Back when we were living in Melbourne we took a mid winter trip to Hobart in Tasmania. For my international readers, Tasmania or ‘Tassie’ as we like to call it, is the island at the bottom of Australia that often gets missed out on maps of my country.
Hobart is its capital and is a wonderful thriving city of foodies, art lovers and craftspeople. The city is off the main tourist and backpacker routes but a visit there is well rewarded.
Touring Tasmania? Check out this 10 day itinerary
Hobart, Australia
Australia’s second oldest city Hobart lies on the estuary of the Derwent River on Tasmania’s south-east coast. Founded in 1803 as a British penal colony, the area was home to the Palawa indigenous tribes for tens of thousands of years prior.
Flanked by the pristine waters of the Southern Ocean and rugged bush, Hobart is also the gateway to the Antarctic. The area is known for beautiful landscapes and some of the oldest sandstone buildings in Australia.
Photo tour of Hobart
1. Mount Wellington dominates the city skyline and the views from its summit are wonderful
2. The freshest seafood – Bruny Island oysters are amazing
3. Pristine landscapes – Hobart sits on the Derwent River and is surrounded by bushland
4. Modern architecture of Hobart’s MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) built into a cliff
5. Sparkly art installation at MONA – exhibitions are updated often throughout the year
6. Sandstone, a Tasmanian tiger & a brewery – the old site of Hobart’s famous Cascade Brewery
7. A slower pace of life and retro goodness found in signs like this one from a milk bar
7. The haunting and tragic beauty of Port Arthur
Why visit Hobart
With a thriving food and art scene as well as amazing natural resources, Hobart is great destination for culture lovers and adventurers.
Top 10 things to do in Hobart and surrounds
1 | Visit the world class Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). It is rightly a big drawcard for visitors with many unique exhibitions and events throughout the year. Don’t miss Dark Mofo, MONA’s mid winter food, arts, cinema and music festival.
2 | Browse the popular Salamanca markets held each Saturday with over 300 stores of crafts and gourmet produce.
3 | Within easy reach of the city you will find fantastic cool climate wineries
Tip – wine lovers should visit Stefano Lubiana’s cellar door to try their specialty biodynamic sparkling wine and pinot noir
4 | Discover fascinating old towns like Richmond with its beautiful bridge and sandstone buildings
5 | Wander the tragically beautiful and UNESCO listed Port Arthur historical site
6 | Build up an appetite climbing Mount Wellington to admire the views – make sure to take a jacket, it can be cold even in winter
7 | Hike rainforest trails and breathe in some of the freshest air in the world
8 | Beer lovers should not miss a tour of Cascade – a 200 year old brewery
9 | Enjoy Hobart’s wonderful restaurant and cafe scene – I recommend The Source at MONA – elegant fine dining experience with a view
10 | Take a day trip to Bruny Island famous for stunning landscapes, wildlife and the freshest local produce
Hobart is one of my favourite cities in Australia and I don’t need an excuse to go back.
Not many tourists venture down south to Tassie but I’d love more international visitors to discover Tasmania and its beautiful capital.
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The creator, writer and photographer behind Untold Morsels, Katy has been travelling and tasting the world since she was a teenager.
Now the proud mum of twins, she hopes they grow up to share her passions of great food, wine and travel. Favourite destination: Italy