 |
|
|
 add to Travel Bag (NEW)
The first step off the plane brings a fresh breeze of some of the cleanest air on earth—and the realization that this is no ordinary capital city. Dolphins and whales may be found in the crystal clear waters of the bay, and Hobart's backdrop, Mt. Wellington, is home to an amazing variety of native flora and fauna. If you stay alert, you may even see the ever-present black cockatoo or sea eagle overhead.
Mt. Wellington and the Cascade Brewery
Start the day off right with breakfast in Salamanca at Zum Café—notorious for its freshly-baked goodies—or watch all of the activity on the waterfront with starters at the locals' favorites Timeless Way or T42. After breakfast, take your previously arranged Experience Tasmania Bus Tour to Mt. Wellington and enjoy Hobart’s spectacular, early morning views as well as the Derwent River from this ancient extinct volcano. Expect to return to Hobart in the late morning, and proceed to your tour of the Cascade Brewery, the oldest one in Australia. After the tour and tasting, lunch in this garden-surrounded venue is a welcome, relaxing respite. After lunch, make your way back to Hobart and have a look at the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery's resident exhibitions and imported special events. Tasmania's beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens are also within five minutes of the city. After a full day, treat yourself to a before-dinner drink in North Hobart at Onba; then top the day off by walking just a couple of blocks up the street to Restaurant 373 for a five-star extravaganza, or, for a lighter choice, taste the freshest catch of seafood at Fish 349 in the same area.
Salamanca Saturday Markets
Spend the day on the waterfront and check out the Salamanca Market, an absolute must-see if you're looking for local crafts, souvenirs, and lots and lots of food. Get there early and have breakfast at Bar Celona, right in the square adjacent to the market. To burn off your meal, spend the rest of the morning pleasantly wandering around the vast number of booths and taking scenic shots of the harbor. When your stomach starts grumbling again, head into Irish Murphy's for a great pub meal, or venture into the classy Maldini Café Restaurant. If a cruise is in order after lunch, pop into the Cruise Company in the same area and book an afternoon sail of the bay. Granted the endless choices of restaurants, making a decision for dinner will be difficult. The very popular Catch restaurant is a good selection right across the street from the water; but if seafood is required, then don't miss out on the Drunken Admiral on Hunter Street. After dinner, stop into the waterfront's Hotel Grand Chancellor for a night cap where you can listen to the world-renowned Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra right next door.
Cadbury Chocolate Factory and Moorilla Wineries
Have a great day out by letting yourself indulge in these two hot-spots located right in the same vicinity. If you're looking for an adventure, hire a car and stop into the fantastical Raincheck Lounge for an incomparable breakfast experience before heading to spoil yourself at the sinful Cadbury Chocolate Factory. There are guided tours daily, and if you're won over by their famous chocolate, you can sample or purchase some after the tour. Drive a short ways south to Moorilla Estates Winery, where a lovely restaurant, five-star accommodation, and the famous Moorilla Museum of Antiquities await you. Enjoy some wine-tasting and a special lunch in this modern venue before taking a free tour of this stunning museum and then making your way back to Hobart. A pre-dinner drink and tapas in high-class surroundings on the waterfront at the Observatory might complete the day; or if you need something heartier, try the iconic Astor Grill steakhouse just a couple of blocks up from the water.
Port Arthur and Richmond
Experience Tasmania boasts a variety of tours; however, if you like to play it by ear, then by all means rent a car and have breakfast at the Macquarie Food Store on your way out of town. Head across the Tasman Bridge and west to the Port Arthur Historic Site on a scenic, hour-and-a-half drive. On the way, you will pass the Tassie Devil Park and Refuge—definitely worth a stop. Fill up at the Fox and Hound’s old English-style pub for lunch, and then continue on to Port Arthur. Guided tours thoroughly explore this fascinating historical venue. On your way back to Hobart, you may want to stop off at Richmond, yet another historical village worth seeing, and just a hop away from wine country. The Meadowbank Winery there hosts a popular lunch and dinner menu accompanied by their award-winning wines. If you’re lucky, you may even catch some music with your meal.
Huonville and the Tahune Air Walk
Just about a half-hour drive south of Hobart is the town of Huonville. This part of the world is quite beautiful any time of the year; but in spring and fall, the colors are simply spectacular. Before leaving Hobart, be sure to stop into Kingston just off the highway and wake yourself up with a delectable breakfast at Chill in the small shopping center there. Continue on to Huonville up over the mountains and down into this special valley. You may want to grab a cup of coffee at one of the many cafés there before carrying on to the Tahune Air Walk. Here you can expect to enjoy the café's lunch specials and the trails leading to the incomparable views of the river: the path itself is an engineering marvel certainly worth tackling. On your return, you may want to stop at Huon Manor Restaurant on the river for dinner, or wait until you get back to the city to try Mojo in West Hobart or Monty's on Montpelier for something unique.
Whatever your taste, everyone will find something exciting in this awe-inspiring corner of the world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Hobart Hotels Guide
Company Info | About Wcities | Services | Contact Us | Careers
Copyright © 1999-2008 wcities.com all rights reserved
|
|
| |
|
Travel Bag
Interested in writing content for Wcities?