Huonville, the ville on the Huon. It is a small community situated in the Huon Valley, beside the Huon River, around the Huon Highway. Huon Huon Huon. You’ll get sick of reading that by the end, I promise. It was first built, like many towns here, by convicts back in the 19th century and prided itself on supplying the world apples. While that sounds cute, together with many other Southern regions, this identity has slowly been shifting towards that of a winemaking domain thanks to gradual changes in the global economy. Despite this, there is one part of its identity that will most likely never change. One of a gateway town.
A main strip of shops runs down Huon Highway, pulling everything towards it with only a sprinkling of business on outskirts, such as the RSL and mechanics. For such a small town, the main road features four service stations within the span of about 300 meters. The neon lights on the price boards lighting up the road like the Vegas Strip. Was the town built on oil? No. But the town was built around vast quantities of Huon pine and stunning mountain ranges. As a result, the town serves as a gateway into the southernmost parts of Tasmania for both tourists and the logging industry. While overseas tourists refuel their little MG3s, wishfully thinking they can lug it up to Hartz Mountain, the log truck drivers pump mad gallons into their oversize trucks.
If you’re a tourist, you might not find much to do in the center of Huonville. I don’t think the locals can either, as there aren’t many people wondering around. The Huon River itself is rather pretty, worth taking a kayak out on and cruising upstream. They also offer a jet tour from the pontoon if you have a need for speed. There is a great restaurant called The Lost Captain where you can pig out on a whole suckling pig, but more importantly there is a pub. It’s large and dominating. A contrast to the few small cafes. Huonvalley Bakery Cafe is top notch (I highly recommend the apple turnover). You can also get a scenic view of the valley from scenic hill road (another VERY creative name). Otherwise, that’s about it.
Thanks for reading.
Well, actually, that’s just what’s in the middle of town. Get out of the hustle and bussle of 5 pedestrians and there is actually a fair bit to see. Starting with the drive in from Hobart, if you take a right on Huon View Road, there is, as you might guess from the name, a lovely view of the Huon Valley.
Keep going down the main road and you’ll hit Willie Smith’s Apple Shed. They turn those delicious Huon apples into the sweet alcoholic broth known as cider and exchange it for your legal tender. Pretty good if a bit pricey. Further down the road, a little shop called The Honey Pot sells local honey…in pots! There is also a variety of vineyards, but as I expressed in my post on Richmond, they’re not my thing so go write your own blog post on them.
Closer to Huonville there is the Tassal factory where they smoke salmon. They don’t offer public tours so don’t bother going in and asking. You’ll annoy the QA Officer who sits where a receptionist should, and you’ll be impatiently told to get off the private property. I know, because I used to work there as QA.
If you’re planning on heading to Huonville, I recommend having a purpose in mind. it is hard to be aimless here, as the constant flow of traffic through the main road screams “keep moving on”. If I’m being honest, follow that sound. Past Huonville, you unlock the stunning Hartz Range, Cockle Creek, Hastings Caves, Tahune Adventures, Roaring Beach and more. Make exploring these places your purpose so you can make the most out of the town for what it is – a gateway. Cheers.