Trip to Tassy

It was a special weekend a few days ago, 3rd year wedding anniversary and Richard's Birthday all wrapped up in one go.
So we planned a mini getaway with some cheap deals to take us to Hobart, Tasmania. Yes, I know its not really the right time of year to go to that part of the world where its colder than it is here in Melbourne, but all we really wanted was to get away from the city on a little adventure. I had liked the place so much during my first visit with Lindsey back in May, that I wanted to share the experience with my Aussie husband who had never been before.

A quick hop over on the plane, we arrived super early and decided to drive around to Port Arthur since we couldn't check into the hotel for hours. From Wikipedia: Port Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, in Tasmania, Australia. Port Arthur is one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and the open air museum is officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction. It is located approximately 60 km south east of the state capital, Hobart. In 1996 it was the scene of the worst mass murder event in post-colonial Australian history.

As you can see it is a place that is said to foster "bad vibes." So just as well we didn't linger to pay the steep entrance fee to visit the historic site.

We caught the Saturday Salamanca Market the next day where we brunched at a nearby restaurant and later sampled Tasmanian Leatherwood honey from some of the vendors (our favorite). It was a beautiful day and the market was alive with the population of Hobart picking through produce stalls, craft tents and souvenir shops with wares made out of local Huon Pine or wool. I like to see what the local jewelry artists produce. We picked up a couple novels at the used book stall. I got Philip Pullman's Northern Lights, something I have been wanting to read for a long time. I am fully engrossed, can't put it down, and look forward to bedtime when I can get back into it. About to pick up book II from the library tomorrow. I love books that catch your attention in such a way, haven't had a book like that in a long time.

Hobart is a port city, as all Australia capitals are. Over it looms the commanding Mt. Wellington allowing for the perfect blend of mountainous and seaside for those who can't decide which they prefer. Just 30 minutes drive in an upward direction you can reach the peak of the mountain and get spectacular views of the countryside. Go back down the mountain and reward yourself for the efforts with a stop in Cascade Brewery to sample some of the fresh brews and take in the view. I like the Apple Cider, Draught. I don't recommend the tour that they offer, as you don't really see much of the process.

 

And then we caught the ferry the next day to Bruny Island before getting back on the plane. Just a short day trip, we took full advantage of the gorgeous surrounds and proximity to the best oysters in the world to picnic. Stopped into Get Shucked to pick up a dozen freshly shucked oysters sold out of a take-away stall, then to Bruny Island Cheese Company to stock up on freshly made cow's milk cheese to go along with our freshly baked bread that we picked up at a french patisserie earlier in the morning before leaving the city. Can you tell we are total foodies?

Pretty ugly right? I don't think there is any property that doesn't get a beautiful view. Those bogans in Tasmania are pretty damn lucky. I totally want a holiday house here.