Step back into the past at the oldest brewery in Australia, a striking Gothic building near Hobart, and try some of the best beers in the country.

A trip to the Cascade Brewery is considered a must-do Hobart experience. Located just outside the city, this landmark building was famously designed by an ex-criminal. It testifies to the city’s convict past and homes the longest running brewery in Australia. Take a tour, learn about the brewing process and become a connoisseur of matching beer with food. Admire the landscaped gardens, tall sandstone frontage and picturesque façade against the backdrop of Mount Wellington.

The Cascade Brewery is the oldest operating brewery in Australia. Tour the building and hear stories of ex-convict Peter Degraves who founded the brewery.

The brewery is fully functioning, so for safety and hygiene reasons visitors must have their legs completely covered and wear closed-toe shoes. Walk between beer barrels and discover what brewers call "the feel”, their personal intuition for when the fermentations are ready. Cascade is the only brewery in Australia to make their malt in an in-house facility, giving the beer it's signature taste.

Cascade’s renowned selection includes the oldest continuously brewed beer in the country, the Pale Ale. Also produced is the malty sweet Lager the Bright Ale the American-style Blonde and the chocolaty Stout. Learn the qualities of each and how to match the beer with your favourite meal.

After a tour, meander through the historic Woodstock gardens, the Brewery and the Cascade Museum. Energetic visitors can walk along the 12.75-kilometre (7.9-mile) track, which loops from Hobart waterfront, along Hobart Rivulet Linear Park, through the Cascade Brewery Gardens to the peak of Mount Wellington. Catch your breath in the bar and café back at the brewery, sip a beer and have a bite to eat while enjoying the views of the heritage gardens.

The Cascade Brewery is a 10-minute drive southwest from Hobart and 2.5 hours south from Launceston. Tours include beer tastings fresh from the tap. The tours are 1.5 hours in length and fill up quickly, so it is recommended to book ahead. Admissions are priced differently for adults, students, concession cardholders and families. The brewery is open daily and free parking is available.