My husband recently became a bit obsessed with Cygnet, in Tasmania, after watching an episode of ABC tv’s Backroads that featured the town some time ago. (Series 2, episode 8)
Not only did the show feature the beauty of the town and surrounding areas but it showed how many residents had moved there from mainland Australia to live, work and retire.
He then researched the place further by watching old Youtube videos on properties for sale in the area.
So, of course, we had to go and have a look at scenic Cygnet for ourselves.
We caught a plane from Melbourne to Hobart then collected our hire car from Hobart airport and set our GPS for the accommodation that we had booked for our two night stay.
Cygnet is a small town (population is approximately 1556) in Tasmania’s historic Huon Valley, once the centre of the apple industry but still a haven of apple and cherry orchards.
In 1793 the French explorer Bruni D’Entrecasteaux sailed into the Huon River and named the bay the Port des Cygnes Noir (the port of black swans) because there were large number of swans in the river. This name was officially changed to Lovett but in 1915 it became Cygnet.
The town lies just over 50 kilometres from Hobart, along the Huon Highway (A6) or the Channel Highway (B68).
We drove the more scenic route (B68) from Hobart in the dark and drizzly night but in the daylight hours we realised the other route was much more straightforward, without so many bends in the road.
We stayed at the charming Green Gables B & B.
The beauty of this property was matched by the kindness and personalised service of the owners, Paul and Beate, who stayed up late to meet us because our plane had been delayed.
We had everything we needed, and more, and could have easily just stayed in the B & B and rested there for 2 days.
But we had some exploring to do.
We arrived the weekend following the annual Cygnet Folk Festival, the biggest weekend of the year. If the locals were tired from the previous weekend of dancing, singing and festivities, they didn’t show it and were busily going about their lives whilst we took a sneak peek.
As in many small country towns, the people of Cygnet are incredibly creative and we were amazed at the charming crochet and wool work just everywhere, and I do mean everywhere, decorating the main street.
We also ventured beyond Cygnet, to neighbouring parts of the Huon Valley, including Huonville, Port Huon, Geeveston and Franklin and saw so much beauty.
Sadly much of this region has been ravaged by bushfires in recent weeks.
Bushfires in Tasmania – January 2019
It seems there is always something on in Cygnet, or close by, so if you don’t see yourself sailing, can’t do craft, or don’t fancy folk music, you can always attend some other local activities that are advertised in the high street shop windows:
Whilst you are spoiled for choice of food to eat throughout the day in Cygnet you will struggle to find anything to eat in the main street after 8.00pm.
We were lucky to find the local pizza place and put in an order before they closed up at 9.00pm.
Roy’s Bitz of Old Pizza is tucked into a converted service station workshop, where I had such joy reading the menu, because it was almost as if it was made for my blog –
The following day we said goodbye to this pretty part of the world and slowly made our way back to Hobart for our flight home to Melbourne (which was also delayed).
Whilst our time there was brief we were given a great feel for what scenic Cygnet has in store.
No doubt we will return soon.
Life In Camelot - travel blog 
One Comment Add yours