Hobart Attractions
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When holidaying in Hobart you will have open to you an endless list of attractions and sightseeing opportunities for you to visit and explore. Hobart's attractions are not only breathtaking but also have an historic feel about them and as you go exploring you will learn a lot about the little part of the world.
Situated only 2km from the centre of Hobart and established in 1818, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens contain a great many features both historical and botanical, which rank them among the finest in the world. An historical feature of some note is the Arthur Wall, an internally heated wall built in 1829, and one of only two such walls ever constructed in Australia. The Superintendent's residence (1828) is now the Garden's Museum and Education Centre and features displays of botanical and historical interest. A magnificent Conservatory where floral displays are changed four times a year is a must for the visitor. Other outstanding features include a tropical glasshouse, a Cactus house, a fuchsia house, a herb garden and various fountains and water features. There is also an easy access garden for the disabled, a floral clock and a rose garden. The Japanese Garden contains thousands of plants originating in Japan and a zig-zag bridge, water wheel and replica of Mt Fuji. Guided tours for groups may be arranged by appointment.
At the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts you will be able to see one of Australia's finest collections of rare books, furniture, ceramics, silver and glass from the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Experience devils, koalas, wombats and feed the friendly kangaroos. Visit the Bush Tucker Shed for traditional Australian food, billy tea and damper at the Bonorong Wildlife Centre Brighton which is 20 minutes north of Hobart.
The Esperance Forest and Heritage Centre presents the full story on Forestry practices in Tasmania. Excellent short walks 10 minutes from centre. The Hartz Gallery is the centre of work of excellence in art and crafts by Tasmanian artists.
World-class attraction! Two fantastic putting courses set amongst a magical landscape of waterfalls, waterwheels and beautiful gardens. The mountain is 18 holes of putting amongst great rocky outcrops and waterfalls, on huge greens with challenging banks and turns, sandtraps, rough turf and rock hazards. The Mill is an indoor course spread over three levels and featuring a cascade and waterwheel surrounded by a unique Tasmananian rainforest display. Adventure playground and licensed café. Putters virtual golf simulators offer players a unique golfing experience that recreates all the excitement and pleasure of the world's greatest golf courses. Play with real clubs and hitting real golf balls, astounding replication of reality.
Experience the freedom of flying through the treetops at Forestry Tasmania's newest tourism attraction, the Hollybank Treetops Adventure. Located just 20 minutes from Launceston, the fully guided Hollybank Treetops Adventure offers the adventure of gliding from tree to tree, on a cable suspended 30 metres from the forest floor. Walking tracks and picnic facilities complete a full day's activities in Tasmania's picturesque North East forests.
Aart - Gallery of Fine Art, in central Hobart, specialises in exhibiting work by Tasmanian artists. The gallery is located in Macquarie Street, a short distance from Hobart's central business district and waterfront. Aart exhibits work in a range of media, including drawing, oils, acrylic, sculpture and photography. The gallery’s intimate space provides an opportunity for broad range of Tasmanian artists to show their work. Artists to have exhibited at Aart include Wayne Edwards, Jessica McLaughlan, Mary Lou Wright, Francine Smith, Rodney Lea, Rebecca Brogan, sculptor Kathryn Hodges and fine art photographer Paul Barrington.
The Antiques Market, in central Hobart, specialises in antiques, art and collectables. The store is located in Elizabeth Street, in the city’s central business district. At the Antiques Market you can browse through two floors of collectable items, including furniture, jewellery, glass, tableware and original artwork. A huge range of functional and decorative items is on display, exhibited by over 15 antiques dealers. The Antiques Market also offers restoration and upholstery services and custom made traditional or antique-style furniture, crafted from Tasmanian speciality timbers, can also be arranged. The Antiques Market is owned and operated by Luis Ponte. Luis learned the art of building and restoration in Spain before migrating to Australia in the 1970s. He operated a period home and furniture restoration business in Melbourne for fifteen years, before relocating to Hobart to open the Antiques Market. There is also a café within the antique complex and it serves great coffee!
