Enjoy excellent dining, world-class art and a bounty of natural attractions in Australia’s littlest capital city, which punches well above its weight.
Stroll along Hobart’s pretty working waterfront toward Salamanca Place, where rows of Georgian sandstone warehouses have been converted into galleries, theatres, restaurants and cutting-edge boutiques. On Saturday mornings you can wander around more than 300 stalls at the (8.30am-3pm) for fresh local produce, handmade arts and crafts and antiques. Or browse the works of designers and artists at the in Salamanca Arts Centre.
Leave two to three hours to explore the provocative collection at (Museum of Old and New Art), Australia’s largest privately owned museum. The Mona ferry departs from Brooke Street Pier and takes roughly 25 minutes. The cavernous galleries are filled with controversial, thought-provoking works, and information and interviews with the artists is available via a free iPod touch.
Drive up to the summit of Mount Wellington, 1270 metres (4167 feet) above sea level. From the lookout you can take in sweeping views over Hobart, Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula. Mt Wellington is threaded with tracks and trails for bushwalking, bike riding and horse riding. Hike to Silver Falls along the Pipeline Track (40 minutes return) or follow the Lenah Valley Track (45 minutes return) to Sphinx Rock.
Cruise up the Derwent River to see the city’s notable landmarks including the Botanical Gardens, the Tasman Bridge and Government House. Or visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery to delve into Tasmania’s Aboriginal history and see objects from the country’s oldest scientific society, the Royal Society of Tasmania, established in 1843.
The museum also houses an extensive collection of colonial and contemporary art.
Drive 40 minutes south from Hobart to the sleepy seaside town of Kettering. From here you can catch the 20 minute ferry to Bruny Island, which sits in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel off the southeast coast of Tasmania. Explore the wild coastline, tall forests and gentle green hills on foot, or join a three hour wilderness cruise with to spot Australian fur seals, dolphins, migrating whales and sea birds.
Climb the timber stairs to the lookout above the Neck – a narrow, sandy isthmus connecting north and south Bruny Island – to take in 360-degree views over Adventure Bay. Cross over to South Bruny Island, where you can walk along the coastal track to Penguin Island and Fluted Cape (2½ hours return), or stroll along the white sands of Sandy Bay.
Bruny Island is renowned for its food and wine. Sample artisan cow’s and goat’s milk cheeses and freshly shucked oysters at Great Bay. Call into Bruny Island Providore at Adventure Bay to stock up on chocolates and handmade fudge, then visit Australia’s southernmost vineyard, in Lunawanna.