Overview
Tasmania's longstanding farming traditions and wealth of inventive small-batch producers have turned the state into a must-visit culinary destination for food lovers. With the island's cool climate and diverse landscape providing incredible conditions, Tasmania is blessed with some of Australia's top seafood, fresh produce and wineries.
If you're looking to fill your next Tassie trip with a plethora of palate pleasers, you've come to the right place. We've teamed up with Tourism Tasmania to help you navigate your way to the finest food festivals and farmers markets. From the rugged northwest coast to the bustling streets of Hobart, here's all you need to discover incredible food and drink on your travels.
Tourism Tasmania and Adam Gibson
GREAT EASTERN WINE WEEK
Sample some of the best cool-climate wines in Australia at the lavish 10-day Great Eastern Wine Week festival. Held in September across venues from Bream Creek to St Helens, the festival brings together the coastline's top winemakers, growers and producers to celebrate everything special about the region's viticulture and cuisine.
Whether you're a lover of good food or a staunch oenophile, the festival's gourmet events and experiences will accompany your journey with exceptional flavours in tow. Discover what makes this wine region so celebrated as you enjoy coastal oysters and high tea among the vines, sipping on a high-end pinot noir or chardonnay.
Tourism Tasmania and Tony Crehan
WYNYARD TULIP FESTIVAL
Tasmania's northwest coast is admired for its craggy landmarks like Cradle Mountain and Gunns Plains Caves. However, you can take the relax-factor up a notch with a visit to Wynyard Tulip Festival. Set in a charming regional hub, the one-day event is held at Gutteridge Gardens, along the banks of the Inglis River, in the picturesque town of Wynyard.
The floral festival will take place on Saturday, October 8, with live music, children's entertainment and market stalls spotlighting the craft goods from local makers and producers. While you're in the area, head to nearby Table Cape Tulip Farm to walk through hectares of colourful flower fields while they're in full bloom for the month of October.
Tourism Tasmania and Jason Charles
STANLEY & TARKINE FORAGE FESTIVAL
Set on the dramatic tip of Tasmania's northwest coast, Stanley is an ideal base to explore the remarkable takayna/Tarkine — the second-largest cool-temperate rainforest in the world. But this spectacular part of the world isn't just home to jagged clifftops and sprawling nature walks. Soon, the inaugural Stanley & Tarkine Forage Festival, showcasing the region's delicious produce, will also be attracting visitors.
The 10-day festival will run from Friday, November 11 till Sunday, November 20, at multiple locations throughout the surrounding Circular Head region. Expect a program filled with events aplenty: tastings, live performances, markets and exhibitions that capture the heart and soul of the region. From grass-fed beef to fresh seafood plucked from the nearby coastal waters, the festival will acquaint you with this remote area's burgeoning food scene in no time.
Liza Jane Sowden
EFFERVESCENCE TASMANIA
Courtesy of a cool climate delivering the high acidity and purity needed to produce a superior product, Tasmanian sparkling wine has quickly achieved a world-class reputation. Now in its ninth year, Effervescence Tasmania invites the island state's top sparkling wine makers to showcase their drops to local and visiting epicurists.
From Friday, November 11 till Sunday, November 13, the region's most beloved chefs and food producers will present a refined Tasmanian feast — paired with stand-out bubbles, no less. Through dinners and masterclasses hosted by industry experts, this event will provide all the answers you need as to why Tassie's reputation for sparkling wine is exploding internationally.
Tourism Tasmania
FARM GATE MARKET
A visit to Farm Gate Market is essential for any weekend spent in Hobart. Every Sunday on Bathurst Street, you can purchase locally grown goods and have a chat with the people who grow and make them. With the market held year round, there's likely to be something new to try each time you visit.
Alongside farm-fresh fruit and veggies, you'll also find everything from artisanal raw honey to homemade sourdough and more. Plus, there's street performers and live musicians in attendance too — creating a bright, buzzy atmosphere at this quintessential Hobart festivity.
Ready to plan a trip for your tastebuds around Tasmania? To discover more, visit the website.
Top images: Tourism Tasmania