All the best towns, national parks, museums and cellar doors to hit in south Tassie.
Yes, there’s more to Tassie than Hobart – but Hobart is still very much on the hit list. The joys of Tasmania's capital are well documented, with the harbour city enjoying an ever-increasing reputation for food, wine and activities. If you mashed together the cosy vibes of a small country town with the taste and culture of the world’s coolest cities, that’s Hobart.
There's no doubt that the most famous attraction in Hobart, and major drawcard, is MONA – the Museum of Old and New Art – which you could easily spend a week exploring. The museum complex is home to both Moorilla Estate and Moo Brew, so even if art isn't your 'thing', you'll find plenty to love just a 20-minute ferry ride up the Derwent River.
MONA aside, most of the action in Hobart revolves around the historic harbourside area, where centuries-old pubs and uber-cool wine bars continue to wow both visitors and locals. It's here you'll find some of our favourite urban cellar doors, including the ultra-chic Institut Polaire, which is home to Domaine Simha. You'll also find Hobart Brewing Co. and, a little further down the wharf, one of Tasmania's most famous whisky distilleries in Lark Distilling Co.
Head west out of Hobart and you'll enter the Derwent Valley, a verdant region packed with tiny towns, wild national parks and a couple of unmissable wineries and restaurants along the way. Our pick of the wineries has to be Stefano Lubiana, which has been at the forefront of Tassie's biodynamic wine scene for the past 30 years. Owner Steve's pinot noir is right up there with the best in the country – the world, even – and the winery's Italian restaurant is always a winner.
Wine aside, one of the Derwent Valley's most popular destinations is Mt Field National Park, which became a Wilderness World Heritage Area in 2013. It's home to a number of walking tracks and the stunning Russell Falls – the perfect place to be one with nature (or nab a new photo for the apps). And if you're driving to Mt Field from Hobart, it's always worth stopping in at New Norfolk, a small, historic town that was built in the early 1800s. It's here you'll find the popular Agrarian Kitchen, a cooking school and restaurant dedicated to paddock-to-plate food. It's a welcoming spot for a high-quality feed and a glass of local wine.
Want to walk across Australia's oldest bridge? It’s more exciting than it sounds. The historic town of Richmond, in Tasmania's Coal River region, is both adorable and beautiful. This may be as close as Australia comes to a quaint UK village and it's also home to a miniature replica of 19th-century Hobart or, if you're more of a gastronomical traveller, you might be swayed by the unmissable Wicked Cheese Co. Oozing with brie, camembert, whisky cheddar and more, it's the perfect place to stock up for a day trip, particularly if you plan on visiting Wobbly Boot Vineyard, which is BYO picnic-friendly. All the wines are organic and vegan, but if you're not a vegan, your cheese will pair perfectly with a glass of Wobbly Boot's pinot noir, sauvignon blanc or sparkling rosé.
Nocton Vineyard is well worth your time too, boasting the Tassie classics of pinot noir and chardonnay, as well as newer varietals like chenin blanc. The views extend across the Coal Valley and given the winery's proximity to Richmond, you may just be able to make it back to Wicked Cheese Co to restock before closing!
A scenic drive southeast from Hobart, the Tasman Peninsula is best known for the Port Arthur historic site. Here, you can explore the former convict settlement and even take an evening ghost tour if the mood strikes. (It’s like your favourite crime podcast, but IRL.) It's a beautiful place, albeit one with a dark history, and a highly recommended visit if you have an opportunity.
The Peninsula is also home to a breathtakingly rugged coastline, which can be reached by one of the many hiking trails through the national park. Or for something less strenuous, stop by the various wineries en route to enjoy a glass of Tasmania's finest. Both Bream Creek and Cape Bernier Vineyard can be found towards Maria Island on the eastern coast, with the former known for its award-winning pinot noir and chardonnay, while the latter produces a really interesting pinot noir made in a clay amphora, as was the custom 6000 years ago. The good news? It's a five-minute drive between the two vineyards, so you can visit both and taste the difference.
To truly test the Tasmanian terroir, complement your Tasman Peninsula travels with a drive down to Bangor Estate at Blackmans Bay, directly south of Hobart on the other side of the River Derwent. Also known for its award-winning cool-climate wines, Bangor Estate boasts a varied range including pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling, rosé and pinot gris. The restaurant is open daily too, making it a peachy spot to enjoy a long lunch. Be sure to head to the tiny seaside town of Dunalley after your visit!
