The Ducks Bar and Restaurant

The Ducks Bar and Restaurant is the restaurant arm of the Rosevears Hotel, set right on the edge of the Tamar River (Kanamaluka) at 215 Rosevears Drive, about 20 minutes from Launceston up the West Tamar wine route. The deck and beer garden look straight down the water, and the hotel's renovation made the most of it. For dog owners, this is one of the few riverfront dining rooms in the Tamar Valley where the dog is genuinely part of the plan.

The dog setup

Pet dogs are welcome on the outdoor decking area only; inside is for people, with service dogs the exception. Keep your dog leashed and under control at your feet, and note the venue does not keep water bowls on hand, so bring your own portable one. The deck is roomy enough for a settled dog, and if you time it right you might share the view with a pelican or two.

On the plate

The kitchen leans on fresh Tasmanian produce: pan-fried scallops, local fish, prawn salad, pork ribs and a chicken schnitzel the size of the plate, finishing with crème brûlée. The wine list is where the location shows, built around Tamar Valley and other Tasmanian cool-climate wines. It works as well for a sunny afternoon drink on the deck as for a relaxed dinner.

Getting there and parking

Free on-site parking sits on the property, with easy access off Rosevears Drive between the A7 and Launceston. Hours shift seasonally, so check ahead for dinner service outside Friday and Saturday.

Max: River-front deck, my own portable bowl, and a scallop investigation that came to nothing. Still, best sniffing wind in Tasmania.

Close by with the dogs

The West Tamar has good dog stops within a short drive: Exeter Fenced Dog Park and the Legana Off-Lead Dog Park both give a proper off-lead run, and Singapore Baker's Cafe in Gravelly Beach is a dog-friendly coffee stop on the river road. Evenfall Winery and Restaurant is nearby for a second sitting. More options are on the Tasmania restaurants list and the Rosevears destination page.