The Agrarian Kitchen Cooking School & Farm
Housed in a charming 19th century schoolhouse in the Derwent Valley, The Agrarian Kitchen was founded in 2008 by Rodney Dunn and Séverine Demanet. The aim was to offer paddock-to-plate cooking classes with produce supplied from their own farm. Today, that school is thriving alongside what has become one of Tasmania’s most lauded restaurants, which is a short trip down the road in New Norfolk.
A: 650 Lachlan Road, Lachlan TAS 7140
Ph: (03) 6261 1099
W: theagrariankitchen.com
In The Hanging Garden
A Mona offshoot, In The Hanging Garden occupies nearly a city block in central Hobart, with a tiered, multi-purpose open-air space that has flexibility in its DNA, with the venue originally a servant of MONA’s Dark Mofo festival, feeding and watering attendees and staging live events. It still does this, but operates year-round, with a roof now shielding patrons from rain, if not the cold. Eat, drink be merry and catch some live music while you’re at it.
A: 112 Murray St, Hobart TAS 7000
W: inthehanginggarden.com.au
MONA
The Museum of Old and New Art is the most significant private gallery in the southern hemisphere. Situated on a promontory that intrudes into the Derwent River, which also accommodates David Walsh’s other flagship enterprise, Moorilla Estate, Mona has become a focal point for the cultural explosion that has enveloped Hobart. With several food and drink options, dazzling temporary installations – complete with a digital guide that lets you choose between “Art Wank” or “Gonzo” explications of the works, with the latter authored by Walsh himself, and even “Love” and “Hate” voting buttons on the pieces – and a movable feast of temporary shows, MONA, to use a well-worn phrase, is truly a feast for the senses.
A: 655 Main Rd, Berriedale TAS 7011
Ph: (03) 6277 9978
W: mona.net.au
Saint John
Craft beer aficionados rejoice! Launceston’s temple to craft beer has 14 taps pouring an ever-rotating roster of beers from Tasmania, the mainland and around the world, with somewhere close to 200 also available in bottle or can. At lunch, takeaway food is welcome, with excellent nearby options, while in the evening, a food truck parked out back caters to those needs, with salads snacks and, of course, burgers – and vegans and vegetarians are well-catered for, too.
A: 33 St John St, Launceston TAS 7250
Ph: (03) 6333 0340
W: saintjohncraftbeer.com.au
Seaplane Flights
Strapping on a backpack and setting off into the wilderness on foot isn’t for everyone, and time doesn’t always allow for it. If you fancy taking in the natural beauty of remote Tasmania in comfort and abbreviated form, Above & Beyond is Tasmania’s only seaplane charter service, with scenic flights across the rugged wilderness of the south-west to tours up the west coast, past Wineglass Bay and The Hazards. If time is even tighter, a short scenic flight over Hobart and surrounds is no problem either.
A: Kings Pier Marina, Franklin Wharf Hobart TAS 7054
Ph: 1300 338 303
W: aboveandbeyond.flights
Two Metre Tall
After a decade running a winery in France’s Languedoc, Ashley Huntington and his wife Jane bought a farm in the Derwent Valley to continue the winemaking story. That story was disrupted by the hop-growing history of the area. So, instead of wine, Huntington embarked on a farmhouse ale and cider journey, with his range of naturally fermented offerings unlike any in the country – he even refers to his methods as brewing on the “lunatic fringe”. Taste for yourself onsite, with hand-pumped cider and ale, and bottle sales for takeaway. Barbecue facilitates are available and picnics welcomed. And the name? Huntington is rather tall.
A: 2862 Lyell Highway, Hayes TAS 7140
Ph: 0400 969 677
W: 2mt.com.au
Two Metre Tall
After a decade running a winery in France’s Languedoc, Ashley Huntington and his wife Jane bought a farm in the Derwent Valley to continue the winemaking story. That story was disrupted by the hop-growing history of the area. So, instead of wine, Huntington embarked on a farmhouse ale and cider journey, with his range of naturally fermented offerings unlike any in the country – he even refers to his methods as brewing on the “lunatic fringe”. Taste for yourself onsite, with hand-pumped cider and ale, and bottle sales for takeaway. Barbecue facilitates are available and picnics welcomed. And the name? Huntington is rather tall.
A: 2862 Lyell Highway, Hayes TAS 7140
Ph: 0400 969 677
W: 2mt.com.au
