FAMILY FUN ATTRACTIONS WINDERMERE

Native Point Wines is a boutique vineyard in the Tamar Valley, 20 minutes North of Launceston. Native Point vineyard at Windermere was established in 1999 by Sheena and Tim High on the Swan Bay peninsula, the original site where Dr Gaunt first planted grapes in the 1840's. The five hectare vineyard now produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and a sparkling Rose. You can visit the vineyard and enjoy the spectacular views across the Tamar Valley. The owners take great pleasure in showing visitors through the vineyard, and explaining the various stages of wine growing. Bring a picnic to enjoy with a glass of Native Point Wines. Wine tasting and sales of our award winning wines are available off-site at Windermere Cafe, 2 Windermere Road, Windermere, phone 03 6328 1335.

Winter Brook Vineyard lies in the hills of the West Tamar Valley in Tasmania's north. During the Permian (286 - 245 Myr) this part of the earth suffered under a cold, glacial climate. Pebbles and limestine were deposited which formed the rolling hill country and which contribute today to its unique terroir. Clean fresh air, sunny north facing slopes and careful attention to detail enables us to grow premium fruit from which our cool climate specialty wines are hand crafted.

Tamar Ridge Wines has a cellar door, vineyard and winery located in the West Tamar Valley. The Kayena Vineyard is the cornerstone of the Tamar Ridge wines. The vineyard is planted with a range of cool climate varieties, including sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir. At this working winery you will see state-of-the-art winemaking techniques, but with more than a few concessions to the traditional techniques that have served winemakers for centuries. At the cellar door you can taste award-winning wines, sourced from the grapes grown at The Hazards Vineyard on the east coast and fashioned into individual wine styles that speak of their cool climate origins. The 55 hectare (136 acre) vineyard is located on the western banks of the Tamar River, 45 kilometres (28 miles) north of Launceston.

Exeter Golf Club Inc is a 9-hole golf course just outside of Launceston in Tasmania's north. The course has 18 alternate tees (par 71) and a spacious club house with licensed bar. The fairways and greens are well maintained and in good condition year round. There is also a driving range to fine tune your swing. Saturday is competition day and all days are open to the public for a round. The course has its challenges with some testing hilly areas and visitors are always welcome. While you are in the area, visit the neighbouring fruit orchards and take time to venture out to Beauty Point and Beaconsfield. At Beauty Point you can visit Seahorse World and Platypus House while in Beaconsfield learn of the intriguing mining history. Also not far away is the Tamar Valley Wine Route, where you can sample some of Tasmania's finest cool-climate wines. Have lunch at one of the picturesque vineyards or take a bottle of your favourite wine down to the banks of the Tamar River and enjoy a picnic. The river is home to a range of wildlife and birdlife. Exeter is a 20-minute drive north (26 kilometres/16 miles) of Launceston.

Velo Wines is based at the entrance to the beautiful Tamar Valley in northern Tasmania. Velo Wines was originally named Chateau Legana and is home to Tasmania's oldest cabernet sauvignon wines. The historic vineyard was planted by Graham Wiltshire, a renowned pioneer of the Tasmanian wine industry in 1966. The vineyard is owned by Michael Wilson, a former Olympic cyclist who re-named it 'Velo' which means 'bicycle' in French. Michael is a viticulturist, winemaker and an association wine judge. He is Tasmania's only two-time Tour de France participant. His wife Mary has worked in the wine industry in wholesaling and as restaurateur and now follows her passion for art. Velo is a combination of their passion for great wine, food and art. The small family operated vineyard is an example of how old and new worlds meld. While retaining traditional methods of harvesting and winemaking, their contemporary image reflects the fun, energy, passion and lifestyle in which they immerse themselves. The vineyard is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.

St Matthias Anglican Church, at Windermere, is one of Tasmania's most beautiful heritage listed churches. Situated on the banks of the picturesque Tamar River, St Matthias Anglican Church was built in 1842 fulfilling a promise by Dr Matthius Gaunt to his young wife before they left England. When Dr Gaunt resolved to emigrate to Van Diemen's Land in 1831, his wife was concerned that there may not be a church in the area where they would eventually make their home. Dr Gaunt promised that if there was not, he would build one for her. Consecrated in 1845, St Matthias is one of Australia's oldest churches in continous use since its foundation. A Eucharist Service is held every second and fourth Sunday at 1030. St Matthias is one of the most photographed churches in Tasmania.This beautiful bluestone gothic chapel with its romantic history is a popular spot for weddings and picnics. The churchyard is an ideal spot for photography buffs and a stroll through the 170 year old graveyard with the jetty and pontoon next door is said to be a terrific fishing spot. The scenic drive around Windermere road is an easy detour from the East Tamar Highway and offers spectacular river views.

