Northern Tasmania is one of the richest areas in history, wilderness, food and wine production and special events.
Fitzpatrick's Inn in Westbury is located in the Meander Valley in the heart of the island state, making it easily accessible to both
the Launceston and Devonport airports as well as for the Spirit of Tasmania ferry sailing from Devonport.
In and Around Westbury
Westbury itself has much to offer. From Pearns Steam World just a stroll across the road from Fitzpatrick's Inn
to the Westbury Maze 500m up the road, there is so much to see and do. Relax on the English style Village Green and wander over to
the White House - home of several magnificent collections of colonial furniture, cars, bicycles and a hand crafted dolls house.
A map of Westbury showing the places of interest along with its history is available from your hosts.
To find a photograph of your favourite place in Tasmania, visit John Temple's Gallery.
Find time to stop off at Bowerbank Mill Gallery on the way to Yarns Artwork in Silk at Deloraine.
Go on to see the exquisite gold and silversmiths working on some exquisite pieces at McLachlan Studio Jewellery just outside Deloraine.
Natural Beauty
Many examples of Tasmania's natural beauty are within a day trip from Fitzpatrick's Inn.
Visit the breathtaking World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain/Lake St. Clair National Park.
Or meander your way through the chain of mountains known as the Great Western Tiers and
visit the spectacular Liffey Falls and Marakoopa and King Solomon's Caves at Mole Creek.
A half hour drive from Westbury you will find yourself in Launceston where a visit to
the Cataract Gorge is a must and should include a ride on the worlds longest single span
chairlift and take a stroll over the suspension bridge high above the cascading river.
There are many beautiful walks available in Tasmania, from short to long and from the
easy stroll to the more demanding.
If you are looking to discover some interesting things about unique creatures in our world, then a visit to
Seahorse World and Platypus House at Beauty Point or Trowunna Wildlife Park at Mole Creek will give you the chance to interact
with some interesting creatures.
Historic Tasmania
For the history enthusiast , a stay at Fitzpatrick's Inn which was built in circa 1833 will be a history experience in itself. However Westbury also offers a Historical Society which can help explain the stories and people that came before our current generations and places. Other examples of early settler homes which are within an easy drive from Fitzpatrick's Inn are Entally House at Hadspen, Brickendon and Woolmers at Longford, Clarendon House at Nile, and Franklin House in Launceston . All are open to the public and Woolmers is also the home of the National Rose Garden.
Food and Wine
Of course everyone loves a food and/or wine trail. From Westbury it is but a short drive
to sample the hot smoked salmon at 41degrees aquiculture and wetlands just out of Deloraine,
followed by some fine Tasmanian Leather wood or manuka honey at the Chudleigh Honey Farm.
Further on to Elizabeth Town and a visit to the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm for some
scrumptious berry dishes, followed on a little further along the road with samples of
cheeses at Ashgrove Cheeses. To top it all off a visit to D'Anvers Chocolate factory at
nearby Latrobe will leave you understanding why produce from Tasmania is so highly sort
after. If sampling of Tasmania's fine wines and beers is your perfect day, then a day
trip to Launceston with a tour through Boag's Beer is a must do. This can be followed
up with a drive down the Tamar River visiting cellar doors on both sides of the river
for some serious sampling of cool season vintage wine. Examples are Iron Pot Bay Wines,
St. Matthias, Rosevears Estate, Tamar Ridge, Pipers River and Pipers Brook, and Bay of
Fires.
Sport
If sport is your adventure, then again Fitzpatrick's Inn is your ideal base. From fishing and boating in nearby Four Springs Lake or Brushy Lagoon, Meander or Liffey Rivers or the Launceston Lakes to fly fishing in the Highland Lakes, you can engage a local guide to show you the top spots or simply wet a line where you choose. AFL football comes to Launceston 4 times a year (link here to a roster or timetable) and Fitzpatrick's Inn is just a ½ hour drive away from Aurora Stadium which comes alive when the TassieHawks (Hawthorn Football Club) host their rivals. There are some 15 golf courses within an hours drive of Fitzpatrick's Inn such as the Quamby Course at Hagley; Country Club, Riverside, Launceston and Mowbray Courses in Launceston; as well as the Longford, Poatina, Shearwater, Grindlewald, Exeter, Sheffield, Greens Beach, George Town and Deloraine Golf Clubs. Further on and you can find yourself driving on the famous Barnbougle Dunes, ranked in the world's top 50, just 2 hours away. Westbury holds its annual fun run in September each year whilst there are athletic, cycling and chopping carnivals over the Christmas/New Year period at Latrobe, Devonport, Burnie and Launceston.
The Evandale National Penny Farthings Championships is well worth a visit in February each year. And don't forget the Launceston Cup - a delightful day of horse racing and fashion in February.
Festivals
Festivale is a great food, wine, and music festival held in Launceston in February each year. Fitzpatrick's Inn has a great Irish name and Westbury comes alive with the St Patrick's Day Festival in March each year. With Easter comes the Three Peaks Race, a sailing and running event which leaves from Beauty Point at the tip of the Tamar River in a spectacular array of colour. Then there is the annual agricultural field days called Agfest at nearby Quercus Park at Carrick in May which is a four day feast of all things country. November brings the Deloraine Craft Fair which has become renowned for its diverse range of magnificent craftsmanship.