Atkinson Brett - Tasmania - Guidebook

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Mainland Australias quirky and rugged southern neighbour celebrates its relative isolation with a laid-back ambience, an emerging gourmet food scene, and some of the planets most astounding wilderness and scenery.

To understand Australian history, youll first need to understand Tasmanian history. The often tragic story of Van Diemens Land is told through the haunting stories surrounding the colonys first convict ships. The beautiful Tasman Peninsula scenery around the Port Arthur Historic Site only serves to reinforce the areas grim history, both in the 19th century and in more recent times. In Hobarts bustling waterfront pubs its still very easy to conjure up memories of the ports raffish and rambunctious past. Elsewhere on the island, the legacy of convict labour has produced Tasmanian architectural treasures, including the elegant bridges at Ross, Richmond and Campbell Town.

At first it was all about apples, but now Tasmanias contribution to the world of food extends to premium seafood, artisan cheese, bread, honey and Australias most intensely flavoured cool-climate wines. Many smaller producers are owned and operated by passionate foodies, and Tasmania is ideal for a leisurely driving holiday visiting farm-gate suppliers and providores. After youve sampled Tassie produce at its just-picked freshest, visit one of the excellent restaurants to see how local chefs respect the states natural bounty with their delicious creations.

From celebrations of food, wine and beer, to internationally renowned arts and music festivals, Tasmania fits a packed schedule of celebrations into its annual calendar. How many more reasons do you need to escape for a long weekend from mainland Australia? Hobarts beautiful harbourfront hosts many events ranging from the flavour-packed The Taste to the heritage glories of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Art and culture are showcased over the summer months during MONA FOMA and Ten Days on the Island. In winter the Lumina Festival fills Hobarts streets and squares with yet more food and wine, and the joys of the human voice.

From the cobalt waters and pristine coves and headlands of the east coast, to the rugged alpine vistas of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania is a definite overachiever when it comes to natural beauty. The opportunities to explore Tasmania by foot range from easygoing strolls to forested waterfalls to the challenge of the Overland Track. Tassies rugged coastline and rivers can be accessed by kayak, raft, yacht or cruiser, with plenty of opportunity to encounter the islands idiosyncratic wildlife. Spy on gorging Tasmanian devils after dark, share the Southern Ocean swell with seals and dolphins, or welcome penguins home at dusk.

Views over the Bruny Neck isthmus ()
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A ferry ride from Hobarts harbour, Moorilla Estates Museum of Old & New Art (MONA; ) is an innovative and truly world-class institution. Designed by architect, Nonda Katsalidis, MONAs three levels of spectacular underground galleries showcase more than 400 often challenging and controversial works of art. Owner, Hobart philanthropist David Walsh, describes it as a subversive adult Disneyland. Visitors may not like everything they see, but its guaranteed that intense conversation will be on the agenda after viewing one of Australias unique arts experiences.

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Hobart & Salamanca Market

Historic, harbourside Hobart (), before delving into history-rich Battery Point. More essential Tasmanian heritage is revealed at the Cascade Brewery and the sombre Female Factory, both nestled under Mt Wellington Dont miss the views from the summit, and definitely travel by mountain bike to return thrillingly to Hobarts waterfront.

Constitution Dock, Hobart
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Port Arthur Historic Site

Tasmanias number one tourist drawcard, the Port Arthur Historic Site (), is a compelling mix of stunning coastal scenery and the sombre legacy of the past engrossing, quiet and disquieting. Take a walking tour to understand the sites grand layout before exploring in-depth the separate ruined buildings and constructions. While Port Arthurs overall scale impresses, its the personal histories of the former prisoners that leave the strongest impression. Join a guided tour of the Isle of the Dead Cemetery and the Point Puer Boys Prison to uncover the most poignant memories.

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Gourmet Produce

Salty-fresh seafood, plump cherries and crisp apples, artisan cheese, premium wine, beer and whisky: for the curious foodie, Tasmania offers plenty of reasons for a mouth-watering visit. Festivals and farmers markets showcase the best of the Tassie food scene, often with visiting mainland chefs envious of the glorious produce on tap for local restaurant owners. At the excellent cookery schools at the Agrarian Kitchen (), visitors have the opportunity to get creative with some of Australias and the worlds best natural produce.

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Bruny Island

Just a 15-minute ferry ride from Kettering on the other side as islanders refer to the Tasmanian mainland windswept Bruny () is a sparsely populated microcosm of the best of Tasmania. A thriving gourmet food scene produces fine artisan cheeses, shuckingly fresh oysters, delicately smoked seafood, and Australias most southerly wines. Wildlife watching includes penguins, seals and ocean-going marine birds, and the best accommodation usually comes with an absolute beachfront location to ensure a relax-at-all-costs approach to any visit.