The Gurus Explore Tasmania
With thanks to Yates - Honda - Country Club Tasmania - Pure - Wrest Point - Thrifty and Qantas 

Our Itinerary…
Day 3 Monday

As we bid farewell to Freycinet, thinking that the spectacular sea- and land-scape was behind us, we made our way north to the tiny hamlet of Pyengana.

The road from Bicheno to St Helens has to be one of Australia’s best coastal drives. As well as the Thrifty hire car, we were lucky enough to have one of Honda’s brilliant new CRV’s to drive around the Apple Isle. The CRV was definitely the best way to experience this bit of highway bliss!

Holy Cow!
Yes, Neville’s first story of the day started with this proclamation as the Pyengana Dairy Company’s shopfront is the Holy Cow! Café. We spent quite a bit of time with Jon and Lyndell Healey, the much lauded owners of Pyengana Dairy Company. Their range of award winning cheddars has to be tasted to be believed! Neville was certainly in his element, surrounded by contented cows and the famous cloth-bound cheddar.

Jon is the fourth generation of this dairying family, and he has put generations of dairy knowledge to perfect use, creating what has to be one of Australia’s best aged cheddars. To be in the maturing rooms, surrounded by hundreds of wheels of cheddar is a dream come true for aficionados of dairy delights.

Also, while you are having one of the cheesy temptations from the Holy Cow! Café you must try a Tasmanian perry cider.

The dairy is on St Columba Falls Road in Pyengana, and being the inquisitive crew we are, we went in search of… St Columba Falls! Five minutes up the road from the dairy we were rewarded with the distant sight of the falls.

Scrambling to keep up with Neville as he went to discover more of the falls, we took a short walk through some of the most incredible temperate rainforest, surrounded by man-ferns and sassafras trees to the base of the falls. The natural amphitheatre is ringed by giant eucalypts and the view will hold you spell-bound as you trace the many paths the falls take down the 90 metre cliff. Well worth the diversion!

On to Launceston, but not before we stop at Wendy and David Wardlaw’s property ‘Cranleigh Park’ in Ringarooma. Neville was absolutely taken with the mature trees in the park-like setting and Wendy graciously took Neville on a tour of the garden. Keep an eye on the Australian Open Garden Scheme dates to see this fabulous English style garden in November and January.

Arriving in the evening at Country Club Tasmania in Launceston, we are immediately shown to the Terrace Restaurant by Restaurant Manager and Sommelier Joseph Burton and Head Chef Luke Stepsys. Luke has created the solution to wanting to eat your way through an entire menu with his magnificent degustation creations. And Joseph has ensured that each of the eight dishes is complimented by the best possible wines from around the world!

Driving instructions Freycinet-Launceston: It’s about a 2.5 hour drive without the detours from Freycinet. Country Club Tasmania is located just out of the city at Prospect. Follow the signs as you come into the city for the Devonport/ Burnie/Country Club casino turn-off.

Contacts:
Pyengana Dairy Company
Jon and Lyndell Healey
St Columbo Falls Road
Pyengana
Phone 03 6373 6157

Country Club Tasmania,
Country Club Ave, Prospect Vale
phone: (03) 6335 5777


The Terrace Restaurant
Country Club’s signature restaurant with a regular menu that is far from ordinary. Indulge your tastebuds with a selection from an enticing seasonal menu of fresh Tasmanian produce, complimented by an extensive list of more than 500 quality wines from their own wine room. Restaurant Manager and sommelier Joseph Burton will be on-hand to assist you in choosing the perfect wine to match head chef Luke Stepsys’ gourmet creations. The Terrace has just received the state AHA/RCAT award for Best Fine Dining.

And of course we have a very special deal for you to stay at Country Club Tasmania



Modelled on the stately homes of America’s south, Country Club Tasmania in Launceston is surrounded by an 18-hole championship golf course and natural bushland, and is renowned for its dining experiences at The Terrace Restaurant.

Country Club deluxe room from $190 per room, per night, including two full buffet breakfasts. One bedroom Country Club Villas from $142 per night, including two full buffet breakfasts. Valid to 30/11/2007, subject to availability, conditions apply. For further information or bookings phone 1800 420 555


Plus Thrifty’s great offer: hire a car for three days and get a fourth day free
valid to 30/9/2007, subject to availability, conditions apply. For further information and bookings phone 1300 367 227 or visit www.thrifty.com.au