Cheap Flights To Hobart

Tasmania's capital is a picturesque, friendly and surprisingly cosmopolitan place, with excellent shopping streets and markets, some sublime gastronomic attractions and plenty of excursions to make if you exhaust everything the city has to offer.

For starter's this is a city with sex appeal. Its gorgeous location underneath Mount Wellington and gathered around a fine natural harbour is simply stunning. But what Tasmanians have done with the setting matches it. There's the Waterfront, with the excellent Tasmanian Museum, the boutiques and craft stalls at Salamanca Market, along with distilleries, seafront restaurants and kayaking tours. Then there's MONA - one of Australia's finest art galleries which was built into sandstone cliffs on the city's northern edge.

Plenty of craft brewers will be only too happy to pour a schooner or two of fine local products, while December sees the harbour packed with sails as the Sydney to Hobart race glides into port. And if you want to explore the island, feel free. The convict settlement of Port Arthur and the waterfalls of Mount Field National Park are easy to reach and well worth the trip.

Things To Do

Whatever your passions and whatever time of year you visit, the capital of Tasmania is full of attractions and activities to enjoy.

• Shop till you can't carry another bag

Salamanca Market is one of Australia's premier shopping destinations. Located near the waterfront, this fantastic market is filled with artisan businesses selling everything from jewellery and cutlery to hand-made ceramics, cosmetics, clothes and - as you'll smell when you arrive - plenty of delicious food.

• Scale the peak for sublime views

One of the best things about Hobart is its setting, but you can't truly appreciate its beauty from ground level. For that, you'll need to rise up in the world. The best way to do so is to take a 4x4 tour to the pinnacle of Mount Wellington or to climb it yourself.

• An artistic and cultural treasure

If you love art, don't miss MONA, an informal but brilliantly laid-out collection of "old and new art" as the name suggests. The Tasmanian Museum and Gallery is equally enticing, not least because of its fascinating natural history exhibits, while the theatres of the CBD are a constant draw as well. Culture vultures are in for a treat.

Calendar Of Events

There's a thriving events calendar in Hobart, with events for everyone to enjoy. Here's a very quick sample:

• Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: Starting in Sydney on Boxing Day, this magnificent maritime spectacle concludes in the city's harbour on New Year's Day - another excuse to make it your destination for a festive break.

• Taste of Tasmania: A major highlight of the summer scene, Taste brings the island's finest cheesemakers, brewers, veggie growers, bakers and distillers to Princes Wharf No.1 shed every January.

• Dark Mofo - Taking place in the island's winter (which isn't too bleak), this vibrant arts festival includes plenty of innovative theatre, music and dance events.