For starters, Salamanca Place is one of the highlights of any visit to Hobart. Lined with beautifully retained 19th-century sandstone buildings, many now converted into high-end fashion boutiques, cafes, bars, restaurants and art galleries, on any day of the week you can discover something new and wonderful to see, try or buy. However, on a Saturday Salamanca Place is positively effervescent as people flock in for what might arguably be one of the best street markets in Australia. If you’re a sucker for street markets make plenty of time for this experience. Trust me, you’ll have a hard time dragging yourself away. But if you can, Salamanca Place leads into Battery Point. And if you love pretty-as-a-picture historic houses that date back to the 1830s, a walk in the park, waterfront views and chic dining experiences, you get it all within minutes of the market.
Like all islands, the sea is essential to life. The city is renowned for its fresh and delicious seafood harvested from the depths of the Tasman Sea and delivered fresh daily to the famous Constitution Dock fish market. You can watch as the catch of the day is landed and then dine at any one of the Dock’s several restaurants or bars along the wharf. One thing is for certain, the Dock rocks and you’ll never eat fresher or finer seafood unless you catch and cook it yourself.
True to its traditions and proud maritime history, there is a lot to learn while you’re in the vicinity. Its very name of Constitution Dock harks back to its early European roots with the dock opening in 1850, the same year as Tasmania won its constitutional right to form a state parliament. Until the big maxi yachts came into play in the 1980s, it was the finish point for one of the world’s most treacherous annual yacht races - the Sydney to Hobart. However, tradition is hard to fight in these parts. Even though the yachts now dock at the adjacent Kings Pier Marina, Constitution Dock is still the first port of call and hub for all the after-race action as crews make land after harrowing days at sea.
Within the same block or two from Constitution Dock, you’ll find the Maritime Museum of Tasmania and Mawson's Huts Replica Museum. The Maritime Museum delves into local history beyond European settlement to the First Nations people of the area and their connection to the waterways and watercraft. The Mawson’s Huts Museum is a tribute and fascinating insight into the men who forged their way into unchartered territory Australia’s early explorations of the Antarctic. Both are visit-worthy for the history hungry.
As art galleries go, MONA is unique and world-class. Looking much like a fortress on the banks of the Derwent, this privately owned gallery is a bastion for the arts. Fearless in its exhibition choices, MONA is an odyssey that will treat and challenge you with all kinds of mesmerising collections. While largely dedicated to the contemporary, the gallery includes works from a wide range of eras. Only a few kilometres north of the city and accessible by road or ferry even getting to MONA can be an adventure.
Love your beer? You’ll love this. Also a few kilometres from the city centre, you’ll find the original Cascade Brewery. This very imposing building is Australia’s oldest brewery (circa 1824) and is still working today. Set amid forest with a gorgeous backdrop of Mount Wellington hillsides, it’s like something you might see in a fable. Just soaking up the ambience is almost as rewarding as soaking up a beverage or two. You can do one of the guided tours, with several offered each day. On the other hand, if you want to stay close to the city you can do an Old Hobart Pub Tour by foot, which is a great chance to see and meet some of the local places and characters about town and hear their tall stories and true as you wander from place to pace.
For a change of pace, if getting close up to native Aussie animals and feeding kangaroos is on your want-to-do list, Bonorong is a five-star wildlife sanctuary experience. Meeting the fury friendlies here is more than just a passing pat, you actually get a bit of time to say your hellos. The sanctuary offers day tours and private night tours, making it easy to schedule a visit.
Wild isn’t far from the capital with Mount Wellington looming large over the city. From the vantage points along the roadside, by day you can take in expansive views of the city, Derwent and surrounding suburbs, while after dark, on a clear winter’s night, you can often see the green, orange and purple illuminations of a southern aurora sky.
If you’re looking for gift ideas for someone else or to treat yourself, Gifting Owl has experience gift ideas for Hobart that will inspire, engage, enlighten and enrich your gift receiver.
