Visitors Guide
There's plenty to do in Tasmania before and after the conference, including the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race finish, the Taste of Tasmania, the Summer Festival, the Hobart Regatta, and the Wooden Boat Festival in February. Why not plan an extended stay and sample the best that Tasmania has to offer? Browse the following sites for more information on local places and events. For unbiased information about accommodation, travel, tours, etc, contact the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre, bookings@hobarttravelcentre.com.au, 1800 990 440. Other websites are:
Pre & Post Conference Holiday Touring
Port Arthur Day Trip
Port Arthur Historic Site is a 1.5-hour drive from Hobart and is one of Australia's premier visitor attractions. Between 1830 and 1877 an estimated 12,500 convicts passed through its prisons. Notable buildings still standing include the Penitentiary, Model Prison, Asylum, Commandants House, Guard Tower etc. The Port Arthur region represents an amazing combination of history, heritage, magnificent scenery and fine food and wine. Additional activities can be organised, such as, a boat trip to a remote 'Isle of the Dead', seaplanes to a secluded lunch site, or a scuba dive in kelp forests or caves. In addition, the popular Historic Ghost Tours operate after dusk every night for approximately 1.5 hours. Phone inquiries 1800 659 101. En route to or from Port Arthur, suggested places of interest to see include the Berry Farm, beach sites and the historic town of Richmond.
Tahune AirWalk / Home Hill Winery Lunch
The Tahune AirWalk is a major tourist attraction, developed by Forestry Tasmania and is a 70-minute drive south of Hobart in the Southern Forests. The AirWalk varies between 25 and 45 metres in height and the walk itself is more than half a kilometre long among the magnificent forest canopy, allowing visitors a unique view of the surrounding Huon and Picton Rivers and inspiring forests. The AirWalk operates seven days a week between 9am-5pm. Consider a luncheon 30 minutes in to the journey at Home Hill Winery. Jet boats and white water rafting are other great activity options on the way to Tahune.
Mount Wellington Cycle Tour
This is great leisure option if you are short on time and looking for a fast, scenic and exhilarating ride. Travel by coach to the top of Hobart's iconic mountain, Mount Wellington. Climb aboard your mountain bike, ready for the three-hour ride and a 1270m descent back to sea level with views of the distant mountain ranges midst changing vegetation and finishing the journey at Salamanca Place. Pick up from hotel at 9:30am and 1:30pm daily. For bookings contact Sam at Island Cycle Tours and phone 1300 880 334 or 0418 234 181.
The Southern Wine Route
Tasmanian wines are noted for their high quality. We specialize in cool climate wines such as Riesling and Pinot Noir in Australia's southermost wine-growing region, but many other grape varieties also. Just as in Europe we sometimes have really exceptional vintages at great prices. Try award winning wines at Moorilla, Meadowbank, or at Puddleduck Vineyard (ask for the Bubbleduck). After you've visited all the Southern Region vineyards, remember that there are three other Wine Regions: the East Coast, the North, and the North-West, each with their own wine routes. A booklet on the wine routes is available from the Tas Travel & Information Centre.
Other Activities further afield
- Historic Richmond 20 mins from CBD (oldest bridge and oldest Catholic Church in Australia, art and craft, Old Richmond Gaol)
- Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery (great collection of colonial art, Sullivan's Cove precinct)
- Hamilton Sheep Centre (North-West of Hobart)
- Mount Field National Park (West of Hobart, walk to Russell Falls, picnic, see treeferns and forest gullies. Stop at Salmon Ponds on the way.)
- Hastings Caves, nearby themal pool, and Dover (South of Hobart)
- Extensive safe and picturesque walking tracks on Mount Wellington and nearby hills, or along foreshores
