Peter Caldwell, Vigneron at Dalrymple Vineyards, spends his days travelling from one corner of Tassie to another to source the best grapes for his top drops, which is why he knows exactly what kind of gear you need when taking an intrepid tour across the southern isle.
A part from a “good attitude”, here are the more practical items Pete recommends any visitor or newcomer packs for their next trip to Tassie.
Walking Boots
With so many great walking tracks and hikes, Pete says that a pair of good walking boots is essential.
“There’s heaps of great walking to be had in Tassie,” he says. “So bring your boots, get out there and see the stunning sights of Tassie on foot.”
Beanie
A beanie is a must for anyone visiting Tassie.
“You’ll look good, but you’ll also keep your head from getting cold. You’ll also fit in with the locals,” he says. “Just make sure it’s not too fancy, of course…we don’t do fancy in Tassie.”
Raincoat
Known for its wind and rain, another item to pack for Tassie is a good raincoat. “A raincoat is important because you never know when it could rain,” Pete says. “It rains in summer, it rains in winter, it rains all the time.”
Sunscreen
It’s not only the rain you have to be aware of in Tassie. While it can be cool, it can also be deceivingly sunny, so Pete recommends packing your sunscreen no matter what time of the year it is. “The sun can be fantastic in Tassie, we have a really high UV light and really bright clear skies,” he says. “People can get trapped by thinking it’s a really cool day, but we still get a lot of sun.”
Oyster Knife
Most important of all, Pete insists you make the most of Tassie’s naturally delicious seafood, while you’re visiting, especially the oysters!
“Bring an oyster knife and learn how to open an oyster,” he says. “Oysters are naturally located around Tassie, so talk to your locals, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction. Grab yourself a couple of oysters off a rock, with bottle of white wine, or Pinot - it’ll all be good - and enjoy!”
