February 2002: It�s time for gastronomes to get out their diaries and note the dates for Cradle Mountain Lodge�s Tastings at the Top, that hedonistic celebration of the Apple Isle�s finest in food and wine.

Now in its 9th year, Cradle Mountain Lodge�s Tastings at The Top programs have expanded. Framing Cradle Mountain�s magical winter season, this year there will be two sensational Tastings at the Top events and a series of Taste of Tasmania events scheduled for the weekends in between.

The first of the 2002 Tasting at the Top events will take place on 22 �24 June, the second staged on 24-26 August and both are shaping up to be a �who�s who� of Tasmania finest providores and wine growers among them are Lenah Game Meats, Tassal Salmon and Moorilla Estate.

For three glorious days, guests at Cradle Mountain Lodge will be able to enjoy a delicious program jam-packed with tutored wine and cheese tastings; cooking demonstrations; gala dinners and degustation menus featuring local produce matched with superior Tasmanian wines. Participants have the chance to meet and work with some well-known Australian food and wine professionals including the ever-popular �wine man�, Peter Bourne who will host both Tastings at the Top events.

A consultant to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, prolific wine writer with regular columns in a variety of magazines and newspapers, Peter has a warm, engaging manner and shares his legendary knowledge of wine with endearing unaffectedness.

�Tasmania has the climate and the soils to produce a distinctive, light, elegant and refreshing style...Flavoursome and elegant chardonnays ideal for accompanying the wide range of marvellous local seafood�Perhaps the Apple Isle will become known as the Chardonnay Isle,� he wrote after last year�s event.

This year�s program also includes a Cheese School. Helen Waterworth, formerly of King Island Dairy, will introduce guests to a variety of cheese styles matched with wines. Everything from farmhouse cheeses to some well-known King Island favourites will be on offer. Fresh cheeses, white mould cheese, blues, washed rinds and more delicious bites from companies including Ashgrove, Heidi, Pyengana, Thorpe Farm and others.

Enhancing the superb food and wine is the perfectly matched venue, Cradle Mountain Lodge. This wilderness retreat is set within the majestically rugged Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. It boasts log fires, stylish and comfortably appointed private timber cabins (many with their own spas) a terrific restaurant and its own wine cellar.

Resort General Managers Rod and Ruth Stendrup along with Executive Chef Peter Stalder, are enthusiastic participants in Tastings at the Top. Indeed, Chef Stalder is working with Tasmania�s leading food and wine producers in planning special wine match dinners that will be the gastronomic highlight of this year�s event.

For guests who feel the need for a little recreational exercise, there is some allocated time in the program for a walk along one of the many trails around the Lodge and leading into the World Heritage-Listed National Park. Guests can also participate in a range of activities including wildlife tours, 4-wheel bike rides, fishing and horse riding.

Taste of Tasmania weekends will take place throughout July and August. These weekends (accommodation Friday and Saturday nights) will feature a range of food and wine workshops, a gala gourmet dinner as well as opportunities to enjoy the incredible natural beauty of the region. Packages start from $475 per person twin share and include accommodation in a Pencil Pine Cabin, Tasmanian Tasting basket packed with gourmet goodies and a bottle of wine. Full mountain breakfasts, lunch and cooking demonstration, dinner on two evenings with matching wines, wine and cheese tasting and guided National Park walk also included. Extra nights available.

4-night Tastings at the Top packages including all scheduled Tastings events and some Lodge activities start from $820 per person twin share, with accommodation in a Pencil Pine Cabin. Spa Cabin packages $930 per person twin share, Spa Suites $1050 per person twin share. Extra nights are available from $75 per person including breakfast.

Cradle Mountain Lodge is accessible from Hobart, Launceston and Devonport airports. Coach transfers will be available from Devonport Airport. For bookings and further information on Tastings at the Top or Taste of Tasmania at Cradle Mountain Lodge, contact your licensed AFTA travel agent or P&O Australian P&O Australian Resorts on 1800 73 76 78, freecall within Australia, via www.poresorts.com or email, reservations@poresorts.com

Media Contact: Julia Gauci, P&O Australian Resorts (02) 9364 8350 or julia.gauci@poresorts.com

Hi-res images available on request