The Spirit of Tasmania Ferry from Victoria arrives in Devonport at 6.30am, just in time to break a fast. There are several options close to the ferry terminal, but within half an hour are three amazing breakfast venues. It is hard to choose just one. Maybe breakfast each day over three days is an option. Luckily, they also serve meals during the day.
Anvers Chocolate Cafe
Elizabeth Town Bakery Café
Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Café
The House of Anvers
A quick 8 minute drive south, and open from 7am daily. There is plenty of parking for cars, campers and caravans. There is an electric vehicle charging station here as well.
European breakfasts are a specialty, especially their Belgian Waffles. The added delight of stopping here is that this is a working chocolate factory. The building itself is amazing. Wyndarra Lodge was built in 1920 of local blackwood and many of the original features are still visible.
Eating in the indoor dining room is a treat as you look out of the leadlight windows into the gardens. There is also outdoor seating if you wish to be in amongst nature.
From 2002 it has been a chocolate making factory, café, and museum. Taste testing of product samples is an option here. Of course, you can purchase chocolates to take away at their retail outlet.
Their small museum is educational and interesting. They have a collection of different chocolate moulds used over time and information boards tell the history of the Anvers chocolate company as well as detailing how chocolate is made.
9025 Bass Highway, Latrobe
Elizabeth Town Bakery Café
25 minutes drive south, and open from 6am, the Elizabeth Town Bakery Café serves hot breakfasts as well as an extensive selection of breads, cakes and pastries. There is plenty of parking for cars, campers and caravans. Well signposted, it is on the right hand side of the road heading south. Local people were highly recommending the vanilla slices, almost a compulsory bakery item in Australia. Traditionally it is made of thick custard flavoured with vanilla, between flaky puff pastry, and a topping of sweet white fondant icing.
Sometimes it is referred to as “snot block” due to the consistency of the custard. Sadly, I cannot eat these delectable deserts, due to the high sugar content. So I must take the advice of others who tell me with great delight how delicious they are and they highly recommend that anyone who can eat them, tries the ones from the Elizabeth Town Café.
If a vanilla slice is not to your fancy, you can choose from many other sweet take away delights.
As a bakery as well, they sell bread products, ready-made wraps, toasties, focaccias etc.
You can choose takeaway or dine indoors.
Sitting on the verandah and looking out over the green hills is a perfect way to start your visit to Tasmania. Take a deep breath of one of the freshest airs in the world and slow down. You are on Tassie Time now.
5783 Bass Highway, Elizabeth Town
Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Café
Open from 7am each morning, this café is a 30 minute drive south on Devonport, on the left hand side of the Bass Highway. The specialties here are of course, mostly made with Tasmanian raspberries. You can also buy some raspberries or strawberries to take away with you.
Dining outdoors under a shady tree at rustic wooden furniture, shaded by a large leafy tree and overlooking manicured green lawns is so enticing.
There is even small lake with a self guided tour just outside the café. This is a lovely venue to spend any meal at, not just breakfast. The fire inside though is so inviting.
9 Christmas Hills Road, Elizabeth Town
Each of these venues was so delightful (and delicious) that I will be visiting them each again. I just cannot pick a favourite out of the three awesome cafes. There are also information brochures on local venues and attractions, and local events are often signposted in the windows. What a wonderful way to welcome visitors to Tasmania.
Happy Travels!
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