http://www.visitvineyards.com/home/surveys-competitions-win-prizes/do-tasmania-with-visitvineyards-com-september-november-2011Win a 7 day trip to Tasmania
Tasmania is home to world class cool climate wines, spectacular pristine beaches, cool, quiet rainforests, the most spectacular new contemporary art gallery in the world, and of course an ever growing reputation for amazingly fresh produce and fine food. It could also be your home for six nights and seven glorious days...
Whether you're out enjoying the island state's environment with its fresh clean air or savouring the range of products that very environment helps create, you'll have many wonderful experiences and winning this prize will give you a whole week to try as many as you can. So, in Matthew Evans' words from Gourmet Farmer – how hard can it be?
Well, quite hard as there's a lot of Tasmania to pack into any holiday so to make it easier, we've picked some of the best bits to package up for the winner of this competition. Could this be you?
Getting to Tassie and getting around
Board your flight to Launceston, making sure your camera's in hand and your taste buds are honed, and arrive just before lunch time. Collect your Thrifty hire car and just 15 minutes later, start your Tasmanian gourmet trail at Josef Chromy.
After a tasting of their award-winning Pepik and Josef Chromy wines, enjoy a tasty lunch in their newly renovated restaurant. It's a place where the food deliberately complements the wine and the wine is a perfect match to the dish. All this combines with a view from the deck overlooking the lake and the vines. What an idyllic introduction to Tasmania's wineries!
Wind your way through Launceston and down the East Tamar to Peppers York Cove where you'll receive a warm welcome and a deluxe room for two nights. Picturesquely placed on the banks of the Tamar River at George Town, Peppers York Cove is the perfect base for exploring the Tamar Valley and north east coast by day (perhaps taking in a round of golf at Barnbougle Dunes) and then resting stylishly by night.
Day 2: Touring the Tamar Valley
The Tamar Valley Wine Route has been deemed one of the Top 10 Wine Routes in the world by the UK's Essential Traveller magazine (June 2011). You're sure to taste fine wines and receive a warm welcome at all 23 vineyards but we recommend visiting these cellar doors:
Three Wishes
Goaty Hill
Moore's Hill
Rosevears Estate
Velo Wines
But it's not just about the wines, there's also history at the Beaconsfield Mining and Heritage Centre, complete with the famous mine rescue display, delicious pastries and snacks at the Exeter Bakery, a unique aquatic display at Seahorse World and more.
To add a fragrant touch to your trip, we've organised a personal tour of the internationally acclaimed Bridestowe Lavender Estate. Whatever time of year you visit, there is an air of tranquility and bucolic beauty of the neatly laid fields of lavender. You'll take home more than heady memories with a special gift pack in hand.
After your day of touring, head back to your luxurious base at Peppers York Cove for a delicious two course dinner at Cove Bar and Restaurant overlooking the marina and Tamar River. The freshest local produce goes into a diverse seasonal menu of modern Australian cuisine which all goes superbly well with the local wines of course. Savour the food, wine and views.
Day 3: Heading east for the stunning Bay of Fires
Your day's ultimate destination has been described by many (including Lonely Planet) as just that – it's the sparkling blue waters and pristine beaches of the Bay of Fires.
But the journey ahead starts in the nearby Pipers River wine region which hugs Bass Strait and is renowned for producing outstanding sparkling wines. Call by the cellar doors on your way and taste Jansz or Arras from Bay of Fires and then there's Dalrymple, Delamere and Pipers Brook vineyards, talk about spoilt for choice!
Through the lush, fertile paddocks of Scottsdale then the cool rainforests of Weldborough to a small town called Pyengana where award-winning cheeses have been made for over 100 years. With your likely purchases of Pyengana Dairy cheese and full cream milk safely stowed, it's time to head for the coast and Binalong Bay.
Nestled high on an 80 acre property at the Bay of Fires, your Romantic Spa Suite awaits at Bed in the Treetops. Sweeping views of Binalong, Moulting and Georges Bays, St Helens Island and the sea all combine with the bushland setting to provide a truly relaxing and rejuvenating retreat.
You're just minutes from the white beaches where the blue waters are perfect for revitalising feet and bodies weary from travel. Your friendly hosts Marianne and Bruce offer wonderful hospitality making sure your stay at Bed in the Treetops is a truly memorable one.
Day 4: Cruising the East Coast to Hobart
After a full home-cooked breakfast at Bed in the Treetops, it's time to slowly meander down the spectacular East Coast to arrive at White Sands Estate just before lunch, in fact just in time for a tour of IronHouse Brewery, right in the heart of the Estate.
