4 Stops on a Devonport to Launceston Road Trip
Whether you are hoping off the Spirit of Tasmania at Devonport, or just looking for an alternative day trip from Launceston. The drive itself is only just over an hour, though with all the delights of North Tasmania awaiting you why hurry. The Devonport to Launceston road trip takes in 4 gastronomical delights of Northern Tasmania. Similar to the Hobart to Launceston road trip, this can be done either way, it’s another great way to start or finish your Tasmanian Adventure. In addition to being great way to start a western adventure from Hobart.
The gastronomical delights you will encounter, will have you fed for the day. As well as providing delicious samples of Northern Tasmania as you continue your travels around the state. Or delightful reminders of your travels when you get home.
Whilst there is a bus service between Devonport and Launceston it’s not favourable for this road trip. However, there are several local companies that can provide their services, if you don’t have a car.
Preview – 4 Stop Devonport to Launceston Road Trip
Our preview, highlights what stops you can discover traveling by car on your Devonport to Launceston road trip. Or Launceston to Devonport for that matter… This compliments the Launceston day itinerary. Alternatively, it can be used as a road trip to start your Cradle Mountain Adventure. In addition to outlining a brief description of each stop with internal link for your benefit…
- The House of Anvers – pure deliciousness from the Belgian waffles to the most sought after chocolate in the world, ‘Fortunato No.4’
- Ashgrove Cheese Dairy Door – a 100% Tasmanian family business since 1908, providing premium quality, traditionally styled dairy products
- Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm – an extraordinary farm, providing some of the best berries around including the famous chocolate coated raspberries
- Van Diemens Land Creamery – established in 2005, this family run business, has been creating pure deliciousness with some of Tasmania’s finest ingredients
Our travel checklists, are the first step to start your independent travelling. Start building your own Destination ‘DO’ List, or prioritise the one you have. These checklists are great for your Devonport to Launceston road trip.
Checklists for:
- Your destination DO List
- before you travel
- see and do notes
- carry on packing list – warm and cold climate
- checked in packing list – warm and cold climate
Whilst traveling on a Devonport to Launceston road trip, there is much to see and so many places you can visit. Though for this article the focus is on those gastronomical delights that are on the most direct route you will travel, on Devonport to Launceston road trip. However, we will also make mention some of the additional places you can wander off the main highway to visit.
The House of Anvers
This is the first or last stop on the Devonport to Launceston road trip depending on your point of origin. It’s an especially popular spot for when you are traveling via the ferry, if you have decided to float over to Tasmania.
Opening Hours: 7 days
- Café – 07:00 – 17:00
- Tasting Centre and Shop – 09:00 – 17:00
Traveling Distance
- Devonport: 7 minutes
- Launceston: 61 minutes
The House of Anvers is more than just a café and chocolate shop, though you will find exceptional meals. Typical of a European style café, with the most delicious Belgian waffles, and what would a chocolate shop be without an extensive range of hot chocolate…The café is within the ‘Wyndarra lodge’ a bungalow style building (circa. 1928). You are able to dine in or weather permits, explore the gardens on the property. This is a definite must on your Devonport to Launceston road trip.
In addition to the café, you there is an exceptional chocolate antique display, tracing the history of chocolate and its origins. Here, you will also discover an amazing range of equipment and moulds that have been used throughout the ages to create chocolate delicacies. Whilst there is an interactive display and DVD on the processing of chocolate, if you are lucky you will see for yourself how they do things at The House of Anvers.
Lastly before continuing on your Devonport to Launceston road trip, there is the tasting centre and shop. Where you are able to taste the delights that are Anvers chocolate. It is here that you will see showcase of chocolate products, the shop is brimming with amazing chocolates, and Tasmanian produce. Choose from single items, multi packs or a hamper of amazing chocolate. Alternatively, one of the wonderful staff can create a hamper of your choosing.
At The House of Anvers, they pride themselves in the quality of their chocolate, with a selection that has to be seen and tasted to be believed. Whether it’s, Chocolate blocks from single origin cacao beans, a traditional Belgian style handmade fudge or a selection of truffles. You won’t be disappointed, you may also like to try the Couverture D’Anvers or Orange D’Anvers, made to specific recipes of Anvers Confectionery founder, Igor Van Gerwen.
Alternative, try some of the most sought after chocolate in the world, ‘Fortunato No.4’ (dark and milk), genetically certified as the ‘Original Cacao’. Thought to be once extinct (1916) they were discovered again 10 years ago growing at 3250ft in the Maranon Valley Peru. Anvers chocolate have the exclusive rights to introduce this delight to the Australian market. Try some when you visit on your Devonport to Launceston road trip.
The House of Anvers are also host specialty events at the annual Chocolate Winterfest, in Latrobe Tasmania, traditionally held in August.
