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Explore Tasmania with Merrell

03 October 2022

 

At Merrell we are passionate about being outdoors. And for outdoor lovers, Tasmania is the perfect destination. Whether you plan to hit the trail or explore local regions at leisure, the charm of Tasmania is undeniable. Rich in natural beauty and overflowing with trails to be discovered, the island state offers something for everyone.

 

We were lucky enough to explore the beauty of Tasmania’s south for ourselves recently. Basing ourselves Hobart, we took the opportunity to uncover the hidden treasures of the beautiful Huon Valley, just a short 30-minute drive from the city.

 

Here are a couple of places to add to your next Tasmanian adventure:

 

If you’re looking for the perfect morning/all-day/sunset (take your pick!) walk:

PIPELINE TRACK, KUNANYI/MOUNT WELLINGTON

 

Before heading down to the Huon Valley, be sure to stop at kunanyi/Mount Wellington, a lush green oasis on the outskirts of Hobart. Framed by tree ferns, the Pipeline Track is an enchanting walk that winds through the rainforest, taking in spectacular views that make you forget that you’re only minutes from the city centre.

 

The pipeline was established in the 1860s to bring clean water from kunanyi/Mount Wellington to the suburbs of Hobart and still operates today. The Pipeline Track will take you between 2 – 3 hours (depending on how many times you stop to take in the beauty of Cathedral Rock).

 

The walk from Fern Tree to Wellington Falls is an all-day walk (12.7km) however, there are shorter options you can take if you want to pack other activities into your day. The Pipeline Track is also a favourite spot for bike riders, so be mindful you will need to share the path with cyclists from time to time.

 

However long you spend on the track, you’ll want to ensure your boots are waterproof for the walk along the damp forest floor.

 

 

If picking apples is more your thing:

WILLIE SMITH’S APPLE SHED

 

A favourite stop as you approach the Huon Valley, Willie Smith’s Apple Shed has a long and proud history in the region. The first apples were planted by William ‘Willie’ Smith in 1888, and the orchards have seen many reincarnations since then.

 

In recent years, Willie Smith’s delivers of one of Tasmania’s premier festivals, the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest. The three-day festival is a celebration of the apple history of the region draws on the traditions of cider-producing regions of south-west England. A must for anyone travelling to Tasmania in July.

 

For a frolic through the apple orchards (or to get amongst the festivities at the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest) a mid-boot will keep the wet grass away from your ankles by day and keep them nice and warm by night. 

 

 

 

If you prefer to do your exploring by boat:

YUKON 

 

Once the lifeblood of the region, the Huon River stretches some 20 kilometres from Huonville to Port Huon and then further south to Geeveston where the river broadens and meets the sea.

 

A must while you’re in the region is a voyage aboard Yukon, a Danish finishing boat that has taken on another life in Tasmania’s south.

 

Built in 1930 in Denmark, Yukon was rescued in 1997 by Australian shipwright, David Nash and his Danish wife, Ea Lassen from the bottom of a harbor in Copenhagen. Now at home on the Huon River in Tasmania's south, Yukon is the perfect day-trip for outdoor lovers who want to discover the Huon Valley region by the water.

 

Bought in exchange for a case of beer, Yukon was carefully restored before David and Ea sailed it from Scandinavia to Australia with their young family on board. After settling in Tasmania 7 years ago, Yukon is a renowned sight on the Huon River.

 

Comfort and durability are key while on Yukon, so choose a supportive boot while jumping on board.

 

 

 

 

If you want to explore with a glass of Tasmanian Pinot Noir in your hand:

HARTZVIEW VINEYARD

 

Before Hartzview was reincarnated as a vineyard, the 125-acre property operated as a fruit farm – producing a large percentage of Australia’s gooseberries. The huts on the property were home to working families during the fruit picking season, which have been preserved as examples of life that once defined the beautiful Huon Valley, Tasmania.

 

The property was purchased by Rob and Anthea Patterson in 1976. They continued to harvest gooseberries for a number of years until it was no longer viable. The pinot grapes grown at Hartview are still picked by hand.

 

The property itself has specular views of Hartz Mountain, a marker of Tasmania’s south. You'll appreciate the warmth of Merrell's winter boots as you walk the property’s grounds.