IronHouse beers, named after the nearby renowned surfing point, are all crafted using Tasmanian ingredients and fresh spring water from the Estate and could be the perfect accompaniment to your delicious lunch, appropriately served in the Brewhaus Café overlooking said point!
The road to Hobart from here contains some beautiful views and yet more gourmet delights, starting at Bicheno with local award-winning butcher Sir Loin Breier (we love his crayfish paté!) then on to more of our favourites – Freycinet, Spring Vale and Milton Vineyards and not forgetting the divine ice-creams at Kate's Berry Farm.
A warm, woolly welcome will greet you at the The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Unpack, unwind and enjoy the deluxe room that's home for the next three nights, perhaps sampling your day's purchases.
The Old Woolstore puts you just a block from the famous Hobart waterfront and a gentle stroll to Salamanca Place with its great cafés, bars and restaurants. Or, just a few steps from your spacious room, Baaa Bar offers the ideal place for a relaxing Tassie beer or wine and Stockmans Restaurant provides a delicious range of hearty, affordable meals, all inspired by world-famous Tasmanian food and quality fresh produce.
Day 5: Heading way south and seeing seals
Jump out of bed and brace yourself for one othe best outdoor experiences Tasmania has to offer – a three hour eco-cruise with multi award-winning Bruny Island Cruises. Rob Pennicott's cruises really are the only way to see the coastline on both Bruny and Tasman Islands.
From the signature bright yellow boat, you'll see wilderness and wildlife aplenty. Spectacular sea cliffs, seals, dolphins, whales, seabirds and soaring eagles and all known intimately by the crew on board who passionately and generously share their knowledge. You'll see a lot, learn a lot and have some fun along the way. (For a sneak preview of the cruise, read our article here »)
Day 6: Let someone else do the driving
Have half a day off from the wheel and let the lovely Judy of Eye See Personalised Tours take over. It's your choice of destination for your half day tour. More wineries? Antique shopping in the Derwent Valley? The view from Mount Wellington? Meeting some Tasmanian Devils?
Decide where you'd like to go and Judy will treat you to a personalised tour as the consummate professional guide and a friend.
If you have some time left over, make sure you get to MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art at Moorilla Estate. Over 300,000 people from around the country and around world have been through this thoroughly unique venue. See it to believe it – highly recommended by the VisitVineyards.com team as a must-do experience. (You can easily get the ferry back to your hotel.)
Day 7: One last vineyard lunch ...
You're sure to wake reluctantly on your last day in our island state but it's not over yet – enjoy a leisurely breakfast at one of the waterfront cafés then check out and head to the beautifully located Meadowbank Estate in the Coal River Valley.
Your personal tour of the vineyard will be followed by a wine tasting of Meadowbank and Frogmore Creek wines, many of them medal winners and some of Tasmania's finest.
Meadowbank's new Head Chef, Wayne Smith, is a classicist and believes firmly in buying for paddock to plate. You'll get to taste this philosophy first hand with a delicious lunch that will be fresh, seasonal, mouth-watering and of course, matched perfectly with their wines.
Then, we're sorry but it's probably time to say goodbye to your Thrifty hire car, catch your flight home and perhaps start planning a longer visit next time. After all, you missed the Huon Valley, the Coal River Valley, Cradle Mountain, in fact there's the whole north west and west coast to explore as well...
Do Tasmania with VisitVineyards.com promotion – Terms and Conditions
Please read these carefully before entering
Information regarding prizes and how to enter forms part of these conditions. By entering, entrants accept these conditions.
Entry is open to Australian residents, 18 years and over (except all employees and immediate family of the Promoter and their related corporations and agencies associated with this promotion) who fully complete the entry form during the promotional period ('Eligible Entrants').
The promotion commences on 13th September 2011 and closes at midnight on 30th November 2011.
Entries will be deemed to be accepted at the time of receipt and not at the time of transmission. Incomplete or incomprehensible entries will be deemed invalid.
Prizes will be judged on originality and creativity. Winner will be annouced at the VisitVineyards.com offices, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on 13th December 2011. The major prize winner will be contacted by phone and email and their name and details will published on the VisitVineyards.com website for the required period of 3 months.
