Bridport

Bridport in Tasmania's north east is a popular holiday destination overlooking Anderson Bay. Surrounded by bushland reserves, white sand and the sloping vines of Pipers Brook wineries, Bridport is an ideal place to unwind. The town's population of 1,350 almost triples in summer when holidaymakers flock to the beach. Bridport's main industries are tourism, vegetable farming and fishing. Local specialties are scallops, lobster and trout from Australia's first freshwater rainbow trout farm. Bridport is also a port for the Matthew Flinders cargo vessel, which travels to Port Welshpool in Victoria and Flinders Island. In spring, the wildflowers and birds are prolific in the Granite Point Coastal Reserve and Bridport Wildflower Reserve. Other nearby reserves have spectacular coastal views, waterfalls, white sand dunes and native wildlife. You can tee off at Barnbougle Dunes, a classic links golf course, considered one of the best in Australia; water-ski at Weymouth, or fly in (literally) to the Flying Teapot Garden café and Gallery, which has its own airstrip. Lavender-perfumed air emanates from the purple-washed paddocks of Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm and one of the world's largest lavender oil producers. The coastline was navigated by Bass and Flinders in 1798, but Bridport was not settled until 1830, by Thomas Lewis. Chinese tin miners were among the early pioneers. It was a port for the timber industry and enjoyed periods of prosperity in the late 1860s, when gold was discovered in a nearby village. Hit the beach in January when Bridport's average maximum is 23 degrees Celsius (73.5 degrees Fahrenheit). Wine and dine by a log fire in June's average of 12.5 degrees Celsius (54.5 degrees Fahrenheit). Bridport is 85 kilometres (53 miles, or one hour's drive) north-east of Launceston on the B81 and B84.