2024 Great Eastern Wine Week Guide
Great Eastern Wine Week (actually, a ten day festival from 6-15th September) is a magical time to visit the east coast of Tasmania: spring is in the air and there are no shortage of wineries and venues to visit, some of them only open during the festival. In its 10th year, the 2024 Great Eastern Wine Week (GEWW) is not to be missed. Having trouble picking your events? Here are our recommendations based on your accommodation location, so go ahead and make a long weekend of it (or, two long weekends of it!).
Maclean Bay Wines in Bicheno is open Saturday and Sunday on both weekends of GEWW2024 for 'Pinot and Pizza' (free entry!)
GEWW Itinerary… From your Bicheno accommodation
WEEKEND 1
Friday 6th: On the drive up to Bicheno, don’t miss The Great Eastern Wine Week Launch Party at The Bark Mill, Swansea (5:30-10pm, $20pp)
Saturday 7th: Today is all about blues with Ash Grunwald at Craigie Knowe Vineyard in Cranbrook. Book the return bus to and from Bicheno. (12-5:30pm, from $55 pp)
Saturday 7th: Just down the road from Craigie, ECHO presents ‘Native Bounty Feast’ at Spring Vale (you can also book a bus back to Bicheno). (6:30-10pm, from $149 pp)
Sunday 8th: Stay local today at Bicheno’s Maclean Bay Winery for Pinot and Pizza on the lawn at Maclean Bay, Toxteth Court, Bicheno (12-5pm, FREE)
Monday 9th: Squeeze in one last event on the drive home, try: Trail, Graze and Cheers at Boomer Creek Vineyard, Little Swanport (10:45am-1:15pm, $75pp)
WEEKEND 2
Friday 13th: Start the weekend right with a stop-off on your drive up the Tasman Highway with Gems of the East Coast: a collaboration with Saffire at Craigie Knowe Vineyard, Cranbrook (12-4pm, $200pp, buses also available to/from Bicheno)
Saturday 14th: Book the bus, you’re going back to Cranbrook for live music at Spring Vale Vineyard, Cranbrook (12-5:30pm, $85pp)
Sunday 15th: We have two choices for your Sunday…
Stay local at Bicheno’s Maclean Bay Winery for Pinot and Pizza on the lawn at Maclean Bay, Bicheno (12-5pm, FREE)
If you are driving home, stopover at Tapas on the Terrace with Gala Estate at Piermont Retreat, Swansea (1-4pm, $120pp).
Book your Bicheno Accommodation for GEWW2024
GEWW Itinerary… From St Helens or Bay of Fires accommodation
WEEKEND 1
Saturday 7th: Watch ‘Bottle Shock’ film and enjoy a blind wine tasting at new cinema venue Easy Tiger, St Helens (4-6:30pm, $90pp)
There are no other events in the Bay of Fires region during weekend 1, but don’t worry: Head down the road to Bicheno or Swansea and join the fun (see above and below for itinerary recommendations).
WEEKEND 2
Friday 13th: It’s Friday evening and you’re going to the movies! Watch ‘Bottle Shock’ with a blind wine tasting at Easy Tiger, St Helens (4-6:30pm, $90pp)
Saturday 14th: Take a leisurely drive down the Tasman Highway today and arrive at Laughter at the Vineyard Devil’s Corner, Apslawn (1-2:30pm $50pp)
Sunday 15th: Don’t miss the grand re-opening Sunday Session Celebration at Priory Ridge, St Helens (11am-5pm, FREE)
Book your Bay of Fires Accommodation for GEWW2024
GEWW… From your Swansea or Freycinet accommodation
WEEKEND 1
If you’re staying in Swansea or surrounds, Sunday 8th is your day with three great events. Check out the Bicheno itinerary (above) for more Weekend 1 suggestions.
Sunday 8th:
Rivulet Wines on the East Coast, Swansea (11am-5pm, Free)
High Tea Joy with Gray Cafe, Boomer Creek, Little Swanport (11am-1pm, $70 pp)
Sunday Spit, Pits & Pinot Darlington Vineyard, Orford (12-3pm, $55pp)
WEEKEND 2
Friday 13th: Enjoy Cocktail Evening at Mayfield Estate, Little Swanport (5:30-8pm, $100pp)
Saturday 14th: Do not miss the Drag Wine Tour & Dinner with fabulous host Pussay Poppins! Milton Vineyard, Swansea (1-8pm, $90 - $225pp)
OR, if that’s not your style here are some other Saturday options:
Mulled Wine & Hot Cheese Shindig, Twamley Farm, Buckland (12-4pm, $25pp)
Plants and Pinot Aerium, Darlington Vineyard, Orford (1-3pm, $150pp)
That French Experience! Hurly Burly Wines, Little Swanport (6:30-9:30pm, $95pp)
Sunday 15th: Time for one last food and wine event? Book a seat at the East Coast Degustation Delight created by Stephen Kean, Craigie Knowe Vineyard, Cranbrook (12-3pm, $150pp)
Book your Freycinet Accommodation for GEWW2024
And remember…
This is only a small selection of the great events on offer: Check the official program.
While correct at the time of writing, details on this blog post are subject to change without notice: Please check the official program.
Bookings are essential at all paid events (and, most events book out early - as do buses and transport options) so don’t delay.
Speaking of buses… don’t drink and drive! Contact venues directly to ask about transport options.
Be careful on our roads after dark and please look out for wildlife.
Share your experiences on social media with the #GEWW2024 hashtag.
And don’t forget to book your accommodation!