Barilla Bay is an oyster farm, restaurant and gourmet food store at Cambridge, southern Tasmania. Barilla Bay is a 15-minute drive from central Hobart (14 kilometres/nine miles), and is close to Hobart airport. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, Barilla Bay is a light-filled, architecturally designed complex that overlooks the bay and oyster farm. The Barilla Bay Restaurant, open seven days a week, features fresh Tasmanian produce and of course, the famous Barilla Bay oysters, matched with fine Tasmanian wines and beers. The property has a private dining room perfect for special occasions, cocktail parties or meetings. There is also a fine selection of luscious Tasmanian produce in the food store. You can join a deliciously fun and informative tour of the Barilla Bay Oyster Farm. On this shore-based, 45-minute tour you will see Barilla Bay’s world-class facilities and taste succulent, ocean-fresh oysters that are exported across the globe. Your guides will show you how oysters are grown from tiny spat to full maturity. You’ll learn about the history of Barilla Bay, the family business, the importance of tides, and the company’s commitment to ensuring the preservation and conservation of Tasmania’s pristine waters. Tours operate daily and bookings are essential.
Cadbury Chocolate Factory at Claremont, near Hobart, is a must visit for chocolate lovers.
On the Factory Tour you will see how some of your favourite Cadbury products are created. Enjoy free samples before or after the tour. The Tour includes entry to the Visitor’s Centre where you'll encounter fascinating insights into the history of Cadbury Claremont – and some of the characters and products that have made Cadbury a part of growing up in Australia. After the tour, rush into the Cadbury Chocolate Shop where you'll receive exclusive factory discounts on a huge range of Cadbury Schweppes products. You can also relax in the café and browse the great range of gifts, t-shirts and souvenirs.
The Cascade Brewery is Australia’s oldest continuously operating brewery, in South Hobart, Tasmania. The brewery is located in the foothills of Mount Wellington, five minutes’ drive from Hobart’s central business district. Cascade Brewery produces a range of fine Tasmanian beers and soft drinks. You can take a two-hour brewery tour to see all aspects of the beer-making process – from malting and brewing to packaging. Bookings are essential, and the tour involves plenty of stair climbing, but your efforts will be rewarded by thirst-quenching free samples at the end.
The Cascades Visitors' Centre, once the brewery manager's house, is now a modern, light-filled building incorporating a bar and restaurant. You can sample the Cascade range here and enjoy a meal by the atrium windows, which have views of the brewery’s castle-like façade. Stroll through three hectares of gardens, or browse in the retail shop. The Cascade Brewery was established in 1824 by ex-convict Peter Degraves. Today, Cascade's brewers combine traditional brewing skills and pure mountain water with premium Tasmanian barley and hops to create the Cascade range, which includes the multi-award winning Cascade Premium Lager - voted 'Best Premium Beer in Australia' in the 2003 Australian Good Taste Beer Awards.
The Female Factory in South Hobart is arguably Australia’s most significant historic site for women.
You can take a self-guided tour of the Female Factory Historic Site which allows you access to the memorial garden and the historic site. Or take a guided one-hour tour, taking in the fascinating yet tragic history of the site. The historic site was once the Cascades Female Factory, a euphemistic name for a terribly overcrowded prison in the 1820s and the setting for Bryce Courtenay’s novel The Potato Factory. The Female Factory Historic Site was the winner of the 2004 Tasmanian Tourism Awards, Heritage and Cultural Tourism.
Island Market is a new indoor market, which specialises in food, new products and craft. These include seafood (live, fresh and frozen), meat, groceries, prepared foods, fresh produce, clothing, manchester, homewares, tools, garden plants, Tasmanian wine and olive products. Tasmania's largest new clothing liquidator operates from one of our two main buildings. The complex includes an olive processing plant, which has a customer viewing window. Our heated building is clean and spacious with wide aisles between the rows of stalls. There is plenty of on-site free parking for cars and buses in our 2.2 hectare paved site.
Wilderness on Hobart’s doorstep, Wellington Park provides walking, climbing, abseiling, cycling and sightseeing opportunities less than half an hour’s drive from the city. Pillinger Drive turns right off Huon Road just before Fern Tree and gives easy access to the mountains maze of tracks and to the picnic and barbecue facilities at The Springs. The road passes beneath the towering crags of the Organ Pipes, a mecca for climbers. Views from the summit are superb this is the starting point of the Mt Wellington cycle descent, one of Australia’s most challenging and exciting alpine rides.
The list is endless with all of the great activities and attractions that you can see and do while you are in Hobart. There is something for everyone of all ages to keep you occupied! Hobart's attractions are truly something that you need to experience for yourself so why don’t you jump on the phone right now and speak with any one of our helpful staff who are waiting to take you call and begin to arrange your holiday to Hobart.