Image credit | Mason Doherty
Something for Everybody in This Stunning Part of Tasmania
There are lots of great things to see and do within very easy reach of Table House. Just 5 minutes up the road from the town of Wynyard, the farm is on Table Cape, the iconic centrepiece of the very beautiful North West corner of Tasmania. Drive in any direction and you will find exquisitely beautiful scenery.
But you actually don’t need to go anywhere - there is plenty to do on the farm (our family is always reluctant to leave). You could relax inside with puzzles and games, or head down to our secluded beach for a day of swimming, fishing, beach cricket; back at the house have a game of croquet, klop or cornhole; indulge your love of cooking; or just explore our 60-acre playground. And keep an eye out for whales and auroras.
Table Cape Tulip Farm (Local)
The Table Cape Tulip Farm, our neighbours on top of Table Cape, features in most coffee table books and tourism brochures on Tasmania. It’s one of Tasmania’s most significant tourism attractions. From the end of September until the end of October it is a mecca for local, national and international tourists and photographers who tip-toe through the tulips, revelling in the glorious fields of colour, whatever the weather. There’s a small art gallery, cafe and a gift shop with an excellent range of tulip themed souvenirs.
Image credit | Mason Doherty
Lighthouse and Lookout (Local)
The Table Cape Lighthouse on Table Cape is just a few minutes away. There's also a lookout at the top of Table Cape Rd that has a great view over Wynyard and beyond. It’s also a good spot to watch auroras - although you can easily see them from Table House too. There’s a very pleasant, short, easy walking track along the coast from the lookout to the lighthouse.
Image credit | Tourism Tasmania & Chris Bell
Fairy Penguins (Local)
Burnie has several penguin viewing platforms, or go with a local guide with Wynyard Penguin Tours and watch fairy penguins come in from the sea at sunset. Call Keith on 0417 153 244 to make an appointment (check season times). Take a jacket because it can get cold sitting on the beach waiting for the penguins. Keith, who has been a consultant to Tas Parks & Wildlife for decades, is passionate about the penguins and he generously volunteers his time as a public service. So there is no charge for these tours but small cash donations are much appreciated.
Image credit | Jess Bonde
Alchymia Distillery (local)
Table Cape’s own boutique distillery specialises in small-batch, handcrafted single malt whisky, gin, vodka & liqueurs. Just down the road from Table House, they are open for tours and tastings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Image credit | Tourism Tasmania and Rob Burnett
Ransley Veteran Car Collection (local)
For the motoring enthusiasts, this collection of vintage cars is in downtown Wynyard at the Wonders of Wynyard Tourist Information Centre and gallery. It showcases Australian motoring history and is home to the equal oldest Ford in the world (a Model A from 1903).
Golf (local)
There are two golf courses in Wynyard, the incredibly scenic 9-hole waterfront Wynyard Golf Club at Fossil Bluff at the base of Table Cape, or the 11-hole Seabrook Golf Club. Seabrook is better set up if you don’t have your clubs or equipment. If you have your own clubs, take cash for an honesty system green fee at Wynyard.
Image credit | Tourism Australia
Wings Wildlife Park (75 minutes)
Wings Wildlife Park is a favourite of our grandchildren. There are lots of native animals to see, including Tasmanian Devils, Wombats and Koalas as well as Kangaroos you can hand feed.
Boat Harbour Beach (15 minutes)
Boat Harbour Beach was voted one of the top 10 beaches in Australia by Australian Geographic 2016. It is a stunningly beautiful beach with white sand and vibrant aqua coloured water. There’s a nice café and playground on the beach.
Sisters Beach (25 minutes)
The three-kilometre, white, pristine Sisters Beach is mostly deserted. There is a lovely lagoon for children to swim and play in although it’s not quite so deserted in school holidays). Go to the car park at the western end of East Boulevard.
Image credit | Tourism Australia
Blue Hills Honey and Colony Cafe (45 minutes)
Learn about bees and sample their award-winning honey. This is a good spot for lunch on the road to Dip Falls. It also has a gift shop.
Dip Falls (53 mins)
The waterfalls are particularly spectacular when there has been a lot of rain.
Image credit | Mattea Carson
Stanley (45 minutes)
Historic Stanley is a charming old fishing village. It featured in the film “Light Between Oceans”. From there, walk (warning: it’s steep) or take the chairlift up onto The Nut and do the stunning 40-minute walk around the top. Dining options include fish and chips down by the wharf at Hursey Seafoods, the Touchwood Gallery Café or Stanley Hotel Bistro. The historic convict-built Highfield House is worth a visit too.
Image credit | Tourism Australia
Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens (35 minutes)
The Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens is a must for garden lovers. It has one of the largest collections of rhododendrons in the world. At any time of the year, it’s a riot of colour.
Cradle Mountain (1 hour 45 minutes)
Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s most famous tourist attractions. It’s an easy day trip but get started early to allow time to register and take the shuttle bus to Dove Lake. There are some fabulous walking trails and a good, reasonably easy walk around Dove Lake.
Image credit | Jess Bonde
Rocky Cape National Park and Anniversary Bay (30 minutes)
If you are into hiking, Rocky Cape National Park is close by. There’s a great walk from Sisters Beach over the Sisters Hills to Anniversary Bay (perhaps 2 hours return), which is only accessible on foot or by boat. There’s a trail all the way to Rocky Cape (8 hours return on coastal track), and a number of other short or long walks in the area.
Image credit | S Group
Hellyer Whisky Distillery (40 minutes)
The Hellyer Whisky Distillery offers tours to see how they make their famous whisky, and you can even bottle your own. The Distillery Café is a nice place for lunch too. It’s a beautiful building with a stunning view.
Image credit | S. Group
Leven Canyon (75 minutes)
Pack a picnic and drive through magnificent scenery to Leven Canyon. About 20 minutes walk from the car park there is a viewing deck poised 275 metres above the Leven River. It’s a stunning view. On the way back, stop at Kaydale Lodge for a Devonshire Tea and wander through the beautiful gardens.
Image credit | Flow Mountain Bike
Mountain Biking - Penguin/Dial Range (50 minutes)
The Penguin Mountain Bike Park has more than 60km of XC single trail and man-made features in the centre of the old speedway featuring jumps, wall rides and a smaller skills park. Suitable for riders of all levels, it is also a good starting point for longer and more challenging rides into the Dial Range trails, including the famous Iron Tor trail and Montgomery Loop.
Cycling Track
The foreshore track from Wynyard to Somerset opens in late October 2024, and will ultimately go all the way to Burnie. A very scenic coastal track along an old railway line.
Duck River Meadows Dairy – Smithton (50 minutes)
Just beyond Stanley you can tour the Duck River Robotic Dairy and La Cantara Artisan Cheese Factory. The tours lead you through the different stages of milking, including the LELY Robotic milking system and the history of the region’s cheese making. While you are there sample their award-winning cheeses.