Great Western Tiers

Historic buildings are dotted all along the route from Launceston to Deloraine - gaols, inns, coach houses, stables, churches and grand heritage homes.

As so often happens in Tasmania, this two-day route combines the most appealing aspects of a Tasmanian experience in a single stunning journey - superb cultural heritage set amid magnificent scenery, never far from mouth-watering food and wine.

With so many Georgian buildings around, it's easy to forget that the towns you visit are very much working rural communities. Unless, of course, you arrive in Carrick in May, when people from all over the State celebrate contemporary farming life by kicking up their heels at Agfest.

From Carrick, the route takes you to Hadspen (the location of one of Tasmania's best-known heritage homes, Entally House) and on through Westbury to Deloraine, on the banks of the Meander River. Your journey ends at the wildlife park and limestone caves of Mole Creek.

Annually in late October or early November, Deloraine hosts the largest working craft fair in Australia, and any time of year you can get a taste of what makes this the perfect venue for such a gathering by visiting YARNS Artwork in Silk, at the Visitor Information Centre in Emu Bay Road. Its four large panels depicting the region through the seasons were created by more than 300 people, working some 10,000 hours and using 200 metres (656 feet) of hand-dyed silk. This impressive combination of the gentle indoor arts of embroidery, quilting, appliqué, cross-stitch, weaving and patchwork beautifully complements the boldness of Sheffield's outdoor murals.

In the nearby Mole Creek Karst National Park there are more than 300 caves and sinkholes, two of which are open to the public daily. It is thought that the caves were created by successive glaciations and melts in Tasmanian mountains following the uplift of the Central Plateau, of which the Great Western Tiers form the northern escarpment.

• Entally Estate
• Tasmanian Craft Fair
• Marakoopa Cave Tours
• King Solomons Cave Tours

• Visitor Information
• Mole Creek Cave Tour Times

Heading west from Launceston, begin your journey by visiting the historic towns of Carrick, Hadspen and Hagley, where you’ll find intriguing reminders of the past.

In May of each year, Agfest brings festivity and bigtime hospitality to little Carrick with more than 740 exhibitions. If you’re in the market for a vehicle, a few things for the garden or Tasmanian-made crafts, produce and wine, this is the place to be. Agfest features a huge range of agricultural machinery and equipment, agricultural demonstrations, craft pavilions, fashion parades and much more. A look around the Tasmanian Fine Food and Wine Centre pavilion will make you hungry and thirsty, so allow a few hours or make a day of it. Book accommodation well in advance if you are intending to stay locally during this event.

At Hadspen, wander through one of Tasmania’s oldest properties, Entally House. This large country residence, set in superb gardens, has a magnificent collection of Regency furniture and fine silverware. The grounds also boast a greenhouse, chapel, coach house and stables open for inspection.

Travel through Hagley and on to Westbury, home of one of Australia’s best hedged mazes, the Westbury Maze and Tea Rooms. After finding your way out of the maze, relax over a delicious pastry and a cup of tea, selecting from more than 30 available varieties.

Renowned for its English country character, Westbury has a variety of wonderful colonial architecture, such as the National Trust operated White House, built in 1846. It includes a bakery, coach house and stables, all open to the public. The bakery’s wood-fired oven is hard at work even today – stop by for a snack or perhaps a light meal.

Opposite the White House is the town’s original Village Green, complete with maypole and stocks – any overripe tomatoes to hand?

The legacy of Westbury’s 19th century rural and town settlement is also evident in an extensive array of vintage machinery at Pern’s Steam World and the Vintage Tractor Museum.

Not far from Westbury is Liffey Falls, a series of picturesque waterfalls in a rainforest setting, with easy walking tracks and good picnic facilities. There are two tracks to the falls. From the lower car park the walk takes 60 minutes return, while from the upper car park it is two to three hours return.

From Liffey Falls, travel on to Deloraine via the A5 or return to Westbury and travel via the B52.

Deloraine is a classified historic town on the pretty Meander River, located in the foothills of the Great Western Tiers. The town is well known for its classic Tasmanian crafts, artwork and quality designs in fabric, glass, stoneware and jewellery, all available at local galleries.

