Tourist Accommodation in the Huon Valley Tasmania
Located 30 minutes south of Hobart, Tasmania, the magnificent Huon Valley is largely undiscovered as a tourist destination. The Huon River rises in the Tasmanian Southwest National Park, flowing through Lake Pedder and the Scotts Peak area before flowing south east through the Huon Valley. The Huon Valley is a quintessential rural setting… encompassing rolling green hills, orchards, farms, quaint townships and river views.
Castle Forbes Bay
Huon River Cottage is situated in the heart of the Huon Valley at Castle Forbes Bay, named after the sailing ship Castle Forbes, 440 tons register, launched in 1818 from building yard of Robert Gibbon & Sons, Aberdeen, Scotland. The ship was named after Castle Forbes, an historic castle that was (and still is) located in Aberdeenshire, and is the seat of the Forbes clan.
Although the ship was designed for the Indian trade, she was later used as a convict transport to Australia. In 1836, she was used to convey Irish free immigrants to Van Diemen’s Land, bound for Hobart. Sailing up the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to the west of Bruny Island, the mouth of the Huon River was mistaken for the mouth of the Derwent River near Hobart, and the ship sailed by mistake up the Huon River. Having passed what is now Port Huon, the ship encountered rapidly shoaling water, and the ship’s draft made it impossible to proceed further. The passengers disembarked, and the bay was named after the ship – hence the name ‘Castle Forbes Bay’.
If you look out the front of the Cottage you can see the leads that now mark the narrow channel leading through shallow areas of the bay. The Castle Forbes would have been prevented from travelling further upstream from this point in the river. It is not hard to visualize the ship when you look over the bay from here.
In later years, the properties around Castle Forbes Bay (including the Cottage) were all apple orchards – Tasmania being known as ‘The Apple Isle’. With the British entry into the European Common Market in the 1960s, apple orchards on this scale became uneconomic, and agriculture became more diverse. The Huon valley is now home to a thriving variety of rural pursuits, including vineyards, berry farms and orchards. The early immigrants who disembarked from the Castle Forbes in 1836 would be amazed to see what has happened in the valley over the last 2 centuries.
Around the Huon Valley
If you want more than just a relaxing stay at our cottage, there are plenty of day trip options for you to explore, including bushwalking, river tours and many other tourist activities located along the Huon Trail. There is lots more info on the Huon Valley Escapes website.
You can also see our Facebook news feed for further suggestions.
Castle Forbes Bay
Huon River Cottage is situated in the heart of the Huon Valley at Castle Forbes Bay, named after the sailing ship Castle Forbes, 440 tons register, launched in 1818 from building yard of Robert Gibbon & Sons, Aberdeen, Scotland. The ship was named after Castle Forbes, an historic castle that was (and still is) located in Aberdeenshire, and is the seat of the Forbes clan.
Although the ship was designed for the Indian trade, she was later used as a convict transport to Australia. In 1836, she was used to convey Irish free immigrants to Van Diemen’s Land, bound for Hobart. Sailing up the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to the west of Bruny Island, the mouth of the Huon River was mistaken for the mouth of the Derwent River near Hobart, and the ship sailed by mistake up the Huon River. Having passed what is now Port Huon, the ship encountered rapidly shoaling water, and the ship’s draft made it impossible to proceed further. The passengers disembarked, and the bay was named after the ship – hence the name ‘Castle Forbes Bay’.
If you look out the front of the Cottage you can see the leads that now mark the narrow channel leading through shallow areas of the bay. The Castle Forbes would have been prevented from travelling further upstream from this point in the river. It is not hard to visualize the ship when you look over the bay from here.
In later years, the properties around Castle Forbes Bay (including the Cottage) were all apple orchards – Tasmania being known as ‘The Apple Isle’. With the British entry into the European Common Market in the 1960s, apple orchards on this scale became uneconomic, and agriculture became more diverse. The Huon valley is now home to a thriving variety of rural pursuits, including vineyards, berry farms and orchards. The early immigrants who disembarked from the Castle Forbes in 1836 would be amazed to see what has happened in the valley over the last 2 centuries.
Around the Huon Valley
If you want more than just a relaxing stay at our cottage, there are plenty of day trip options for you to explore, including bushwalking, river tours and many other tourist activities located along the Huon Trail. There is lots more info on the Huon Valley Escapes website.
You can also see our Facebook news feed for further suggestions.
Things to do in the Huon Valley, Tasmania
Whether you come for a day or a week, there is plenty to see and do in Tasmania's Huon Valley. Explore waterways, wilderness, wildlife and wine. Read about these activities on the Huon Valley Escapes website.
Outdoors and NatureHartz Mountains National Park is a perfect short walk destination. With 4 different tracks from 5 minutes to 3 hours return, there is something for everyone. The landscape has been shaped by glaciers and this story is told on interpretive panels along the tracks. Alpine streams and tarns (small glacial lakes) dot the plateau.
Two hours each way easy track to the southernmost beach. Stand on the cliffs overlooking South Cape bay, a bracing wind from Antarctica, big swell rolling in from the Southern Ocean. You are the southernmost people in Australia. |
Food and WineSpend a couple of hours at this museum, cafe, ciderhouse and providore, in the rustic surrounds of an original apple shed built in 1942. A range of delicious ciders is available at cellar door and the café serves a simple menu of the finest regional products.
Home Hill Winery is very much a Tasmanian boutique vineyard and a country retreat away from the hustle and bustle. With stunning views of the surrounding vines, pastures, livestock and mountains, enjoy award-winning wines, or dining on local produce in the restaurant.
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Tours and HistoryCaves, thermal springs and a café in Far South Tasmania, 1 hour south from Huon River Country Cottage. Enjoy a guided cave tour, barbeque, swim and gentle bush walks. Café, souvenirs and information centre.
Cave tours require 24 hours prior booking. Join us on a leisurely 90 minute cruise. Depending on the wind, sail one way, motor the other. This is not a jet boat ride for thrill seekers. It is a tranquil, relaxing, 2 hour introduction to the historic and natural values of the Huon Estuary, on an historic ocean going sailing vessel.
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