Ashgrove Cheese Dairy Door
The second or third stop on your on the Devonport to Launceston road trip depending on your point of origin. A Tasmanian icon it’s a great spot for grabbing some supplies or take home a little something. Also, this makes a great one day itinerary from Launceston, you can enjoy a Devonport to Launceston road trip in reverse. The Dairy door is a fantastic place for lunch.
Opening Hours: 7 days
08:30 – 17:00
Traveling Distance
- Devonport: 27 minutes
- Launceston: 43 minutes
The first thing you find out about Ashgrove Cheese is they are a 100% Tasmanian family business and has been so since 1908. When the original land ‘Eddington Farm’ held only one herd of dairy cows. In the early 1980’ the Ashgrove partnership was formed to provide a value added product to market, whilst combating the flood of cheap milk into the marketplace. At this point they dove in, to establish an on-farm manufacturing plant, which was the birth of the Ashgrove Farm Factory. From here they started the production of premium quality, traditionally styled cheeses direct from the source. With the original factory being all hand built from upcycled mining equipment.
They have come a long way from the early years, which you will discover on your Devonport to Launceston road trip. Still family owned they currently have four dairies that and six farms, all part of the Ashgrove family. With some sitting between bluffs or on the banks of rivers it’s an exceptional place that makes for happy cows. The attention to the environment is paramount with this family, using traditional fertilisers, whilst respecting the landscape of the farms.
We personally use Ashgrove milk to support the 100% family owned business for one. Though the care that is given to the Brown Swiss, Jersey and Holstein-Friesian breeds on the family’s farms are also a big point for us. The cows are free to roam within the open paddock system grazing on luscious pastures. The husbandry practices they never use is docking tails and bobby calving, which can cause substantial stress to both mother and calf. You can learn more about the cows and the gentle way they are raised at the Dairy Door interpretation centre.
The dairy door is top on our list for a Devonport to Launceston road trip. Here you can get a selection of the delicious, milk, cream, butter, snacks and let’s not forget the cheeses. You will also find a selection of condiments that complement their cheeses perfectly. At the Dairy door you can also enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch experiencing a true pasture to plate menu.
Alternatively, you could have a High Cheese (a high tea of cheese) or Cheesy Flight, you will also find an exceptional choice of platters available. For the young or young at heart you can indulge on the house gelato, or turn it into a gelato sundae, a great way to indulge on your Devonport to Launceston road trip.
Bookings can be made for any of the experiences mentioned, and are preferred for breakfast and lunch.
Additional stops
41° South Salmon
Situated off the main highway at 323 Montana Road, Red Hills this place is well worth the minor detour from your Devonport to Launceston road trip. Enjoy a walk around the salmon and ginseng farm, where the natural and man-made wetlands act as a bio-filter. Continue to get a glimpse of lower Montana Falls cascade and be sure to pick up some hot smoked salmon before leaving, it’s delicious.
Opening Hours: Tues to Sun – 10:00 – 16:00
Elizabeth Town Bakery Café (ETC)
Once a busy hotel now an iconic Bakery along the Bass Highway. Offering a great selection of baked goods for breakfast, lunch or snack. A perfect place for a quick stop on your Devonport to Launceston road trip. Or to stock up on baked goods for your travels around Tasmania.
Opening Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 06:00 – 17:00
- Sat to Sun – 07:00 – 17:00
Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Café
The third or second stop on your on the Devonport to Launceston road trip depending on your point of origin. For regular travellers to and from Tasmania via the ferry, this is a traditional stop for some great pancakes or a light lunch. The café also has a great selection of raspberry products in particular Jam, Sauce, Lip Balm and Edible freeze-dried raspberry.
Opening Hours: 7 days
- Café – 07:00 – 17:00
Traveling Distance
- Devonport: 33 minutes
- Launceston: 37 minutes
As soon as you walk in the door of the café your tastebuds will be tantalised. Whether it’s to enjoy an all-day breakfast or a light meal from the seasonal menu you won’t be disappointed. You may have heard about the amazing produce they have and wish to stock up. Fresh berries are available during the season (late-Nov to May) and frozen berries out of season. Additionally, a selection of jams, sauces, syrups and all things raspberries are available all year round.
Alternatively, it could be to taste some of the café’s signature product ‘Gourmet Chocolate Coated Raspberries’. I can only describe these as little ‘Treat Bombs’ a fresh raspberry enrobed in dark or milk chocolate. These delightful morsels are called so (by me) because when you bite into them the intense flavour explode in your mouth. You may be able to tell they are a favourite of mine….and a must for a Devonport to Launceston road trip.
You are also able to wander around the property attached to the café, take the boardwalk around the lake where you will discover some beautiful landscape, native wildlife and where the raspberries are grown. The berries on the property are grown in polytunnels, which allows for an extended season. Creating the ideal micro-environment to allow pollinators and beneficial insects to thrive, in addition to keeping the harsher elements out.
