Images: Adam Gibson
Family-owned South Australian wine brand Bird in Hand has made its move across Bass Strait, with a major new venue set to open in Tasmania very soon.
The winery is set to unveil a reimagined restaurant, tasting room and kiosk at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart.
Leading the venues will be the Joy Experience, an immersive fine dining restaurant showcasing some of Tasmania’s best produce, while the Tasting Room and Bistro will pair guided wine tastings with refined dishes featuring Spring Bay mussels, east coast scallops, wallaby and wild venison.
For a more casual option, the recently opened Kiosk offers baguettes, sausage rolls and frittatas, ideal for long autumn afternoons among the turning leaves.
Amanda Vallis from the Bird in Hand team said the ongoing love of the natural world and co-founder Susie Nugent’s background as a garden designer makes the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens was an ideal fit.
“The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is a truly special place, home to an incredible array of flora including endemic, rare and threatened species.
“The restaurant and tasting room sits within the gardens offering both casual and formal dining experiences paired with our wine.”
The expansion has been several years in the making.
Back in 2020, Bird in Hand entered the Tasmanian market with the acquisition of a 400-acre property in Seymour on the state’s beautiful east coast. Bordering a national park, the site has a unique microclimate that has helped make Tasmania renowned for world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Less than half of the property is under vine, with the remainder restored to native vegetation to help preserve biodiversity.
“The venue is available for private hire and events but it is also open 7-days to the public incorporating our outdoor kiosk, casual dining and fine dining experiences,” Amanda said.
“The kiosk is already open to the public and our casual dining and fine dining offering is set to open in the coming weeks and months.”
Waterton Hall Vineyard in the Tamar Valley. Photo: Rosie Hastie
Last year the brand entered a long-term lease of Waterton Hall Vineyard in the Tamar Valley, which features a diverse array of grape varieties, including some of the state’s oldest Shiraz vines. The hall is available exclusively for weddings and celebrations through the use of a rustic 1850s stone barn, a waterfront boat house and gardens.
Bird in Hand will oversee all weddings and bespoke events at the iconic site, pairing world-class food and wine with the stunning backdrop of the gardens. With heritage architecture, expansive lawns and Tasmania’s natural beauty all around, the setting promises a truly memorable atmosphere. Each event will celebrate the best of the state, with a focus on Tasmania’s produce, art, flora and fauna.
The venue within the Botanical Gardens are set to open mid 2026 and event enquiries can already be made via their website.
Bird in Hand Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
When: coming mid 2026
Where: Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hobart
For more info, click here.
