Tasmania - A Taste Of Tassie

Tasmania is the most quaint and enchanting southern island on the planet. We checked.

- Nawaf Rahman

We love a place with mojo – which Tasmania certainly showed me during my recent visit there. It may be the smallest state of Australia but the idyllic landscapes as well as burgeoning culinary, wine and art scene have made it a dream destination for travelers across the world. Situated about 250 kilometers south of Australia’s mainland, Tasmania offers as much charm, energy, and excitement as the other states – if not more – and one thing you shouldn’t do: be fooled by the size of the island state.

FIRST STOP: HOBART

Hobart, Tasmania’s picturesque capital city, unfolds between the Derwent River and Mount Wellington. With a population of just over 200,000, Hobart punches well above its weight in terms of attractions while maintaining its friendliness and accessibility. Its compact size and charming blend of heritage, culture, scenery, and products make it a city that locals cherish and visitors relish.

We started the day with a hearty breakfast at Maylands Lodge (maylandslodge.com.au/[phone]), an urban lodge which operates in a 132-year-old building. Following a stroll along the nearby streets, we went on a short drive that soon revealed plenty of the quirky stores and charming buildings with plaques proudly hung on the façades explaining their history.

Hobart’s cultural claim to fame is MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art (mona.net. au/[phone]). The dazzling architectural marvel houses some of the most innovative and consistently enduring contemporary artworks ever produced. No first-time trip to Hobart is complete without a stopover at the enigmatic museum. It has changed Hobart the same way Frank Ghery’s Guggenheim Museum has done to Bilbao, Spain.