Mount Wellington

The 21-km drive to the summit passes through temperate rainforest to sub-alpine flora and glacial rock formations, ending in panoramic views of Hobart, Bruny Island, South Arm and the Tasman Peninsula. Mt Wellington is a wilderness experience just a 20-minute drive from Hobart and is much loved by locals.

Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)

The Mona is Australia's largest private museum and one of the most controversial private collections of modern art and antiquities in the world.

Described by its owner as a "subversive adult Disneyland", the collection includes everything from ancient Egyptian mummies to some of the world's most infamous and thought-provoking contemporary art.

With around 300 art works on display, the collection takes up three floors within a subterranean architectural masterpiece and is guaranteed to impress.

Salamanca Market

Set among the historic Georgian sandstone buildings of Salamanca Place in Hobart, this famous market attracts thousands of locals and visitors every Saturday of the year.

Salamanca Market is one of those special places where you actually meet the people who create, make or grow what they sell.

The nearly 300 stallholders include makers of hand-made Tasmanian pieces from woodwork to jewellery, fashion to fanciful glassware and ceramics. Of course, there are also fantastic fresh fruit and organic vegetables, all accompanied by buskers and music.

Port Arthur Historic Site

Listed as a World Heritage site, The Port Arthur Historic Site is Australia's most intact and evocative convict site and one of Australia's great tourist attractions.

Located on the Tasman Peninsula, the site has more than 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes dating from the prison's establishment in 1830 until its closure in 1877. During this time around 12,500 convicts served sentences and for many it was a living hell.

Today, the site sits in 40 hectares of landscaped grounds and you'll need plenty of time to fully experience all that it has to offer.

Entry is valid for two consecutive days and includes a guided walking tour, harbour cruise, entry to the museum, the Convict Study Centre and Interpretation Gallery, and the site of the dockyard.

Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

Opened in 1818, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is a 14 hectare site home to many historic and native Tasmanian plants. It has many important conservation projects and also houses the world’s only Subantarctic Plant House.

Come to the Botanical Gardens to discover and enjoy plants and flora native to Tasmania, and spend a relaxing day admiring your surroundings.

Cascade Brewery

The Cascade Brewery is Australia’s oldest brewery, built in 1832 and still in use today. Found in South Hobart, nestled on the foothills of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington The building itself stands rather imposingly against its backdrop, a beautiful example of older, colonial architecture.

Take a tour of the Cascade Brewery to learn the secrets behind the brews. Settle in at the bar and restaurant and taste the delicious range of beer and cider, enjoying top views of the brewery’s charming historic facade and lovely Heritage-listed gardens.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with a range of native Tasmanian animals, such as the Tasmanian devil, wombats, bettongs, and wallabies. This is a great trip for all animal lovers, and for kids especially. If you can, visit Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary at night for a night tour, where you’ll be guided around the Sanctuary in small groups and have the chance to feed many of their animals.

Battery Point

Battery Point can feel like a step back in time. Most of the buildings date from the 1830s and you will find many colonial-style buildings as you wander its streets. The best way to explore Battery Point is on foot, and you will come across many quaint shops and cafés along with some of the most expensive real estate in Hobart. Battery Point is an architectural gem with highlights including St George’s Anglican Church and Arthur Circus, a collection of cottages built for officers of the garrison.

If you have a keen interest in the history and architecture of the area, try a guided walking tour of the town. Battery Point is a great place to dine, ranging from some very exclusive restaurants to more reasonably priced restaurants and pubs.

Truganini Track

The Truganini Track is an uphill walk from Hobart with gorgeous views of Hobart and the surrounding area once you reach the Mount Nelson Signal Station. The track takes around 2 hours and starts from Sandy Bay Road. From here you follow the Cartwright Creek, before passing through for rest where you can see native Tasmanian flora and plants.

Just before you reach the summit, make sure to stop off at the Truganini Memorial, dedicated to the Aborigine population of Tasmania and their descendants. With gorgeous panoramas of Storm Bay, the Truganini Track is a free and beautiful treat for the eyes.

Tasman Peninsula

Don’t make the mistake of rushing the drive from Hobart to the Tasman Peninsula en route to Port Arthur. Instead, break the 90-minute drive with stops to explore at a more leisurely pace. There are stunning rock formations around Eaglehawk Neck, including the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch and Blowhole, and lovely panoramic views across Pirates Bay. For a leisurely lunch and a glass or two of sparkling, visit the cellar door at Bangor Vineyard Shed.