Experience Tasmania

• Home
• Experiences
• Follow on Twitter
• Become a fan on Facebook

We landed at Hobart airport for an action packed 4 days, and we were determined to fit as much in of this fabulous state as we could! After picking up our hire car, our first stop was at the historic town of Richmond.  The kids (6 and  9) enjoyed a run around in the maze and a visit to Old Hobart Town, with its historically correct reproduction of Hobart as it was in the 1820′s.  We had a great chat to the owner Andrew and are in awe of the 3 years he spent creating the minature town.  Lunch was under the trees out the back of the bakery, and Tassie was certainly turning on magnificent spring weather for us. The girls at the Avis car hire desk had suggested we visit the lolly shop, and the kids could hardly believe their eyes when we walked in!

After a lovely wander around the shops and down to the historic bridge, it was time for us to keep moving. My parents and the boys spent the afternoon at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Bianca gave them a fabulous personal introduction to some Tasmanian Devils, as well as a cuddle with a Koala. Meanwhile, Greg & I enjoyed a drink outside at the Richmond Arms Hotel while waiting to be picked up to go to MONA and a night to ourselves! (thanks Mum & Dad!).

MONA was a fantastic experience and a must see for visitors to Hobart. Parts of it were fairly confronting, so I am glad we could wander freely without our kids. I was completely awestruck by the huge ‘Snake’ artwork by Sidney Nolan.  We checked into the pavillion accomodation at MONA, and stayed in the Sidney. It was luxury at it’s finest and the view from our deck could have kept us entertained for hours. We finished off our evening with a seven course degustation dinner at The Source, guided by the very informative sommelier Joseph.

Day 2 started with a scenic helicopter flight over Hobart, and then we met up with the kids and my parents at the Tassair Office for our Bruny Island Air and Sea Experience. We boarded two four seater planes,  and travelled down to Bruny Island. The view was amazing!  After the plane we hopped on a boat and loved every second of the 3 hour Bruny Island Cruise. The birdlife, seals and dolphins were so close and the cliff and rock formations spectacular.  Our guides were full of information and it was a really fantastic experience for all of us – when even journeyed out to the start of the Southern Ocean!  After the cruise our pilots Mark & Damien were waiting to fly us back to Hobart.  It was such an adventurous day, and the favourite part of our kids visit to Tassie.  It was also a big day, so we had a nice night in at our  swish accom, Sullivan’s Cove Apartments.

Day 3 started with a visit to the Salamanca markets which showcased so much of the produce and handmade goods that Tasmania has to offer. We then headed to the Huon Valley on a magnificently sunny spring day! Our first stop was at the Huon Jet Boats, where we were warmly welcomed by Mandy & John.  John took us on a great trip up the Huon River with plenty of spins which the boys loved.  Next we drove to the Tahune Airwalk in Geeveston, and enjoyed the most beautiful walk through the treetops. The drive back to Hobart was so scenic along the Huon River.  Dinner was at the Drunken Admiral, just next to our accomodation, where we all enjoyed fabulous Tasmania seafood to cap off another great day.

Day 4 started with breakfast on the waterfront and then we loaded up our stuff and headed off in the direction of Port Arthur. Once again, the drive was very scenic and stopping off at Pirate’s Cove and Eaglehawk Neck gave us great views.  Port Arthur was beautiful, and once again Tassie was turning on some great weather for us!  We took the guided tour to begin, to fill us in on the history of the site, and then spent some time exploring the ruins on our own.

We could have spent much longer here, but unfortunately, we had to get to the airport. We had such a fabulous time, and are thinking about where in Tassie we would like to go next – there is just so much more to see!

Our trip was a prize in the Ultimate End Of Season Tassie Experience competition.  Thank you so much to Tourism Tasmania and the Hawthorn Football Club – we’ll be back!