What can it be better than ending a long and busy week of learning, exploring and meeting with top travel experts at Corroboree West 2019, you ask? Spending the next five days in Tasmania!
First stop Hobart, a city filled with picturesque sandstone buildings, galleries, chic cafes, farmers markets and the distinctive smell of fresh seafood.
If you have never heard of Hobart then you are in for a big surprise. Hobart is Australia’s second oldest city and the capital city of Tasmania and even though is not the biggest of cities by Australian standards, there is plenty to do.
The city’s backdrop is 1,270 m-high Mount Wellington, with sweeping views, plus hiking and cycling trails, walkable cities centered around a harbor full of culture, history, food and natural beauty – Hobart has a little of everything for everyone!
Pauline’s first stop and ‘home’ for the next three days will be Ibis Styles Hobart, which is the biggest hotel in Tasmania with 296 rooms. Surrounded by shops and restaurants in the city center. The hotel is colorful and just a 10 minute walk from the Salamanca Arts Center, the beautiful Hobart waterfront and almost 12 miles from the airport.
She will be dinning at Mr. Good Guy, an award winning Hobart restaurant and bar, specialized in Southeast Asian flavors. Did I mention colorful?
After a good night’s sleep, and breakfast at the RACV/RACT Hobart Apartment Hotel Pauline will take a walk to the famous Tasmania Farm Gate Market located in the Center of Bathurst Street and Murray Street. The Farm Gate is Hobart’s weekly farmers’ market showcasing and selling direct from farmers and producers to the public fresh and seasonal Tasmania fruit and vegetables, artisan cheeses, bakery items, world class seafood, hormone free beef, rabbit, goat, Tasmanian wines and specialty beverages, locally roasted coffee beans, herbal teas and much more.
The Farm Gate Market will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary this October 20th. A little market with a BIG but simple and honest philosophy that is still holds true today:
That if it wasn’t from Tasmania, and if you couldn’t eat it, drink it, grow it or meet the producer, then you wouldn’t find it at Farm Gate.
Rising 1,270 m above Hobart’s wide harbor, Mt. Wellington provides a wilderness experience within 10 minutes of the city and is much loved by the locals. The 13 mile drive to the summit climbs from temperate rain forest to sub-alpine and glacial formations, ending of panoramic view of Hobart and the Tasman Peninsula.
Pauline will spend the afternoon at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) located within the Moorilla winery on the Berriedale peninsula in Hobart. It is the largest privately funded museum in the Southern Hemisphere. With around 300 art works on display, the collection takes up three floors within a subterranean architectural masterpiece and is guaranteed to impress.
And after a jam-packed weekend, a nice dinner at one of Hobart’s iconic restaurants. Referred as A Hidden Gem, Peacock and Jones, is tucked away in an old sandstone warehouse on Hunter’s Street on Hobart’s waterfront. This restaurant will surely meet all your expectations and more. But what can great food be without a fine wine? Whatever they are cooking, they got the right wine to make it shine.
Dining is not just about the food or the wine….It’s an EXPERIENCE.
The island of Tasmania is as intimate as is beautiful. And you couldn’t go back home without exploring Tasmania’s most visited attractions. Here are some of the tours that Pauline was invited to attend by Tourism Tasmania:
- Three Hour Wilderness Cruise Tour: Tasman Island Cruise
Travelling between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck, this eco-cruise lets you see a wide variety of marine life, from seals to seabirds while enjoying the towering sea cliffs of Tasman Island and Cape Pillar.
- Visit to Port Arthur Historic Site
One of Australia’s leading historic sites, the Port Arthur penal settlement used to confine 12.700 habitual offenders between 1830 and 1877. The Tasman Peninsula provided a natural penitentiary, with only a narrow strip of land connecting it to mainland Tasmania. The site has a new world-class visitor center, a restaurant and a more than 30 historic buildings and ruins as well as beautiful gardens.
- Shene Estate Historic Site
This iconic convict-forged property is home to the Hobart Polo Club, the Shene Estate Distillery (producing Poltergeist Gin and triple distilled Mackey Single Malt Whisky) and the Kernke Family. Shene Estate & Distillery prides itself on being a historic site with modern ideas. Family members conduct tours by appointment sharing the property’s convict past, its links to the royal family and what daily life is like living and working in a living museum.
- Elizabeth Town Cafe: Tea anyone?
This licensed café and bakery is near Elizabeth Town, mid-way between Launceston and Devonport. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The focaccias are popular. So too the pies. The truffle and beef, and the chicken and Camembert pies are made to the owner’s recipe.
- Devils @ Cradle
The focus of the 90 minute tour is the social interactions and feeding habits of the endemic Tasmanian Devil. The 5:30 pm tour runs all year. The After Dark tour operates from 8:30 pm and environmentally sensitive lighting allows these nocturnal animals to be easily seen. Isn’t he adorable?
- Visit to Sheffield and Cataract Gorge Reserve
The town of Sheffield is nestled under Mt. Roland, in Tasmania’s north-west, and is known for its series of colorful murals telling the story of the district’s pioneers and wilderness explores.
The gorge’s powerful presence can affect people deeply and it has been recognized as a sacred and healing place by Tasmanian Aborigines for thousands of years. The 160 ha reserve has a fascinating mix of nature and heritage, with cliff grounds, Victorian gardens, bush lands, walking trails, the swift-flowing South Esk River, a historic suspension bridge, the world’s longest single-span chairlift and an art deco-style swimming pool- and in the heart of Launceston.
There’s not doubt that there is nothing like Australia. It’s aquatic and coastal landscapes, its sophisticated food and wine and welcoming and friendly people. What a great experience this was.
THANK YOU Corroboree West 2019. Until next time!
Skyland World Travel 