Week 4
I totally think you should spend longer then a week in this area. We spent 2 and still didn’t do everything. As there are so many amazing things to do in this area I’ll cover my top 5.
5 The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
he Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are located in Hobart, and are a short drive or walk from the City centre.
In 2018, the Gardens are celebrating it’s Bicentenary with a year long series of events and celebrations being held to commemorate this significant milestone.
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens covers 14 hectares and showcases 6,500 species and varieties of plants, including over 400 Tasmanian species.
You can take a guided tour to see features including the largest public conifer collection in the southern hemisphere including Wollemi pines, the peaceful Japanese garden and stunning Conservatory. Breathe in the perfume of the traditional herb garden and visit the Tasmanian Community Food Garden. See rare plants from Macquarie Island in the Subantarctic Plant House and stroll along historic Arthur Wall, designed to be internally heated to grow exotic plants in Tasmania’s cool climate.
You can browse the range of Gardening tools, books and seeds, including the limited edition Bicentennial Book and Gin in the Botanical Shop, and enjoy a meal or snack in Succulent restaurant or Sprout Café.
4 Mont Wellington.
Stroll through cool forested gullies along historic walking tracks or traverse Wellington Range in the saddle on horse or mountain bike. Four wheel drive along rough mountain trails, climb leaning dolerite towers, or sit quietly among the birds. Find the perfect place for a picnic or to flip a burger.
Be prepared for all weather conditions and carry wet weather gear on longer walks. Conditions change quickly, and temperatures are regularly below zero on the Pinnacle. Don’t get caught without your coat! Install the Emergency + app on your device, in case you need to provide your location coordinates in an emergency.
3 Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Located on Hobart’s historic waterfront, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) has recently undergone a spectacular $30 million redevelopment.
The second oldest museum in Australia, TMAG has its origins in the collections of the country’s oldest scientific society, the Royal Society of Tasmania, which was established in 1843.
Opened in March 2013, the redevelopment includes more than 2,000 square metres of new public and exhibition spaces, a centralised visitor services hub and a new Courtyard Café.
Visitors can now experience more of this unique site than ever before, including a fascinating range of nationally significant archaeological material, some of which has been hidden for over 150 years.
TMAG has something to offer visitors of all ages and interests whether you are family seeking an educational and engaging experience, a tourist seeking to discover more about Tasmania’s history or an art lover.
Join a free guided tour or browse the galleries to experience TMAG’s rich blend of permanent collections, touring and temporary exhibitions and special displays.
Admission is free but donations are always welcome.
2 Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
Mona’s subterranean architecture showcases the highlights (and lowlights) of David Walsh’s $110m private collection of art and antiquities, as well as hosting a busy exhibitions program. Mona is also home to the Moorilla winery, Source Restaurant, bars, cafe, accommodation pavilions and more (plus Moo Brew, an off site brewery).
We also host two festivals. Each January, our summer festival, Mofo, unleashes an eclectic mix of music and art. Come June, our Dark Mofo winter festival delves into centuries-old winter solstice rituals and celebrates the dark through art, music, food, film, light and noise.
ADMISSION
If you are Tasmanian or under 18, admission is free (you’ll still need to pick up a ticket at the museum).
For everyone else, tickets are $28 for adults and $25 concession.
Closed Tuesdays.
1 Bruny Island (an island off an island)
Bruny island needs a week all by itself, It is a must for all Tasmania trips. Again we used our wikicamps app to find a free campsite. We picked one at the end of the south section.
The first great thing about the Island is the ferry over. Be prepared to get wet. This was out third ferry in Tassie so we were getting used to them. This one can also have long wait times so book in advance or arrive early.
The beaches are magnificent. If you like hiking we would recommend the south East Cloudy Head walk
4 hours return
Access is from the end of Cloudy Bay Road. The first 3km of the walk is along the beach, with the remainder along a disused 4WD track. Parts of the walk are not well marked.
The view from the top was worth it.
The next besst thing at bruny is the animals. We saw paddy-melons, echidnas, and Tassie devils in the wild. Lock your food away from possums and goannas too.
The third best thing is Penguin Island. (an island off an island off an island)
Fluted Cape: 3 hours return. Wander out to Penguin Island and explore the site of an old whaling station before climbing to the top of Fluted Cape. Beware of the 272m drop to the water below!
This island is historical, beautiful, and engaging. You can only get there in low tide but it is covered with Rock Cairns, and penguins.
If you have a little more money the food on the Island is superb,
Bruny’s local produce is exceptional. The cool, clean waters that surround Bruny island support an abundance of life including crayfish, abalone, salmon and oysters. On land there are a number of well known producers making cheese, growing wine, olives and berries, making fudge and farming pigs, goats, sheep and wallabies. One of the best things to do on Bruny Island is to grab a hamper full of local produce and have a picnic. Here are few places you should not miss:
Get Shucked Oyster Farm
Stop in and see the team and try some of Bruny Island’s famous oysters. The cute little caravan that served up their oysters is now gone and in its place is a brand new oyster bar. You can sit and have a glass of sparkling as you eat oysters that were pulled out of the water in front of you and processed in the shed behind you.
Bruny Island Cheese Company
This little artisan cheese company has really helped put Bruny on the map. The cheeses are all made and matured using traditional techniques and are some of the finest artisan cheeses made in Australia. If you can’t make it to Bruny Island, get on board their cheese club and have it sent to you wherever you are. In 2016 they started brewing beer in a brewery they built directly behind the cheesery. You may never want to leave this property!
The Jetty Cafe
If you are looking for the best coffee on the island, you will have to journey north, in fact as far north as you can possibly go on this island to the sleepy little community of Dennes Point. Kris is a wizard on the coffee machine and Ray is a genius in the kitchen. A passionate duo! Make sure you check out the attached gallery while you are there called Art at the Point which features predominately Bruny Island artists.
Bruny Island Premium Wines
With all the good food on Bruny Island, it would be a shame if there were no wine to enjoy it with. Being the most southerly vineyard in Australia means a long, slow ripening season and fruit that is bursting with flavour. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the specialities here so either grab a bottle to take with you or stay and enjoy a fantastic lunch. We recommend booking in the summer season, they sure are popular!
Bruny Island Berry Farm
Tucked away in a corner of Adventure Bay on a 12-hectare property is a berry farm with a gift shop and cafe featuring all things berries. After overindulging on their range of sweets and coffee, take a stroll on the lovely little beach just in front.
Bruny Island House of Whisky
Whisky lovers, look no further, it’s all here. Just a couple of minutes after you drive off the ferry it will appear on your right-hand side. It’s unlikely you will visit all of the Tasmanian distilleries but don’t worry, you will find the best representation of Tassie Whisky under one roof here including the rare ‘Trappers Hut’ 15-year-old, Limited Single Cask Release.
Hotel Bruny
Hotel Bruny can pretty confidently lay claim to being the best pub on Bruny but this is anything but your average pub. A great range of food and drinks to be enjoyed in front of the log fire in the winter or on the deck in summer with views across the D’Entrecasteaux channel. They have a range of accommodation as well.
Then off we went again to enjoy more mainland.
Tune in next for the East coast,
Love
Sarah
Alternative life: The Sarah Chronicles 