A taste of Tassie
Art, oysters, wine and whales - you'll have a smashing time in Hobart
Ed Cowan
20-Nov-2014
An art work titled "The Depraved Pursuit of a Possum" at the MONA • Getty Images
Tasmania has in the last several years become one of the "it" destinations of the world. With the cleanest air and water on the planet, pristine beaches, and a booming food and wine scene, there is good reason for over one million visitors to head to the island a year. While almost impossible to narrow the list down to "must-dos", here are a few local insights to get your Tassie juices flowing.
Visit the MONA
While a few of the installation pieces at the Museum of Old and New art might not be everyone's cup of tea, David Walsh has undoubtedly created one of the museums of the world. The building itself is breathtaking, cut out of the sandstone cliffs of the Moorilla Vineyard. The art, often challenging your senses, is all the more remarkable considering Walsh himself privately holds it all. A few hours is not enough, but you will need to come up for air at some stage, so why not indulge in a cheese platter and a glass of Moorilla cool climate shiraz before heading back to Hobart on the MONA ferry. You will either love it or loathe it, but either way it is a must on the hit list.
While a few of the installation pieces at the Museum of Old and New art might not be everyone's cup of tea, David Walsh has undoubtedly created one of the museums of the world. The building itself is breathtaking, cut out of the sandstone cliffs of the Moorilla Vineyard. The art, often challenging your senses, is all the more remarkable considering Walsh himself privately holds it all. A few hours is not enough, but you will need to come up for air at some stage, so why not indulge in a cheese platter and a glass of Moorilla cool climate shiraz before heading back to Hobart on the MONA ferry. You will either love it or loathe it, but either way it is a must on the hit list.
Explore local food
The day/night World Cup fixtures at Blundstone Arena offer a cracking opportunity to explore the local food scene for either breakfast or lunch. Look no further than the Jackman & McRoss bakery in Battery Point (57 Hampden Rd). An old Federation stables, you won't know whether to admire the recent refurbishment or the eye-boggling selection of sweet and savoury treats. The pies are renowned as the best in town - the locally caught scallop and wakame variation a glimpse into the amazing local produce. The coffee is also first-rate.
The day/night World Cup fixtures at Blundstone Arena offer a cracking opportunity to explore the local food scene for either breakfast or lunch. Look no further than the Jackman & McRoss bakery in Battery Point (57 Hampden Rd). An old Federation stables, you won't know whether to admire the recent refurbishment or the eye-boggling selection of sweet and savoury treats. The pies are renowned as the best in town - the locally caught scallop and wakame variation a glimpse into the amazing local produce. The coffee is also first-rate.
Roam the Salamanca Markets
I always thought the Saturday morning markets (start at 9am) were always a bit of a tourist trap, but in recent years they have really kicked. Eat your way around the stalls while browsing beautiful Huon Pine goods and locally made cashmere throws. Pick up some Spikey Bridge peanut butter or Tassie truffles to take home as gifts that your friends will love you for.
I always thought the Saturday morning markets (start at 9am) were always a bit of a tourist trap, but in recent years they have really kicked. Eat your way around the stalls while browsing beautiful Huon Pine goods and locally made cashmere throws. Pick up some Spikey Bridge peanut butter or Tassie truffles to take home as gifts that your friends will love you for.
Bruny Island
If you have a spare day to kill, my favourite mini-trip is to Bruny Island. A 30-minute drive and ten-minute ferry will take you on the island that many locals see as paradise. Make sure you stop at the Bruny Island Cheese Co and get shucked oysters for an experience that will ruin every other oyster you have tasted. The highlight of the day, though, will be the award-winning Bruny Island eco cruise, for a close up of the local seal colonies, dolphins and, fingers crossed, a whale or two. Bookings a must.
If you have a spare day to kill, my favourite mini-trip is to Bruny Island. A 30-minute drive and ten-minute ferry will take you on the island that many locals see as paradise. Make sure you stop at the Bruny Island Cheese Co and get shucked oysters for an experience that will ruin every other oyster you have tasted. The highlight of the day, though, will be the award-winning Bruny Island eco cruise, for a close up of the local seal colonies, dolphins and, fingers crossed, a whale or two. Bookings a must.
Taste the local booze
Whether it is the local whiskey (Sullivan's Cove was just awarded the world's best) or the local wine scene (think Pinots, cool climate Shiraz and delicious Rieslings), even if your team lose in the cricket, your taste buds will be winning, and you probably will forget the scorecard.
Whether it is the local whiskey (Sullivan's Cove was just awarded the world's best) or the local wine scene (think Pinots, cool climate Shiraz and delicious Rieslings), even if your team lose in the cricket, your taste buds will be winning, and you probably will forget the scorecard.