Things to do at & near Silver Ridge Retreat

Indoor Heated Pool

Cool off and relax in our indoor heated swimming pool. Enjoy bathing in magnesium salt water while soaking in magnificent views of Mt Roland outside.

Historic Silver Mine (1870s)

Visit our own historic silver mine and marvel at the work accomplished with basic tools. Check the growth of the stalactites and, while avoiding the cave spiders, don’t miss the glow-worms.

Farm and Native Wildlife

“Take some time to visit our friendly farm animals. Some will allow a small pat in exchange for an apple or carrot bribe. Penny is an RSPCA rescue – an ex-trotter who has never been ridden. She’s keen to talk to any friendly person, but only if you bring an apple or carrot will she stay to “talk”!

Surrounded by Crown land, pademelons and Bennett’s wallabies are plentiful; ringtail possums, sugar gliders and various owls appear when you least expect it.

Tasmanian devils, wombats and quolls are present (we see frequent evidence) but are less seen on the walks – they are more scared of us than we are of them.

On a clear night step outside - the skies, undimmed by pollution or city lights, offer a magnificent view of the milky way.

Bird Watching

Birds recorded on the property include: Yellow Wattlebird, Field Wren, Tasmanian Native Hen, Pink Robin, Black Currawong, Flame Robin, Green Rosella, Scarlet Robin, Dusky Robin, Black Cockatoo, Tasmanian Thornbill, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Tasmanian (Brown) Scrubwren, Bassian Thrush, Scrubtit, Satin Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater, Sea Eagles, Clinking Currawong and Tasmanian Masked Owl.

Key Nearby Highlights

• Trowunna Wildlife Park (≈40 min) – Hand-fed Tasmanian Devils, pat a koala, cuddle a baby wombat.
• Tasmazia & Village of Lower Crackpot (≈20 min) – World’s largest maze complex, lavender farm, honey boutique, pancake parlour, pirate ship.
• Mole Creek Limestone Caves (≈40 min) – Marakoopa (glow-worms & streams) and King Solomon’s Cave (shawls, stalactites, stalagmites). Guided tours available.
• Sheffield – Town of Murals (10 min) – Interactive mural trail (download the Cya on the Road app), Redwater Creek Steam Railway, Kentish Museum, Visitor Centre & craft shops.
• Lake Barrington (≈20 min) – Rowing, water-skiing, canoeing, nature walks.

Also close: vineyards (Barringwood, Lake Barrington Estate, Wilmot Hills), cheese & chocolate (Ashgrove, House of Anvers), honey farms, Devonport (Spirit of Tasmania terminal & airport), Don River Railway, Latrobe (platypus capital), and much more.

Recommended Walks

• Mt Roland Summit Track (3 min from Silver Ridge) – Magnificent 7-hour return walk with views to the coast, Devonport harbour, Cradle Mountain and the Walls of Jerusalem. Alternate routes to Minnow Falls or across Mt Van Dyke & Mt Claude.
• Devil’s Gullet outlook (≈30 min) – Short walk, spectacular scenery.
• Kimberley’s Lookout / Badger’s Range (≈10 min) – ≈90 min return, excellent views of Kentish, Mt Roland and beyond.
• Lake Barrington – Billet Creek Nature Walk (≈20 min) – 1.5–2 hr rainforest & nature walk with endemic species identified.
• Stoodley Plantation Forest Walk (≈20 min) – 30–40 min, variety of 1940s plantings.
• Alum Cliffs Gorge – Easy 2 km / 1 hr family walk.
• Narawntapu National Park (≈1 hr) – Coastal park, excellent for wombats & wallabies (especially Point Vision walk in winter). Good option when mountain weather is poor.
• Cradle Mountain & Walls of Jerusalem (≈45 min) – Numerous walks from a few hours (Dove Lake circuit ≈2 hr, Marion’s Lookout ≈3 hr return) to multi-day treks.

And many more… Ask us for current track conditions and recommendations tailored to your fitness and the weather.