Whisk around in a classic and celebrate the true ‘Spirit of Tasmania’

A bespoke Tasmanian tour company is taking classic car touring to new heights with The Single Malt, a 7 day tour of the Apple Isle to explore the top whisky distilleries around the island.

The event is planned for Autumn 2020.

 Interested? We thought so!

For those who are unaware, Tasmania’s single malt scene has been smashing headlines in recent years, with many critics labelling it the new home of some of the best and peatiest in the world. Sullivans Cove’s ‘French Oak Cask’ took global honours in 2014, and the local elixir is only getting better.

When a costly and time-heavy venture to the northern isles of Scotland won’t work for your back pocket or calendar, Tassie is the logical alternative…

The Single Malt is ideal for dedicated car lovers who enjoy good food, excellent wine and an adventure or two on a touring rally.

Instead of gathering dust in the garage, you can take your classic or vintage machine, leaving Melbourne on the Spirit of Tasmania on a whisky adventure like no other on Tasmania’s famed wilderness highways and country lanes.

You will meet the makers and sample a dram or two to discover why "The Best Whisky in the World" plaques hang on the walls of the top distilleries.

Visiting a distillery each day, there will be a whisky master class, you will enjoy a truly spectacular coastal cruise and visit some fine, and very grand. colonial houses and delightful historic villages.

The tour director is John Hamilton who has been running his Tasmania Classic tours for more than 20 years. John, a long established and award-winning Tasmanian tourism operator has long held a passion for fine motoring machines with a CV to back it up as a Targa Tasmania Class winner and a two time London-Sydney Marathon finisher.

There is no-one more qualified to take you and other like-minded gentlemen for a spin around the island’s burgeoning world class Whisky Trail and sample (sensibly) a few drams of the finest.

John, tell us a little more about the event? It’s a new one yes?

Yes, this is a new addition to our Tasmania Classic program. We feel that Tasmania’s reputation for good food and wine, and now especially whisky, matches perfectly with people who enjoy using their classic cars on some truly great roads. We have run dozens of tours now and know the local hospitality scene and just about all of the island’s tarmac roads like the back of our hand. This is what we can do best in Tasmania.

Is there any rules on vehicle criteria?

Vintage and classic cars are preferred! And, at my discretion, other sporting cars. You can bring your own car or hire one locally. Vehicle acceptance is upon application and selection is at the sole discretion of the event organisers. We have a list of preferred machines which we send out with our info pack.
We also can arrange for you to hire a sporting machine. All hire arrangements are made directly with the hire company owner. This is a great option for international participants.

Tasmania is well-known for many stunning locations- what can we expect to see on the course we take?

Indeed. Tasmania is much more mountainous that other parts of the country so there are new vistas around every corner and along the rugged coast. It is a stunning place to tour.

We know Tasmania backwards - the best rally roads, the best side country lanes, the best out of the way highways. The course is tarmac but please allow for some gravel on access roads and drives and unexpected roadworks. 200 to 300km per day average.]

Our route notes are interesting too but not difficult; we use international tulip tally notes to get you around. We discourage the use of GPS systems. Traditional penalty if caught - You buy a round of drinks!

Now you’re an experienced driver yourself aren’t you John?

I have always been a motorsport fan and about 25 years ago decided to have a crack at competing myself. So with a friend, Giles Chapman, we started off by entering the 1993 London-Sydney Marathon. That’s a pretty good way to go in the deep end! I discovered the second works Hillman Hunter from the 1968 Marathon, restored it and Giles and I ended up being first Hunter home ahead of Andrew Cowan in his famous 1968 London-Sydney winning machine and a couple of the notable drivers also in in old works prepared Hillmans.

Along the way we competed in the first Targa Tasmania and later I ran a wonderful little 1997 Mini Cooper in the event for a couple of class wins which was very satisfying. A good deal of local knowledge helped I suspect.

Your passion for motor vehicles, can you go into that further?

I first remember watching old BP Grand Prix films with Stirling Moss in his Vanwall which led to attending a few weekends watching Brabham, Stewart, Clark and Hill racing around the fantastic old Longford road circuit. I still have a post from the famous old wooden bridge.

Nowadays I run around in a 1968 Porsche and have just restored a 1929 Chrysler 75 which is Mille Miglia and Classic le Mans eligible. It would be fun to take it to Europe to do some events with my son who lives in London. Perhaps a drive around Australia first!

I still have the mighty Hillman Hunter too which, I believe, is the only original 1968 Marathon car to have finished three London-Sydneys.

Back to the Tasmania Classic events. Are there any licence or insurance requirements?

Fortunately there are no special licence or insurance requirements. A normal driving licence is sufficient. We run tours without any timing or competition and we require all participants to sign off on an agreement that they will run only with the rules of the road, especially with regard to speeding and drink-driving.

Obviously I’ll have a car serviced thoroughly prior, but if something happens during the trip, is there local assistance?

As our Tasmania Classics are not competitive they are not demanding on machines. Nevertheless we do provide lots of info on gaining assistance on the road and recommend membership of a motoring organisation so the RACT can help out. You are never far from help and we encourage fellow participants to stop and lend a hand.  The camaraderie is a key part of every Tasmania Classic.

What costs are involved?
The cost varies for each event. We run only for a limited number of cars so we can fit in smaller and smarter hotels and restaurants so we are not at the budget end. The application fee covers one car with two people. We list the inclusions.

How do I get in touch and get more info?

Our Tasmania Classic website at www.tasmaniaclassic.com is the best place. Send in an expression of interest and we will forward an info pack about the Single Malt and our other planned events. It is now open for expressions of interest for places in the event.