Discover Castle Forbes Bay

Castle Forbes Bay can be explored through several distinct themes: cruises on the Huon River, the history of fruit growing, an annual arts and music event, and outdoor trails. This variety gives you concrete starting points for planning your trip. When choosing a suitable place to stay, consider whether a river cruise, local history, an event date or a hiking destination should shape your stay. This way, your search for a hotel or other accommodation starts with the experiences you plan to enjoy.

Huon River cruises

Huon River Cruises offers a morning and an afternoon cruise on the Huon River. The morning cruise includes locally roasted coffee or tea; freshly baked scones are optional. The afternoon cruise includes a platter of local produce. For planning your day, there are two differences to consider: the time of day and the food served. You can weigh up whether a morning cruise with coffee or tea and optional scones, or the afternoon cruise with a platter of local produce, better suits your preferred daily schedule. Huon River Cruises departs from the private vineyard Heriots Point on the banks of the Huon River. Check the current schedule and refreshment details before making plans, as departure times and inclusions may change.

Orchard history and local connections

Castle Forbes Bay is also associated with a long history of fruit growing. In 1856, James Reid planted the first apple trees in Honeywood, now Castle Forbes Bay. Today, Reid Fruits’ Castle Forbes Bay Orchard covers more than 50 hectares and produces cherries. These two details provide both a historical and a present-day connection to fruit growing: the planting year of 1856 anchors the story of the first apple trees, while the area of more than 50 hectares gives a sense of the scale of today’s cherry growing.

Community and culture

The Castle Forbes Bay Recreation Ground was gifted to the community in the 1920s as a cricket ground. Another community connection is the Castle Forbes Bay Recreation Club’s annual three-day arts and music event. This brings together a historical cricket connection and a recurring cultural event: one is part of the Recreation Ground’s history, while the other provides a specific occasion in the annual calendar. If you plan to travel for the event, check the dates before making your plans; you can then factor its three-day schedule into your travel dates.

Walking trail and waterfall

The Yellow Boot Walk is a walking trail in Castle Forbes Bay. At Harwoods Common, a path leads to a waterfall at the upper end of the reserve. These offer two different outdoor options: a named walking trail or a waterfall as a destination. Check conditions on the Yellow Boot Walk before your trip. Harwoods Common is also undergoing longer-term improvements: weeds are being removed and trees planted to attract native animals back to the area. The work is ongoing; bringing the animals back is its goal.

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