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Around Hobart In 7 Days: Things To See And Do

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Around Hobart In 7 Days: Things To See And Do

One of the secrets long known by experienced campervan travellers is the absolute beauty of Tasmania. This island has been attracting select adventurers for many years, and word has begun to spread further recently. All it will take is one look at the photos to see why. This rugged, wondrous land is full of lush forests, stunning views, and miles of unspoiled coastline. Taking a campervan hire journey through Tasmania is the trip of a lifetime whether you are looking for thrills, sights, or both. Some of the most scenic and uncrowded roadways in the world wind their way through undeveloped land full of stunning sights and a vast array of wildlife. One of the top places in Tasmania for campervan travelers is Hobart, where all of the main features most admired in the Tasmanian countryside combine. If you plan on spending a week in this unique and gorgeous land, make sure to check out the following destinations and activities when planning your stay.
 
Day 1

Since you are in the Hobart area, you may as well check out the town itself, which is a laid back community full of great food and friendly locals. Speaking of food, if you’re hungry after your arrival you will want to check out the Salamanca Market which will have you covered no matter what you may be hungry for. This bustling market is brimming with so many food stalls that you may want to come back for another visit during your stay. Hobart also offers gourmet food tours, so check these out as well. You would do well to make Hobart your base, fanning out during the days to check out the surrounding countryside and returning for a nice dinner and night’s sleep in Hobart.

Day 2

Just a short drive south from Hobart will place you amongst the legendary wineries of this region. Most of them offer tours and tastings, so do some research and check out the ones you would most like to visit. You can easily spend hours examining the lush grounds, finding out how their wines are made, and of course sampling the end product. Not only this, but the surrounding region is stunningly gorgeous so the drive will be a pleasure. Try to take a break between tours to really take in the beauty of this region. The sunsets here are spectacular, so stay a little later and watch the sun go down before heading back to Hobart.

Day 3

If you’ve come to Tasmania looking to sample a legendary hiking trail, then you will want to set aside a full day for the Huon Trail. Just a half hour drive in your campervan hire from downtown Hobart, this trail winds its way through dense forests, plush meadows, and offers panoramic views of the countryside that you won’t soon forget. This is south Tasmanian rugged beauty at its peak, so make sure to spend a good deal of time out on this legendary trail.

Day 4

Speaking of south Tasmanian beauty, it will be well worth the slightly longer drive to spend a day in the Dover & Cockle Creek area. This region is known for its lush forests, wide range of wildlife, and the wild rivers cutting through the territory. There are a number of waterfalls you will want to see here, not to mention at least a dozen hiking trails and swimming holes galore. This is really what Tasmania is all about, rugged natural beauty, so you will definitely want to bring the camera along on this trip.

Day 5

Continue your immersion in the area’s natural beauty with a trip to Freycinet National Park. Here you will find incredible wildlife and bird watching, a multitude of hiking trails, and the unique natural setting you have become accustomed to over the course of your stay.

Day 6

How about try something a little different on your second-to-last day? Head underground to witness incredible rock formations and get a feel for how the area’s natives once lived. Hastings Cave is about a 20 minute drive, and while you’re there you can treat yourself to a soothing soak in the thermal pool or chow down on some of the area’s famous barbecue.

Day 7

Finish off your week right with a hike along Tahune Airwalk. This trail will put you up at the top of the tree line so you can look down over the area and admire the expanse. This is a great way to frame your journey, looking out over the area you have enjoyed exploring over the past several days.

The Hobart area will place you and your travel companions right in the heart of the southern Tasmanian territory. All it will take is some day trips in your campervan hire to really experience the wonders of this region.

Tasmania’s top romantic restaurants

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Surrounded by spectacular scenery and natural wonders, Tasmania is a destination that can sooth the soul and sweep anyone of their feet. If you’re looking to impress, fall in love or reignite the spark, there are plenty of restaurants that offer the ideal setting for a romantic lunch or dinner.

