Indulge in Tasmania’s best high teas

Tassie’s heritage charm, slower pace and fresh produce makes it the perfect place for high tea. Linger over exquisite sandwiches, decadent cakes, pastries, fluffy scones and pots of tea and Champagne in some of the island’s best locations.

Everything is next-level at Hobart’s audacious art museum, including the recent addition of high tea for two in the new emerald-hued Ladies Lounge.

Created by Mona curator Kirsha Kaechele, this unique experience is inspired by her American socialite great-grandmother’s decadent parties. Expect Champagne, caviar, a butler and art that’s not only on the walls, as you become part of a living art installation.

Traditionalists adore afternoon tea in the elegant, light-filled atrium at Hadley’s Orient Hotel. This grand heritage-listed establishment does everything just right, from loose-leaf tea to dainty sweet and savoury treats inspired by Victorian-era classics. Want to take tradition to the max? Book the tea and horse-drawn carriage combo and arrive in style!

Established in 2017 as a purveyor of quality tea and fine-bone china tea sets, Hobart Town Tea Co soon took the next step and opened tea rooms. You can count on an excellent cuppa here, but from cake to cucumber sandwiches the food’s fabulous too. The generous spread may be Tasmania’s best-value high tea at just $25 per person.

It’s always a pleasure to pause for a meal among Cygnet Old Bank’s cottage-style garden and Federation-era architecture.

Why not make it a highlight of your time in the Huon Valley by booking their Saturday afternoon high tea? Sweet and savoury bites are prepared with produce from this famously fertile region, and best enjoyed with a flute of Tasmanian bubbles.

With vineyard views outside Riversdale Estate’s pretty Orangery dining room, it’s difficult to resist starting their high tea with house sparkling.

Available Friday-Sunday, this special meal becomes even more tempting when themed high teas pop up in the calendar. From The Great Gatsby to Christmas in July, there’s a theme for every taste, but kids especially love the frequent Peter Rabbit teas – and Riversdale’s Peter Rabbit Garden.

After an invigorating alpine walk, treat yourself to Cradle Mountain Lodge’s Tasmanian High Tea. Or treat yourself even if you’ve just been looking at the island’s iconic peak from afar, because scrumptious Tassie bites in the lodge’s rustic-luxe lounge will be a holiday highlight. But plan ahead, because this high-altitude tea is only available on Saturday afternoons. 

Looking for French delicacies with a side of striking views over majestic Mount Roland? Then you can't go past a high tea at Eagles Nest Retreat. This ultra-luxe retreat offers a one-hour experience which includes three decadent desserts inspired by French patisserie, sandwiches, a bottle of sparkling and of course a selection of fine teas.

• Penghana: This National Trust property in Queenstown serves tea April-November.
• I’m in Heaven Tea Room and Gift Shoppe: Old-fashioned bliss in Ulverstone.
• Glen Derwent Tea Rooms: Step back in time in New Norfolk.
• Marion Storm: Glimpse Bass Strait over a tiered stand in Devonport.
• The Grand on Macfie: More Devonport indulgence in a heritage house.
• Lazy Teas: Check this Sheffield tea room’s high-tea schedule.
• The Duchess Cafe: Point your pinky finger in Hobart’s swankiest suburb, Sandy Bay.
• City hotels offering high tea include Crowne Plaza Hobart, Grand Chancellor Hobart and Grand Chancellor Launceston.

Discover some of Tassie's gourmet wonders with this five-day gourmet adventurer road trip.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.