Herbaceous Tours offers a unique opportunity to actually meet farmers and vintners. We take you to farms; vineyards and food producers where you actually get to meet and talk to the people producing the product, be it wine, ice cream, cheese, mushrooms, oysters, small goods, salmon and a host of other wonderful Tasmanian produce. You also get to see some spectacular Tasmanian scenery, learn some local history and taste amazing food.
We can also customise day tours to many other parts of Tasmania, not just food and wine tours, maybe a day trip to historical Oatlands to see a re-enactment at one of Australia’s oldest Supreme Courts, have a guided tour of the town and one of the very few working windmills, then enjoy a lovely lunch which includes bread made from the flour ground at the Mill. The choices are endless! Also check out our facebook page for guests’ comments and up to date information on what is happening!
Huon Valley 1 Meet the Maker Food and Wine Tour
Our first stop is at Huon Mushrooms where you will be totally amazed by the process of growing Shiitake and Oyster Mushrooms which is quite a long and labour intensive process. After a visit here you will understand why they cost a little more than white mushrooms! Next we travel over to Glaziers Bay to visit with Nicky and Terry and learn all about Saffron. They have won many awards and are a font of all knowledge in relation to Saffron growing and quality. When you hear about some of the less than scrupulous practices overseas you will never again buy anything but Tasmanian Saffron! An added bonus on this stop is learning the many health benefits associated with saffron. Lunch is at the renowned Hartzview Vineyard where we also get to taste their amazing range of fruit wines. Not only are they good to drink some are incredible over ice cream! There will also be time to wander around the Heritage Pickers Village which gives an amazing insight to the conditions that pickers endured during the season. After lunch we are off to Panorama Wines where Sharon or one of her helpers will guide us through their range of products. Don't forget to try the Pear Liqueur and you won't want to leave without a bottle! Our last stop is with Jeff at the Apple Museum where he will explain the history of apple farming in the Huon and crank up some of the old machines used in the industry. You will then have some time to wander around the Starving Artists Gallery and Blossom's Gift shop before we head back to Hobart.
Huon 1 Tours depart on 16 January 2012, 6 February 2012, 19 March 2012
Price Aud$130.00 per person
Huon Valley 2 Meet the Maker Food and Wine Tour
On the Huon 2 tour our first port of call is Huon Valley Mushrooms where we learn the different conditions for the variety of mushrooms they grow such as White, Honey Brown, Oyster and Shiitake. We come back down the track to visit Jeff at the Apple Museum where he will explain the history of apple farming in the Huon and crank up some of the old machines used in the industry. You will then have some time to wander around the very interesting Museum, Starving Artists Gallery and Blossom's Gift shop as well as sample some of the local apple products, be sure to try the Apple Chutney! Our next stop is the award winning Home Hill Vineyard for morning tea and then a tasting. The buildings of this very picturesque vineyard are made of rammed earth and local hardwoods. We then travel to the village of Franklin for lunch at Petty Sessions and may have time to explore some of the Antique shops. Our next stop is to Wendy and David at Elmside Estate to find out about growing olives on a small holding, they also have some lovely Alpacas. Our last stop of the day is to visit Clausen’s Orchard which grows many varieties of apples; depending on the season Richard may well put you to work so you get a real idea of what happens! The views from both Elmside Estate and Clausen's Orchard are spectacular so don't forget your camera!
Huon 2 Tours depart on 28 November 2011, 18 January 2012, 20 February 2012
Price Aud$130.00 per person
CHANNEL Meet the Maker Food and Wine Tour
This tour to the Channel area will see us visiting Rex at Kelty Farm to discuss his organic farming methods for Black Angus, apples and Berkshire pigs. Then it is off to Yves at Miellerie Honey to learn where Yves places his hives in Tassie so his honey gets its rich and different flavours and a fabulous taste test. Our next stop is Tassie Taste Buds to explore Anne's amazing veggie garden and see the different products she makes. Our lunch stop is at Peppermint Bay where you are sure to find something to tempt you! After lunch we visit Chris at Diemen Peppers where we will learn about the growing and harvesting of these wonderful native pepper trees. After all the walking we will be ready for afternoon tea so it is up the track to Fluerty's. Our last stop of the day is to Grandvewe Cheese where you will see all the aspects of sheep's cheese production and get to taste test their delicious range.
CHANNEL Tours Depart on 16 November 2011, 22 February 2012
Price Aud$130.00 per person
Please note Herbaceous Tours are not suitable for Children or people with limited mobility
BRUNY ISLAND TOUR Meet the Maker Food and Wine Tour
We travel down to Kettering to catch the ferry over to Bruny Island with our first stop being Murrayfield Station. Murrayfield is owned by the Indigenous Land Corporation and run by resident managers. They farm lamb and wool however Murrayfield is much more than just a sheep farm, it is a plays a vital part in Aboriginal land management, training and operates in conjunction with the Weetapoona Aboriginal Corporation. Our next stop is Jo, who won the Seafood Industry Young Achiever Award in 2009, at Get Shucked Oysters who will guide us through the whole production process with lots of interesting nuggets of information, for example did you know that most oysters start out life as male and change to female? Apart from all the information you get to taste some oysters straight from the sea! We stop for lunch at the Bruny Island Cheese Co, owned and operated by Nick Haddow, renowned artesian cheese maker who uses traditional techniques. Don't forget to try The Bastard which is a mixture of Goat and Cow's milk and fantastic with a glass of wine! We then travel to Adventure Bay to see Graham at Bruny Island Berries; depending on time we may have a quick stop to see if we can spot some Penguins! Graham has grows an amazing collection of berries, traditional ones such as Strawberries and Raspberries but also unusual types such as Youngberries and Jostaberries. The land has been in the same family since 1880 and has historical and environmental significance. Kathy and Graham offer some pretty delicious treats made from their own produce. Our last stop is to see Michael at Bruny Island Providore and Fudge. See how their wonderful fudge and truffles are made and don't forget to pick up a bottle of their Chocolate Sauce which can be poured over, well anything really, it's that good! You may catch a glimpse of the incredible Hiba Gardens, unfortunately we don't have time for a tour but you may want to think about a return visit but be sure to check with Michael first.
Bruny Island Tours Depart on 7 December 2011, 4 January 2012, 1 February 2012, 1 March 2012, 2 April 2012
Price Aud$150.00 per person
Please note Herbaceous Tours are not suitable for Children or people with limited mobility
