Golf and Whisky Highlander - overnight

** May 2022 - copy is being re-written. Below is old copy** 

Full day tour from Hobart to Bothwell via two distilleries. Golf at Ratho Farm, Australia's oldest golf course, one more distillery and Homestead arvo tea on the way back to Hobart.

This experience grants bragging rights - golfing at Australia’s oldest golf course, which could only be surpassed by tasting a generous selection of spirits at three of Tasmania’s finest Distilleries.

The Whisky and Golf Highlander in Australia? Yes, and you can easily do it from Hobart. This is a wonderful full day tour of premium tastings, local produce, heritage, stories, country soul and charm, lovely people and so much fresh air you may get dizzy.

The Whisky and Golf Highlander is in all likelihood just what the Scottish Settlers had in mind when they settled in the area 200 years ago, so we thank them for their foresight and cannot wait to share this absolute gem of a day with you.

We meet you at 9.30 am at Gold Bar located in a 19th Century flour mill halfway between Franklin Square and Elizabeth Street Pier. Gold Bar is a delightful little speakeasy by night serving up local spirits and liqueurs, and in the mornings they fire up the workers with great coffee. You will love it and for us it’s a great meeting place and departure point.

We share a coffee together before leaving Hobart and head north along the Derwent River crossing over at a bridge across the water called “Bridgewater” where a gang of Black Swans sit comfortably at the top of their turf. Our first stop is Historic Shene Estate. The ”Shed” is perfect for a complimentary expression of Estate made Gin and Whiskey and firing up the imagination about privileged pioneer life in Tasmania almost 200 years ago, and present day passion and craft. You also have the option and time to purchase a half or full dram to enjoy as you wander around the impressive grounds and admire the beautiful colonial era convict made sandstone buildings.

Continuing a little further north our next stop is at Old Kempton Distillery for a private guided tour, tastings and a shared platter lunch of local produce. The sun is at its highest and historic Dysart House provides yet another classic Tassie marriage of the old and new for the lucky traveler to enjoy. Onwards with a short and very scenic drive up to the central highland plateau to the charming village of Bothwell and Ratho Farm, established 1821.

It is now early afternoon and a great time to play some golf on Australia’s oldest course. 

Now golf is of course not mandatory, so if hitting a little white ball is not your thing, then we recommend relaxing in the atrium with a pot of tea and exploring the history and grounds of this beautiful homestead in peace and quiet.

After Ratho Farm and golf we drive 2 minutes down a dirt road to Nant Estate for a tour of the old mill and relatively newer distillery, and of course some more delicious tastings and interesting stories.

We are 80 km from Hobart and it is time to start heading back but we have one more stop en route - Rathmore Farm, an historic sheep property settled in 1828. This is the kind of place you might see on Get Away where you turn to your partner and say “Honey, I’d love to visit that place.” We have enough time to wander around, have some afternoon tea and it's a great time of day to also spot the platypus that reside in the rivulet running through the farm.

Duration: 8-9 hours (Pick-up 9.30 am and return 5.30 pm +/- depending on traffic)

Group size: Min - Max: 4 - 11

Inclusions:

• Tea/Coffee on arrival
• Tour and Tastings at three Distilleries
• Meet the makers and industry led Distillery tour
• Lunch - shared platter
• Golf fees at Ratho Farm (BYO clubs or hire available)
• Bottle purchases available on the day
• Travel in spacious executive class Renault Master Bus

We do have a minimum of 4 people for this tour to go ahead. Although, it is not so much the number of people, but the price point to make it viable. If you like this tour and its showing available on the day/s you want then please contact me for a custom quote for fewer than 4.

Pick up and communication

We can pick you up from anywhere in Hobart city - we recommend no later than 9.30am. We also recommend two or three locations to meet at that are easy to find and also serve great coffee.

Our service is quite personalised and we can accommodate most requests. 

This tour is perfect for locals and visitors alike. Minimum age is 18 to be able taste. 

We can accommodate your own clubs.

Thank you:

We are a small family business supporting other small businesses by connecting happy people with them - locals and visitors alike. We specialise in small group tours around Southern Tasmania with a particular focus on the Derwent Valley.