DAY 1 - Arrive Hobart
The city of Hobart stretches along the banks of the Derwent River , bounded on the western side by Mt Wellington, a dramatic presence any time of the year, but magnificent dusted with snow in winter.
Start your garden adventure with a visit to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. There are more than 400 Tasmanian plant species on display, Peter Cundall's famous vegie patch, the elegant conservatory, the peaceful Japanese garden, and the largest mature conifer collection in the Southern Hemisphere. Discover Tasmania 's Gondwana connections and explore the temperature-controlled Sub-Antarctic Plant House, a unique flora collection from Macquarie Island . Inspect the colonial horticultural experiments of Governor George Arthur, whose remarkable 'tropical wall' fostered the growth of exotic plants.
At the Botanical Discovery Centre, interactive displays showcase Tasmanian flora, including their distribution and propagation methods. The Discovery Centre also houses the work of Tasmania 's most famous wilderness photographer, Peter Drombrovskis, with over 140 images of Tasmania 's exquisitely beautiful native plants. Friends of the Gardens can provide trained volunteers to take guided walks through the gardens for a small fee.
The annual Tulip Festival is held over a weekend around the end of September / beginning of October, and provides a spectacle of colour and beauty.
At nearby Glebe is Corinda, painstakingly restored after many years of neglect in the house and garden. The formal garden features symmetrical parterres, colour co-ordinated to create a feeling of harmony and tranquillity. English box hedging with native animal shapes creates a uniquely Australian touch. On open days (Australian Open Garden Scheme), there are tours of the main house, itself a museum piece, whose verandahs afford views of the parterre patterns. Authentic, stylish heritage accommodation is also available at Corinda.
Just to the north of Hobart, at New Town, is the National Trust property Runnymede (c1836), an elegant colonial house and garden of architectural and historic significance, created, planned and developed over a century by the three prominent families who lived there. Runnymede was built for Robert Pitcairn, the first lawyer to qualify in the colony, and a leading campaigner against the transportation of convicts from Britain. The garden is a good example of a mid-19 th century villa garden with mature trees, gravel drive, elegant entry gates and a range of near and distant vistas. Original plants include a Norfolk pine, walnut, Chinese photinia and lemon trees. Roses, fuchsias, hellebores, bulbs and fruit trees are also featured. An informative pamphlet guides you around the garden.
In South Hobart, don't miss the Female Factory Historic Site, arguably Australia's most significant female historic site. Take a self-guided tour of the memorial garden and historic site, or a guided one-hour tour. Explore the fascinating yet tragic history of the 1820s female prison, the setting for Bryce Courtenay's novel The Potato Factory.
There is a connecting road off Huon Road at Fern Tree which takes you to Ridgeway and two specialist nurseries - Plants of Tasmania, where you would be hard pressed not to find a special memento of the Tasmanian bush; and, alongside, Jubilee Nursery, noted for its extensive range of rhododendrons grown by specialists, and rare and unusual plants.
The cafes and arcades in the distinctive Georgian sandstone warehouses of Salamanca Place are at their liveliest on market day - Saturday between 9am and 3pm. Visiting Salamanca Market is also a great opportunity to stock up on native and introduced flower and herb seedlings and plants. Soak up more of Hobart's history with a stroll through St Davids Park, past the Real (Royal) Tennis Courts, St George's Church and the underground magazine at Princes Park.
In nearby Hampden Road visit Narryna Heritage Museum, one of Hobart's earliest colonial homes, and an outstanding house museum, whose garden features old fashioned roses, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas and mature English trees.
DAY 2 - Huon Valley
The Huon Trail , beginning south of Hobart (A6), leads you through the Huon Valley and D'Entrecasteaux Channel and to Bruny Island. A two-day visit to this area rich in gardens is highly recommended, with an overnight stay in one of the many delightful B&Bs, most of which offer stunning views across the Huon River or the Channel.
Located on the Channel Highway (B68) near Margate is Inverawe Native Gardens, a 9.5-hectare Australian native garden. Established six years ago, Inverawe includes semi-formal areas, a mini rainforest, open woodlands and lightly timbered parklands. The owners have selected plants that are 'waterwise', low maintenance and, importantly, have bird-attracting qualities, as the property adjoins significant wetlands.
Also in Margate is the Avi-Fauna & Flora Gardens. This one-hectare garden displays bulbs, annuals, flowering shrubs and trees including natives, roses, irises and dahlias. The gardens also feature fishponds, extensive aviaries and an octagonal plant conservatory with seasonal displays, with tuberous begonias putting on a stunning show in autumn.
Ten minutes farther south on the Channel Highway (B68) is the fishing and yachting port of Kettering. From here take the 15-minute car ferry to Bruny Island, a microcosm of history, wildlife, tracts of contrasting dry and wet sclerophyll forests and pristine beaches. Allow yourself a day to explore it fully, or stay the night.
