Explore Hobart and All the Hype
Tasmania’s capital city has a rich history. In recent years, Hobart and Tasmania have been experiencing a tourism boom as people grow wise to the wonder of this beautiful part of the world.
There’s also been a renaissance in Tassie’s food, drink and arts scene, which has been attracting tourists from all over the world. It seems like word has gotten out about just how amazing Tasmania is and people are flocking in to see what all the fuss is about.
Hobart is a compact city that feels more like a town, with plenty of charm and a gorgeous waterfront abuzz with restaurants and hotels. All of this, alongside old pubs, microbreweries, modern cafes and eateries, makes Hobart a destination worthy of its growing reputation.
Australia’s Best Gallery
For visitors, the Museum of Old and New Art, known as MONA, is an absolute must-do. It’s one of the world’s best galleries with a wholly unique vision, in a stunning setting that is endlessly beautiful and surprising. It has utterly transformed Tasmania’s capital.
If you’re planning on visiting in the depths of winter, make sure to be there for Dark MOFO, MONA’s winter festival, which celebrates the winter solstice with offbeat performances, feasts, bonfires, art installations and plenty of Tassie’s famous food and wine.
View Hobart from a Height
Overlooking Hobart is the imposing Kunanyi/Mt Wellington, perfect for bushwalking and mountain biking. If you’re feeling fragile, the good news is that you can also drive to the summit. Here you’ll be greeted with cool, crisp mountain air, as well as views of Hobart and the ocean that frames the city.
After descending from the mountain, nominate a designated driver and head for Cascade Brewery, an iconic building, home to Australia’s longest continually operating brewery. After a refreshing pint, spend an evening sampling some of Hobart’s thriving hospitality hotspots and culinary offerings and taste the best of Tasmania’s fresh produce. With your belly full and your heart content, bed down for the evening before setting off on the next leg of this Tassie road trip.
Head for Bruny Island
Bruny Island is essentially two islands, both of which are connected by a thin sliver of land, around 5km-long, known as “The Neck”. The island can be accessed via a short car ferry ride from Kettering, which is around 30 minutes southeast of Hobart.
Bruny island attracts fewer visitors than other parts of Tasmania, mainly because it is only accessible by car ferry. The north of the island is rural and attracts the most visitors, while the southern part is known for its rugged beauty, with sea cliffs, beaches and national parks.
Bruny’s coastal landscape is nothing short of magical, with beautiful walking tracks around Fluted Cape, Labillardiere Peninsula, Cape Queen Elizabeth and Cloudy Bay.
The best thing about Bruny is its accessibility and its isolation. This might sound like an oxymoron – but at just over 30 minutes from Hobart, and with lots of boutique accommodation available, along with gourmet food, Bruny is the perfect place for a wild weekend in Tassie.
After a day’s walking or hiking, you can easily warm your bones and consume lost calories with the island's award-winning cheeses, along with its oysters, wine and whisky.
Bruny Island is busiest in the summer, which makes the winter months the perfect time to go. Bruny is best experienced in the elements and isolation. In winter, you can drive for an hour without passing another car on the island’s stunning, winding roads.
Bruny has so much to offer visitors, with unparalleled peace and quiet. Wherever you choose to explore, you’ll get there in a Hertz rental car.
