There are plenty of things to do around Sorell as it’s one of the oldest towns established in 1808, stoked with some charming, heritage-listed sites that provide a glimpse into its history. You’ll find the three National Estate-listed churches and the town’s oldest building, the 1827 Barracks. Sorell’s streets are lined with historic treasures, its coastline dotted with beautiful southern beaches and relaxed rural lifestyle and it’s one of the fastest growing suburbs in Tasmania where numerous visitors pass through on their way to Port Arthur. There are so many other things to do around Sorell to enjoy a stay.
Sorell is a 30-minute drive (26 km) east of Hobart.
Wellness & Pampering
- Forest Spa Massage Facial Clinic offers a broad range of beauty services, located at 26A Cole Street, Sorell
- Sorell Magic Massage located at Shop 18-19 Gateway Shopping Centre, 27 Cole St, Sorell
- Ellavate Hair Design located at 4/5 Fitzroy Street, Sorell
- If you’re staying at the Wherewithal Luxury Suites in Carlton, your Hosts can arrange a private visit and massage on site.
Explore and Discover
- A major attraction close by is World Heritage-listed Port Arthur where you’ll examine the lives of 12,500 convicts who toiled and served sentences here and whose work is buried in the brick walls of its 30 or so buildings. You can easily spend a day or two here wandering the 40-hectare landscaped grounds. Numerous tours are on offer. Tickets to the historic site allow entry for two consecutive days, and include an introductory walking tour and a 20min harbour cruise. The cruise offers glimpses of the Isle of the Dead and Point Puer, where more than 3000 boys were imprisoned in Britain’s first purpose-built prison for children. More information on Port Arthur.
- In the other direction is the Coal River Valley food and wine trail one of Australia’s first food bowls, a thriving wine and food bowl. Fine vineyards are a magical marriage of the cool climate of Tasmania with some of the best sparkling, pinot noir wines and whiskey you’ll find anywhere. In the quaint town of Richmond epicentre of the Coal River Valley, is Richmond home to Australia’s oldest bridge and Gaol, built by convict labour between 1823 and 1825. Magnificently preserved is Australia’s oldest remaining Catholic Church, St Johns, built-in 1836. Picnic on the banks of the Coal River, after foraging for local produce, take a stroll and some snaps, and follow the ducks (please do not feed them)
- At Richmond Gaol the haunting echoes of past internees can almost be heard as you witness chain-gang sleeping rooms, solitary confinement, the flogging yards, cook house and holding rooms, and historical relics and documents to bring the convict past to life
The gaol is open daily from 0900 to 1700 (closed Christmas Day) - Bonorong wildlife park is worthwhile for an up close animal encounters run by a passionate team of like-minded people. They offer daytime and night time experiences, and have a cafe on site with all proceeds supporting this social enterprise
- Only minutes from historic Richmond is Zoodoo an experiences and close encounters, along with daily interactive educational keeper talks and a new and improved café, gift shop, and large indoor adventure playground. Guests are invited to hand feed Kangaroos and Wallabies in the walk-through Native Park and large bird aviary
- This region is renowned for its beautiful coastline – take a drive, a scenic walk, swim or surf to enjoy the things to do in Sorell in Tasmania!
Good Eats
- Celebrated Van Bone restaurant (ranked by Gourmet traveller as one of the best in Australia) is only 16km away (Hosts of Wherewithal Luxury Suites offer paid transfers AND have priority to arrange a table for guests at short notice). Set in the rolling hills of Marion Bay sitting quietly within the landscape utilising the ever changing seasons, you will adore this small-scale country restaurant with a minimal intervention ethos and carefully crafted architecture. A set menu incorporates produce from Van Bone’s market garden and orchards It is a memorable experience
- Bream Creek Vineyard award-winning wines and one of the is one of the state’s oldest vineyards and whose cool climate Tasmanian wines from its beautiful vineyard on the Tasmanian East Coast that overlooks Marion Bay and Maria Island. Marion Bay is steeped in history. Bream Creek Vineyard overlooks the place where Abel Tasman first landed in 1642 to collect water and to plant the Dutch flag. Later in 1772, French Navigator Marion du Fresne anchored his ships Mascarin and Castries in what is now known as Marion Bay
- Bangor Vineyard Shed near Dunalley on the tourist route to the Port Arthur Historic site say there’s a story in every bottle! Vines are hand tended, producing premium quality cool climate wine, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Rosé, Sparkling, and a Reserve range of wines. Open every day, there’s also a lovely menu to work your way through that changes seasonally
Foodies
- Bream Creek markets (definitely head for Leap Farm cheeses) First Sunday of the month held in the showground
- During summer months – fresh cherries at Iron Bay Creek Farm (you can buy direct or pick your own). It’s home to cherry and apricot orchards as well as Tasmanian cool climate wine varieties, which also offers fine dining, gift shop and cafe
- Sorell Fruit Farm, visitors can pick all sorts of stone and berry fruits in season. The choice is extensive from classic favourites of strawberries and raspberries through to loganberries, tayberries and silvanberries (contact for opening times)
- Banjo’s is a Tasmanian baking success story. It has over 42 stores across Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and still growing. Find fresh breads, pies, pastries, sweets and salad products with a full-bodied coffee… Banjo’s is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch or a treat anytime. Open 7 days from 5am. Visit Banjo’s
- Coal Valley Vineyard Restaurant – Offers fine dining with picturesque vineyard views
Retail Escapes
- At Sorell Antique Centre where you’ll find all kinds of treasures
- Three Peaks Gallery is a local artists cooperative located at 21 Gordon St, Sorell
- Brimming with over 300 stalls, and boasting a 50 year history, the Salamanca Markets in Hobart are worth a forage from 8.30 am to 3 pm, rain, hail or shine on any Saturday
- Nicks Hobby Shop – 5 Giblin Dr, Sorell
If you think Hobart and the South sounds like an amazing destination, why not check out our Stays with a WOW accommodation.