The most original and creative valid entry will win a trip for two adults to Tasmania including:
return airfares for two people from your nearest capital city to Launceston or Hobart to a maximum of $1,000
seven (7) days Thrifty hire car (excludes 2011/2012 Christmas/New Year period and Easter from 5th - 10th April 2012). Includes time and kilometres for a small or intermediate car for seven days. Winner responsible for taxes (approx $110) and drivers must be over 25 years of age;
lunch with drinks for two people at Josef Chromy Vineyard Cafe (to a maximum value of $120);
two (2) nights' twin share accommodation in a deluxe room at Peppers York Cove, Tamar Valley;
two course dinner for two at Cove Bar and Restaurant at Peppers York Cove (drinks not included);
one (1) nights' twin share in a Romantic Spa Suite at Bed in the Treetops at Binalong Bay with full home cooked breakfast ;
personal brewery tour of IronHouse Brewery (located at White Sands Estate) and beer tasting;
lunch for two people at Brewhaus Cafe, located at White Sands Estate (to a maximum value of $120);
three (3) nights twin share accommodation in a deluxe room at The Old Woolstore in Hobart;
a three hour eco-cruise with Bruny Island Cruises for two people, ex Adventure Bay, Bruny Island;
half day tour out of Hobart with Eye See Personalised Tours to your choice of destination(s);
personal vineyard tour, wine tasting and lunch with drinks for two people (to a maximum value of $120) at Meadowbank Estate;
a double VisitVineyards.com Membership for one year.
The prize winner is responsible for all other items of a personal nature including, but not limited to, phone calls, drinks, meals (except where stipulated), petrol and all other travel expenses including passports, visa (if required), currency exchange charges, all insurances, travel to and from point of departure and any excess airfares over $1,000. Accommodation is room-only unless specified otherwise. The prize and each component is subject to availability at the time of booking and some conditions may apply.
The prize must be taken by 25th December 2012 and is not transferable except by the consent of VisitVineyards.com and is not redeemable for cash.
Health and travel insurance is highly recommended to protect against any costs incurred in the event of unforseen circumstances, (including but not limited to ill health, accident or death), the need to change travel dates etc. and is the responsibility of the winner(s), at their own cost.
The prize is valued at approximately AUD$4200.00 (including GST). Prize value is the recommended retail value as provided by the supplier and is correct at time of printing. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any variation in prize value.
The prize must be taken as offered and cannot be varied. In the event for any reason a winner does not take an element of the prize stipulated by the Promoter then that element of the prize will be forfeited by the winner and cash will not be supplied in lieu of that element of the prize. Where part of the prize is unavailable for any reason, the Promoter may substitute another item of equal or higher value as determined by the Promoter.
In the event the prize is not claimed by the 28th February 2012, the prize will be allocated to the runner up (judged on the same basis as the above). The winners' name(s) will be published on the VV website (and retained for 3 months).
The Promoter and its associated agencies shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to indirect, special or consequential loss or loss of profits), expense, damage or for any personal injury or death suffered or sustained (whether or not arising from any persons negligence) in connection with this competition or accepting or using any prize/s, except for any liability which can not be excluded by law (in which case that liability is limited to the minimum allowable by law).
The Promoter's decision in relation to any aspects of the competition is final and binding on every person who enters and no correspondence will be entered into.
The Promoter reserve the right in their sole discretion to disqualify any individual who the Promoter have reason to believe has breached any of these conditions, or engaged in any unlawful or other improper misconduct calculated to jeopardise the fair and proper conduct of the promotion. The Promoter's legal rights to recover damages or other compensation from such an offender are reserved.
The Promoter is VisitVineyards.com,1431 Tasman Hwy, Cambridge, Tasmania, Australia 7170.
Entry details remain the property of the Promoter. The name of the winner(s) may be used for promotional purposes by the Promoter, unless a winner otherwise notifies the Promoter at the time of accepting their prize.
Eligible Entrants consent to the Promoter using personal information provided in connection with this promotion for the purposes of facilitating the conduct of the promotion and awarding any prizes and for a free subscription to the VisitVineyards.com website.
For further information, please see the Promoter's Privacy Statement.
See also Terms and Conditions of use of the VisitVineyards.com websites.
Authorised under the laws of the State of Tasmania.
©2008-10 VisitVineyards® Pty Ltd
PS you could easily do the itinerary above in reverse!
IT'S EASY TO ENTER: simply tell us (in the 50 words or less box below) which part of this trip you'd enjoy the most and why.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
The competition is open to all VisitVineyards.com subscribers and Members over the age of 18 who complete the entry form and answer the question above. Entries open 13th September 2011 and close midnight 30th November 2011. Winner announced 13th December 2011 and notified by phone.
