The Pub in the Paddock - a North East Tasmania classic destination
/The Pub in the Paddock is a North East Tassie institution, only one kilometer further down St Columba Falls Road than the Pyengana Cheese Factory and 45 mins from our Derby accommodation.
It would be a mistake to return to the Tasman Hwy without at least a quick visit if you are heading out to St Helens.
The Pub in the Paddock has been licensed in the Pyengana Valley since 1880 originally a tin mining area (like Derby) it is now best known for its lush green paddocks which produce milk for the Pyengana Cheese Factory.
Well known for its hearty home cooked fare the Pub in the Paddock, offers traditional pub food with a few variations such as kangaroo patties and delicious home-made desserts, check out their menu here. It is worth calling before you visit to check kitchen opening times and avoid the disappointment of arriving to find meals not being served having travelled from Derby.
Whilst on St Columba Falls Road in Pyengana, why not pop out and visit the St Columba Falls themselves, the falls are on the South George River and stand at about 90 meters high (some of the highest in NE Tassie).
The falls are a pleasant 15 min stroll on a well-formed gravel path. If you poke around downstream of the falls you may find the ruins of a water intake which serviced the tin mining operations in the Pyengana Valley. The walk to the falls is through a rainforest typical of the area with plentiful tree ferns and moss-covered rocks. It is a shady oasis and is pleasant walking even on a warm day. The falls are best viewed during wetter months or post rainfall but are worth the trip anytime.
The car park for the falls has toilets and sealed road access, it is only 9km further along the road from the Pub in the Paddock making it an easy trip.
You could also visit both the Pyengana Dairy and the Pub in the Paddock on the same day, with a walk to the falls to work up an appetite in between before returning back to our accommodation in Derby.
(written by Jen Benson)