Top produce for picnicking in Tasmania

Tasmania’s fertile farmland, mild climate and clean, abundant waters deliver exceptional fresh produce, from fruit to seafood. Add gourmet products like wine and cheese, and the island’s beautiful landscape, for a picnic made in foodie paradise.

Late spring through early autumn is prime time for exploring a tasty region, buying goodies as you go. Seasonal produce includes instant pleasures like berries and plums, as well as tomatoes, cucumbers and other veggies easily thrown together for salads.

Picnic hunting and gathering in Tasmania’s north-west is simple with the region’s Tasting Trail, which showcases 44 delicious small businesses. Top options include cheesemakers Ashgrove and La Cantara, Mount Gnomon Farm for artisanal smallgoods and Tarkine Fresh Oysters, which offer takeaway packs.

Hazelbrae Hazelnuts has everything from fudge to spiced coffee hazelnuts, while berry farms include Plump Berries. They grow favourite and less familiar varieties, such as loganberries. Pick your own if you like, and sample their berry liqueurs; they make nice spritzes with soda. You’ll also find wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries on the trail.

Time it right for more from Devonport Farmers Market or Tasmania’s largest undercover market in Penguin. Then, when it’s picnic o’clock, consider picturesque, family-friendly Boat Harbour beach, or the Tasmanian Arboretum’s many shady trees.

The Tamar Valley is famous for wine, but there’s great food too – including in Launceston, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Its Harvest farmers market is potentially a one-stop shop for fresh produce, bread, cheese and more, or there’s always Alps and Amici gourmet foodstore.

Out of town, find charcuterie, pickles and preserves at Fork It Farm, and hazelnuts and seasonal veggies at Cherry Top. Heirloom tomatoes are just the beginning at Tasmanian Natural Garlic and Tomatoes, while Rosevears Farm has many kinds of berries and cherries too. At Hillwood you can buy and even pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.

Don’t forget a Tamar Valley wine! There are numerous cellar doors, including at vineyards renowned for sparkling like House of Arras and Jansz. When it’s time to feast, choose from the diverse charms of Launceston’s City Park, Cataract Gorge Reserve or Tamar Island.

Once synonymous with apples, the Huon Valley now provides a wide range of fresh produce, including direct from farms’ roadside sheds and stalls. Sure bets in season include Tru-Blue Berries, Green Cherry Shed and Woodstock Cherries, plus baked treats in the Little Black Fridge.

You’ll still find apples here, and excellent craft cider too. From dry to traditional, discover your favourite at cideries such as Pagan, Frank’s and Willie Smith’s. Their old apple shed also offers gourmet Tasmanian products and a weekly market for local produce and more.

Find more temptations at Cygnet Market and Cygnet Garden Larder, bread, savoury bites and sweet pastries at Poolish and Co, and pickles at Harvest and Light. Foodies from around Australia and beyond flock to Masaaki’s Sushi. So even though it’s not traditional picnic fare, a super-fresh sushi pack from this seemingly humble shop is a must.

The Huon Valley’s main towns have pleasant riverside parks with picnic facilities and playgrounds, including Burtons Reserve in Cygnet.

The Coal River Valley is best known for the heritage village of Richmond, but has a growing reputation for fine food and drinks too. Coal River Farm leads the way with chocolate and cheese, plus other delights created on-site like lavosh and pickled cucumbers. Wicked Cheese Co also makes fab fromage, and offers premium products such as pates and fruit pastes from around Tasmania.

Barilla Bay Oysters does packs to go, and sells other non-seafood treats perfect for picnics. Get scrumptious fruit from Frankham Figs, Lowdina Orchard and Littlewood Farm, where you can pick your own berries, and vino from cellar doors including Frogmore Creek and Pooley Wines.

Find more goodies at Richmond’s Wattlebanks Cafe and Providore and Richmond Village Market. Then spread your blanket at one of Tassie’s prettiest spots: the park beside this village’s iconic 1823 sandstone bridge.

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