A short one hour flight from Melbourne will land you in the port town of Hobart and although small in size, there’s so much to see and do. Hobart’s main hub of activity is the Salamanca area, a pretty square near the waterfront dotted with traditional pubs, manicured gardens, water fountains and lovely views over to the harbour. On Saturday mornings, Salamanca comes alive with its famous market selling a plethora of organic, home-grown produce and authentic local products - from fruit and vegetables to handmade soaps, bags, clothes and souvenirs. It’s definitely worth setting aside a couple of hours to wander around – if you can, save it for a sunny day where the blue skies and snow-capped mountain peaks form a picture-perfect backdrop.

Take a stroll to Kelly Steps, just off Salamanca Place, which lead up to Battery Point and offer scenic views over the city; if culture is your thing then stop off at Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery for a free guided museum tour showcasing local history and nature; or simply explore the city’s quaint cobbled streets and local shopping scene, before treating yourself to a well-earned leisurely pub lunch. Hobart is a small town so it’s easy to explore on foot and cover all the main sights over a couple of days. Alternatively, a great way to get your bearings of the city is on the hop-on-hop-off City Sightseeing bus, which departs from outside the Visitor Centre near the waterfront.

One of the main cultural attractions in and around Hobart is MONA - The Museum of Old and New Art and I can assure you it won’t disappoint. From the futuristic architecture of the building to its unique exhibitions and even the scenic ferry ride to and from the Berriedale peninsula where the museum is located, our visit was like nothing I’d experienced before – and one which I would thoroughly recommend.

Image credit: Jesse Hunniford

It’s no exaggeration to say that no trip to Tassie is complete without a visit to the infamous Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and it was without doubt one of the highlights of our trip. Home to a plethora of Tasmanian and native Australian animals, some of which are sadly now endangered species, we saw wombats and wallabies up close, spotted parrots and owls, watched one of the keepers feed the famous Tasmanian devils, petted Bert the resident koala, and fed kangaroos, some with joeys in their pouches! It was truly special and a perfect addition to any family holiday!

One for the history enthusiasts, one of the main attractions around Hobart is Port Arthur, a historic convict centre on the coast which is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. A fascinating tour here with one of the knowledgeable guides will lead you around the large site where you will have the chance to experience what life was really like behind bars. Stroll the corridors of cells as well as the common areas, asylum centre and on-site church. A real eye-opening experience which is key to understanding the island’s sombre history.

You can barely turn a corner in Hobart without seeing multiple adverts and signs for Bruny Island Cruises – and it’s with good reason! A gorgeous rugged island just off the mainland, Bruny Island is an absolute wildlife mecca home to frolicking dolphins, unique birdlife, lazy seals and all with a backdrop of dramatic white cliffs. Within the first ten minutes of being onboard we spotted our first pod of dolphins jumping playfully in the waves – and just 20 metres from the boat, it was a magical sight! Another highlight was ‘The Blowhole’, an aptly name hole in the cliff which spat up huge spouts of water into the air every 30 seconds or so!

Back on dry land, the adventures continued as we cruised eucalyptus tree lined roads past Adventure Bay, the main township on Bruny Island; Neck Beach with gorgeous turquoise waters; and Resolution Creek where it is thought Captain Cook collected water on one of his expeditions. We finished the afternoon with stops at a local chocolate factory and an oyster drive-through - only in Tassie!

All the while, spectacular panoramic sea views abound as well as a real sense of local community and laidback island spirit. Prevalent throughout all of Tasmania, I really believe this is what makes it such a special place. I can assure you that Tasmania will remain in your memories for a very long time!

For more inspiration, visit our Tasmania Holidays pages.