Hobart Hotels

As the Port Arthur ruins show, Hobart began life as a particularly harsh penal colony, but has now blossomed into a city of beauty, wonder and some damn fine facilities. It’s a quiet cultural achiever, rivalling Melbourne’s somewhat pretentious art scene with the MONA and Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

In terms of scenery, Hobart has some of the best in the country, with The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and Wellington Park showing off the city’s gentle beauty. In terms of shopping, unique boutiques line Elizabeth Street, and no matter where you’re from, Hobart will more than likely kick your city in the gastronomic guts, so vibrant and innovative is the food scene and local produce.

Humble, friendly and unfussed over whether you like it or not, Hobart is a gem hiding in plain sight, if only the rest of the country would take their blinkers off.

HOBART’S TOP 10

HOBART LOCAL

CBD

This is Hobart’s core and home to some of the most important venues in the state, including Parliament House and the Supreme Court. Make sure you pay the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery a visit for a look at one of the biggest and best art collections in the country, as well as stacks of awesome and inspiring exhibits. If you want to ingest some history and probably get a tad teary, visit the Hobart War Memorial, a monument commemorating the lost soldiers of war.

If you like your history with a marine-flavour, try the Maritime Museum to learn about Aussie maritime history and exploration, ship construction, naval warfare and gaze at shipwrecks and remnants from under the sea. Oh, and shoppers? Elizabeth Street Mall is your #1 destination.

South Hobart

Hobart’s south is home to an eclectic mix of attractions. Start with the MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) for one of the most unique art experiences in Oz. It’s a remarkable venue that puts a lot of effort and thought into its exhibits, so you’d be crazy to miss it. The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens also finds its home here and has a whopping selection of attractions for flora lovers. You’ll find everything from a Japanese garden to a sub-Antarctic plant house and even a lil ol’ veggie patch (it’s actually pretty big).

Now that you’ve worked up a sufficient thirst, get over to the Cascade Brewery, where all your Tassie beer dreams will come true. Take a tour, have a meal and drink classic, Tassie-made beer like there’s no tomorrow. Make sure you bring along someone boring to be the designated driver.

North Hobart

Hobart’s famous Elizabeth Street continues into the north and provides a great selection of top restaurants and bars, so rest assured that if you’re in this neck of the woods, you’ll be fed well. Speaking of being fed well, you have to hit up the Cadbury Chocolate Factory and Visitors Centre. Learn how chocolate is made, watch them pour it into moulds (try to hold yourself back from jumping into the giant vats) and sample all the goodies. There’s also a shop so make sure you buy up BIG TIME. Everyone knows that Cadbury choccies are amazing, and you can buy huge bags of discounted chocolates that aren’t quite the right shape to be sold in stores. Nothin’ wrong with the taste, though!

Ferntree

This is one of the most scenic areas in the city, so make sure you bring some sturdy shoes and your camera. Get over to Mount Wellington and Wellington Park for magnificent views, great walking trails and plenty of native wildlife. If you’re up for a short bus ride, the 22-acre Inverawe Native Gardens at Margate are a treat. Stroll through the blissful, landscaped gardens on your own or take a themed, guided tour. If you’re a bird enthusiast, don’t forget to bring your binoculars, too, because hundreds of bird species call Inverawe their home. There are also a number of wineries scattered around the area.

HOBART EAT & DRINK

HOBART EVENTS

The Royal Hobart Show provides four days of epic entertainment for all ages every October. Whether you’re all about rollercoasters that take you to the point of puking, showbags full of games and edible goodies, cute animal shows or just some great food and art exhibits, the show will satisfy.

Thousands of beer fans unite at The Tasmanian Beerfest every November. The largest beer festival in Oz sees breweries from all over the state, country and even overseas come together to put their best on show. If you like your amber ale, live music and great food, you can’t pass up this epic, beer-fuelled fiesta.

Hobart (and the entire country) always gets pumped for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, starting on Boxing Day every year. Park your cabooses around the Derwent River/Sullivan’s Cove for the exhilarating and emotional finish a few days later

Great food and plonk – is there anything better? The Taste festival (late December to early January) transforms Hobart into food and alcohol heaven by celebrating the city’s great local produce. Go and stuff your faces and sink a few too many beers (or wines) while enjoying a variety of musical and cultural performances. If you’re up for learning a few tricks and tips, head over to one of the workshops and classes held by world-renowned master chefs.

WHEN TO GO

OK, everyone thinks Hobart is freezing and, compared with much of the rest of the country, it is. Snow is reasonably common on Mount Wellington in winter and from June to October you’re likely to experience more wet days than dry ones.

But, the temperatures aren’t as bad as all that, averaging 8°C in winter, 16°C in spring, 22°C in summer and 13°C in autumn. Dress appropriately and you’ll still have a ball.

WHAT TO MISS

· If you’re up for a bushwalk, make sure to wear sensible clothing and closed shoes as Tassie is home to some of deadliest critters in Oz.

· Some suburbs including Moonah, Derwent Park, Gagebrook and Clarendon Vale can be a little unsafe at night, so it’s best to keep away if you’re alone and unfamiliar with the area.

GETTING THERE AND AROUND