That's a lot of mileage! Heading toward Launceston East of D'port, there's the Ashford cheese factory (tasting) on the way and don't go past the Raspberry Farm cafe ( excellent) at Strawberry Hill a bit past Deloraine and also on the way to Launceston. Raspberries in season. In Launceston City try Kondatori Manfred (Cafe)in George Street (I think, can check) for a great meal. St Helens I'm not sure of since our friends in Binalong came back to civilisation, but there is a good pancake parlour at Elephant Pass if you are brave enough to drive that road! Salamanca is only on Saturdays so if you head for Hobart arrive for Saturday. If you stay in Hobart and like Indian food the Anapurna in Elizabeth street, South Hobart is great. There are many award winning restaurants in the same street, for Italian Marti Zucco. For the best fish, Muirs on the waterfront. Remember it will be the end of the Sydney Hobart race and busy so get your accommodation booked. I think Taste of Tasmania is on about then, on Elizabeth Street Pier. At Salamanca, if you are not vegetarians try the German Sausage stand for fantastic sausages with lots of mustards etc. Nice shop called spice world in Hobart too also has a stall in Salamanca so if you want to stock up on good spices he's your man. If you should get to head for Stanley, there are a number of excellent restaurants there. West of Devonport there's a little town called Penguin where the best food can be had at a cafe called Wild - you might need to book ahead at that time of the year. We go there every month or more often if we get the chance. At Wynyard is my place where you would be very welcome to stop by for a meal, bed or whatever. Email me offlist and if I can help you I will be happy to do so.
Cheers
Linda

Spatz I agree with Linda and add Kates Berry Farm on the way from St Helens to Hobart. For a seafood restaurant I would recommend Kelly's in Battery Point. At this time of year there are lots of pick your own berries and fruit. Places to try are New Norfolk and Sorrell Berry Farm. If you are driving down the Channel. A meal at Cygnet at the Red Velvet Lounge is fun. Also Pear Ridge in Margate is a restaurant overlooking its own potager garden. You can just walk through the garden and talk to Catherine, mother of the owner and vegie gardener. If you want to meet for a coffee or a meal, send me an email offlist. Helen

*furiously making notes* Thanks heaps Linda and Helen! These are fantastic suggestions and I'm writing them all down to present to my 2 fellow travellers. :) Linda, all accommodation, etc. was booked a few months ago. So we don't have to worry about anything. All we have to do is go there and enjoy ourselves. Thanks also to both of you for your very generous offers. As this is a very busy time for everybody I really do not want to inconvenience you. However, IF we (and you) have time, I wouldn't mind having a wander through your vegie gardens! *grins*

Linda, we did have plans to go via Elephant Pass (my mum requested it). Why would we have to be brave to do so? Is the road bad?

hi spatz the road to elephant pass is winding, but it really worth the drive. take it easy and you should be fine and the pancakes are worth the trip! H

It is spectacular, but needs you to be alert in case the Elephants decide to overtake! Seriously, it is winding as Helen says, but well worth the effort. I'm not sure if the pancake parlour is still there, but I also thought you must look in at Woodbridge and the Channel for cherries which will be about ready by then. Just let us know nearer the time and I'll give you phone numbers in case you get the chance. Linda

Some other things to look out for is the Ashbolts elderberry drink and Coombend winery on the way down from St Helens- lovely Sauvignon Blanc and olive oil. The cherry farm, Domeneys, that Linda is referring to, closed down last year, but you still can get cherries from the Huon Valley, Sorrell Berry Farm and places in the Derwent Valley H

Closed down!! Now I'm glad I came back north - Snug was only bearable because of the drive through the Channel and the produce on the way. ( And the fishing at Gordon!) I have an idea Spatz will need to come back for a longer trip, like most of the tourists that think they can drive the island in a day!

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Good to hear the Elephant Pass is only winding. That's fine - we live in the hills and are used to very winding roads. :) Unfortunately, we couldn't plan a longer stay - I'm glad we were able to get away at all! Work. *sigh* Anyway, we are now spoilt for choice. Thanks so much. :)

Sounds like Tasmanians are spoilt for choice food-wise. Perhaps I should buy my piece of dirt there!!!

We've got a spare five acres of swamp at the new Childcare centre my daughter is opening; which apparently has been named "Grandma's Garden" - I've told them I'll work it when either one of them can cook a half decent Christmas dinner - there were no takers - Something genetic on their father's side............ Linda

And if anybody sees Spatz and Co. lurking 'round Binalong, tell 'em not to forget the dunes just out of StHelens. Quite an amazing thing.

Ray, we are grazing our way through Tasmania. This is a fantastic place. Great food, great scenery. Wow! Pigging out on absolutely fantasticly fresh and gigantic raspberries. Cheese tastings, fresh salmon, Tasmanian wine.... Adam, we stayed a night in St. Helens and really enjoyed the sea, sun, wind and views. We are having a wonderful time here. We just arrived in Hobart and are staying at a lovely cottage. We left St. Helens this morning and went to the Elephant Pass for pancakes. Great drive and just superdelicious pancakes. Thus energised we went to Freycinet National Park to walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout. Lovely walk, great views, and the lookout was definitely worth the walk. Here's the view: We just love Tasmania! :)

Bummer. Piccies don't work. Tried several browsers and methods. Sorry, folks. You can't drool over our pancakes and the Wineglass Bay.

Yeeehhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa........ I saw Pete's vegie patch at the Hobart Botanic Garden!!!!!! :) (And I met mercury and we had a good old gardening natter.) :)

Sounds like you're having a great time. Re pics, it seems we'll need to use a photo service like Photobucket or whatever and put links on the bottom of our posts. I've written to iVillage asking whether ignoring HTML tags (putting pics up, highlighting etc) is just temporary or new policy. Don't expect to hear from them till next week.

We to are planning a trip to Tasmania (first time for me). Spatz, I'll wait for your "musts" list as far as the food thing is concerned. Those gigantic rasberries mmmmmmm...wondering if there are going to be any left at the end of January? We should be there from the 25th of jan to 11th of feb still working out itinerary. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Lyn, today we bought 3 kilos of cherries. They are really big and soooo tasty. 1 kilo was gone in no time. Must remember to take a picture before they are all gone. Have also been pigging out on blueberries (my absolute favourite berries.) Today we were sheep cheese tasting. My goodness, life is good around here. :)

Lyn - raspberries are a bit late this year so should be top tasting by the end of the month. Webbers are always welcome to drop in if you make it this far. Spatz - life is good around here but don't tell too many people - we like it quiet! Linda

Wineglass Bay (Freycinet Peninsula):

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Pancakes at Elephant Pass:
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