Indulge the senses in a decadent degustation, take a cruise to be in awe of the view or enjoy the simple pleasures with a relaxed lunch outdoors. Wherever you choose to take your loved one, Tasmania’s restaurants will not disappoint.

1. Stillwater Restaurant

Stillwater

Visiting a beautifully restored building can have a way of turning up the romance on any date. This is definitely the case with the award-winning Stillwater restaurant, located in an 1830’s flour mill on the edge of the Tamar River. The scenery is picturesque and the intimate atmosphere of the restaurant is unrivalled. But the food and wine is what drives many to book a seat for two. Enjoy an a la carte dining experience or tuck into a degustation which features a variety of local game and seafood. From oysters and charcuterie platters to quail, wallaby and beef rump; whatever you choose, you and your date will be impressed.

2. Josef Chromy Winery

Josef Chromy Winery

Having been awarded a Chef’s Hat in the 2017 Australian Good Food & Travel Guide, you know you’ll receive a good feed and impeccable service at Josef Chromy Winery. The menu will not disappoint you or your guest, featuring a variety of dishes including a King Island beef carpaccio, market fish with orecchiette and roast chicken filled with brioche, herb and pancetta. Don’t forget to enjoy a few oysters for their natural aphrodisiac power and finish off your feast with a sweet treat like the dark chocolate pave with pinot gel. For those who can’t decide, we recommend you choose the 4-course ‘Feed Me’ option!

3. Fish Frenzy

Fish Frenzy

If you’re on a tight budget and want to steer clear of the fine-dining experience, rolling out a butcher’s paper of fresh fish and chips on Hobart’s dock can set the romantic scene. One of the best places in Hobart for fish and chips is Fish Frenzy on Elizabeth Street Pier. The menu is filled of all the usual suspects such as flathead, oysters, fish burgers and prawns. There are also a few items that are unique to Fish Frenzy including Malaysian Fish Cakes, Smokey Fish Chowder and Warm Octopus salad. Just check the forecast before you head down to the dock; a cold, windy day may extinguish the romantic flame very quickly!

4. Frogmore Creek Winery

Frogmore Creek Winery

Located 20 minutes’ drive from Hobart, Frogmore Creek Winery is one of Tasmania’s most acclaimed restaurants. The restaurant, which looks over the vines, utilises the island’s best local produce in dishes like the 40 degrees’ trout with potato salad, roe, sesame cracker, a confit egg yolk and finished with a miso dressing. Other dishes like the steak tartare of beef, the slow cooked pork belly or the roasted prawns with spicy Thai fish cakes will delight your taste buds.

Before you fill your belly with delicious food, be sure to taste visit the cellar door to taste the diverse variety of cool climate wines. Thankfully, the bartenders all hold a RSA Tasmania accreditation to ensure you stay tidy the entire day!

5. The Bay Restaurant

The Bay Restaurant

After a day exploring the pristine scenery of Freycinet National Park, wash up for a romantic dinner at The Bay Restaurant. If the weather is right, we recommend you book a table on the deck to make the most of the magnificent views and watch the sunset. Their seasonal menu showcases the very best of Tasmania’s regional produce, especially the local seafood, and all dishes are well matched with local wines.

If you want to make a weekend of it, book a secluded cabin where you can soak in a rose petal bath with a glass of Tassie bubbles in hand.

6. Highland Restaurant

Highland Restaurant

Located in Cradle Mountain’s remote landscape is the much-admired Highland Restaurant. On a chilly evening, nestle up by the fire with a glass of regional red wine before enjoying the chef’s specialities. Or for those who which to continue breathing in the fresh mountain air, organise a picnic hamper to enjoy with your loved one on the edge of Lake Sinclair.

If you’re are looking to spoil your special someone with a romantic dining experience, fortunately you are in luck in Tasmania.

The RSA qualification (SITHFAB201 – Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol) can be completed online or by correspondence by Express Online Training (Course RTO 40592).

