on the waterfront ’s spectacular capital itinerary No. 1: A SEVEN-DAY INSIDER’S GUIDE TO THE vibrant culture, HISTORIC CHARMS and MAJESTIC natural BEAUTY OF AND ITS SURROUNDS. oen ihs o Pr Atu’ hsoi sts Wehr ts h csooia cam o or otie iy te gourmet the city, portside our of So, start ajourney andexpect inHobart... theunexpected. charms cosmopolitan the imagination. it’s yourstretch will Tasmania’s MONA’sdestinations, south Heritage World Whether of tostories convict the or sites. on Island Bruny of you delights historic lead can Arthur’s Hobart Port in or moment a – Where sights toes. your modern on you keeps culture the where island an to Welcome Ten Days ontheIsland festival atHistoric Port Arthur Site. THERE ARE PLACES IN IN PLACES ARE THERE yesterday yesterday Visit discovertasmania.com AND T asmania Tasmania …AND THEY’RE CLOSER THAN YOU IMAGINE. YOU THAN CLOSER THEY’RE …AND tomorrow twin share twin person per WHERE COLLIDE.

MITC7159rj From above: Theatre Royal, Royal, Theatre From above: Mount Wellington, Hobart. Hobart. Wellington, Mount Australia’s oldest working working oldest Australia’s theatre; convict church at church convict theatre; Port Arthur Historic Site; Site; Historic Arthur Port Cover: Waterfront and Waterfront Cover: the weekend australian magazine magazine australian weekend the Grandvewe Cheeses Grandvewe local delicacies at delicacies local

Editor’s note

showpiece has brought to Tasmania. It is the state’s most popular tourist attraction (387,000 visitors in its first year) and word-of-mouth buzz is still building here and internationally. I hear from people who are travelling to Tasmania just to visit MONA, and when I get the chance, I give them a “while you’re there” list. So: While you’re there, head south into the Huon Valley to sample the produce – glorious wines, seafood, fruit and other seasonal specialties – and then walk it all off at the Tahune Forest AirWalk. Drive north-west from Hobart to Mount Field National Park to inspect some of the tallest trees in the world and visit the beautiful Russell Falls. While in Hobart don’t miss the Salamanca Market and the chance to explore the art galleries around Hobart. The first painting I ever bought was a work by Tasmanian artist Tom Samek. It’s still my favourite and it travels with me wherever I live.

obart’s subterranean Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) has only been open for one year – yet it is impossible to overstate what this cultural and architectural

