Roadtrip Hobart to Geeveston: Slow travel in Tasmania.
If you love laid-back road trips, amazing food, and stunning scenery, this slow-travel Roadtrip Hobart to Geeveston, Tasmania is for you. Taking the scenic route through the Huon Valley and the Channel Highway, you’ll discover some quaint and interesting towns, very cool cider houses and plenty of good eating. Plus, you get to move through stunning landscapes, all at a pace that lets you truly soak it all in.
Think lazy brunches, easy nature walks, and long lunches by the water. All recommended stops here are optional and you may like to include them on the return home. There’s no rush—just time to enjoy great food, local culture, and hidden gems along the way. By the time you arrive in Geeveston, you’ll be fully in relaxation mode, ready to unwind at Cambridge House.
Insider Tip: For a truly special evening, pre-book your spectacular degustation dinner at Cambridge House in Geeveston at least five days in advance.
So, take it slow, make plenty of stops, and let this be a road trip to remember.
Day 1: Hobart → Breakfast and Battery Point WalkÂ
Begin your journey with a leisurely breakfast at Jackman & McRoss (Battery Point), a popular bakery offering excellent croissants, rich pastries, and fresh sourdough, or Pigeon Whole Bakers, known for its slow-fermented breads. After breakfast, enjoy a gentle 20-minute Battery Point Walk, winding through historic sandstone cottages and hidden gardens.
Other options here include: visiting the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Perhaps a dive into Aboriginal culture and convict history, and if you love markets, then the Salamanca Markets, if it’s a Saturday, is a lively market for artisan crafts and gourmet treats.
Stop 1: Cascade Brewery and Gardens
- Duration: 10 min drive
- Distance: 5 km
A short drive brings you to Cascade Brewery, Australia’s oldest operating brewery, crafting beer since 1832. Take the Cascade Brewery Tour (approximately 90 mins) or skip the tour and head to the 3 acre Brewery Gardens with a tasting paddle. The gardens have century-old trees and bubbling streams so it’s a nice spot to sit and relax.
Want a bit of history with your beer? Just around the corner is the Cascades Female Factory, a UNESCO-listed site that tells the stories of the women who were once imprisoned here. It’s a moving, eye-opening stop that offers a glimpse into Tasmania’s past—but if you’re after something lighter, the gardens and brewery are perfect for just kicking back and enjoying the fresh mountain air.
Stop 2: Gourmet Flavours in RanelaghÂ
- Duration: 30 min driveÂ
- Distance: 35 km
Try one of two gourmet food stops in Ranelagh, near Huonville: –
- Home Hill Winery – A vineyard restaurant with local cheeses, fresh seafood, and premium meats, all paired with award-winning Pinot Noir. Perfect for a long, relaxed lunch with vineyard views.
- The Summer Kitchen Bakery – Family run with passionate bakers, committed to honest, authentic, delicious food. It’s a casual spot yet very high-quality bakery with delicious sourdoughs of all kinds, brilliant gourmet pies, fresh pastries, tasty empanadas and great coffee. There’s classic pie flavours with hearty Huon Beef, as well as Potato and Leek, Bruny Island Wallaby, Lentil Shepherd, Madras and much more. This bakery is a top choice if you prefer a quicker meal before heading into nature.
Stop 3: Snug Falls Walk
- Duration: 15 min drive
- Distance: 15 km
Take a scenic drive to the foothills of the Snug Tiers, and there’s a gentle walk to the waterfall. Snug Falls Walk takes about a 1-hour return – 2 km, easy to moderate and shaded. Best visited September–January for good water flow, though still enjoyable year-round.
Stop 4: Willie Smith’s Apple Shed
- Duration: 15 min driveÂ
- Distance: 15 km
- Set in a beautifully restored 1888 apple shed, fourth generation Willie Smith’s Apple Shed is a fantastic stop for cider lovers. Sip on a tasting paddle, relish fabulous meals – all farm fresh using local produce, and while you’re there, explore the apple museum. There’s a great vibe here and you’ll get a very friendly welcome.
Stop 5: Franklin – Huon River Cruise, Huon River Walk and Wooden Boat Centre
- Duration: 15 min driveÂ
- Distance: 15 km
Arrive in Franklin, a lovely riverside town known for its wooden boat heritage and peaceful waters. You can possibly start with a popular scenic cruise on the historic ketch, the Yukon. It’s a restored 1930s Danish ketch, once rescued from the bottom of a Copenhagen harbour and now a very unique experience to see this region of Tasmania through a different perspective. Travel with history and it’s new life in Tasmania. We highly recommend the relaxing 90 minute sail along the Huon River.