10 places to visit while in Australia

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Australia is, to so many foreigners, a land of shores and deserts, bush and Aborigines. Of course, the Sydney Opera House is a universally-known landmark, but few know more about Australia’s cities beyond that, and perhaps some celebrities who call Australia home.

Like an exquisite buffet spread out for the senses, with its rainforests, deserts, lakes, beaches and even high-elevations capped with snow, Australia is an outdoor-lover’s dream destination. It offers activities so varied it would be impossible to scratch the surface.

Here are the top 10 places to visit in Australia to feed the nature lover in you. It’s great to research the hotels in Sydney for your trip, but just as important is researching the sites you want to see while there.

Keep in mind, however, these are just the top 10…there are thousands of options for every type of traveler waiting to be discovered in the land Down Under.

1. The Great Ocean Road, which is about a hour’s drive east of Melbourne, goes along Australia’s southern coast, and is considered one of the most picturesque drives in the entire world. A little more than 100 miles long, it begins at the Trecky surf resort and passes through such attractions as Port Fairy, Loren, Apollo Bay, Campbell National Park and several waterfalls, rivers and rain forests. This is an absolute must-see for anyone wanting to see the drastic changes of flora and fauna throughout the continent.

2. The Great Barrier Reef is a given in terms of places to visit in Australia. Considered one of the most varied sources of biodiversity on the planet, it’s home to the Olive Ridley Turtle, Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin, Flatback Turtle, Dwarf Minke Whale and Salt Water Crocodile. The variety of birds is phenomenal as well. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef on earth, and thus is protected quite rigorously. However, snorkeling and diving are allowed, and DEFINITELY encouraged to get a full scope of the beauty of the reef.

3. Kimberly, in Western Australia, has some of the most breathtaking and dramatic views on the continent. With red cliffs, rainforests, rivers and waterfalls, it inspires artists from all over the world, and therefore is a well-known artist haven. Diamond harvesting is another draw in Kimberly, as is the ‘Bungle Bungles,’ real name Purnululu National Park.

4. Sydney Harbor, seen in so many postcards and images of international famous landmarks, is a natural harbor and home of the Sydney Opera House, where one can attend both local and foreign performances. The very recognizable “roof shells” architecture of the opera house represents Australia to the rest of the world.

5. “Must See Melbourne” is your mantra. To miss this chic and culturally diverse city is to miss the heart and soul of Australia. Be sure to set out on Greville Street or Chapel street for hip clothes, eat at the modern and healthy bistros and catch a flick at the Melbourne Film Festival if you’re lucky enough to be in town in July and August.
Reminiscent of London, Melbourne has a bonus of many more sunny days!

6. Pristine natural beauty is what Tasmania is all about. When once considered wild and dangerous, it is now filled with music and food fests, wine and dairy. Hiking is out of this world in Tasmania. Be sure to visit Cradle Mountain, made of dolerite columns and lush vegetation. Oh, and if you’ve been dying to see a Wallaby, it’s going to be in Tasmania if you see one at all.

7. Barossa is the Napa Valley of Australia, famous for its wine made from the ancestors of English and European farmers. This is a fantastic area to visit with family, as there are countless festivals, antique shops, food shops and trails.

8. In the Snowy Mountains, Mount Kosciuszko is the highest mountain in Australia, which is popular with both hikers and skiers depending on the season. There are guided tours available for all ages and abilities, and be sure to keep an eye out for the Alpine flowers growing toward the top–a strange sight in such a desert atmosphere.

9. Whitsunday’s islands in Queensland start with a cruise from Early Beach. One can sleep on board or stay at vacation villas near the island, but many prefer the package deals of the cruises, where diving, swimming and snorkeling are par for the course. Whitehaven Beach is one of the most photographed on earth.

10. Hand’s down, Ayer’s Rock, or Uluro as it is most commonly called, is the most popular and impressive tourist destination in Australia. The world’s largest monolith, its sandstone changes color throughout the day, turning a deep red from light brown. This rock is holy to the Aborigines, and should be treated as such.