C

hristine Middap

advertorial the weekend australian magazine advertorial

Clockwise from top: Salamanca Market; taking a swing at Ratho golf course; the Day 3 Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park at Hobart: Salamanca Taranna; bottles up at heritage highway Market Take advantage of your Port Arthur Set among a row of early Historic Site admission pass, which Georgian sandstone allows a second entry and also where it all begins warehouses, this festive includes a walking tour. Join the market is a showcase of earliest one at 9.30am, then depart fresh produce and unique WITH ITS RICH COLONIAL HISTORY, UNIQUE WILDLIFE AND SPARKLING WATERFRONT, craft items. at 10.15am to wend your way north. HOBART IS THE PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO TASMANIA’S COUNTLESS SPLENDOURS Detour briefly at Eaglehawk Neck to view the Tessellated Pavement, a spectacular natural rock formation that looks man-made. More dramatic still are the coastal cliff views at Tasman Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen. Grab lunch in one of the small waterfront towns. Pass through Hobart and go north to Oatlands along the Heritage Highway, about an hour away. Mid-afternoon is a lovely time to appreciate the mellow beauty of its colonial buildings, which include a DAY 1: hobart & the heritage flour mill. DAY 2: tasman Retrace your steps 30km, then take coAL river valley peninsula the A5 to nearby Bothwell, a rural town Arriving on a Saturday? Head to Rise early and drive down the scenic with a Scottish flavour and home to bustling Salamanca Market in Tasman Peninsula to the Tasmanian Ratho, Australia’s oldest golf course, . If you’re arriving Devil Conservation Park in Taranna, where the fairways are trimmed by on another day, set off for Richmond, a sanctuary for these fascinating sheep. Get into the Gaelic spirit with an hour to the north-east in the critters and other quintessentially a single malt whisky at historic Nant Coal River Valley. This time capsule Australian creatures. Leave at Estate. Stay overnight near Bothwell. of Georgian architecture is home 10.30am for the 10-minute drive to galleries, antique stores and to the World Heritage-listed former Australia’s oldest bridge. Back in penal colony of Port Arthur and South Hobart, take a tour at the wander the haunting stony ruins. famous Cascade Brewery. (Bookings Tear yourself away by 2pm to are essential.) A scenic stroll around embark on the three-hour Eco- Tasmania may appear small, but don’t be fooled – the Apple Isle packs from the air as pockets of population strung along a ragged coastline torn is next, followed Adventure Cruise operated by a mighty punch. It’s as if a whole continent has been packaged into into tranquil bays and channels. Even from several thousand feet, it’s by a climb up the historic Kelly’s award-winning Tasman Island one island, providing a variety of landscapes normally seen only in impossible not to feel engaged by this watery vista that simply demands Steps to admire the quaint cottages Cruises. (Bookings are essential.) a geography primer. White sand beaches, rugged wilderness, jagged exploration. The easy 16km drive from the airport into the heart of the and colonial mansions of Battery Return to Port Arthur Historic Site mountains, neat vineyards and welcoming cities are spread across five city is characterised by uncluttered highways and splendid scenery. Across Point. Return to the waterfront for and nab an After Dark Pass, which distinct regions. There’s only one problem with such diversity: deciding the busy , this friendly old town on the Derwent River fresh seafood at Mures or good old includes a delicious two-course dinner where to start. If you haven’t been to Tasmania before, choose Hobart offers sandstone buildings, enticing restaurants and a lively waterfront fish and chips wrapped in a paper at Felons Bistro followed by a lantern- − the capital city where the state’s colonial history began back in 1804. atmosphere. But don’t let the charms of Hobart distract you completely cone from Fish Frenzy. Unbeatable! lit evening Ghost Tour. Overnight in Only a short flight from the mainland’s east coast, Hobart presents itself – there’s so much more to enjoy just an hour or two away. Overnight in Hobart. the township of Port Arthur. G NG R URIURU OURIOUROUO T STS &S& TAKE A TRIP TO Hobart H&SH& 7 NIGHT SELF DRIVE HOLIDAYS FROM The quintessential $699* PP TWIN SHARE Hobart experience ...AND IT’S JUST ACROSS THE WATER.

An absolute waterfront position on the – outstanding variety of accommodation including the iconic Wrest Point Tower – great food, wine Hobart hums with a vibrance of art, heritage and gourmet delights. Explore Hobart, southern Tasmania and beyond with an Innkeepers Discovery Inns Pass, including 7 nights accommodation and 7 days and entertainment – all the attractions of southern Tasmania waiting for you to explore. Wrest Point is the perfect Hobart base for your holiday, for just $179* car rental…indulge your senses. BONUS: complimentary “Picnics in Paradise” book. *Off er valid until 30 April 2012. Price shown is per person twin share, accommodation is room only. Rates for travel aft er the 1st May are available on application. Terms and conditions apply. including full breakfast for two. Call a Tasmanian expert to plan your holiday on 1800 420 615 or book online at wrestpoint.com.au *Per room per night, subject to availability. Conditions apply. Valid from 11/4/12 - 20/12/12. Call 1300 innkeeper or visit www.innkeeper.com.au 20202 the weekend australian magazine advertorial