Want to get hands-on? Help hoist the sails, explore below deck, or simply relax on deck with a grazing board of local produce and a glass of Tasmanian cider, wine, or beer. If you’re visiting in winter, from May to August, there’s the Off Season cruise, which adds a cosy twist offering sublime mulled cider and delicious local treats.
For a different vibe on a more modern vessel, the Huon River Cruises run a Relaxing Afternoon Cruise from a private vineyard dock, 5 minutes South of Franklin. Exact address is 3883 Huon Hwy, Castle Forbes Bay and booking online will save disappointment. Or call 0409 333 496
Back on land, take a stroll along the Huon River Walk, a gentle 30-minute trail where you’ll pass bobbing rowboats and traditional wooden boats under restoration. Stop by the Wooden Boat Centre, and see master boat builders crafting wooden vessels all by hand. This is the place where you’ll hear tall tales and true from volunteer guides, and learn everything about precious boat building timbers found exclusively in Tasmania. The guided tour includes an interpretive area and workshop, where boats are currently under construction and restoration. It’s a fascinating place for boat lovers and open daily from 10am to 3pm.
Please note: Tours take around 40 minutes and are generally run on demand. There’s no need to book unless you have a group of 8 or more. Proceeds for entry are used to primarily promote and preserve the craft of traditional boat building, including training shipwrights, showcasing the craft and supporting the Tassie wooden boat building community. Children under 5 is free and they offer senior discounts.
For group bookings (8 or more) please call us on +61 3 6266 3586 or fill out the contact form on their website.
Before continuing your journey, unwind at Franks Cider House & Café, pairing a glass of heritage apple cider with a local cheese platter for the perfect riverside break.
Stop 6: Egg Islands Kayak Tour
- Duration: 15 min driveÂ
- Distance: 15 km
How about booking a Huon River kayak tour through the Egg Islands wetlands? You’ll be able to paddle through peaceful, hidden waterways with a good chance of spotting native Tasmanian birdlife in this beautifully untouched part of the Huon River.
Stop 7: Shipwrights Point – Scenic Picnic Spot
- Duration: 10 min driveÂ
- Distance: 10 km
Shipwrights Point is a great picnic spot on the river. You’ll see boats bobbing about on the water after you’ve found the perfect place to breathe in the fresh Huon Valley air as you chill out for a while. This spot has picnic tables, BBQ facilities, and a playground, making it a great place to enjoy fresh Huon Valley air.
But Shipwrights Point isn’t just a pretty picnic spot—it’s also packed with history. From the 1850s to the 1970s, it was home to the Huon Regatta, a massive annual event that brought in crowds of up to 10,000 people. Families and visitors would arrive by steamers from Hobart, schooners, horse-drawn carts, or even on foot to watch the boat races and celebrations. While the regatta isn’t held there anymore, the spot still has a strong maritime vibe, with boats in the water and a peaceful riverside setting to relax and take in the scenery.
Stop 8: Geeveston – Cambridge House Breakfast and Bed
- Distance: 10 min drive
- Duration: 10 km
Arrive at Cambridge House B&B, where Victorian elegance meets Japanese Ryokan-inspired tranquility. After check-in, unwind with a drink, explore the peaceful gardens, or try platypus spotting in their natural habitat.
A highlight of your stay is the Omakase dinner, a spectacular degustation experience not to be missed.
As well as foodie lovers, sports enthusiasts can tee off at Geeveston Golf Club just 3 km away, while others can explore the many scenic hiking trails right from the doorstep.
With top Huon Valley attractions nearby, take a stroll to the South Cape Bay Walk or visit the Forest & Heritage Centre. If you’re up for adventure, hike through lush forests and waterfalls, or simply relax in the shared lounge or library. Whether you’re here for nature, great food, or a peaceful escape, Cambridge House Geeveston, is the perfect base for your Huon Valley getaway.
Whether you take the scenic route or step into the wilderness for a waterfall walk, this Roadtrip Hobart to Geeveston, Tasmania, is all about slowing down, soaking in the beauty, and making the journey just as special as the destination.
Looking for accommodation in this area? Check out our Stays with a WOW Tasmania.
