Whisky and Spirits on the Convict Trail

Nonesuch Distillery was established as a gin distillery. It was keen to create gins that spoke of "place" by using some local botanicals alongside the more traditional ingredients. This saw Nonesuch develop a Sloe Gin using sloes from old hedgerows around the state.

In 2017, Chris joined his dad, Rex, and Annette at the distillery and brought with him a passion for creating Nonesuch whisky. Chris' dedication, research, and passion have resulted in the creation of Nonesuch Single Malt and the distinctive Nonesuch Single Grain Whiskies.

Along the stunning southeast coast of Tasmania, you will find Daly Farm, the home of Hellfire Bluff Distillery. Over 30 years of farming opened the door to the distillery when the family followed their dream to produce unique spirits in their stunning location and chased their passion to value-add to the potatoes grown on the farm.
An incredible range of Tasmanian-produced gin, spirits, liqueurs and spritzes are all available for tasting at the cellar door perched on top of the hill at Daly Farm.

Blue Lagoon Oysters is a small farm that grows and sells fresh, tasty oysters from pristine waters; the only oyster farmgate on the Tasman Peninsula.

The premium oysters are grown in Boomer Bay and have a unique, fresh and briny flavour that reflects the forests and seagrass meadows blasted by the East Coast oceanic currents.

Blue Lagoon is the only farmgate in the state to cultivate and sell the unique native Tasmanian flat oyster, the Angasi, which is only available for approximately 4 months in the cooler months of the year.

Visit the Dunalley Bay Distillery cellar door to enjoy uninterrupted views of one of the most pristine beaches in the world. It is directly on their doorstep, literally metres from the tasting huts!

The beach lounge is the perfect spot to enjoy a tasting paddle of their wide range of gins, liqueurs, and recently launched whisky with a postcard view of the channel and even Mount Wellington in the distance.

Sandra and Mark love sharing their craft spirits and tasting plates with visitors and enjoy offering tips, stories and suggestions for exploring the local area.

With breathtaking panoramic views over Pirates Bay, this is an ideal stop to stretch your legs and breathe in the crisp, fresh Tasman peninsula air while enjoying a barista-made coffee.

The Tasman peninsula is home to the largest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere. On a clear day, you can see Cape Raoul, the candlestick and the Hippolyte.

When you take the time to absorb the spectacular natural surroundings, a coffee at Cubed becomes more than just a coffee experience.

The 30-meter-wide isthmus that leads to Port Arthur was once guarded by a line of up to nine ferocious dogs. A life-size replica of this infamous scene can be found on shore, setting the scene to how difficult it would have been to escape the Tasman peninsula through this narrow piece of land.
Visit the free museum at the Officer’s Quarters (built in 1832, it is the oldest timber military building in Australia).

Nestled above Impression Bay at Premaydena on the Tasman Peninsula, Michael produces his First Impression Gin. Visit the cellar door (by appointment only) and see their hand-beaten German copper still, specifically designed to capture the essence of fresh botanicals and to create a refined and sophisticated spirit. The cellar door offers a perfect view of the bay on the Tasmanian Whisky and Spirits Trail.

The Coal Mines Historic Site at Saltwater River had a fearsome reputation as a probations station and is an outstanding example of the 19th-century European global strategy of using the forced labour of convicts between 1833 and 1848.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Coal Mines is one chapter in the epic story of convicts and transportation in Tasmania. Explore the settlement ruins, which once included stone prisoners’ barracks and punishment cells, a chapel, bakehouse and store, as well as quarters for the commanding officer, surgeon and soldiers.

McHenry Distillery is Australia’s southernmost whisky distillery, and its family heritage makes it the southernmost family-run distillery in the world. Its location takes advantage of the cool, moist maritime environment, giving the maturing spirit the right conditions to make the most of its time in wooden barrels.

McHenry’s offers a variety of gin, whisky and beer-tasting experiences, where you will learn a bit about the history of the spirits and the McHenry Distillery story. You can also take a distillery tour where McHenry’s distillery experts will show you the production facilities, the ‘Vault’ bond store and the best ‘star gazing’ and viewing point on the Peninsula!

Immerse yourself into the dark, eerie past of the Port Arthur convict penal settlement dating back to 1830. Port Arthur is one of Australia’s most important colonial landmarks and one of Tasmania’s most iconic tourist attractions.

Winning multiple national tourism awards, you will have the option of 3 or 4 hours to explore the site, which is part of the UNESCO world heritage site and contains more than 30 colonial buildings, ruins, and restored homes. Your entry includes a 20-minute harbour cruise, an audio experience, and complimentary key talks at locations throughout the day. It is a day and experience not to be missed and one to be remembered.

If you need more time exploring the ruins and landscaped grounds, it is worth mentioning that passes are valid for two consecutive days, and you can include a tour of the Isle of the Dead and an evening braving the infamous ghost tour.