Tasmania - Ashgrove Cheeses and Raspberry Hills...

Let me give you a little tip guys.

Never, ever, fly Jetstar on boxing day. The queues were absolutely ridiculous, we were waiting in line for 40 minutes to check in before they called for last minute check-in's for our flight. Not so much fun really when you think you have to be at the airport at 6am for your 7am flight!

But fortunately everything else ran (almost) on time and I found myself in Tasmania with Brad and his family for a lovely, exceptionally lazy and glutinous 5 days.

Brad's family had booked in a stay at this lovely residence near Ulverstone which was very private, had ponies and cows next door and overlooked the river, in which his sister went fishing and kayaking in. Could you get much more peaceful?

Whilst I was told by my mother to go see and eat lots of things, as she has visited once before, regrettably I did not get to see as much of Tasmania as I might've liked to, since this was mostly a family trip. Not that I'm complaining, I like lazing about in the sun with cider in hand!

We did however, manage to fit in one day where Brad and I drove around for a day and took in more of the scenery. And of course, fitted in a few delicious delights.

So off we went!

Tasmania's scenery is just gorgeous, spacious, and so soothing, with rolling hills and scatterings of cattle and sheep. Everything is at least a good 30 minutes apart, so it was just as well I started getting very good at napping in the car during travel time....

Our first stop was at the Ashgrove Cheese shop, at their farm, recommended by one of Brad's aunts. Ashgrove Cheese prides itself on being one of Australia's premier producers of cheeses, crafting authentic cheese by hand on the farm in Tasmania.

There's a variety of things to try and see at the shop, one of the cuter additions being the painted cow art littered about the property, but also of course, the cheeses themselves, ice-cream (which I reserved myself from having since I was saving up tummy space...) and some of the process involved in making the cheese.

Look at all those awards....

This was the cheese maturing room, where all baby cheeses wait to grow up in...(or not). I don't think I've ever seen so much cheese in one spot before, could seriously not stop gaping in awe!

Brad being very enthusiastic about cheese tasting! Which he should! He admits to me bringing him back into the habit of eating it, which I'm quite proud of! One thing I suppose that is not so well shown through this blog, is that I absolutely love cheese. The real strong stuff, don't give me that weak brie, I love bitey cheddars and strong, smelly blue cheeses. King Island Roaring Forties would have to be up there amongst my favourites, which is way too strong for my mum, but my dad and I can easily devour up a wedge.

The cheese is presented on a little round display table and we later discovered that you were meant to go round in an anti-clockwise direction, starting with the milder cheeses and working up to the stronger ones. What did clever me do? Start with the blue of course. It had the most creamy texture, and was quite lovely, but I still like my blues a little stronger...

This wasabi flavoured cheddar was probably both Brad and my favourite flavour of the day. It sounds like a strange combination, but it works surprisingly well, the wasabi flavour is not overpowering in the slightest, nor very hot, but still a very distinct wasabi flavour. The cheese was also beautifully creamy, wonderful texture!

I also liked this 'Bush Pepper' flavour....and ended up buying a little sampler of 'tasting' sized cheeses to bring home to my parents....although I could just horde them to myself...

Then it was (reluctantly) back to the road!

And off to get some lunch at the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm cafe!

If there was one thing I did, my mum kept telling me it was to have the homemade raspberry ice-cream here. So the 3 days prior, with support from Brad's grandmother, I pestered him to make sure we would end up here. Especially since it wasn't too far from where we were staying.

The place was absolutely jam packed when we arrived, tables filled with Asian tourists, older couples or families. Initially we were seated outside, then given a table inside, in a dark little corner where the dirty glasses were kept and then finally, we were given a lovely window seat. Things tend to work out for us like this! I do credit the staff for being so accommodating in helping us work our way up to better seats!

The cafe does breakfast, lunch and of course dessert. Their dessert menu is probably as big as breakfast and lunch combined. No joke. And naturally, very raspberry heavy, with lots of little different twists.

For example, Brad's 'raspberry' latte and my raspberry and peppermint tea. The raspberry in my tea was quite subtle, it smelled very minty but with a tinge of sweetness and tasted much the same. I had to concentrate somewhat to really taste the raspberry! It was interesting though. I think Brad had a similar experience with his latte. Look how pretty it is though!

For lunch, since we had spent the days prior, munching away on well-cooked meat at barbecues and well, just over-eating in general, I decided to go with something light-ish and got the warm marinated chicken salad. Chicken, pumpkin, cashew, lettuce and a raspberry liquer sauce. It wasn't the most exciting thing I've eaten, but it was quite light and easy on the stomach, I certainly could have done with more pumpkin though and maybe more chicken instead of so much 'salad'. The raspberry sauce was nice though, and interesting sweet touch.

Brad got a veggie wrap, which I had a nibble of....and continued picking at through our meal. Warm and soft cooked carrot, potato...I can't remember what else was in it, but it was all very soft, and seasoned deliciously. I think I was picking up a bit of a curry leaf flavour to it, it was very comforting and delicious. Quietly jealous they didn't have a gluten free wrap.

And then! It was on to the good stuff. The really good stuff. I was excited. There was the option of having the small or large homemade raspberry ice-cream with raspberry sauce drizzled over the top. With the two of us? We went large. Although I think I probably ate two thirds of it.

Whilst I think it might've been hyped a tiny bit too much, the ice-cream was definitely delicious. It was unmistakably raspberry, you could feel the texture of the berries blended in. Sweet, creamy, delicious.

Devoured.

As we went to pay, they had at the counter some dark chocolate coated raspberries to sample. I seriously regret not going back and checking if I could buy a bag or something, they were the most delicious chocolate coated fruit I had ever had! A hard dark chocolate shell around a perfectly soft and juicy berry, the juices just oozed out in your mouth while you were chewing on the chocolate. To die for.

Tummies happily satisfied, we spent the rest of our day driving and seeing more of the country side. Although most of his family suspected we wouldn't have time to do it, Brad zoomed up towards Cradle Mountain (giving me a fright every now and again on those winding roads...) and back in time for his dad's surprise 50th.

All in all, a lovely taste of Tasmania and I certainly can't wait to come back and try more!

Ashgrove Cheeses

Christmas Hill Raspberry Cafe

9 christmas Hills Rd. Elizabethown, Tasmania, 7304 (mid way between Deloraine & Elizabethtown just off the bass Highway A1)