THE ESSENTIAL DETAILS
Getting there
BY AIR: There are direct flights to Hobart from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. LAUNCESTON is serviced by direct flights from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
BY SEA: THE SPIRIT OF TASMANIA (spiritoftasmania.com.au) is a ferry service that operates between Melbourne and Devonport on Tasmania’s north coast. Twin ships depart each port at 7:30pm and arrive at 6am the following morning; during peak season (September to April), day sailings are also operated, departing each port at 9am and arriving at 6pm. A variety of onboard accommodation options are available including deluxe cabins.
When to go
In the warmer months of December and March (summer into fall) daily temperatures range between 63 º F and 73 º F; winter runs from May through August, with crisp, clear days and cold nights, with temperatures averaging 37 º F to 51º F and snowfall in some areas.
Where to stay
IN HOBART
Check out the HENRY JONES ART HOTEL (thehenryjones.com), set across a row of historic warehouses and an old jam factory on the waterfront. Nearby, MACQ 01 (macq01.com.au) is a luxury ‘story hotel’ that blends a top-tier stay with immersive storytelling based around the tales and fables that make up Tasmania’s intriguing history. Located in the heart of the city center, HADLEY’S ORIENT HOTEL (hadleyshotel.com.au) is a boutique fourstar accommodation that oozes heritage style. And in south Hobart, with views out towards nearby kunanyi/ Mount Wellington, the five-star ISLINGTON HOTEL (islingtonhotel.com) offers an irresistible blend of modern and traditional architecture.
IN LAUNCESTON
Try five-star hotel PEPPERS SILO HOTEL (peppers.com.au) – a modern hotel with views of the River Tamar in a repurposed heritage building made up of four towering grain silos. In the city center, the 4.5-star HOTEL GRAND CHANCELLOR (grandchancellor hotels.com) is a stately option and the APARTMENTS AT YORK MANSION (yorkmansions.com) combine heritage architecture with modern facilities.
IN THE WILD
There’s no shortage of bespoke wilderness offerings to choose from. Stellar options include PEPPERS CRADLE MOUNTAIN LODGE (cradlemountainlodge.com.au), right on the cusp of World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain- Lake St Clair National Park, and EAGLEHAWK PAVILIONS (eaglehawkpavilions.com.au) on Eaglehawk Neck, the gateway to the Tasman Peninsula.
Must-try produce
Local scallops on the Hobart waterfront; Hobartians and visitors alike rave about Tasmanian scallop pies – pick one up from SALAMANCA MARKET on a Saturday.
The rugged outpost of BRUNY ISLAND (brunyisland. com.au) is becoming nationally renowned for its cheeses – sample those produced by Bruny Island Cheese Co. (the creatives here are also responsible for Bruny Island Beer Co.). Tasmanian oysters are some of the best in the country and FREYCINET MARINE FARM in Coles Bay, at the edge of Freycinet National Park, is the place to try them; guests at SAFFIRE FREYCINET can even don a pair of waders and take to the water here, learning how oysters are farmed and tasting them at the source. While Tasmania’s cold climate wines are a winner, Hobart’s LARK DISTILLERY is making a name for itself producing malt whisky from the clean, clear waters found here. The amber spirit is on show every year at Tasmanian Whisky Week in August (taswhiskyweek.com). The best way to try all that Tasmania has to offer is by timing your visit with Hobart’s TASTE OF TASMANIA summer festival in December.
What to pack
Always be prepared for Tasmania’s changeable climate. Carry additional warm clothing, even during the summer months, and a waterproof outer layer – especially if bushwalking.