Taste Your Way from Ulverstone to Penguin

Take two days to explore the coast and country between Ulverstone and Penguin, tasting your way through some seriously local North West Tasmanian food and drink.

Start with pickled onions and craft beer around Ulverstone, then head into the countryside for olive oil, cool-climate wine, orchard-grown spirits and farm experiences before finishing by the sea in Penguin.

It’s an easy-going food trail with a few delicious detours inland, so take your time, bring an empty esky and make a weekend of it.

Plan Your Ulverstone to Penguin Food Trail

Start: Ulverstone
Finish: Penguin
Duration: Allow 2 days to enjoy the producers and inland detours without rushing.
Route: This trail explores both the coast and countryside, with stops around Ulverstone, Penguin, Wilmot and the surrounding North West hinterland.
Good to know: Opening days and tasting times vary between producers, so check individual opening hours before setting off.

Day 1

Tasmanian Pickled Onions
This is what the North West does so well – humble producers punching well above their weight. Taste Tasmanian Pickled Onions straight from the source, from briny onion rings to relishes and mustards, then settle in at Westella Café and add a glass of Broad Acres wine. 🧅

Buttons Brewing
Head into Ulverstone and step inside a real working brewery, where you can sit amongst the tanks, grain and kegs while tasting your way through 12 taps. Look out for cellar door exclusives, limited releases, regular food vans and live music. 🍻

Cradle Coast Olives
Roll on to the groves just outside Penguin for award-winning, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. Drop in for a tasting, learn a little about how the oils are made and grab a bottle or two for the road. 🌱

Rusty Roof Vineyard
Turn inland to this small vineyard tucked into the hills at North Motton. Taste cool-climate wines surrounded by vines and rolling countryside, with relaxed cellar door hospitality and plenty of local character. 🍷

Day 2

Wilmot Hills Distillery & Orchard
Head into the hills for orchard-grown flavours and small-batch spirits. Taste what they’re making, soak up the rural setting and discover a little slice of Wilmot along the way. 🍏

Leven Valley Vineyard
Make your way to Gunns Plains and this small cool-climate vineyard tucked into the Leven Valley. Settle in for elegant sparkling and pinot, relaxed tastings and vineyard views before turning back towards the coast. 🍷

Mount Gnomon Farm
Head towards Penguin and stop at this working farm, home to heritage pigs, a productive kitchen garden and a strong paddock-to-plate philosophy. Check what’s happening at the farm before you visit and discover a little more of North West Tasmania’s farming story. 🐷

Penguin Beer Co.
Finish by the sea in Penguin, where ocean views meet small-batch brews. Grab a tasting paddle, settle in with something to eat and raise a glass to two days of seriously local North West Tasmanian food and drink. 🍻

Where to Stay

Make a weekend of it and stay overnight along the way. Cradle Gateway Chalets offers a cosy base near Wilmot, putting you close to the inland stops on the trail and within easy reach of Cradle Country.

Staying overnight gives you time to slow things down, enjoy the tastings and explore a little more of the countryside before making your way back towards Penguin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I allow for the Ulverstone to Penguin Mini Trail?

Allow around two days to enjoy the producers and inland detours without rushing. Ulverstone and Penguin are close together, but this food trail takes you into the surrounding countryside to discover more North West Tasmanian producers.

What food and drink stops are on the Ulverstone to Penguin Mini Trail?

The trail brings together Tasmanian pickled onions, craft beer, extra virgin olive oil, cool-climate wine, orchard-grown spirits and farm experiences across the coast and surrounding countryside.

Does the Ulverstone to Penguin Mini Trail stay on the coast?

No. While the trail starts around Ulverstone and finishes in Penguin, it includes inland detours through the North West countryside, including Wilmot and Loyetea.

Where can I stay on the Ulverstone to Penguin Mini Trail?

Cradle Gateway Chalets near Wilmot makes a handy overnight base for exploring the inland section of the trail and surrounding Cradle Country.

Can I do the Ulverstone to Penguin trail in one day?

You can choose a handful of stops for a one-day trip, but allow two days if you want to follow the full trail, enjoy tastings and explore the countryside without rushing.

Is the Ulverstone to Penguin Mini Trail self-drive?

Yes. The trail is designed as a self-drive food and drink experience. As some stops include alcohol tastings, plan ahead, share the driving or choose non-alcoholic options along the way.

What else can I do in Penguin and Ulverstone?

Spend some time exploring the North West Coast between tastings, with beaches, coastal walks, local shops and the seaside towns of Ulverstone and Penguin all easy to add to your trip.