Clockwise from top left: Breathing Rock, just one Day 5 of Bruny Island’s natural wonders; built into the bruny island banks of the Derwent, MONA was designed Catch the car ferry from Kettering to to be talked about; the city’s shimmering docks; Bruny Island – the 15-minute crossing Hobart by bicycle; high- runs several times a day. Bruny Island, wire act at Tahune Forest AirWalk. 70km long, consists of farms, dramatic cliffs and a wonderful National Park. Regional Tasmania is a smorgasbord of It also has a gourmet trail for building wonderful sights, sounds and aromas. the perfect alfresco feast: stock up on — Jennine Wesson, Discover Tasmania blog delectable goods from Bruny Island Smokehouse, Get Shucked oyster farm and the Bruny Island Cheese Company. Continue to Adventure Bay, where award-winning Bruny Island Cruises offers a three-hour tour departing at 11am daily. (Bookings are essential.) Soaring sea cliffs and sightings of DAY 7: hobart marine life ensure an unforgettable Time for some exercise. Take cruise. Enjoy lunch at the nearby a Mount Wellington cycling Hothouse Cafe or have a picnic at tour (all you need are average Bruny Island Berry Farm (October bike-riding skills). You can be to April). Pick your own berries and collected in Hobart for the savour the home-made ice cream. drive to the top of the 1270m Wine is the missing link in this mountain. The 21km descent moveable feast, so go to Bruny Island passes through alpine terrain Premium Wines at Lunawanna, the and forest before finishing at most southerly vineyard in Australia. sea level in Salamanca Place. Wonderful cool-climate chardonnays Perhaps a kayaking tour is and sauvignon blancs are bottled more your style, or even both Day 4: Mount Field to Huon Valley here. Stay overnight near Dennes – some companies offer the full- Leave Bothwell and head west on a minor road passing through Point, about an hour’s drive north. on assault of Mount Wellington 30km of tranquil countryside before emerging below Hamilton. with a bike ride followed by a Nearby is Curringa Farm, a 300-hectare sheep property famed for Day 6: MONA paddle around the waterfront. its conservation program. Tours, picnic facilities, a cafe and four-star Start the day at Dennes Point by visiting the Jetty sharpened Hobart’s artistic credentials due to its Alternatively, try a guided accommodation lure visitors here, so stop for morning tea. Turning Cafe @ Bruny Island and Art at the Point, where eclectic and sometimes confronting works. Start walk and learn about endemic south, it’s 30 minutes to Mount Field National Park, where Russell the works of dozens of local artists, jewellers, with lunch and a glass of wine at The Source, flora and fauna. Or, at the very Falls attracts visitors year-round. This easily accessed, multi-tiered ceramicists and sculptors are displayed in a shared MONA’s sensational restaurant. least, drive to the summit and waterfall is one of the prettiest in Tasmania. timber-and-glass building with peaceful views. Return on a late afternoon ferry and take a stroll spend some time at the pinnacle About 30 minutes further south at New Norfolk is the Devil Jet, Depart from Roberts Point on a late-morning around the galleries and shops near the Hobart enjoying spectacular views. offering high-speed, thrilling boat rides with 360-degree spins on ferry to Kettering (a short 15-minute ride) and waterfront. Drive to trendy North Hobart, where No other Australian city has a the upper Derwent River. Dry off (you may be a tiny bit damp) and drive to Hobart, a further 30 minutes away. the restaurant scene is a melting pot of global viewing platform quite like this. enjoy lunch in this area once renowned for its hops. Continue the arty theme with a ferry hop from the cuisines. After dinner, take in a show at the Theatre Otherwise, the afternoon Drive through Hobart and take the A6 to the Huon Valley. About (near Constitution Dock) to the Royal or catch the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is your own. Catch a ferry to 90 minutes away (turn off at Geeveston) is the famous Tahune Forest Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Opened in at the modern Federation Concert Hall. (Bookings Peppermint Bay restaurant, AirWalk − a rigid metal structure that provides a bird’s-eye perspective January 2011, this provocative attraction has are essential.) Overnight in Hobart. enjoy a glass of wine in a of the forest canopy and is a more exhilarating than scary experience. waterfront pub or wander at Overnight in the Huon Valley. leisure. You’ve earned it. •

 ERE N

&/,,/74(%9%,,/7"/!42/!$ TNT ART &SP&S& H&SPH&SH "RUNY)SLAND#RUISESHASWON4ASMANIAS STAY IN Hobart WHERE HERITAGE MEETS THE waterfront "EST4OURIST!TTRACTIONFOR    2 NIGHTS FOR ONLY * PP TWIN SHARE WWWPENNICOTTJOURNEYSCOMAU $185 ...AND IT’S CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

Enjoy a magical stay in quality modern accommodation at heritage listed historic Lenna of Hobart; situated on the doorstep of the popular Saturday’s Salamanca Market. A short walk and you can take a cruise on the River Derwent, a scenic seaplane flight or visit the renowned MONA (Museum of Old and New Art). Package includes 2 nights accommodation $185 per person twin share*, plus $50 Lenna dollars to be redeemed on food and beverage during your stay. BONUS OFFER: Stay 3 nights and receive $100 Lenna dollars! Stay 5 nights and receive $150 Lenna dollars! *Off er valid from April 1st – September 30, 2012. (Excluding April 6-10, 2012). Terms and conditions apply.

Call 1300 innkeeper or visit www.innkeeper.com.au