Food & Wine in Tasmania

Tasmania is a foodie's paradise, boasting a range of gourmet specialties nurtured locally by the mild climate, clean air, fertile soil and unspoiled waters that surround the island. Crisp apples, rich blueberries and tangy raspberries are ripe for the picking at Lilydale, Lalla, Swansea and Sorell where they're ready to be samples straight from the tree.

On Saturdays, the Salamanca Markets in Hobart offer a range of local produce; including herbs, vinegars, mustards, bush honeys, organic goods. You also have the opportunity to greet the very people responsible for producing these fantastic local delicacies. A visit to one of the specialty delicatessens across the state will also give you a taste of the homemade condiments, smoked and fresh fancies, tender beef and lamb, the freshest vegetables, honeys, truffles, handmade chocolates and jellies.

Tasmania is also home to some of Australia's oldest breweries and some of the world's finest ales. The island is renowned for its high-quality hops in the Derwent Valley. The two major beer producers here are Cascade Brewery with James Boag & Sons and Boag's Premium one of Australia's most awarded beers.

With over 200 vineyards, Tasmania produces superb sparkling wines and rich deep reds that attract attention throughout Australia and overseas. The complex nuances of the pinot noirs, sauvignon blancs, chardonnays and rieslings are perfectly accompanied by award winning dessert wines.

And what else goes better with fine wine than fine cheese? Cheeses here are consistent winners and include the award winning, widely recognised King Island cheese. Produced by international and boutique cheese makers they include specialties such as wasabi, sheep's milk pecorino and goats milk varieties. Keep an eye out for big names like Nick Haddow who is among the first in Australia to produce unpasteurised cheeses.

Girt by sea, Tasmania's seafood is some of the freshest and is highly sought after both interstate and internationally. Renowned for its Atlantic salmon, ocean trout, blacklip and greenlip abalone, scallops, crayfish, octopus and oysters, Tasmania's seafood is served straight from the sea and onto your plate.