Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS OF HOBART
Head down to Tassie for an array of experiences to treasure
Tasmania’s capital has it all – incredible art galleries, stunning historic hotels, unique shopping... all fringed by scenic wilderness. Book a trip and sample these highlights.
1 STAY AT THE HENRY JONES ART HOTEL
Art and history lovers should look no further than The Henry Jones Art Hotel. Housed in the former IXL Jam Factory, 500 works of art line the 19th century sandstone walls, with no two of the 56 rooms and suites alike. Stay within this commercial art gallery for a sophisticated and deeply engaging experience, on Hobart’s waterfront. Book in for an entertaining and informative art and history tour – a glass of Tasmanian sparkling wine in hard – to explore the design and contemporary local art. Start the day with brekkie at The Lounge and end with a nightcap in the theatrical IXL Long Bar. There’s also a range of restaurants to try, from local produce at Peacock and Jones to succulent steak at Landscape Restaurant & Grill. Visit thehenryjones.com.
2 SHOP AT SALAMANCA MARKET
Celebrating its 50th year, Salamanca Market encapsulates Tasmania’s unique essence with every taste, sight, scent, story and artisanal product. Every Saturday, more than 300 makers and creators gather to celebrate Tassie’s slower pace of life with goods produced by traditional or oft-forgotten methods. Take home hand-forged wares from Custom Iron or luxurious alpaca wool products from Alpaca South. Also sample some of Tassie’s finest produce – be sure to try the Taiwanese steamed buns from Deep End Farm. Visit salamancamarket.com.au.
3 BEHOLD THE MOUNT WELLINGTON VIEW
Take a leisurely drive or catch the bus to the top of Mount Wellington and visit the lookout for sweeping views over Hobart, Bruny
Island and the Tasman Peninsula. Towering 1271m above the city, at Mount Wellington/kunanyi you can bushwalk and mountain bike. Much of it is covered by Wellington Park reserve. Visit discovertasmania.com.au.
4 SAMPLE A FLIGHT AT LARK DISTILLERY
Love a dram of whisky? Sample some of the best at awardwinning Lark Distillery. Crafting spirits for 30 years, in 1992 Lark became the first Australian distillery in 154 years to produce single malt spirit. Its Davey Street Cellar Door is on the harbour, and The Still in the city’s heart is in Argyle St’s
old Mercury print room. Be sure to check out the cocktail list. Visit larkdistillery.com.
5 CATCH A SHOW AT THE THEATRE ROYAL
Whether it’s a musical, international comedy act or modern music and dance, seeing a show at The Theatre Royal – Australia’s oldest working theatre – will impress. Opened in 1837, the theatre was saved from demolition in the 1940s by leading lights such as Sir Laurence Olivier. Take a guided tour for entertaining tales of its history and some of the performers who have trodden its boards. Visit theatreroyal.com.au.
FROM MARKETS TO MOUNTAINS HOBART HAS COUNTRY AND CITY CHARM
6 BE WOWED AT MONA
Take the ferry (opt for the Posh Pit service where drinks and canapes are included) for a day to remember at world-renowned art institution MONA. The Museum of Old and New Art is full of thoughtprovoking works. There are engaging exhibits to ponder, James Turrell sunset and sunrise light and space sequences to view in the purpose-built Pharos wing, and bar and restaurant Faro to sample. Visit mona.net.au.
7 GO VINTAGE SHOPPING
Fancy antiquing? Just a short drive from Hobart, nestled in the Derwent Valley, is New Norfolk, a haven of vintage wares. Go to Willow Court Barracks precinct, home to the impressive Willow Court Antique Centre, or The Drill Hall Emporium, a lovingly curated antique centre run by a mum and daughters who also have Flywheel vintage letterpress studio. Visit tasmania.com/points-ofinterest/new-norfolk.
8 TOUR CASCADES FEMALE FACTORY
A visit to the World Heritagelisted Cascades Female Factory in south Hobart is a must to not only learn about the mistreatment and
forced migration of Australian convict women and girls, but also to find out about their contribution from colonisation onwards. Take a guided tour of the sandstone former convict institution – where about 7000 females spent time from 1828-1856 – for a comprehensive introduction. Visit femalefactory.org.au.
9 SPY A TASSIE DEVIL
Of course you want to see a Tasmanian devil! For a guaranteed viewing, it’s roughly an hour’s drive to Tasmanian Devil Unzoo. At this wildlife park there are no cages or barriers (hence the name ‘unzoo’), just natural habitat for devils and other native animals. See a feeding then take a guided 4WD tracker tour. Visit tasmaniandevilunzoo.com.au.
10 GET CREATIVE AT SALAMANCA
Keen to see work by upand-coming and established artists and makers? Salamanca Arts Centre, in a historic sandstone warehouse, hosts artist studios, galleries, retail outlets and performances, plus workshops ranging from lantern making to dance. Be sure to check out Spacebar Gallery. Visit sac.org.au.