridport in the heart of wine country is the renowned Pipers Brook Estate. Established in 1974, Pipers Brook Vineyard is an award-winning, cool-climate premium winery .
Pipers Brook Estate is a small winery where all its wines are estate-grown and bottled. The winery produces over ten varieties of red, white and sparkling wines under the Pipers Brook Vineyard, Pirie and Ninth Island labels. Pipers Brook Vineyard grapes are sourced entirely from within the Tasmanian appellation. Its wines are available in seventeen countries.

Jansz Wine Room & Vineyard

The Jansz vineyard in the Piper's Brook region of Northern Tasmania is planted on a mantle of red basalt soils. Jansz was founded as a partnership between Louis Roederer and region pioneer Heemskerk in the 1980’s at a time when Champagne houses were looking to the New World for opportunity. North East Tasmania provided an excellent site for producing wine. The proximity of Bass Strait moderates the natural cool climate, making it ideal for the slow ripening of fruit which develops intensity of flavour while retaining lingering acidity.
The cellar door has been transformed into an informative, interactive multimedia experience that provides opportunity for visitors to taste the exceptional range of wine products
Delamere Winery
Another quality winery situated in the Pipers Brook region. Delamere is one of the original vineyards planted in the Pipers Brook area. The fertile soils on the property had previously lent themselves to the successful establishment of a wonderfully diverse fruit orchard and market garden. It was the pioneering vision of Richard and Dallas Richardson that in 1981 saw the more elevated areas of the property planted out to the classic cool climate cultivars of pinot noir and chardonnay. Over the last 25 years Delamere has forged a reputation as one of Tasmania’s premium wine producers of both table and sparkling wines.
Delamere which hosts an annual “Shakespeare in the Winery” production each March long weekend has a Tasting Room within the winery facility.
Bay of Fires Winery
Located on the Pipers River in Pipers Brook region, the Bay of Fires wines reflect the courage and care of a dedicated group of Tasmanian winegrowers and the vision and spirit of their winemaking team.
The Bay of Fires Cellar Door offers a modern, architecturally-designed building set amongst established vineyards. With beautiful gardens and sweeping views over established vines the Cellar Door offers superb award winning wines in elegant and tranquil surrounds. The winery offers cheese platters and wines by the glass. A new and exciting range of wines awaits you at Bay of Fires Winery, which is also home to Arras, Australia's prestige sparkling wine.
Indulge, relax and experience Tasmanian wine at its best.

Exploring the Cellar Doors

There are many exceptional Cellar Doors throughout the North & North East of Tasmania. Touring the vineyards is as simple as it is scenic. Using the beautifully scenic destination of Bridport as a home base (or pick -up from your place of choice), Rob’s tours can take you along the well-defined wine route trail that weaves through the North East, experiencing the natural wonders of the Pipers Brook and Pipers River Region and then promenading back through the Tamar Valley for a wine route experience e of a life time.
The options are endless – Just ask Rob for the tour that best suits your wine experience needs!

The perfect Tasmanian experience