Meet Steve… Steve grew up on an 8000 hectare mixed agriculture and cattle farm in Central Queensland doing broad-acre farming and running approximately 1200 head of beef cattle. He spent some 31 years running his own business in metal manufacturing and engineering and managing a team of 24 on the Sunshine Coast QLD doing civil, mining and all facets of general manufacturing. Meet Trish… Chef Trish is the ‘creative maker’ behind The Bear and the Ladle and Burma In Ya Belly and now Hamlet Downs Country Smallgoods. From catering events with her previous business, to her award winning range of condiments, and cooking classes, Trish converts everyone in her path to a love and enjoyment of her food, initially with the cuisine of her parent’s homeland Burma, with her successful mobile catering business Burma In Ya Belly, and now combined with The Bear and the Ladle’s repertoire, of modern fusion flavours from places she has travelled around the globe, and come to love. Now ‘Head Chef’ for guests ala carte breakfast and dinners at Hamlet Downs Country Accom. Following her successful business ‘Burma In Ya Belly’ for many years, Trish launched ‘The Bear and the Ladle’ a range of artisan and outstanding stable of condiments, mustard’s, relishes and sauces. Following a feature on ‘The Today Show’ Trish’s success has been tenfold and her condiments are available widely. Since recently re-developing the Burma In Ya Belly brand, focusing on bottled chilli condiments, Trish has continued her successes, taking GOLD and SILVER for 2 of the products entered in the Sydney Royal Fine Food Awards in 2019 and recently in 2021, 2022, 2023 multi awards and CHAMPION 2024 and 2025 in the Tasmanian Royal Fine Food Awards Now, together they host and care for their guests and grow their foodie passions producing award-winning smallgoods, paddock-to-plate, quality condiments and hosting Long Table Lunch Degustation's

Hamlet Downs Country Accom is set on 36 acres of beautiful farmland at 50 Gully Road, Fentonbury in the Central Highlands of Tasmania. It was originally established as a Hops Farm with the homestead being built in 1926. Now with the addition of another hosted space property, Hamlet Downs Country Hideaway located next door at 54 Gully Road which is a perfect space for families or groups. Curated into Country Farmstay/Farmhouse style accommodation in 1994 and it has been a popular destination for travellers the world over for the past 30 years. Today Hamlet Downs is not only a country accommodation facility but also a working operational farm and guests are most welcome to take a farm tour and get 'hands on' in the daily feeding of the animals with Farmer Steve - The Alpacas, Pigs, Ducks and Chooks alike will be happy for you to feed them or just observe them frolicking about. There is a well marked walking track from the homestead to the 3 dams on the property which are home to a community of Platypus, which can be observed in the early hours of the morning or late afternoon as they forage for fodder. There are several options for guest meals that are available from ala carte breakfasts and signature dinner options, also a pre-prepared frozen Heat In Your Suite option, lovingly prepared by Chef Trish and of course self catering but why worry when we can 'room service' directly to your rooms. Even The Hideaway has the options for catered meals in the form of a Chef's Special and delivered directly to your door in convenient take away containers. Trish and Steve welcome you to be our guests at Hamlet Downs Country Accom and Hamlet Downs Country Hideaway.

Hamlet Downs Country Accom and Hamlet Downs Country Hideaway Holiday Home, is idyllically located in Fentonbury, just an hour north of Hobart, on The Western Wilds route. We are a mere 12 minutes drive from Mt.Field National Park and Russel Falls and 45 minutes to Mt. Mawson. Other attractions in the area include the Salmon Ponds at Plenty, Maydena Bike Park, Lake Pedder. and the Tyena River, known as the Trout Highway of Tasmania. There are also several distillery's and winery's and brewery's all within 30 minutes drive, such as Lawrenny, Plenty Cider, Derwent Estates Wines, Stefano Lubiano (tastings by appointment), Welcome Swallow Brewery, Derwent Distilleries and more. New Norfolk, just 30 minutes away is full to the brim with antique stores for a literal treasure trove of trinkets, lunch and dinner options include the historic, The Bush Inn with great options for Tasmanian wines, gins and whiskeys, aged beef and live music on the weekends. For brunch or light lunch try The Quilted Teapot, The Arthouse or Banjos. New Norfolk also has all your grocery needs covered with Woolworths, BWS, Chemist, and Post Office. Stay awhile in this region and explore - There's so much to do, see and experience.