A must do is to take a stroll through the famous Salamanca Market on a Saturday morning and enjoy some local food and live music while you browse the stalls. Thriving since the 1830s, Salamanca Place used to be a focal point of industry in the region. Since the 1970s the market has become a hot spot for visitors. Be sure to check out stalls such as:
- Naturally Millie Ma (handmade soaps)
- Alpaca South (yarn material and alpaca products)
- Lunaris Gemstones (jewellery and home décor)
- Pilla Pala (quirky accessories)
- Dog House Bakery (everything for your furry friends)
With regular seasonal events, you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you’re visiting the city in December or January, Taste of Tasmania is an event for all of the senses and combines with the arrival of the world-famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. The city’s summer and winter festivals, Mona Foma and Dark Mofo, are also seasonal highlights.
Be sure to check out the MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) while you’re exploring Hobart. The exhibitions are second to none, receiving praise for its eclectic, innovative displays. Travellers also have the opportunity to spend the night in the Mona Pavilions (each one is named after a famous Australian artist or architect).
For a bit of adventure, explore Battery Point for a historic walking tour, or journey to Elizabeth Street in North Hobart for shopping amongst a variety of stores, antique shops, and quaint cafes. Close by, Liverpool Street is littered with interesting arcades and side streets, designed for browsing. Be sure to explore Hobart’s waterfront on the edge of the city centre, where the dining is fresh, and the bars are cosy.
Speaking of bars and restaurants, Hobart’s recent revamp of all things food and drink has given life to a multiplicity of pubs, restaurants, and eateries in the Tasmanian capital. Here are a few to try:
Restaurants
- Drunken Admiral crafts delectable seafood dishes and personifies a nautical theme
- Annapurna is a go to for delicious Indian cuisine
- Ball and Chain Grill’s steaks are divine in this colonial era building
- Burger Haus. Vegetarians also welcome.
- Machine Laundry Café (think clean clothes and charming food at a great price)
- Frank – get your fill of tasty South American cuisine on the waterfront Templo is well-known for their succulent shared foods in a cosy, relaxed setting
Bars
- Cascade Brewery, the oldest continually operated brewery in Australia.
- Preachers – a bit of a loose hipster vibe with beers and board games.
- The Brunswick Hotel is great for an after-work cocktail or weekend hangout.
- Saint John Craft Beer Bar. 14 taps of international, Australian, and Tasmanian craft beer. Enough said.
- Willing Bros Wine Merchants have your latest wine cravings covered.
