Bangor Farm
Where a warm country welcome awaits
Bangor is an 8 hectare vineyard and a beautiful 6,200 hectare farming property that is managed for its' stunning natural environment. Located on the Forestier Peninsula in Tasmania's south east, Bangor has over 35 km of breathtaking coastline, 5,100 hectares of native forests and 2,100 hectares of private nature conservation reserves. These precious forests are home to a large number of birds and animals, including some of Tasmania's most iconic species such as the wedge-tailed eagle, and the Tasmanian Devil.
Bangor and the Forestier Peninsula also have a long and proud cultural history, from Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage, to the first European explorers visiting Bangor's shores in 1642, to whaling in Lagoon Bay in the 1830's and the development of farming land to supply food to the convict settlement of Port Arthur. The Dunbabin family started managing Bangor in the late 1800's, and the property remains in the family to this day.
Family Farm
Bangor is a family farm managed by Matt and Vanessa Dunbabin. Matt and Vanessa have three children Henry, William and Amy, who are part of the seventh generation of the Dunbabin family in Tasmania, and are the fourth generation of Dunbabins to be raised at Bangor. The Dunbabin family have a rich Tasmanian history, with John Dunbabin arriving in Tasmania as a convict in December 1830.
FARMING | HISTORY | ENVIRONMENT
An extensive grazing operation, we run superfine merino sheep, prime beef and prime lambs. Our superfine merino stud utilises the best available breeding techniques, aiming to produce the very best, most profitable rams.
The property has a fascinating history, including the hoisting of the Dutch flag on Bangor's shore by Abel Tasman's carpenter in 1642, and the first contact between Aborigines and Europeans which occurred on Two Mile Beach, in 1772. Bangor was developed as a farm in the 1830's for supplying food to the penal settlement at Port Arthur. There were also whaling stations operating in Lagoon Bay at that time.
Bangor is a unique property that includes 5,100 ha of native forests and grassland, 2,100 ha of permanent forest reserves and 35 km of coastline. Bangor is home to a range of important forest types and native plant species, along with many beautiful native Tasmanian animals. These include threatened and sensitive species such as the Tasmanian devil, swift parrots, sea eagles and wedge tailed eagles. The protection and sustainability of this special environment forms the core of the management philosophy and practice here at Bangor.
Tasmanian Superfine Wool
Bangor runs a flock of 5000 superfine merino sheep, which produce some of the world's finest, softest and brightest wool. This fibre eventually ends up in high quality fabric used for premium clothing, suiting next-to-skin wear and outdoor wear.
The extensive areas of native pastures at Bangor are ideal for growing this type of wool. They provide even nutrition year-round, which in turn allows the wool fibre to grow evenly and strongly. Native plants covering the soil also reduce dust and dirt contamination of the fleece, ensuring wool remains bright and lustrous.