What distinguishes Hellyers Road from its competitors elsewhere on the island is the fact that it operates on a fully commercial basis as part of a larger business. It is by far the biggest distillery in Tasmania and the largest whisky distillery in the country with capacity to produce up to 100,000 L of spirit annually. How it got there from its somewhat pedestrian beginnings and with a name, which has nothing obviously to do with whisky, makes a fascinating story.

The buildings are modern and substantial but well positioned at a discrete distance from the neighbouring milk factory. Set against the backdrop of high mountains and bucolic green pastures a visit is rewarding for both the whisky enthusiast and the general traveler. If the latter is also a train-spotter there is the added advantage of the Burnie to Devenport line, which passes nearby within sight of the distillery café, with a regular flow of freight traffic.

Although HRD whiskies are sometimes regarded as entry level options for those wanting to get to know the Tasmanian product without too much financial strain, there are now some earlier HRD expressions which have crept into the realm of the rare and significant.