Bruny Island is home to several gardens, including HIBA - a contemporary seaside 'chateau' set in a 10-hectare parkland, capturing breathtaking views where sweeping beaches seem to stretch forever. Explore the rhododendron walk with its woodland plantings, perennial borders, and roses framing a trout-filled lake. A factory outlet is open for tastings and sales of the famous Bruny Island Fudge and chocolate products.
Just opposite is Morella Island Retreat Gardens, a dazzling picture in spring with a large variety of naturalised narcissus in full bloom, followed by collections of huge rhododendrons. The fully licensed Hothouse Café offers informal 'alfresco' dining in a hothouse! Innovative and award-winning accommodation is also available at Morella.
At the southern end of the island is the unspoilt Cloudy Bay beach and Cape Bruny Lighthouse, within the South Bruny National Park .
In addition to visiting Bruny Island, allow yourself time to tour the gardens of the Huon Trail. Before taking the turn-off at Woodbridge (C627) for the Woodbridge Hand-Weaving Studio and Gardens, wander around the small 'hamlet' and be charmed by its proudly tended cottage gardens. Then take in the sweeping views across the D'Entrecasteaux Channel which form the backdrop to the Woodbridge garden. Among the garden's unique features are its apple and quince collections, many of which are espaliered perennial borders, and rare plant collections. Notable amongst the latter are species gladiolus, miniature daffodils, hellebores, New Zealand shrubs, pulmonarias, salvias, hostas and succulents.
Visitors to the garden are welcome to wander into the commercial weaving studio.
The district around Cygnet (C639) is a fruit and wine-growing area, and home to many artisans, craft shops, antique shops and tea rooms. Within the town boundaries is the Flora Fashion Gardens and Nursery, a rare flower and foliage nursery and display gardens covering six hectares, with a strong emphasis on autumn foliage, windbreak trees, a bog garden and roses.
On the return journey to Huonville (A6), take a detour (round trip) just before the bridge, to Glen Huon, returning to the Highway on the northern side of the river. The garden and roadside colour is a treat! Local gardeners seem to orient their gardens so that they give pleasure to passing traffic - it would be a pity to disappoint them.
With the Huon Valley being the hub of the apple-growing industry, items from its apple-growing heritage are displayed nearby at Grove's Apple and Heritage Museum. Towards the end of November there is a popular annual 'Garden Walk' (self-drive tour) of Huon gardens, covering a vast range of styles, sizes etc.
DAY 3 - Tasman Peninsula
Head along the Convict Trail Touring Route (A9) towards the Tasman Peninsula. The native flora in this area is bountiful, yet not always obvious to the unfamiliar eye.
Allow at least half a day at the Port Arthur Historic Site, Australia's most significant convict site.
The Port Arthur Gardens have survived intact, and after extensive research, a works program is continuing to restore their 19th century features.
Careful reconstruction of Government Garden and the Commandant's Garden and the neat vegetable plots of an early 20th century residence has revealed insights into the lesser-known aspects of the convict settlement and then free township that followed its closure. Grow your own little piece of history - the Port Arthur Heritage Seed Nursery offers seeds collected from 19th century plant varieties grown at the site.
Garden tours are available from November to January when the gardens are at their best.
About 10-minutes' drive from Port Arthur Historic Site lies a farm established in 1888, where you can wander through acres of peonies. Pinerise Peonies offers bountiful colour and also includes a rare collection of Chinese peonies.
DAY 4 - Port Arthur to the Derwent Valley via Richmond and Hobart
Journey back to Hobart (A9) via historic Richmond (C351), with its village atmosphere, antique shops, art and craft galleries and tea rooms. Visit Australia's oldest bridge and Catholic church, both beautiful sandstone structures. Close by are the vineyards and wineries of the Coal River Valley, providing a great opportunity to taste award-winning cool climate wines.
From Hobart, travel alongside the Derwent River on the Rivers Run Touring Route (A10) to New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley.
Rosedown, situated on the riverbank, features more than 1,000 roses, including collections of David Austin, heritage and modern roses, beautifully established within 4.5 acres of grounds.
At Plenty (C610) is The Salmon Ponds and Museum of Trout Fishing, a rare example of a 19th century public open space pleasure garden, combined with a working fish hatchery, the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere. At the Ponds, take the newly created walking track along the Plenty River up to Redlands trout mill race.
For a native flora experience visit Mt Field National Park (C609), declared Tasmania's first nature reserve in 1885. Its excellent visitor facilities attract many day visitors to see swamp gum forests, massive tree ferns and some of the world's tallest flowering trees. Stroll along the Tall Trees Walk, an enchanting 30-minute circuit. Continuing higher up in the park, a unique botanical phenomenon occurs in autumn when the Nothofagus gunnii (deciduous beech), a remnant of Gondwana times, turns brilliant hues of yellow and red. Australia's only flowering deciduous native plant can be found only in the Mt. Field and Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair national parks and in Chile!
