Hobart

Description:

Hobart sits at the mouth of the Derwent River in the foothills of Mount Wellington and is Australia's second oldest capital after Sydney. With its captivating history, picturesque waterways, rugged mountains and gourmet experiences, this compact city combines heritage charm with a contemporary lifestyle in a setting of exceptional beauty. Hobart's early life revolved around the waterfront and its maritime atmosphere is still alive today. Antarctic supply ships share the docks with deep sea fishing trawlers, ocean racers, cruising yachts and sea kayaks while the early colonial warehouses that still line nearby Salamanca Place now serve as dockside cafes, design studios and restaurants. Salamanca Place is also where Tasmania's most visited attraction - Salamanca Market - is held every Saturday morning, all year round. Other Hobart attractions include MONA, Australia's largest private art museum; the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens with its Tasmanian native flora and beautiful heritage setting, and a drive (or tour) to the summit of Mount Wellington for spectacular views of the surrounding bays and inlets and the peaks of the World Heritage Wilderness Area in the distance. For those who wish to explore further afield, Hobart is within a 90-minute drive of the stunning coastline of Bruny Island, the tranquil beauty of the Huon Valley and the wineries of the Coal River Valley. There are also the walks and natural wonders of Mount Field National Park and the beauty and brutal history of the Tasman Peninsula with its spectacular coastline, geological features and Port Arthur Historic Site, Australia's most evocative and intact convict site.