Tasmania has made a name for itself as a bit of a foodie haven with fresh produce galore, artisan cheese makers, craft beer, cider and whiskey producers and of course quality eateries located all over the state. To ensure you experience all that it has to offer, there are various food and drink trails to follow however as is always the case some are better than others and it’s hard to know which ones are worth a visit or not. I visited a stack on my recent trip to the apple isle, so if you’re strapped for time, here are my must do Tasmanian foodie experiences.

Ross Village Bakery Inn
Tassie is littered with historic little towns all with their own iconic and equally historic bakeries. Most claim to produce the best sausage roll or vanilla slice in the state and for the most part it’s a matter of personal preference, however there is one bakery that has an award winning sausage roll that really needs to be tasted.
The Ross Village Bakery Inn has been around since 1860 with bread still made on a daily basis in the original wood fired oven. Offering a no frills dining experience, what you get is classic bakery fare at its best. Their famous sausage roll is larger than the standard, with the delicious meaty filling being encased in golden pastry that flakes away as you bite into it – just perfect!

Wicked Cheese
Set in and amongst the lush green Tasmanian country side on the outskirts of historic Richmond you’ll find what is easily the best cheese producer in the state, Wicked Cheese Co. Specialising in creamy cheddars, silky smooth bries and crumbly goats cheeses, their range is sure to convert non cheese lovers into fans.
Not usually a fan of Brie or Camembert, Wicked’s version successfully challenged my long held aversions. Smooth and creamy, they didn’t leave a nasty after taste. The flavour was milder than other versions making it quite enjoyable to eat.
I am however a lover of rich cheddar cheese and on this front Wicked delivered. With a number of different flavoured cheddars, we couldn’t go past the unique Whiskey Cheddar which tastes like any other cheddar, but with a lovely hit of whiskey.

Kate’s Berry Farm
Located on the outskirts of historic coastal town Swansea, Kate’s Berry Farm is quite a drawcard to the area. Perched on the side of a hill, the quaint farm and cafe overlook Great Oyster Bay and the Freycinet National Park, offering visitors an opportunity to taste their extensive range of jams and chutneys, enjoy a meal and pick up some chocolates for the road.
Whilst the jams are full flavoured and super sweet, for me the highlight was the chocolate covered berries. Amongst others, large strawberries are freeze dried and covered in either white, milk and dark chocolate. Difficult to bite into thanks to their impressive size, however once successful the delicious flavour combination makes the struggle worthwhile.

Spreyton Cider Co
This family owned and run business offers boutique ciders made from just about every type of apple there is. Not as sweet as commercial varietals, Spreyton’s ciders have a unique and authentic flavour with very few additives used in the production process. The apple flavour is pure and sharp as it isn’t diluted by unnecessary additives.
Tastings are available daily for the low price of $12.50, which includes a tasting paddle with notes, as well as a bottle of your favourite cider to take home.
Make sure you sample some of their apple juice before you leave. It is without doubt the most flavoursome juice I’ve ever consumed. Tasting like a crisp apple has been juiced just for you, it is preservative free and exactly the way juice should be.

Willie Smiths Apple Shed
The apple shed and museum is located in and amongst the famous apple orchards of the Huon Vally. If you’re a lover of the humble apple you’ll love this place. Order some lunch and enjoy a tasting board of Willie Smiths sharp apple ciders within this rustic and somewhat folky space. As much as I enjoyed the cider, for me the highlight was the classic apple sweets. Think classic deep dish apple pie and sweet toffee apples amongst others. Definitely one to put on the to do list.

House of Anvers
Something of a Tasmanian institution, Anvers has been creating delicate belgian chocolates just out of Devonport for nearly 30 years. With tastings and viewings avaliable daily, pop in to try some of their signature fudge and truffles. Avaliable in a number of tempting flavours, their product is some of the smoothest and creamiest I’ve come across.
Once you’re done with tastings, make your way over to their incredibly popular cafe. Offering really hearty food like classic pies and pumpkin tarts, plus a large variety of desserts including their signature waffles which are more or less the same size as a 1kg rack of ribs!