Cheap flights to Hobart will not be needed by those sportsmen and women who take part in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, but the rest of us, touching down at Hobart International, will be just as welcome at Constitution Dock where, for several days around Christmas and New Year's, the yachts and their crews celebrate. The arrival of the yachts is a high point of the Hobart Summer Festival, ten days of food, wine, arts and entertainment. The most delicious part of the festival is the Taste of Tasmania, which consists of more than 70 stalls setting out the very best of the state's eateries and wineries.
Hobart is heaven for the seafood lover. The must-eats are blue-eye trevalla, scallops, crayfish and, of course, oysters and mussels. The wineries of the Derwent, Coal River and Huon Valleys specialise in the finest pinots, chardonnays, sauvignon blancs and rieslings. Then, there are the soft fruits and berries from the orchards of South Tasmania.
Every Saturday, these products are on sale at the Salamanca Market. The bustling market stalls stand against the handsome Georgian warehouses that date back to the 1830s. These are just one example of Hobart's rich heritage.
Founded as a penal colony, there are several grand buildings. There's nowhere better to savour the architecture than around the dock and Battery Point, which is reached from the Salamanca Market by Kelly's Steps. For sumptuous views and, perhaps, to work off the goodies from the Salamanca Market, Mount Wellington, standing 1271 metres above Hobart, is just 20km or so from the city.
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Hobart has a maritime climate with four distinct seasons. January and February are the warmest - and driest - months.
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Peak Season:
December through April is high season in Hobart. That's when the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Taste Festival and Designed; Made, Tasmanian design market, are on.
Off Season:
June to September is the low season.
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Tasmanian Redline Coaches operates a shuttle bus to the CBD. Return fares are about $25. Taxis, limousines and chauffeured cars are available outside the airport. Several car-rental companies have desks at the airport including Hertz, Avis and Budget.
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Walking is the best way to appreciate Hobart's heritage buildings. There are buses and taxis and some private bus companies too.
A great way to see this port city is from the water. There are ferry services on the Derwent River. A water taxi operates from the Waterfront area.
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- St George's Church - or, more specifically, its tower, is considered to be the most impressive building in Battery Point. It was built between 1836 and 1838. Its tower was added in 1847, designed by James Blackburn, who had been transported for forgery. The church is said to be Australia's finest Greek Revival Church.
- Rightly described as the sweetest cruise in Australia, the cruise to the Cadbury chocolate factory will delight chocoholics. There are free samples and the chance to buy some discounted chocs.
- Try the renowned Tasmanian oysters fresh from Barilla Bay. You can pick up a dozen or more at Salamanca Place and bring them home.
- Hobart's beaches include Sandy Bay, Nutgrove, Kingston, Bellerive and Howrah.
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