Travel in a north-west direction along the C608 to the historic village of Hamilton, and just beyond it, Prospect Villa and Garden. An oasis protected by 170-year-old stone walls and hedges, the garden features an Italian garden complete with temple.
In the charming sandstone village of Hamilton is Glen Clyde House. The gardens surrounding the National Trust and Heritage-listed Coaching Inn blend traditional cottage with a tinge of English formality. Enjoy the garden, award-winning craft galleries and tea rooms.
DAY 5 - Hamilton to Longford
From Hamilton , travel across country via Bothwell (B110), where, on the outskirts of the town, for at least two weeks in October, there are paddocks ablaze with tulips. These tulips are being grown for the export of bulbs to Holland in the northern hemisphere's off-season! Continue on through countryside reminiscent of the once notorious 'bushranger' days, to the Heritage Highway Touring Route to Ross.
Look out for whimsical roadside hedges that have been shaped into animals (a local topiary tradition dating from the 1960s), 19th century sandstone road markers, skilfully constructed dry stone walls, and gracious Georgian homesteads and gardens. View the Ross Bridge (c1836), Australia 's third oldest. Convict stonemason Daniel Herbert is credited with its beautiful carvings - 186 in all, along both sides of its symmetrical arches, which are floodlit at night.
Situated on the Macquarie River is the Ross Homestead Gardens. View the rose and lavender parterre garden, small orchard and productive vegetable garden, massed annuals and perennials. Visitors are encouraged to sit and relax and take in the framed garden vistas.
If you happen to be travelling in October, be sure to join in the festivities of the Oatlands Spring Festival. This family day is full of entertainment and activities at High Street and Callington Park. Watch the maypole dancing, hop aboard a horse drawn tour and take in the 'Walk through the Ages' display of period costumes dating back to the 1820s.
Farther north near Evandale (B41), located on Nile Road, is Clarendon Homestead. One of the great Georgian country houses of Australia, Clarendon is surrounded by beautiful parkland. Owned by the National Trust, Clarendon is on the register of the National Estate, and contains significant colonial paintings including works by John Glover.
Near Evandale is The Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company and Topiarius. Part of the Ericvale property, the garden has been featured in several publications and the topiary nursery will fascinate even the most experienced creators of topiary.
Tasmania's British heritage is strongly represented in the Midlands, with fine Georgian architecture evident in the nearby historic village of Longford (B52). A wonderful example of this can be found at Woolmers Estate, home to the National Rose Garden.
The garden's unique feature is that it is a repository of all of the recognised rose families, from the earliest European and China roses through to the roses of the modern day. Woolmers Estate is one of Australia's most significant colonial properties, with its collection of buildings, antique cars, photographs, art and furniture.
A bonus is the self-contained accommodation offered within the grounds.
Also in Longford is Brickendon Historic Farm and Gardens. These extensive National Estate-listed gardens feature old roses, specialty annuals and perennials, 170-year-old exotic trees from around the world, and original 'shrubberies'.
To feel part of this living history, stay in converted historic cottage accommodation.
DAY 6 - Longford to Launceston
Travel to Launceston (B52) via Hadspen. At Hadspen, visit National Trust-listed Entally House (c1890), with its historic garden. In spring the rhododendrons in the entrance driveway are magnificent, and with trees dating back to the 1820s, they form a lovely setting for the property.
Franklin House (c1838) is on the southern outskirts of Launceston. An historic garden has been maintained around this National Trust house. The White Garden at the rear of the house is set in typical cottage style, and a newly created rose garden adds interest.
Tasmania's Great Colonial Estates, including Brickendon, Clarendon, Entally House and Woolmer's Estate, are each worth a visit, particularly for their beautiful gardens. At Longford's Brickendon, marvel at extensive gardens planted over seven generations including rare trees from around the world. Each grand estate is within short driving distance from Launceston.
In Launceston, appreciate the grand old heritage trees of City Park.
This beautiful park, established in the early 1800s, contains the John Hart Conservatory and ornamental plantings. Princes Square contains a collection of significant trees, ornamental gardens and a beautiful historic 1859 fountain.
Cataract Gorge is a place where natural beauty combines with engineering resourcefulness to create drama, romance and respite. Take a lift overhead on the longest single-span chairlift in the world.
Leading up to the Gorge are the ferneries and rhododendron forests in the Cliff Grounds Reserve. At nearby Punchbowl Reserve, you will find rhododendron gardens, natural bushland and walking trails.
Just a short distance north-west of Launceston is Notley Gorge - a remnant of ancient rainforest in the hills above the Tamar Valley.
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