My Tasmanian Winter: Hobart

Being the capital of ancient Tasmania, Hobart has a lot to offer, ranging from well-preserved heritage buildings, picturesque sceneries to unique cultures. Nestled around the majestic Mount Wellington and located at the entrance of the Derwent River, no doubt Hobart is known for its exceptional beauty.

Getting there and around

Take a flight from other major cities of Australia. I boarded a domestic flight from Coolangatta Airport, Gold Coast.

Rent a car and take a self-drive trip around Tasmania to get the best of it. I pre-booked my car with Budget car rental

You will also find many kiosk counters from different car rental agencies at the airport. The price starts from as low as $40/day. Most agencies also offer to pick up and drop off at different location. This would be the best option if you are traveling from north to south or vice versa. Car agencies will impose an extra charge for rental of GPS navigator, but you would probably need it if you are planning to travel out of Hobart and Launceston as most outs curd do not have cellular coverage for the phone GPS to work.

Things to do in Hobart

Join the Dark Mofo Winter Feast

If you are visiting Hobart during winter, the Dark Mofo Winter Feast is a must during your trip. Dark Mofo is an annual midwinter festival held across Hobart in June. During winter after sunset, there will be major exhibitions at the Mona and Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (MONA), music shows at The Odeon Theatre, and the best of all, the annual City of Hobart Dark Mofo Winter Feast.

The Dark Mofo Winter Feast is held at the Princes Park, right across Salamanca Square. Entrance fee into the winter feast costs around $10-$20 per person. The dates differ every year depending on the season, so arrange your trip accordingly. The details are as in the official page: http://www.darkmofo.net.au/

With themes of flames and fire, the atmosphere is heady, with people dancing and chatting around fireplaces. And here comes the highlight – food! There are dozens of food stalls set up in the hall, with long tables down the centre where people get to sit down and eat. Be prepared to be overwhelmed by the variety of choices of food they offer! You have to buy the food and drinks from the stallholders and find a place to sit down, which is a difficult task as the place is too crowded.

Drive up to the summit of Mount Wellington

Rising to 1270m above sea level, Mount Wellington is a main destination for locals and tourists. Take a 30-minutes drive up to the summit from the centre of Hobart, and be mesmerized by the spectacular view of Hobart with the exceptional beauty of its waterfront. There is a lookout point at the summit, which offers the best spot for photographs, even in winter.

In winter, the summit is usually covered in snow, especially in early morning hours or evening. Temperature was at about -4°C at noon when I was there. So if you are driving up in winter, check the weather forecast, avoid early morning hours when the road path is icy, and make sure you arrange your time wisely to descend before sunset.

If you are going in any other seasons, various travel agencies also offer descent cycling tours from Hobart. Read more at Mount Wellington tour

Shop at Salamanca Market

Spend a Saturday morning at the Salamanca Market, the most popular outdoor market in Tasmania. It is located along the Salamanca Place at Battery Point. With hundreds of friendly stallholders offering the best of Tasmania, you will find local delicacies, farm products, jewelleries, clothing, gifts and handicrafts that will be great as collectibles or souvenirs.

The market operates all year long every Saturday from 8.30 am to 3.00 pm.

Dine at a restaurant in Salamanca Square

Kick-start your day with a perfect breakfast at the serene and beautiful Salamanca Square. There is a wide range of restaurants, cafes and bars that offer local delicacies and cuisine. Most restaurants in Salamanca Square open from morning till noon.

And don’t forget to stop by Parklane Coffee for a cup of your choice! They offer the best coffee in town! =)

Stroll along the Hobart’s waterfront

Be it night or day, Hobart’s waterfront offers picturesque sceneries along the Derwent River. Spend a lazy afternoon strolling along the waterfront and unwind. Don’t miss the chance to try on some fresh seafood offered by fishmongers along the waterfront. If you feel like indulging in something different, The Glass House, Hobart’s floating bar, offers a spectacular view of the waterfront as you dine. Read more at The Glass House

Experience the hums at Farm Gate Market on a Sunday Morning

If you are in Hobart on a Sunday, do stop by at Bathurst Street and experience one of the top ten farmers market in Australia. The Farm Gate Market operates every Sunday from 8.30 am onwards. It offers different farm products throughout the year depending on the growing season, ranging from fresh olive oil to processed products such as jams, yogurts and roasted coffee. With farmers selling fresh products from their own farms and estates, the market is symbolic of the local Tasmanian agriculture and farming community.

Other things to do in Hobart

Be artistic and creative at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, or take a ferry up the river to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)

Join a historical and heritage tour and learn about the remarkable history of Hobart

Book a tour, hop on a cruise to Bruny Island, read more here: Bruny Cruises Tour