We love the little island state of Tasmania and were delighted to be able to attend our good friends' wedding in Hobart last month. Visitors to Australia shouldn't skip Tassie. It's such a natural place with beautiful scenery, nature activities, fresh food, wine and friendly locals. Most people begin their journey in the capital city and they shouldn't miss these excellent attractions in Hobart.
1. The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) - Photo by russelljsmith from Flickr.
About as interesting as the museum itself is the story behind its creation. Tasmanian professional gambler, David Walsh made millions and then built this subterranean wonderland on Berriedale peninsula. The biggest privately funded museum in the country, MONA is home to modern and contemporary art ranging from the bizarre to the macabre. $20 for non-Tasmanians, open daily except for Christmas Day, mona.net.au
2. Salamanca Market and Place
Hobart's Salamanca Market keeps thousands of visitors busy with 300 stalls every Saturday. Photo by veen from Flickr.
This lively area is home to several bars, cafes, theatres, shops and galleries, but is probably best known for its festive Saturday market. Celebrating its 40th birthday this year, the Salamanca Market features around 300 outdoor stalls every Saturday, attracting thousands of visitors. Enjoy fresh food, music, buskers and shopping the wares of artists and craftsmen in a beautiful setting near the harbour. Market open Saturdays 8.30am - 3pm (and Sunday if the Saturday falls on Christmas or Anzac Day), rain or shine, website
3. Port Arthur Convict Settlement
Port Arthur Convict Settlement - Photo by Paradoxiko*Beck* from Flickr.
Located 60 km southeast of the city, the small town of Port Arthur makes for a nice day trip or overnight stay on the Tasman Peninsula. Beautiful and historic, it is best known for its penal colony, housing the worst criminals from Britain and Ireland between 1833 and 1853. This is Tasmania's most popular attraction and tours to the penitentiary, model prison and church ruins are available. It's also possible to visit the nearby Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park (because there's not much chance of seeing a Devil in the wild). portarthur.org.au
4. Cascade Brewery
The Cascade Brewery - Photo by frivolous_accumulation from Flickr.
Tasmania boasts some of the best non-craft Aussie beer and competition is fierce between the two major brands, Cascade and Boag's. Despite the fact that the latter is from Launceston, one bartender told us that many locals in Hobart actually prefer it to their own brew, Cascade. Visitors will have the chance to try both and make their own decision. But whichever one you like best, a visit to the local brewery should be on the cards. Located in a beautiful setting not far from town, the Cascade Brewery offers three different tours with knowledgeable guides and tastings. www.cascadebreweryco.com.au
5. Mt. Wellington
Hobart's harbour with Mt. Wellington in the background.
Towering over the city is this 1271 metre (4166ft) mountain and there's more to do there than just driving up to The Pinnacle for a look. The park offers opportunities for bush walking, bike and horseback riding, bird watching and rock climbing among other activities. Picnic areas with barbecues are located at Fern Tree Park, Tolosa Park and The Chalet as well as other areas, which may also include forests, trails and play areas for children. wellingtonpark.org.au
Have you visited Tasmania? What were your impressions?
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Great post on Tasmania & Hobart. We hope to get to that end of the world someday.
I hope you get to Tasmania – you’ll love it! =)
I’ve never been to Australia yet, but Tasmania is right at the top of my list for places to go. I could easily skip the big cities of OZ and hang out there for weeks or months…thanks for posting some great pics!
Your instincts are good, my friend =) Tassie is an amazing place – if you have good wilderness survival skills make sure you check out the untamed southwest (we don’t have any so haven’t seen it except in pictures but it sounds like the perfect place to explore and get away from it all). Launceston and surrounds is also a gem for hiking and wine.
I would have loved to have travelled to Tasmania, if I hadn’t been in Australia in the winter! Since it’s in the southern part of Australia, it would have been extra cold, the opposite of what a southern state is in America in the winter. I’m happy you got to see it 🙂
Yeah, unless you want to take advantage of winter sports, probably best to visit in the winter months. We lived in Melbourne for four years so we had the opportunity to go there whenever we wanted…only an hour flight to Hobart, less to Launceston!
this is totally lame but I want to go to tasmania just so I can see a tasmanian devil in person. Then again, I can say the same of kangaroos/koalas and australia. *SIGH*…i’m so simple minded…
nah, they’re really cute – I totally fell in love with wombats my first time in Tassie =) Just be sure you go to a Tasmanian Devil centre to see them – they’re extremely difficult to see in the wild, being solitary, nocturnal and rare…the closest we got was taking a nocturnal tour and seeing a place where a devil hangs out (but not the actual devil himself). They are fascinating creatures and have a very difficult life.
Great tips! Im not sure if we will make it to Tasmania (since we just spent a year in NZ, and it seems sort of similar), but it looks awesome
It is a bit similar – definitely worth it though when you’re ready for another adventure like that down the road =)