Cygnet
Cygnet is a small town in the Huon Valley region of Southern Tasmania, of population 839. It is nessled in an apple and berry growing district, a short distance from the Huon river, amongst ungulating hills and valleys.
The township has a burgeoning artistic community and a number of excellent cafes, restaurants and galleries. There is much local agricultural produce that can be procured from the side of the road and forms a theme through the local cuisine. The best produce, food and art is best found by asking one of the many friendly locals or shopkeepers. This is a town with an old fashioned small town ethos with a unique Tasmanian fusion of art and agrarianism.
Get in
Cygnet is a 56-km (50-minute) drive south-west from Hobart. The township is within an hour from the Hartz mountains national park and many other local towns. An irregular bus service to Huonville is run by Tassielink.
See
- 🌍 Lovett Gallery (Huon Art Exhibitions Group), 2/14 Mary St (rear of town hall, down an alley), ☏ +61 3 6295 0582. Sa Su 10AM-4PM. Host of the Huon Art Awards, and exhibition space for local artists.
- 🌍 Burtons Reserve, 16 Charlton St (turn left at the roundabout and then right after the rivulet crossing). 24/7. Burtons Reserve is a recognised wetland reserve and keen birdwatchers may follow the paths to spy birds. Closer to the road enjoy the park or playground, visit the wood fired steam engine, use the barbeque pavilion, check out the skatepark or admire the two heritage listed pickers cottages. On Thursdays the local old ladies open one cottage to sell their baked goods. Public toilets also available.
- 🌍 Cygnet Living History Museum, 37 Mary St, ☏ +61 3 6295 1560, cygmuseum@yahoo.com.au. Sa 10AM-3PM, F Su 12:30-3PM, Th 12:30-3PM (summer only)). Located in the historic church hall, a small local history museum with displays on the local apple industry, family histories, boat building and convict era. Staffed by volunteers. Gold coin donation.
Do
- Cygnet Market, Cygnet Town Hall. 10AM-2PM, 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. A gem of a local market featuring an enormous range of local makers, produce, food, live music and art. Extremely busy, so get there early for a good park.
Buy
- Lanique Design, 16 Mary Street, ☏ +61 447 149 200. Th-Su 10AM-4PM. A boutique goldsmith with locally designed jewellery using traditional techniques.
- Three Twigs (Old Cygnet Bank), 2/20 Mary St, ☏ +61 3 6295 1097. 7 days. A local clothing boutique focusing on natural fibres, managed by two sisters. Located in the Old Cygnet Bank.
- ReFind Cygnet, 3/10 Mary St (Down the side of Port Hole Cafe, through the small park). Reloved clothes and book shop with a good range.
- Cygnet Garden Larder, 3/16 Mary St. Local fresh produce, meat, fish and other groceries, as well as cut flowers.
- dead cat books (Southern Swan books), 12 Mary St. Local book store with new and pre-loved books. Semi-regularly hosts launches for well known Tasmanian authors.
- Huon Art, 41 Mary St, ☏ +61 427 872 362. Th-Su 10:30AM-3:30PM. Local art gallery with a wide range of multi-disciplinary artists from around the Huon Valley.
- Richard Stanley Gallery, 7562 Channel Highway (Look for the large weatherboard building with a red roof). M-F 10AM, Su 1-5PM. Local artist Richard Stanley operates his studio and exhibition space in a federation building on the outskirts of town.
Eat
- Red Velvet Lounge, 24 Mary Street, ☏ +61 3 6295 0466.
- Cygnet Conservatory Cafe (Old Cygnet Bank), 1/20 Mary St, ☏ +61 3 6295 1818. Daily 8AM-4PM. The former Cygnet Bank's conservatory has been converted into a restaurant focusing on local food. Seasonal menu. Vegan and gluten free available.
- Port Hole Cafe, 1/10 Mary St. Th Sa Su 8:30AM-3:30PM, F 8AM-9PM FL. A nice local cafe, with outdoor and indoor dining
- CWA Cygnet Branch, Burtons Reserve (Cross the rivulet then turn Burtons Reserve, then stop at the second cottage. If you reach the scout hall, you've gone too far.). Th 10AM-2PM. Local country women's association sell baked goods and knitwear each Thursday out of a heritage listed cottage inside Burton's Reserve Park.
Sleep
- Port Huon Cottages, Main Road, Port Huon (look out for the dark blue shed-like houses, you can't miss it), ☏ +61 3 6297 1060, stay@porthuoncottages.com. Fully self contained cottages with BBQ and fishing equipment.
- Cygnet Hotel (Top Pub), 77 Mary Street.
- Cygnet Old Bank, 20 Mary St. Upstairs at the 1909 Old Cygnet Bank are three renovated rooms available for your stay. Rooms include breakfast in the cafe downstairs. Not suitable for young children. $200-250 per night per room.
- Commercial Hotel Cygnet (Bottom Pub), 2 Mary St. Located close to the waterfront, 130-year-old heritage pub. Offers budget accommodation. from $65 per night.
Connect
- Cygnet Post Office (Middle Pub), 58 Mary St. from 9AM weekdays. Banking, bill payment, travel insurance, currency exchange etc. can be accessed at the post office. Previously the pub, and so nicknamed the "middle pub" by locals.
- Cygnet Library, 27 Mary St. Varies, see website. Computers and internet access are available at Cygnet Library. Library Tasmania card required
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