Hobart

The snug, handsome capital of Tasmania sits at the mouth of the sluggish Derwent River, where it’s continually freshened by breezes blowing in from the Tasman Sea. The city’s historic core once catered to settlers and convicts, but now services those with upmarket tastes in consumables and accommodation. This is best exemplified by the waterfront Salamanca Place, where restaurants, shops and galleries ply their trade behind the grand sandstone facades of 19th-century warehouses. On Saturday morning, the area is transformed into a crowded market replete with Tasmanian produce, arts and crafts. The knob of land behind Salamanca Place is ...

The snug, handsome capital of Tasmania sits at the mouth of the sluggish Derwent River, where it’s continually freshened by breezes blowing in from the Tasman Sea. The city’s historic core once catered to settlers and convicts, but now services those with upmarket tastes in consumables and accommodation. This is best exemplified by the waterfront Salamanca Place, where restaurants, shops and galleries ply their trade behind the grand sandstone facades of 19th-century warehouses. On Saturday morning, the area is transformed into a crowded market replete with Tasmanian produce, arts and crafts. The knob of land behind Salamanca Place is Battery Point, a maze of laneways lined by charming old cottages, among them many plush bed and breakfasts. To learn about the city’s history, enter its oldest building (dating from 1808) and browse the fascinating Aboriginal and colonial exhibits of the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery. South of the city is the gothic Cascade Brewery, the country’s oldest and well worth a tasting tour, while to the west towers Mt. Wellington – the views from its summit are fantastic.

About the Expert

Paul Smitz has coauthored a dozen guidebooks for Lonely Planet on places such as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysian Borneo, Brunei, various Pacific Islands, Prague, and Brussels.