The secret’s out: eight Tasmanian hidden gems

Shh! You are looking at some of Tassie’s most secret places right here, places most visitors don’t know about. Come with us and explore a side of Tassie you’ve never seen before.

Ever craved a delicious cup of tea and a brownie after a long bushwalk? Or a good coffee and a gourmet pie after a morning spent mountain-biking? Dreams come true about halfway up Mount Wellington / kunanyi, where the Lost Freight shipping-container kiosk offers silky coffees, gourmet pies and decadent cakes in a secret location amid the bush.

One minute you’re driving through farmland, the next you’re walking among Tassie’s pristine rainforest, surrounded by trees and ferns. Trowutta Caves State Reserve’s lush rainforest is reason enough to visit, but 10 minutes in Trowutta Arch suddenly appears and you’ll wonder why it isn’t famous. This large natural arch frames a vivid green sinkhole pond in one direction, and a mass of tree ferns in the other – making this a true insta-worthy secret location.

The quaint north-coast town of Ulverstone hides a delicious secret… I’m in Heaven Tearoom and Gift Shoppe lives up to its name – especially for those who enjoy settling in with a good cuppa amid old timey charm, from vintage china, silverware and crystal to lace curtains and a grand antique sideboard. Treat yourself to high tea with all the trimmings, and take time to browse the pretty things for sale, from teatime accoutrements to teddy bears.

Just 8km south of Burnie, you will find Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden which has been blooming under most tourists’ radar for decades. It’s an 11-hectare celebration of rhododendrons – stunning flowering shrubs that look their best from September to November. This garden is always lovely though, because there are thousands of other plants peaking at different times, plus picturesque lakes, bridges, gazebos, native animals and a tearoom too.

You can probably guess it by its name, but yes – the Pub in the Paddock is literally a pub, sitting in the middle of a paddock. Located pretty much in the middle of nowhere out east, this rustic charmer is one of Tasmania’s oldest pubs. Settle in by the wood fire for a beer and hearty meal, from chicken parmigiana to homemade plum pudding, or even stay the night. Be sure to say g’day to resident superstar Priscilla the pig!

Hobart of the 1820s has all but vanished, but just up the road in Richmond there’s a model village that authentically recreates the early colony. A little history lesson visitors of all ages love walking through, Old Hobart Town features more than 60 itty-bitty buildings, 100-plus bonsai trees, and 500 petite people, from convicts and soldiers to ladies of the night.

Explore a tract of southern Tasmanian rainforest that’s reserved just for Railtrack Riders, the only experience of its kind in Australia. Custom made to glide along a decommissioned railway track, the pedal-powered open vehicles let you become immersed in nature’s sights, sounds and scents. Travel at your own pace, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and industrial relics of the past.

Tucked inside the State Library of Tasmania’s practical 1962 building is an unlikely little museum of exquisite decorative arts from the late 17th through 19th centuries. One of Australia’s hidden cultural gems, the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts is a treasure trove of antique domestic furniture, ceramics, silverware, glass and more – yet entry is absolutely free.

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