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Tasmania’s newest wine guides have 4 paws and a waggy tail

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
There’s a new duo running tours at one of Tasmania’s most scenic cellar doors this winter, and neither of them can actually open a gate. 

Meet Sasha and Biscuit, the resident “wine doggos" of Caledon Estate, the family-owned vineyard perched high in the Coal River Valley near Hobart. This off-season, the pair are headlining an entirely new kind of vineyard experience – one that swaps the usual clipboard-and-lanyard tour guide for a dog with excellent instincts and, apparently, zero thumbs. 

So what exactly is a “Wine Doggo Tour"? 

Sasha the dog at Caledon Estate
Sasha heads the wine tour. (Credit: Caledon Estate)

It’s a private tour for two, led (loosely) by Sasha and her enthusiastic apprentice Biscuit, through parts of the 11-hectare vineyard that are usually off-limits to visitors. Since neither dog can open a gate, their “hooman" tags along too, filling in the gaps with insider knowledge on Caledon’s growing varieties and a few of the estate’s closely guarded cabernet sauvignon secrets. 

The tour then winds down exactly the way a winter afternoon in the Coal River Valley should: with a cosy, fireside wine tasting, paired with canapés designed to round out the full Tasmanian experience – all inside Caledon’s architecturally designed, sandstone cellar door with sweeping views toward Mount Wellington/kunanyi. 

Why this, why now 

Caledon Estate
Experience the panoramic views. (Credit: Caledon Estate)

Caledon Estate sits on an elevated, dolerite-rich site overlooking the village of Richmond – the kind of dramatic, gum-tree-dotted landscape that looks even better when the crowds thin out over winter. The off-season slot means smaller groups, quieter grounds, and a fireplace that actually gets used. Add two friendly vineyard dogs into the mix, and it’s less “wine tour," more “excuse to spend an afternoon doing exactly nothing stressful." 

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The bigger picture 

Caledon wine
A seasonal range of wines are available for tasting. (Credit: Caledon Estate)

Caledon only planted its first vines in 2019, but it’s quickly built a reputation for cool-climate wines with real sense of place – pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling, pinot gris and sauvignon blanc, grown around the estate’s original gum trees and lightly grazed by sheep to keep things sustainable. The Wine Doggo Tour is very on brand: a low-key, characterful way to experience a vineyard that’s clearly more interested in charm than pretension. 

If you’re planning a Coal Valley trip this winter, this might just be the most photogenic version of “I went for a wine tasting" you’ll get all year. 

Details

Caledon Estate
The family-owned Caledon is a vineyard lover’s gem in Tasmania. (Credit: Caledon Estate)

Format: Private tour, designed for two people 

When: Available 10.30am or 1pm, Thursday to Monday, until 31 August 2026 

Cost:  $115 per person 

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Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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Why you should visit these iconic Tassie destinations

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
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    Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.

    Travelling in the off season has many benefits, none more so in Tasmania, where it’s uncrowded and uncomplicated. Ease into winter with a getaway that spells relaxing with a glass of wine or local whisky, bathing under the stars, or gazing at reflections in pristine waters. Add fireside dining, wilderness walks, after-dark gallery visits and plenty of history and you’ve got a curated winter escape designed to make travelling in the quieter months of the year even more rewarding. NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Off Season Signature Packages across Tasmania (plus 10 per cent off for members) make all these things possible.

    Cosy up at Cradle Mountain

    two women walking aorund Cradle Mountain Hotel NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Immerse into the wilderness at Cradle Mountain Hotel.

    For an alpine wilderness experience like no other, chose Cradle Mountain Hotel for a winter getaway. You may even wake up to gently falling snow. Explore nearby Dove Lake, gaze at Cradle Mountain is and listen to the gush of waterfalls.

    As Cradle Mountain works its charm, slow down to enjoy the crisp alpine air away from the hustle of the city. There are no crowds here, just serenity and the chance to recalibrate.

    Cradle Mountain’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a bottle of wine (Retreat rom bookings only) and off-season dessert with dinner. Then sip on mulled wine as you wander through the Wilderness Gallery admiring the work of Tasmanian artists.

    Finding the flavours of Freycinet

    aerial of Freycinet Lodge NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Stay at the only accommodation within beautiful Freycinet National Park.

    As the only accommodation within Freycinet National Park, among the many reasons for staying at Freycinet Lodge is its easy access to stunning Wineglass Bay, Mt Amos and Honeymoon Bay.

    By day it’s the place for communing with nature, taking hikes in some of Tasmania’s most beautiful locations. By night, savour the regional seasonal flavours of the east coast, sip mulled wine to keep out the chill and gaze up at the star-studded skies. This is slow coastal indulgence at its best.

    Freycinet Lodge’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a hosted Flavours of the East Coast food and wine tasting experience and mulled wine under the stars, or beside the fire, after dinner.

    Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point

    interior of pumphouse point NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Stay cosy while looking out onto Lake St Clair.

    Set on the edge of beautiful Lake St Clair in native bushland in the heart of Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Pumphouse Point has launched a new era for its boutique accommodation with the opening of two new luxury retreat rooms last October.

    Each of the trio of rooms are thoughtfully designed, with an indoor fireplace and deep-soak bathtub, both perfect for a winter escape. This retreat offers dining and an expanded collection of hosted experiences, including a guided tour to learn more about this historic place, chocolate tastings and whisky tasting from local artisans – with more to come later in the season.

    Borrow an e-bike and explore on your own, throw a line in, head off for a hike in the ancient forests that surround the lake, book a relaxing massage, or just settle in for an evening by the fire as the lake works its own magic.

    Pumphouse Point’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast, larder lunch and dinner, a bottle of wine with dinner each night, and a chocolate or whisky tasting experience, as well as two $50 massage vouchers.

    Slow down in Strahan Village

    aerial of boat going through strahan tasmania
    Explore UNESCO world heritage wilderness.

    As the gateway to UNESCO world heritage wilderness, picturesque Strahan Village is the ideal base for exploring Tassie’s west coast. With a wide range of accommodation choices, from cosy waterfront colonial-style cottages to hotel rooms with sweeping views over Macquarie Harbour, it’s the perfect place for slow travel.

    Join Gordon River Cruises to explore ancient wilderness and magical reflections on the Gordon River, wander through the village at your own pace or hire a bike to discover local secrets and attractions, including the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway. Thrill-seekers can hire taboggans to hit the towering Henty Dunes.

    Strahan’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Gordon River cruise for two and mulled wine at Hamer’s Bistro.

    Delve into history in Port Arthur

    interior of glamping tent at Port Arthur Holiday Park NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Glamp under the stars at Port Arthur Holiday Park.

    Spend your evenings glamping under the stars and your days stepping back in time as you explore the captivating stories of the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Port Arthur Holiday Park is the perfect base for exploring the Tasman Peninsula and uncovering the stories of Australia’s colonial and convict past.

    Surrounded by nature and history, this off-season escape has the all the makings of an unforgettable getaway. All glamping tents are heated to keep you warm during the off-season months when the nights get a little cooler, and have private bathrooms. Stargazing tents have the added luxury of an outdoor bath on the verandah.

    The Port Arthur Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Port Arthur Historic Site tour for two and 10 per cent discount for dining at local restaurant On The Bay during your stay.

    Start planning an unforgetable trip to Tasmania with NRMA Resorts at nrmaparksandresorts.com.au.