Scott McGuinness has a few suggestions for a few days away on the Apple Isle.

There are many ways to explore and experience Tasmania’s treasures. A popular option is hire/drive around the state where you’ll need at least 6 days, and then you’re pushing it! We chose to fly into Hobart, pick up a hire car at the airport, spend a little time in the city then head south.

The city is a short drive from Hobart Airport. As you sweep around the final bend on the freeway into town, the glorious river, mountain and bridge come into view – it’s like a smaller version of Sydney but clearer, cleaner and far more picturesque.

A great place to start site seeing is Battery Point. Walk or drive along the riverside winding roads where you’ll see countless beautiful Georgian cottages. Visit Arthur’s Circus which has some of the oldest dwellings in Tasmania, all restored to their former glory.  

Retro Café on Salamanca Place is great spot for a latte, then head to the historic township of Richmond, less than 30 minutes from town. The Richmond Bridge is the oldest bridge in Australia (built by convicts in 1823) and one of the prettiest. Have a walk around the streets and don’t forget to visit the Richmond Gaol, galleries and the Lolly Shop!

Drop into the Coal Valley Vineyard on your way back to town. They’re producing some amazing cool-climate wines.

In Hobart, book into Motel 429 on Sandy Bay Road which is located on the waterfront in beautiful Sandy Bay. This accommodation is high quality, semi self contained and so central to everything (Casino across the road, beaches, a short cab ride to the docks and the city).

There are plenty of seafood restaurants around the docks and a favourite with the locals is Catch. Great food in a funky setting, superb wines and the desserts are totally over the top!

Try and include a Saturday morning in Hobart as the Salamanca Markets are a must on any visit to Tassie. Not your tacky, souvenir markets here. Fresh gourmet foods, arts and crafts, fabulous coffee, fine arts, wine tastings, flowers, handmade chocolates (try the chilli variety!)… the list just goes on and on.

Time to pack up the car and head south to the Huon Valley. On the way, drop into the Wooden Boat Centre. Here they teach traditional wooden boat building skills with the smell of Huon pine heavy in the air. It’s a great experience and an idyllic setting by the Huon River at Franklin.

Even further south at Geeveston you’ll find the Tahune AirWalk and Visitor Centre. This is a treetop walk with amazing views to the Hartz Mountains, the Picton and Huon Rivers and the mighty southern forests. At about a kilometre long, the suspended walkway hangs 48 metres in the air on steel towers. The 20 minute loop walk is easily managed by most people and is the easiest place in Tasmania to see young and mature Huon pines growing in their natural riverine rainforest environment.

Also cross the river on one of the swaying, wire strop bridges – exhilarating and a little scary!

We stayed at Riseley Cottage near Dover for the night. This B&B is owned and run by Greg Shelton and his partner Philip. Spacious queen-size en suite rooms are available.

We had the 40 million year old dolomite Hastings Caves on our agenda next. An extraordinary experience and well worth a visit. Hastings is also famous for its thermal springs (28 degrees year round.)

A slow scenic drive up and across the Huon River towards Cygnet had us on our way for a sumptuous lunch at Peppermint Bay at Woodbridge. Housed in an architecturally innovative building, Peppermint Bay is a bar, a restaurant, a Providore, a beer garden, a hobby farm and art gallery.

Upon returning to Hobart you could stay at the Henry Jones Art Hotel on the docks. This five star hotel showcases Tasmania’s finest artists and started life as the IXL jam factory. Some of the sandstone walls are a metre thick and much of the old machinery has been incorporated into the modern design. There’s a restaurant and a bar where many travellers gather and exchange stories.

There’s so much on offer in Tassie from ancient wilderness, superb local produce, cool-climate wines to fascinating history, amazing scenery and architecture. And best of all, you won’t find friendlier locals anywhere in Australia!

www.motel429.com.au

woodenboatcentre.com.au

tahuneairwalk.com.au

peppermintbay.com.au

thehenryjones.com

discovertasmania.com