| To
the north of Launceston is the beautiful Tamar Valley, where –
for 64km – the tidal waters wind through orchards, vineyards, forested
hills and grazing land. Only the Batman Bridge, near Deviot, and the APPM
Wood Mill and Bell Bay Power Station, near George Town at the river’s
mouth, spoil the idyllic pre-industrial scenery. |
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| The
West Tamar Highway follows the line of the Tamar River from Launceston to
Beauty Point, passing through the absurdly tacky Grindlewald Swiss
Village. Further along, Brady’s Lookout State Reserve
provides magnificent views of the Tamar Valley and Ben Lomond; you can see
as far as Low Head, 34km away. Rather than head straight along the
highway, you can detour for a stretch through ROSEVEARS, on a
picturesque sweep of road along the riverbanks that’s popular with
cyclists.
Along the way, stop at the St Matthias
Vineyard (daily 10am–5pm) for some wine tasting, Tasmanian cheeses
and great views. In the village there’s the Waterbird Haven Trust
(daily 10am–4pm; $4), extending for half a kilometre along the
waterfront, and the Rosevears Tavern (1831), where you can have a
drink. A few kilometres west of Rosevears, reached by turning west off the
highway at Legana, is Notley Gorge State Reserve. Beaconsfield,
back on the highway, was at the centre of Tasmania’s former gold-mining
area, and the mining ruins are still visible. |