Rotherhythe Vineyard is situated in Rosevears with idyllic waterfront setting, in northern Tasmania. The vineyard is nationally acclaimed for mature wines, which are available for tasting at the new cellar door. Besides offering a premium product the wine is competitively priced, has time in the bottle and is stored in an insulated cellar room at exactly 18 degrees centigrade. A corked bottle is virtually unknown. Rotherhythe wines will be augmented as the new vineyard comes on stream. The young wine will be cellared for five years before release. Rotherhythe Vineyard is open daily from 1000 to1700, except Christmas Day. It is open by appointment only between June and September. The cost of wine tasting is AUD3 which is refundable with the purchase of one bottle. Take time to explore the region during your visit to Rotherhythe Vineyard. Follow the Tamar Wine Route and enjoy the vineyards, roadside stalls and orchards in the region of the region. Rosevears is about 15 minutes' drive (18 kilometres/11 miles) from central Launceston.

Discover some of Tasmania's finest food, wine and views at Ninth Island. Situated on the Tamar River, Ninth Island boasts one of Tasmania's most picturesque spots. The regional menu features the best produce from local and organic suppliers. The menu's seasonality reflects the ever-evolving surround of the Ninth Island Vineyard, and focuses on bringing food and wine together to enhance the highlights of the Tamar Valley and Pipers Brook Vineyard's wines. Wines are served in the restaurant by the glass or bottle, and cellar door sales are available in the gift shop. Strathlynn is open seven days a week for lunch only, from 1200 to 1500. Evening functions for groups of 30 or more are catered for by appointment only. Tasmanian artisan pieces can be found in the gift shop at the Cellar Door. The cellar door and gift shop are open from 1000 daily.

The Tamar Valley Resort is located in the Swiss-style village of Grindelwald, northern Tasmania. The village of Grindelwald was established in the 1980s as a unique residential development. All houses in Grindelwald have been built in Swiss style, with wide eaves, flowerboxes, window shutters and balconies. The settlement is fringed with glassy lakes and views of the Tamar Valley. The Swiss-themed Tamar Valley Resort at Grindelwald includes a range of accommodation, a shopping arcade, general store, craft and gift shops, golf pro shop, chocolatier, and a café and bakery. You can browse through the specialty boutiques in the shopping square, or enjoy a meal or snack at the lakeside Alpenrose restaurant and lounge bar. Accommodation options include the Grand Chateau Hotel and self-contained family chalets. You can test your skill at the18-hole, par 54 mini-golf course, or play a round on the nine-hole public golf course (par 30, 3566 metres). Activities include aqua bike hire and canoeing on the lake, three wheel electric scooter hire and a 20 X 10 metre jumping pillow available for the children. Grindelwald is a 15-minute drive north of Launceston (15 kilometres/9 miles) in the Tamar Valley.

Hillwood Vineyard is a one-hectare vineyard situated on the banks of the Tamar River, near Launceston. The vineyard was established in 1992 in the ironstone gravel soil on the east side of the river. Wine varieties produced are sauvignon blanc, cabernet, pinot noir and merlot.

No cellar door sales - wines are available through mail order and various retail outlets.

Stoney Rise Vineyard and cellar door is located just outside of Launceston, northern Tasmania. The vineyard is set in picturesque surrounds overlooking the Tamar River.

Stoney Rise is the brainchild of Joe and Lou Holyman. Joe has spent more than a decade selling and making wine interstate and overseas before returning to his native Tasmania with his wife. The vineyard is comprised of three hectares (7.4) of Pinot Noir and one hectare (2.4 acres) of Chardonnay.

The charming cellar door offers tastings of Stoney Rise and the exclusive Holyman ranges of wines. Joe has a strong belief in the winemaking practices of Europe and produces wines of depth and elegance. While tasting you can peruse the sketches by Hobart artist Tom Samek, as well as choose from a range of Annie O preserves which are made from home-grown produce.

Stoney Rise is open Thursday to Monday, 11am to 5pm and closed for the month of September. Stoney Rise Vineyard is located at Gravelly Beach, 20-minutes’ drive from Launceston’s central business district.

Three Wishes Vineyard, Hillwood, is located in Tasmania's Tamar Valley and offers cellar door sales. The vineyard is situated close to the Batman Bridge, one of the Tamar River's iconic landmarks..

Three Wishes Vineyard is approximately three hectares (7.5 acres) with between 500 to 700 cases produced per year of Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot. The cellar door is open daily from Christmas to Easter, 11am to 5pm, and other weekends from November to May. An ideal rest spot for the busy tourist, why not stop by Three Wishes Vineyard and sample a fine Riesling or Chardonnay.

Spend a day exploring the Tamar Valley Wine Route, taking in the rolling hills, orchards and street-side stalls dotted along the way between scenic vineyards. Why not take a bottle of Three Wishes Vineyard wine down and enjoy a picnic by the Batman Bridge with views over the water. .

The vineyard entrance is 500 metres from the Batman Highway turnoff along Craigburn Rd to Hillwood. From Launceston, driving time is approximately 30-minutes (32 kilometres/20 miles) to Hillwood.