The island-state of Tasmania offers plenty of cultural riches, from Hobart’s internationally-renowned piece de resistance Mona, Museum of Old and New Art to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site, with its spectacular, haunting sandstone remnants of a 19th century prison.
Hobart is a city characterised by 19th century sandstone warehouses, bright sails on the water and fishing boats bobbing in the docks. Just below this historic facade is a vibrant and connected underbelly of gourmet food producers, artisans and artists. At Salamanca Place, rows of Georgian sandstone warehouses have been converted into galleries, theatres and cutting-edge restaurants. On weekends the outdoor Salamanca Market comes alive with fresh local produce arts and crafts. Check out the grand old mansions and fishermen’s cottages lining Battery Point, Hobart’s oldest suburb. Hear the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra play in Australia’s oldest theatre, the Theatre Royal, or enjoy a glass of local wine or beer in one of the bars in Salamanca Place and of course, don’t miss Mona, The Museum of Old and New Art where, in addition to the neuron-tingling art, restaurants and bars, you can stay overnight in the Mona art pavilions – each celebrating an Australian artist and full of artworks and antiquities.
A 90-minute trip takes you to the Tasman Peninsula, south-east of Hobart, to discover Australia’s intriguing convict history.
The Tasman Peninsula is a place of breathtaking seascapes, some of the tallest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere and wild ocean views. The journey takes you through rolling farmland, past small cold climate vineyards, local craft galleries, quirky little towns like Doo Town, to end at one of the world’s most historic convict prisons. Well-preserved and stunningly-located, Port Arthur Historic Site dates back to 1830, come nightfall, grab a lantern and take a spine-chilling ghost hunting tour here.