Begin and end your one-day itinerary in Tasmania at the heritage-listed Ikon Hotel in Burnie, where spacious suites, beachside proximity and heritage charm make it an ideal base for exploring the north west.
For breakfast, take a short walk to the Chapel (closed Sundays), set inside a restored 1890s church, where good coffee and a hearty menu worth lingering over set you up for the day ahead.
Point your car east to Ulverstone for a morning with Leven River Cruises. Choose from three Off Season experiences themed around local delicacies, kid-friendly adventures or a forest escape. Whichever you choose, expect tranquil river scenery. The cruises run on select days and vary in length, so check ahead and plan your itinerary accordingly. Book an early departure to squeeze more into your day.
Continue into the countryside to Leven Valley Vineyard for lunch. This rustic cellar door pours cool-climate chardonnay and pinot noir, enjoyed with panoramic views of the Leven River and Gunns Plains. In the Off Season, you can even bring your own barbeque ingredients and cook up a feast to match your tastings.
Back in Burnie for the afternoon, take a stroll through the mesmerising Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden. Open daily, the garden takes on a moody beauty in winter. On Wednesdays, you can book a two-course meal with Tassie bubbles on arrival – only during the Off Season.
As evening falls, warm up with a feed at Communion Brewing Co. Twelve beers on tap, live tunes and a kids’ corner are the ultimate wind-down. You’ll thaw out in no time.
Then settle back into the Ikon Hotel. If you want to extend your north-west day trip to two nights during the Off Season, the Ikon Hotel will greet you with local red wine, cheeses and chocolates in your room. Not a bad way to bookend the day.