One of the great things about Tasmania as a domestic destination is the diversity and proximity of attractions.
The tyranny of distance can often dilute travel experiences but in Tassie you can cram in as much, or as little, as you want each day.
Bruny Island, for example, is 40 minutes’ drive from Hobart. Renowned for its diverse natural attractions, Bruny also boasts a plethora of palate-pleasing attractions, punching above its weight for a relatively small island.
Reached by a regular car ferry, the first surprise is The Isthmus (known locally as The Neck), which joins south and north Bruny and has Truganini Lookout.
This is a 300m walk to a high vantage point, giving a great view as to how the isthmus divides the wild and woolly water on the ocean side and the calm and serene waters on the lee side.
You won’t travel too far on Bruny without seeing a wallaby or three. As well as the traditional brown wallabies, Bruny is also host to a colony of white wallabies – regularly seen around Adventure Bay.
When driving, it pays to keep a close eye out as neither species has been endowed with any road sense.
Oddly enough, echidnas are also a regular sight as they forage across bitumen and trails, conveniently pausing for photo opportunities.
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For hikers, Bruny offers many options – ranging from a few minutes to a few hours, and from gentle to demanding.
We did the Cape Queen Elizabeth walk: a four-hour round trip featuring beautiful bushland, virgin beaches and, on our trip, the unique experience of being swooped by an albatross (protecting her three chicks on a nearby rocky outcrop).
All that exercise works up a thirst and a hunger, and Bruny is well positioned to satisfy both.
Bruny Island Premium Wines has great Tasmanian pinot and chardonnay, while Bruny Island Cheese Co complements its diverse offering with locally brewed beers.
For a lighter option, you can’t go past Get Shucked, the memorably named oyster farm and bar. And, for those with a sweet tooth, Bruny Island Chocolate Co and Bruny Island Honey offer a cornucopia of possibilities.
If staying overnight, dining choices are limited but Bruny Pub has a comprehensive menu with enough varied dishes to satisfy a few meals. On our visit, wallaby ragout was on the menu and proved to be excellent.
A 40-minute drive from Bruny ferry brings you back into Hobart. Accommodation in the capital ranges from apartments and boutique BnBs to more recognisable hotel chain names such as Hilton, Grand Chancellor, Ibis, Travelodge, Mantra and RACV, to name a few. An explosion of options over the past few years means there is something for everyone.
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The leisure heart of Hobart continues to be the harbour and Salamanca area.
Salamanca is famous not only for its weekly Saturday market but also the variety of bars, restaurants and shops lining this avenue.
The harbour boasts multiple restaurants overlooking the water, ice creameries, fish and chip shops and dining or drinking outlets for every budget and taste.
A plethora of marine craft awaits in the harbour, offering day cruises and trips along the Derwent, to Bruny Island and beyond.
An unmissable craft is the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) ferry that does the 25-minute journey to Hobart’s most popular tourist attraction, giving passengers the option of a standard fare or upgrade to the Posh Pit where canapes and drinks are included.
Also available is the option to sit on a tiger or some sheep – a slightly quirky introduction to a museum where bizarre is the norm. Make a day of it at MONA and enjoy the museum and either some ‘lawn fare’ or ‘fancy food’ in the a la carte restaurant.
Also don’t miss the Cascade Brewery tour ($20pp). Close to the CBD, the landmark’s informative tour offers a great insight into Australia’s oldest continually operating brewery. The added bonus there is a beautiful hike (about 45 minutes each way) at the rear of the brewery to walk off your calories.
While Hobart has many attractions, a hire car opens up a whole new world nearby.
A two-hour drive through beautiful countryside takes you to the Huon Valley – home to the Wooden Boat Centre and a number of wineries, with Home Hill Winery the pick of the bunch.
Heading the other way (north), the Coal River Valley is only 20 minutes from Hobart CBD and features multiple wineries including two of the more renowned: Frogmore Creek and Puddle Duck.
For something completely different, the option of clay pigeon shooting awaits.
We chose Twin Lakes Tasmania ($120pp), which is just under an hour from Hobart, where the affable host Bryan Green walks guests through a safety talk, gives advice to shooting novices and then lets the clay pigeons loose.
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The 12-gauge shotguns that are used pack a punch and are an exhilarating and safe way to try your hand at a sport many have seen but few have tried. In my case, very few of the clay pigeons were harmed, with most enjoying a short flight before a soft landing in the bush.
The cooler weather makes Australia’s largest island a great year-round destination, with a range of activities and experiences to suit all ages.
Direct flights from most capital cities and connecting flights from other domestic airports ensure ease of access.
John Morris has retired to Buderim after many years as a resort general manager, but he still loves to indulge his love of travel.
