Joanna James
The capital of Tasmania or “Tassie” for short boasts a wide spread of scenic wonders that are excellent to include as part of a holiday or your honeymoon for that matter. Should it be the latter that’s having you wracking your brains, then it would be prudent to pause, turn off your laptop and switch your focus to what Hobart holds for you and your better half.
Tasmania can be accessed via two entry points. First up, you can fly into Hobart, Devonport or Launceston from any other leading city in Australia while for those not so keen on investing in additional flying time, then you will have to contend with reaching Melbourne as part of the 1st leg of your journey. Thereafter, you can board the Spirit of Tasmania and sail across the magnificent Bass Straight in a comfy and luxurious Deluxe Cabin en route to docking at Devonport.
Open every Saturday from 8.30 am till 3.00 pm is Tasmania’s most lauded and visited attraction that needs no second invitation to put on one awe-inspiring spectacle. Found on Salamanca Place, the marketplace is but a stone’s throw from the city centre and adjacent to Georgian sandstone warehouses that add to its appeal. Showcasing a cross-section of restaurants, cafes and galleries to delve into, perhaps, its 300-odd stalls would have you lingering on longer than contemplated so that you can get your hands on pieces of memorabilia. Pour yourself a glass of gin, order hot coffee or sink your teeth into the softest cheese as you are met by locals who will happily share stories of not just Hobart’s early beginnings but the value of being in Tasmania.
Connecting Salamanca Place with Battery Point is an architectural gem referred to as Kelly’s Steps that saw the light of day in 1840. Hewn out of sandstone, the Steps are believed to be the brainchild of local explorer and whaler, James Kelly and were intended to provide easier access to the dockyard district of Salamanca Place from the colonial dwellings of Arthur Circus and Kelly Street in Battery Point. Merging a rustic vibe with the modernity of sprawling real estate development is Battery Point which will coax you into spending time meandering down its sublime lanes before the area’s café culture comes calling. Worthy of mention is the Narryna Heritage Museum which contains a rich range of colonial artefacts and architecture which have been preserved in their natural settings. In the event you are considering staying at a Hobart serviced apartment for the duration of your honeymoon, then do make a note of Somerset on the Pier Hobart which is nestled near Battery Point’s allures.
Fondly called ‘MONA,’ the Museum of Old and New Art is well worth including on your honeymoon to Hobart for it will leave you spellbound and overwhelmed from beginning to end. Known for its unconventional, bizarre and creative spins on art that would leave you wild-eyed for most parts, MONA is found on the banks of Hobart’s Derwent River. Best serving those who think on their feet and go beyond the ordinary, this edifice which at the time of writing is Australia’s biggest privately owned museum brings to light the work of David Walsh in no uncertain manner.
Be treated like a King and Queen as you ride through the streets of Hobart in the company of Heritage Horse Drawn Carriages who will ensure a truly remarkable outing. Move past red brick buildings, say “G’day” to the locals and turn down narrow lanes and alleys that will soon bring you to Hobart’s oldest hotel called Hadley’s Orient Hotel which was built by the hands of convicts in 1834. In fact, if you decide to go ahead with the Royal High Tea Tour, then you can settle down to sampling a host of sweet treats and a cuppa freshly brewed tea at the Hotel before retiring to the comfort of your room.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
