No trip to Hobart and Southern Tasmania is complete without a drive through the Huon Valley along The Huon Trail. Taking in the the fruit growing district of the Huon River valley, Port Huon, Bruny Island and the vast expanse of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, the Huon Trail incorporates busy towns and sleepy villages, serene boutique farms and World Heritage Wilderness areas accessed by roads that wind through a world of extensive and beautiful valleys and waterways.

Huon River, Franklin

The Huon Valley and the coasts of Port Huon and the D’Entrecasteaux Channel are places of natural beauty, perfect for a relaxing holiday, a short break or even a day trip from Hobart. Rich in maritime and rural heritage and populated friendly creative people, the region is known as much for its gorgeous scenery as it huon pine, apple orchards and boutique wineries and gourmet specialities. By big city standards, the roads are always quiet and there is something different around every corner.

Hartz Mountains

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The area to the south of Surveyors Bay and Huon Point forms the western shore of the lower reaches of D’Entrecasteaux Channel. It is from here that the South West wilderness areas of the state is accessed. The townships here are the southernmost, both inTasmania and the whole of Australia. Where the road finishes at Cockle Bay is the southernmost point one can drive a motor vehicle in Australia. On the way one can take a ride on a quaint narrow gauge bush railway, dip in a thermal pool, explore caves, walk to the southernmost top of Australia, visit the site where, in 1792, a French expedition led by Bruni D’Entrecasteaux set up camp and planted a vegetable garden, or simply take in the views across D’Entrecasteaux Channel to South Bruny Island.

Ida Bay Railway