Imagine touring wineries and award winning food and cultural destinations, hiking through alpine landscapes featuring flora dating back to Gondwana, and lounging on a secluded beach — all in the same trip. The diversity of Tasmania’s natural landscape and its cultural offerings attract visitors from mainland Australia and beyond for holidays throughout the year. Tasmania’s tourism website is a good place to get a taste of what the island has to offer.

If your trip to Hobart will be short, there’s a lot to see and do in and around the city itself. A few of the popular destinations include:

• MONA - Museum of Old and New Art. Accessible by ferry or bus. This museum’s collection is difficult to encapsulate in a single sentence; you’ll find everything from growling couches to mechanical stomachs within its confines. The onsite brewery, winery and restaurants make this an excellent full-day destination.
• Mount Wellington - Wellington Park. Mount Wellington is the closest peak to Hobart and is a good choice if you want a sense of Tasmania’s natural landscape without venturing far from the city.
• Salamanca Market, Salamanca Place - Every Saturday from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm. This is a local market featuring local foods, arts and crafts, and live music. The bustling market and the surrounding eateries in Salamanca Place are a popular Saturday morning brunch destination.
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary - Just half an hour from Hobart by car, this wildlife sanctuary is a popular destination for those interested in learning about Tasmania’s native animals.

From Hobart, there are several day and weekend trips that would provide visitors with a sense of what Tasmania has to offer. Here are a few examples:

• Bruny Island This is an excellent destination for those interested in nature, food and wine. It’s a ferry ride away from Hobart and will require car rental.
• Freycinet National Park - Freycinet is a popular holiday destination 125 km from Hobart, featuring some beautiful beaches and hiking trails.
• Port Arthur - If you want to get a sense of the convict history of Australia, the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur historic site (about 100 km from Hobart) is worth a visit.
• Mt Field National Park - Mt Field National Park, an hour from Hobart, showcases the diversity of Tasmania’s landscape.

Note that February falls within Tasmania’s peak holiday season. Booking ahead is strongly recommended.