Eat and drink around Swansea

Swansea offers an array of fantastic dining choices, from refined waterfront venues to casual, family-friendly eateries.

Fine and refined dining

Homestead Restaurant. A 6-minute drive away. Casual yet highly refined dishes made with the freshest local Tasmanian produce, overlooking Great Oyster Bay. Bookings are highly recommended for dinner on 0487 399 225.

Casual bistro and pub fare

Bark Mill Tavern. Less than a 3-minute drive from the estate. An iconic, refurbished 1885 bark mill with wood-fired pizzas, local oysters, hearty pub classics and a family-friendly playground; the bakery side opens from 6:00 AM. Book on 03 6257 8094.

Poppies Bistro. At the Swansea RSL, open for dining Wednesday to Saturday 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Bookings on 03 6257 8188.

Cafes, bakeries and breakfast

Alimento. A bakery, providore, fromagerie and restaurant on Franklin Street, open Monday to Saturday 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Sunday 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Gourmet bagels, fresh breakfast menus and superb coffee.

Artifakt Gallery and Cafe. Local art with great food: excellent coffee, light lunches and baked treats in a casual atmosphere.

Dalila's Patisserie. Open on weekends for authentic, handmade French pastries made from fresh Tasmanian products.

Freycinet Marine Farm. Just off the main road toward the national park, harvesting Pacific oysters and Tasmanian blue mussels daily. Open-air garden setting, cool-climate Tasmanian wines and craft beers. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Kate's Berry Farm. A paddock-to-plate experience; the Just Desserts Cafe overlooks rows of berries with sweeping views across Great Oyster Bay to Freycinet National Park. Open Saturday to Tuesday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Melshell Oyster Shack. A 15-minute drive north in Dolphin Sands, on the bank of Moulting Lagoon, with Pacific 'Gold' oysters harvested daily. Open weekdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for dine in or take away.

Wineries and vineyards

The East Coast of Tasmania is a world-class, cool-climate wine region.

Within 10 minutes

• Spring Vale Vineyards: just north of Swansea; Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Sparkling. Tastings in a historic convict-built stable dating back to 1842.
• Craigie Knowe Vineyard: the oldest vineyard on Tasmania's East Coast; a glass of wine with a gourmet vineyard plate featuring Pyengana cheeses and Coal River Farm chocolates.
• Gala Estate: a seventh-generation, 4,000-hectare working sheep station with a boutique vineyard, a cellar door in a green weatherboard cottage in Cranbrook, and picnic hampers to go.
• Milton Vineyard: a modern cellar door hosted by Michael and Kerry Dunbabin, overlooking a central lake.
• Kelvedon Estate: open strictly by appointment only; one of Tasmania's oldest historic farming properties, overlooking a spectacular stretch of coastline. Call (03) 6257 8541.

South, towards Little Swanport

• Mayfield Estate: 10 minutes south of Swansea; a family-owned working farm producing superfine Merino wool and boutique wines, with views across Great Oyster Bay to the Freycinet Peninsula.
• Boomer Creek Vineyard: in Little Swanport; estate-grown Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with local platters and panoramic ocean views.

North, towards Freycinet

• Devil's Corner: an architecturally striking cellar door overlooking Moulting Lagoon and the Freycinet Peninsula, with wood-fired pizzas and fresh East Coast seafood. Cellar door open daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; the kitchen closes at 3:30 PM.
• Freycinet Vineyard: 7 kilometres south of the Coles Bay turn-off, established in 1980; 5-star award-winning wines, estate-grown Extra Virgin Olive Oil and local cheeses.