Some parts of Tasmania look like they could easily be in Switzerland but about 16 km northwest of Launceston along the A7 or West Tamar Highway, there’s a little village where you can truly be transported to the world of cuckoo clocks, cheese and chocolate.

Grindelwald was established in the 1980s and is built exactly like a quaint Swiss village, complete with flowerboxes on the balconies of the houses. The brain behind the development was Roelf Vos, a Dutch immigrant who became a prominent businessman in Tasmania.

The main attraction at Grindelwald is the Aspect Tamar Valley Resort, which is the perfect destination for families with children. Apart from the fairytale houses, here you’ll also find a shopping arcade with eateries and interesting little shops, among them a chocolatier, a newsagent, a hairdresser and several boutiques. There’s a huge mini-golf course, a pirate ship for the kids to clamber onto, go karts, electric scooters, a playground, the longest bouncing pillow in the world and tennis courts to make every child’s idea of paradise come true. The village also features artificial lakes where you can go canoeing or soak up the sun in a paddle boat.

On days when the weather becomes a little too Alpine, you can burn off excess energy in the gym or the heated indoor swimming pool. Afterwards you’ll want to relax in the sauna or be pampered at the day spa.

The Aspect Tamar Valley Resort offers a range of accommodation options and with extras such as baby-sitting services, high chairs and cots, they go out of their way to make the visit fuss-free for parents.

Grindelwald’s convenient location makes it a wonderful base from which to explore all the wonders of Launceston and the Tamar Valley.