Tasmania (Hobart Region)
D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Huon Valley and beyond
The Channel Highway hugs the coastline south from Hobart and makes a lovely drive around the shores of the Huon Peninsula, circling back beside the Huon River to Huonville: heading to Huonville directly, it’s a much shorter 37km on the Huon Highway. Rafting is possible all year on the Huon River, with day-trips from Hobart led by Rafting Tasmania (tel 03/6227 9516) for around $110. 

The first community on the Channel Highway is KINGSTON (Metro bus #60 from the Hobart bus interchange), a leafy residential suburb with a wide, sandy beach; there are more good beaches, such as Blackmans Bay, on the little promontory below Kingston. Good cafés on Beach Road include Echo Café and there’s excellent curry at Goa. Just south of Kingston Australia’s Antarctic Headquarters (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm; free) will fill you in on Antarctic exploration and stock you up with cheap food at the decent canteen. 
At KETTERING, a thriving fishing port, there’s an attractive marina full of boats; it’s from here that you catch the ferry for Bruny Island. The Oyster Cove Inn  is right on the water, not far from the ferry terminal, and has good views from its accommodation as well as from its bars and restaurant, specializing in seafood and local produce. At the pretty village of Woodbridge, 4km further south, the Woodbridge Hotel  has great rooms, views and moderately priced food (lunch daily, dinner Thurs–Sat). You can get to Kettering and Woodbridge with Hobart Coaches (tel 03/6234 4077) on weekdays (4 daily).

On the other side of the peninsula, CYGNET, at the centre of a major fruit-growing region, is a likely spot to look for fruit-picking work in the harvest season of March and April. Hobart Coaches runs an evening service from Hobart to Cygnet (Mon–Fri 5.15pm).

Huonville, on the Huon River, is a commercial centre, the focus of the region’s apple industry. You can arrange to take a jet-boat ride through the rapids (35min; $38) or rent a pedal boat at the kiosk on the Esplanade (tel 03/6264 1838). At GROVE, 6km towards Hobart on the Huon Highway, is the Huon Valley Apple and Heritage Museum (daily 9am–5pm; $2.50), which celebrates the local produce; the museum is surprisingly interesting, with hundreds of varieties of apples, assorted apple paraphernalia from what was once a huge export industry, and plenty of things to taste. For more substantial eats, try the Apple Valley Teahouse just outside of Huonville on the way to Grove.

Southwest beyond Huonville, the road follows the west bank of the Huon to FRANKLIN, a handsome riverside community with several fine old buildings. You can stay in the swanky Franklin Lodge or just have a good-value meal at the Franklin Tavern. PORT HUON, about 10km further along, was once a bustling, apple-exporting port but is now a quiet, recreational fishing area. The hub of activity here is Kermandie Lodge, on the highway. The resort has a variety of places to eat and runs day-cruises on the Huon River to the Atlantic salmon farms (daily 2pm; 1hr; $18; minimum six people). The council-run riverfront Sports Club has every facility, including a heated swimming pool, gym, spa, sauna and squash courts.

Hobart Coaches runs through Grove, Huonville, Franklin and Port Huon en route to Geeveston and Dover (Mon–Fri 5–7 daily, Sun 1 daily).

For more information on D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Huon Valley and beyond, go to: