On your travels, drop in and say hello to the friendly people in local Visitor Centres. They will be able to give you a few inside secrets on the region - just look for the blue and yellow `i' symbol.
Why explore Destination Southern Tasmania?
With the River Derwent at its heart and Mount Wellington rising above it, in Hobart the tranquility of a city from a bygone era coexists with the vibrancy of a pocket-sized modern metropolis. Hobart's European beginnings are evident everywhere, from quaint settlers' cottages to the lofty porches of colonial mansions.
Once bustling with whalers and entrepreneurs, 19th-century sandstone warehouses now serve as dockside cafes, artist’s studios and restaurants, where you can enjoy excellent cuisine and fine wines. Discover Tasmania’s history in the nearby Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, be enthralled and even challenged by world leading MONA just a few minutes from the city. Enjoy classical and modern music in atmospheric venues, or go to the theatre in one of Australia's oldest.
Hobart is a place of fishing boats, fish punts at the docks, an accessible harbour around historic Constitution Dock, coffee under the sun-umbrellas where the famous Salamanca Market is held every Saturday. Or restaurants serving some of the best food in Australia. And so much more ...
Take a harbour cruise past square-rigged yachts, or drive to the summit of Mount Wellington for a bird’s eye view of the intricate pattern of islands and estuaries that reach out to the Great Southern Ocean beyond - a view truly unique in Australia.
It's everything which Lonely Planet sensed about Hobart in awarding it one of ten spots in the world in its Best in Travel 2013. Not only the big things, but the small and local, the 'tucked away' treats that you can find - not because of its size, but because of its scale ... and there is an important difference. Hobart retains a charm from another time in a pace-setting environment which will stimulate at every level.
The area surrounding Hobart - the full breadth of Destination Southern Tasmania - is rich with an overload of landscapes and experiences.
To Hobart’s south east, past the Coal River Valley wineries, is the historic town of Richmond. Here, the gaol serves as a prelude to the Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula. Nearby Port Arthur you will find thrilling walks and cruises that take you beside 300 metre sea cliffs of the Capes and the formidable Tasman Island.
South of Hobart, you can cruise off Bruny Island, beneath more of the world’s highest sea cliffs, or drive north to Oatlands, to explore Australia’s largest collection of sandstone buildings. Farther afield through New Norfolk is the pretty town of Hamilton, or for a taste of the high country, visit Bothwell at the southern edge of the Central Plateau. Hobart and Southern Tasmania make the ideal series of day trips if you want to make Hobart your base - sure that may your first thought, but the wider region will delight you with its sheer variety, colour, and that thing vital to any holiday ... the chance to kick back and relax. Our small towns and centres will deliver that.
Convict Trail - from Sorell to Port Arthur Historic Site.
Huon Trail - discover the Huon Valley and southwest.
Local help from Tasmania's Visitor Information Centres is available at:
Hobart
20 Davey Street
Ph (03) 6238 4222
Email: bookings@hobarttravelcentre.com.au
Web: www.hobarttravelcentre.com.au
Huonville
The Esplanade
Ph (03) 6264 1838
Email: info@huonjet.com
Kettering
81 Ferry Rd
Ph (03) 6267 4494
Email: kettering.info@gmail.com
Oatlands
Callington Mill Precinct, 1 Mill Lane
Ph (03) 6254 1212
Email: oatlands@tasvisinfo.com.au
Port Arthur
Port Arthur Historic Site
Ph (03) 6251 2371
Email: portarth@tasvisinfo.com.au
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