Lutruwita / Tasmania
Thanks largely to the so-called ‘MONA effect’, Tasmania has become THE destination for visitors both from the mainland and also internationally. If you need some suggestions of where to eat and drink, look no further than the lovely people who support Stargazer (on the ‘stockists’ page), or send me an e-mail if you need more tips. Otherwise, here is a very personal list of other places which are on my ‘must dos’.
Farm Gate Market
Salamanca is the more well known option, but the locals hang out here on Sunday mornings. Make sure you grab a coffee and bagel from Bury Me Standing.
Farm Gate Market
Ogee Guesthouse
OGEE GUESTHOUSE
We hate to pick favourites amongst the many, many fab restaurants that we are blessed with in Tasmania, but suffice to say that North Hobart gem Ogee is right up there. Rochelle and Matt really GET hospitality in a way few people do, and the exciting thing is that they are not just bringing this to food but also to accommodation with the opening of their guesthouse next door. Honestly, I’d just move in if I could…
Abercrombie Coffee
This is my relatively recent local find, and I’m so glad that find it I did. The owner Duncan immediately struck up a chat, figured out that Stargazer was my baby and we’ve never looked back. Icing on the cake is that they have a dog friendly outside area which seems to be permanently in the sun, they serve THE most delectable Basque cheesecakes and have a permanent rotation of different sustainable coffee producers that they support. What more could you want?
Abercrombie Coffee
State Cinema
State Cinema
While ‘Four Seasons in One Day’ is undoubtedly a song referring to NZ weather, it could just as soon apply to conditions down here in Tasmania so it is always good to have a ‘Plan B’ in case things turn inclement. With that in mind, the State Cinema on the Elizabeth St North Hobart strip should be top of the list. A veritable rabbit warren of small and smaller cinematic rooms (some of which include couches!) this place is an art house movie goers dream. Even better, they are licensed and very heavy handed on the wine pours!
The Domain/Botanic Gardens
Those of you who are ‘Gardening Australia’ fans (I see you Boomers and Gen Xers!) will know the connection between Tasmania and this legendary ABC institution and recognise how frequently the Hobart Botanic Gardens make an appearance (as well as the lovely Hannah Moloney). The Gardens and adjacent Queens Domain really are one of Hobart’s best kept secrets: almost 250 hectares of green space right on the side of the Derwent River in the heart of Hobart. Nell and I go running there several times a week and frequently see bandicoots, pademelons and kookaburras, not to mention beautiful sunrises over kunyanyi/Mount Wellington.
The Domain/Botanic Gardens
Fullers Bookshop
Another one to file in the Plan B category like the State Cinema above, Fullers is similarly a Hobart institution. If, like me, you think that bookshops are the 21st century equivalent of the Holy Grail, Fullers will be your jam. The staff are lovely, they can order anything in, their newsletter is a great read in itself and they host a series of interesting and enlightening events (shoutout for the recent Thomas Mayo interview). Oh, and there is a cafe at the back - perfection.
Fullers Bookshop
Beaker Street Festival
Beaker St Festival
While Dark MOFO (rightly) gets plenty of attention from mainland visitors in terms of planning their visits to coincide with this mid-June festival, I highly recommend the Beaker St Festival, which runs annually in August, as an alternative. With a mission of furthering scientific communication and engagement, it all ‘sounds’ really dry but is anything but; they have some fascinating talks, presentations and field trips with great science communicators such as Adam Spencer, Dr Karl and Tim Flannery.
TMAG
Many of the Beaker St Festival’s sessions are run at our less famous museum, The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, which is well worth a visit at all times of the year, particularly for their exhibitions on Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their stories as well as some of the history and background to the uniqueness of Tasmania’s geology, flora and fauna.
TMAG
Dark MOFO
Dark MOFO
Deliberating about when to come? Do it in the middle of winter so you have an excuse to pull out your woollen jumpers and beanies and enjoy the craziness which is this MONA curated festival of all things music, art, paganism and fire.
kunanyi/Mt Wellington
Sometimes you need to change your perspective on the world and this is the perfect place to do it. I highly recommend getting someone else to drive if you are at all challenged by heights though!
kunanyi/Mt Wellington
Kuuma Sauna
Kuuma Sauna
Tasmania and Hobart have relished the Scandi-Noir vibe in recent years and nothing is more evidence of this than our embrace of the sauna phenomenon, particularly in the south of the island. My favourite is Kuuma which is docked out at Margate just south of nipaluna/Hobart - a beautiful custom pontoon boat with an onboard wood fired sauna, perfect for cooling off in the ‘fresh’ sea water of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Hard recommend for those of you (like me!) too soft for Tasmania’s cold waters at any other time!