Whilst the café was established in 1984, the history of the farm can still be viewed. As you wander the property you will discover some of the older structures still standing. These are just another example of the history you can glimpse as you take a Devonport to Launceston road trip.
Our travel checklists, are the first step to start your independent travelling. Start building your own Destination ‘DO’ List, or prioritise the one you have. These checklists are great for your Devonport to Launceston road trip.
Checklists for:
- Your destination DO List
- before you travel
- see and do notes
- carry on packing list – warm and cold climate
- checked in packing list – warm and cold climate
Van Diemens Land Creamery
The fourth or first stop on your Devonport to Launceston road trip, depending on origin, this is what Greg describes as the best Ice Cream ever made…
With this point close to the halfway point, it makes a great detour from a day trip from Launceston, on the Devonport to Launceston road trip. Additionally, this is an excellent start for a trip to Cradle Mountain.
Opening Hours: 7 days
- 11:00 – 17:00
Traveling Distance
- Devonport: 33 minutes
- Launceston: 37 minutes
This small family run business was established in 2005, creating deliciousness from the family dairy farm. With some batches being delivered to ice cream hungry consumers within 24hours, which made it some of the freshest ice cream about.
Using some of Tasmania finest ingredients, beginning with the milk from the farm. Before adding some of the classic flavours of Tasmania, pepper berry, lavender, peanut butter, olive oil, whisky, or leatherwood honey. In addition to ice cream the VDL Creamery make a selection of sorbets and gelatos. All the products they make where possible used Tasmanian local ingredients, there are too many flavours to list. It is a delightful experience, to add to your Devonport to Launceston road trip.
The factory is onsite and if you are lucky enough, you may catch a glimpse of this deliciousness being created through the production room window. At the café you can stay for a light meal or snack as well as your ice cream. The café is also a local providore with a delightful selection, being fully licensed stocking a great range of Tasmanian beer, wine, and spirits. On a fine day there are tables set up both inside and out, relax with an area for small and large children to play.
If you can’t get to VDL Creamery on your Devonport to Launceston road trip, don’t despair there is a pontoon shop at Hobart in Constitution Dock. Additionally, it is also stocked in several restaurants and stores around Tasmania.
Final Notes
We hope this information will give you some insight into what’s around the area and how delicious a Devonport to Launceston road trip can be. Any of these stops can be taken as a singular stop depending on your appetite, as a day trip or as mentioned part of a bigger journey exploring Tasmania.
I love the idea of stopping off for great food on a road trip! Definitely saving this post for the future. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you glad you liked it…as a food scientist, food stops are usually my first thoughts along a road trip ha ha
Tasmania is a place I know nothing about so I really enjoyed reading this. Many of the things you featured remind me of stuff back home. You have painted cows and we have painted bison all over our town! What fun!
Thank you, glad you liked it, Tasmania is a great place and beautiful scenery, food and people…painted Bison sounds fantastic…
Such a yummy sounding road trip!
Thanks and it was, exceptionally yummy
Love the painted cows! We have them in the town where I grew up, a small farming town. Of course, the creamery would definitely be on my list of stops, though looks like all of them are worthwhile.
They are so cool I agree, they are my favourite stops and a great place to get local produce
This sounds like an amazing trip. I would definitely need to stop at the House of Anvers. And the Creamery! Who doesn’t want the best ice cream ever!
It seriously is the best ice-cream, and the House of Anvers, just smells divine…ha ha
I don’t think I have planned a road trip around the foodie stops along the way. Seems like a great reason to stop from a break.
You should try it on the way to your next road-trip destinations…it’s fun and also a great reason to get food supplies for further a field or the beginning of your trip…
I have never been to Tasmania, but I would definitely stop at some of the places to taste the local food should I make it one day there. Thanks for sharing!
I hope that you do make it as you would love the options of local produce you can choose from…
I would love to go on this road trip where so many delicious food await me. I’d love to try the Belgian waffles, hot chocolate, truffles, the pancake, the ginseng. Lovely post! I had a great time reading it and imagining I was there, too.
Thank you so much ha ha we ate so much we had to just collect cheese and milk for later … it’s a great way to stock up also
You certainly wouldn’t go hungry on this trip! Love the focus on local producers/ family owned business. Also love the decorated cows, very cheerful!
The painted cows are fantastic and we worth a visit ha ha no you don’t but the best part is you can take some with you
I’ve never been but bookmarking for the future! Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm cafe sounds yummy. I love chocolate and raspberry and these sound amazing! But the real must is Van Diemens Land Creamery! I’ve gone pretty far out of my way for fresh ice cream and this sounds like it’s worth the trip!
They are pure delights, and the ice cream is just across the road from the Raspberry farm… match made in heaven….