Fancy a charming city holiday, but only have 48 hours to dedicate to your next break? You should consider visiting Hobart. Head to the Tasmanian capital and you’ll find a wealth of fantastic attractions and activities to capture your imagination.
Art and about
Culture vultures will certainly be in their element, as Hobart is home to a fascinating array of galleries and museums.
One that is particularly worth visiting is the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG). This historic attraction is the country’s second oldest museum (only the Australian Museum in Sydney has been around for longer) and is home to a wide array of art and natural history artefacts, the latter including paleontological specimens that date back to the Jurassic era. TMAG also contains an extensive photo collection including pictures from the late 1840s that provide a glimpse into how culture and social history of Tasmania has developed over the years.
You can continue to get your culture fix at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) which hosts numerous contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year. MONA also contains a restaurant, library, two bars and a cafe, so pick yourself up some dinner and a couple of drinks to enjoy as you digest the visual feast that you’ve had throughout the day.
Incredible outdoors
Start your second day with a caffeine kick and an infusion of Eggs Royale at the Machine Laundry Cafe in Salamanca Square. This eatery is one of the most famous in the area and offers simple, yet delicious and filling fare.
The 14-acre Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, which is situated a short distance outside of the city centre, is the perfect place to stretch your legs after a big brekkie. While you walk through this stunning area, you’ll pass through an array of Australian flora, as well as exotic plants from around the world. One particularly tranquil part of this beautiful attraction is the Japanese Garden, designed by Asian landscape architect Kanjiro Harada, which is home to water lilies, azaleas and conifers.
Elsewhere, the French Memorial Garden contains a variety of colourful blooms and is dedicated to the contribution that early French explorers and scientists to the understanding of Tasmania. Bring along a picnic lunch to share as you check out the ornately-carved Syme Memorial Fountain and other sculptures.
Nab a bargain
Finish your weekend in Hobart in style by heading to the Salamanca Market. Held every Saturday, this vibrant outdoor market is widely considered to be one of the best in the entire country.
With everything from secondhand books and jewellery to handmade souvenirs and antiques sold here, you’re bound to find something to take home. As you browse, take a little time to marvel at the Georgian-era architecture and enjoy performances from the buskers who regularly perform at the market.
As you can see, Hobart is a vibrant, enthralling destination where you can do lots of fun things in a short space of time. It’s definitely a place you should make the destination of your next weekend getaway!