YARNS Artwork in Silk, located at the Visitor Information Centre in Emu Bay Road, is a magnificent four-panel depiction of the region through the seasons. It was created by more than 300 people, working some 10,000 hours and using 200 metres of hand-dyed silk.

After strolling through YARNS, wander back to 1856 in the next-door Deloraine Museum, which reflects the life of a country publican and his family. Out the back is a dairy, blacksmith’s shop and vehicles shed.

Stop in at one of the cafes in the main street, or take a picnic along the banks of the Meander River. Spot the sculpture that forms the start of the Sculpture Trail comprising 15 unique artworks in Deloraine, Mole Creek and the surrounding areas.

As an afternoon treat, sample raspberries and cheeses at the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm and Ashgrove Farm Cheeses on the main highway via Elizabeth Town. The raspberry farm is also open for daytime meals, including breakfast, while the well-known Ashgrove offers tastings of English-style cheeses made from milk produced on the farm.

Deloraine is now established as a major arts and craft centre, hosting the Tasmanian Craft Fair in late October/ early November each year. This has become the largest working craft fair in Australia, attracting more than 30,000 visitors over a four-day period. Many artists and craftspeople have made a home in the Deloraine district, finding inspiration for their work in the beautiful natural environment to be found all around. Once again, do book well in advance if you intend to stay in the vicinity during the fair.

There are various accommodation options in Deloraine, Westbury, Mole Creek and the surrounding areas, and if you are dining out for the evening, you can choose from a number of friendly restaurants, cafes and hotels in Deloraine.

The Great Western Tiers’ wide variety of landscapes makes it a beguiling destination for bushwalkers. Today pack a picnic lunch or buy some along the way at Chudleigh or Mole Creek.

Setting off from Deloraine along the B12, first drop into the Honey Farm in Chudleigh (closed Saturdays) to taste some of its 50 delicious honey varieties.

Around the Mole Creek township are great walks for varying levels of fitness. Between Chudleigh and Mole Creek, for example, is the Alum Cliffs State Reserve, where you can enjoy a quiet country stroll to a forest lookout perched high above the Mersey River. Known as Tulunpunga, this site is a sacred Aboriginal celebration place.

Next, be amazed and invigorated by your experience of the Mole Creek Caves within the Mole Creek Karst National Park. Marakoopa and King Solomons caves both contain age-old formations – a visit to one or both is a must.

Marakoopa Cave is an extensive lime wetstone cave featuring underground streams, glowworms, a rim pool and stone formations. Two styles of guided tour are offered, each lasting about 45 minutes.

King Solomons is a dry cave featuring spectacular shawls, stalactites and stalagmites. Regular guided tours here also take about 45 minutes.

If you would like to see more natural or “wild” caves, Wild Cave Tours takes beginner cavers into several of Mole Creek’s caves on a civilised full or half-day trip. All caving equipment is provided, along with expert guiding and morning tea or lunch.

Above ground, take another beautiful short walk to Devils Gullet. Even the 14km drive along the unsealed road to the start of the walk is picturesque, with stunning views over cliffs to the Fisher River valley. From the precipice lookout at the end of the walk, an amazing 180-degree panorama spreads out before you, extending all the way to the famous peaks of the Cradle Mountain– Lake St Clair National Park. On a clear day, you can see from Black Bluff in the north-west around to Mt Ossa (Tasmania’s highest peak) off to the south-west. The walk is approximately 40 minutes return.

If you are returning via Mole Creek, complete your day by meeting a few local inhabitants at Trowunna Wildlife Park a little more than halfway to Chudleigh. You’ll see Tasmanian devils being hand fed, pat koalas and hold baby wombats, among many other native species. The park also includes a Tasmanian Devil Education Centre.

A half or full-day alternative is a 4WD tour with Jahadi Indigenous Experiences. See rock shelters, wildlife, caves and old-growth rainforest all on the one tour. On the way be sustained with billy tea and damper and, on day tours, a barbecue of Aboriginal bush tucker. Jahadi also offers a two-hour Cultural Exchange including a smoke ceremony, clap-stick making and spear throwing.