48 hours in Hobart
Tasmanians won’t tell you that March is the best time of year to visit. They won’t tell you that the weather is temperate and miraculously stable, the evenings are long and warm, it’s still light at 8pm, and, with all the summer festivals and boat races over, that there’s nary a tourist in sight.
It’s not quite an official secret - but you get the drift. Now is the time.
After much consultation, deliberation and vetoing, we give you a locals-only 48 hour Hobart guide.
BRUNCH
Bear With Me
Newish locals-only café with big tables, good coffee and Monocle-reading types.
Go for the: apple eggs benedict
Stay for the: people watching (WASPS, bushwalkers, Monocle-reading freelancers)
Take away: an extra coffee
ART
MONA
Everyone agrees. This is a non-negotiable pit stop every time you’re in Tasmania.
Go for the: architecture, obviously.
Stay for the: wine and cheese platter on bean-bag scene.
Take home: a syringe pen.
DRINK
Evolve Spirits Bar
A fossil-filled ‘story-telling’ bar with the best service in Hobart.
Go for the: Triceratops nose horn fossil
Stay for the: Lark Cask Strength Whisky
Take home: a photo of the ‘Mainland’ menu page
EAT
Fico
Artist Tom Samek’s son is one of the city’s best chefs.
Go for the: terrine
Stay for the: banter
Take home: a hang over
SLEEP
MACQ 1
Hobart’s newest luxuy hotel is just the right kind of understated fancy.
Go for the: service
Stay for the: views
Take home: the Sud Polaire pre-mixed cocktails in the minibar
18 Hunter Street
Hobart
MORNING-AFTER
Jackman & McRoss
The city’s most glorious patisseries is situated in its oldest and most charming locale.
Go for the: Apple galette and mini jam tarts.
Stay for the:
Take home: half a dozen nutty Hot Cross Buns.
57 Hampden Road
Battery Point
DAY TRIP TO MARION BAY
The state’s best food producers all live by the sea in Marion Bay - a 45 minute drive from Hobart. Because they’re smart.
Go for the: Leap Farm cheese, Gillespies alcoholic ginger beer, Cape Bernier Wine and
Bream creek wine – all of which you can try on location at the producers farm doors.
Stay for the: Farmers Market (first Sunday of every month)
Come back for: Van Bone Restaurant – currently under construction and brought to you by the guys behind Garagistes.
PRE-FLIGHT
Bruny Island Cheese Shop
There’s not time to visit Bruny Island on every trip to Tasmania. But you can definitely make it to Salamanca Place.
Go for the: perfect cheese smell, tasting platters and cold, cold wine
Stay for the: Bruny Island Cheese beer
Take home: all the cheese, caramel fudge, red wine cherries, Jen’s letter pressed cards… all of it.