Pontville Attractions
Pontville Tasmania
The scenic riverside settlement of Pontville is rich in heritage and natural attractions. Located near Brighton, just north of Hobart, Pontville sits on a hill overlooking the Jordan River on one side and a vast plain on the other that was once an Aboriginal travelling route between Tasmania's north and south.
Lark Distillery.
Taste the purity of the Tasmanian landscape when you sample the world-class whisky produced by this boutique distillery on Hobart’s historic wharf. Lark Distillery is one of Australia’s foremost producers of premium spirits, a reputation that it owes to the expertise of its distillers and the quality of its local ingredients. Find out how Lark Distillery merges passion and science to create high-quality malt whisky and other spirits and learn about the 150-year gap in Tasmania’s distilling history. Taste world-class single malt whiskies, aromatic liqueur and gin flavored with uniquely Tasmanian botanicals.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with a range of native Tasmanian animals, such as the Tasmanian devil, wombats, bettongs, and wallabies. This is a great trip for all animal lovers, and for kids especially. If you can, visit Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary at night for a night tour, where you’ll be guided around the Sanctuary in small groups and have the chance to feed many of their animals.
Coal Valley Vineyard.
The Coal Valley Vineyard is a stunningly located, five hectare winery in the Coal River Valley, South East Tasmania producing award winning wines with a focus on Pinot Noir. Visitors are welcomed 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm for wine tastings and sales. The cellar door is perched just above the vineyard with panoramic views out over the Coal River Valley. We can arrange a tour to suit your palate or simply sit back and take in Southern Tasmania’s glorious scenery as your private Chauffeur takes you on a gourmet tour across one of the world most stunning wine regions.
Epsom House.
The Epsom House is one of Australia’s hundred oldest houses. Its boutique historic ambience is ideal for bespoke weddings and receptions with a rare ballroom, 2 acres of English gardens, and grand period accommodation. It is also one of Australia’s finest music venues with international and Australian artists performing regularly.
The Jordan River Trail.
The Jordan River Trail is a historic heritage walk that begins near Andrew Street and heads north along the left bank of the Jordan River. The track takes you to the ford across the Jordan, follows a footpath to the Midland Highway, winds past the sports ground and equestrian centre, and continues along the river to Hartley Court. There are plenty of scenic spots along the walk and a detour into the Pontville Historic Precinct is well worthwhile. Cyclists and dogs on leads are welcome.
The Crown Inn & Bushrangers Bistro.
The Crown Inn was built of local stone in 1835, beside the Jordan River at Pontville. Country style friendly, Bushrangers Bistro serves excellent meals every day while the licensees will provide a rare standard of personal hospitality that is only possible in an establishment of this size. With a public bar, inside and outside dining and lounge bar, The Crown Inn, Pontville is a great place to stop, any day or evening.
Hobart Attractions
Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).
The Mona is Australia's largest private museum and one of the most controversial private collections of modern art and antiquities in the world. Described by its owner as a "subversive adult Disneyland", the collection includes everything from ancient Egyptian mummies to some of the world's most infamous and thought-provoking contemporary art. With around 300 art works on display, the collection takes up three floors within a subterranean architectural masterpiece and is guaranteed to impress.
Kunanyi/Mount Wellington.
The 21-km drive to the summit passes through temperate rainforest to sub-alpine flora and glacial rock formations, ending in panoramic views of Hobart, Bruny Island, South Arm and the Tasman Peninsula. Mt Wellington is a wilderness experience just a 20-minute drive from Hobart and is much loved by locals.
Salamanca Markets.
Set among the historic Georgian sandstone buildings of Salamanca Place in Hobart, this famous market attracts thousands of locals and visitors every Saturday of the year. Salamanca Market is one of those special places where you actually meet the people who create, make or grow what they sell. The nearly 300 stallholders include makers of hand-made Tasmanian pieces from woodwork to jewellery, fashion to fanciful glassware and ceramics. Of course, there are also fantastic fresh fruit and organic vegetables, all accompanied by buskers and music.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is Australia’s cool climate garden, with a number of unique collections including Australia’s only Subantarctic Plant House. With a total of 14 hectares to explore, visitors can take time to relax and explore or tailor a walk based on personal interest. Established in the early years of the colony of Hobart it is Australia’s second oldest Botanic Gardens, established just two years after Sydney. The Gardens' are easily viewed over the course of a relaxed day.
Constitution Dock.
Part of the larger Hobart port area, Constitution Dock offers plenty of dining, shopping, and sightseeing opportunities. Used mainly by fishing boats and private yachts, the dock is famous for being the party venue for the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Grab a bite at one of the waterfront restaurants or seafood stalls at the northern end of the dock. Shop at Saturday's market of the nearby Salamanca Place, or spend time exploring historic buildings and structures, such as the 1899 steam crane and the 1935 drawbridge.
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG).
Located on Hobart's historic waterfront, the TMAG is the second oldest museum in Australia and has its origins in the collections of the country's oldest scientific society, the Royal Society of Tasmania, which was established in 1843.
TMAG has something to offer visitors of all ages and interests, whether you are family seeking an educational and engaging experience, a tourist seeking to discover more about Tasmania's history or an art lover. The museum incorporates more than 2,000 square metres of public and exhibition spaces, a centralised visitor services hub and a Courtyard Café.
Brooke Street Pier.
The new Brooke Street Pier is a four-storey floating pier. It is both a building and a boat. The concept recreates the former Brooke Street Pier with a modern innovative interpretation - using the maritime heritage and architecture of the precinct to deliver a new, vibrant working cruise/ferry centre. The Brooke Street Pier houses restaurants and ferry terminal facilities. It is simply - totally unique.
Cascade Brewery.
The Cascade Brewery is Australia’s oldest brewery, built in 1832 and still in use today. Found in South Hobart, nestled on the foothills of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington The building itself stands rather imposingly against its backdrop, a beautiful example of older, colonial architecture.
Take a tour of the Cascade Brewery to learn the secrets behind the brews. Settle in at the bar and restaurant and taste the delicious range of beer and cider, enjoying top views of the brewery’s charming historic facade and lovely Heritage-listed gardens.
Popular Day Trips
Port Arthur Historic Site.
Listed as a World Heritage Site, this is one of Australia's most intact and evocative convict sites and one of Australia's great tourist attractions. Located on the Tasman Peninsula, the site has more than 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes dating from the prison's establishment in 1830 until its closure in 1877. During this time around 12,500 convicts served sentences and for many it was a living hell. Today, the site sits in 40 hectares of landscaped grounds and you'll need plenty of time to fully experience all that it has to offer.
Tasman Peninsula.
Don’t make the mistake of rushing the drive from Hobart to the Tasman Peninsula en route to Port Arthur. Instead, break the 90-minute drive with stops to explore at a more leisurely pace. There are stunning rock formations around Eaglehawk Neck, including the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch and Blowhole, and lovely panoramic views across Pirates Bay. For a leisurely lunch and a glass or two of sparkling, visit the cellar door at Bangor Vineyard Shed.