My sister and I finished Three Capes Track hike on Thursday afternoon and hopped on the Gray Line bus back to Hobart. I booked it mainly because the departure time lined up perfectly with our early return to Port Arthur, but the bonus was that the ticket included two stops: a chocolate shop (always welcome) and the Tasman Arch.
We walked into our Airbnb around 6:00 PM—just enough time to shower and look semi-presentable before heading out to dinner at the Hobart Town Hotel with my friend and her mom. I hadn’t seen them in over 30 years, so there was a lot to catch up on. Add proper pub food to the mix and it was a great start to the weekend. My youngest sister and her husband rolled in later that night after multiple travel delays, but eventually we were all in one place and ready for a jam-packed (but very manageable) few days.
Day 1: MONA
We dedicated our first full day to MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), which is a must-see—even if you don’t consider yourself a museum person. This is not your average gallery stroll.
The experience starts with the ferry ride to the museum’s private peninsula. You can feel the artsy energy the moment you step on board. We grabbed breakfast upstairs and enjoyed the 30-minute cruise along the Derwent River before arriving.
Once there, we explored both the outdoor installations scattered across the grounds and the main underground museum. Using the MONA app as our guide, we wandered through the labyrinth-like floors, discovering an eclectic (and sometimes head-scratching) mix of ancient artifacts and contemporary art. It’s immersive, surprising, and occasionally bizarre—in the best way.
For lunch, we chose Heavy Metal Kitchen and ate outside on the lawn. Getting there meant a scenic walk behind the museum and past the vineyards to another part of the property. The flame-grilled sandwiches and salads hit the spot. After lunch, we squeezed in the remaining exhibits before catching the 3:00 PM ferry back to Hobart.
Back in town ,we stopped at Sonny, a cozy wine bar, for pre-dinner drinks and snacks. I skipped the oysters, but was told they were some of the best around. Then it was off to Mako on the docks for fish-n-chips—solid, but not life-changing. We wrapped up the night with ice cream from Van Diemens Land Creamery a few doors down. No regrets.
Day 2: Salamanca Market, Mt. Wellington & Botanical Gardens
Saturday was all about Hobart’s greatest hits.
First up: Salamanca Market. Open only on Saturdays, it stretches the full length of Salamanca Place—about half a mile of arts, crafts, and food stalls lining both sides (and the middle) of the street. We spent nearly three hours browsing every stall, picking up souvenirs—especially anything made from Huon pine—and sampling local favorites like scallop pie (highly recommend). We even popped into a regular supermarket afterward to stock up on Tasmanian cheese.
Next, we joined a bus tour up to Mt. Wellington. The drive through the outskirts of the city was beautiful, but by the time we reached the summit, the weather had shifted dramatically—cold, gray, and windy.
As we dashed between viewpoints, tiny snowflakes started falling. They didn’t stick, but still… snow! The sweeping views over Hobart and out toward the Tasman Sea made braving the chill completely worth it.
Back downtown, we spent the rest of the afternoon at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Entry is free, and the grounds are beautifully maintained. Highlights included a fascinating subantarctic plant exhibit, a serene Japanese garden, and a lily pond that felt straight out of a painting. We wandered for about an hour and a half before calling it a day.
Dinner was at Mures Lower Deck (the more casual option downstairs). We ordered a full spread of seafood and absolutely overdid it—in the best way. I had grilled fish, seafood chowder, and somehow still made room for a small scoop of ice cream to finish.
Day 3: Battery Point & Brunch
We left the Airbnb just before 10:00 AM. With only the morning to explore, we made it count.
Salamanca Place looked completely different without the market crowds and stalls. From there, we climbed the Kelly Steps up to Battery Point and wandered the narrow streets lined with beautifully preserved 19th-century cottages. Arthur Circus Park was especially charming.
Hampden Road is the main strip, and while waiting for a table at Lēoht for brunch, we ducked into a nearby bakery to grab snacks for our flights back to the mainland.
Brunch was leisurely—our last meal together in Tasmania. I ordered olive oil flatbread with poached eggs and herbs, and it was simple but packed with flavor. A perfect send-off.
And just like that, our Tasmanian adventure came to a close—three days of art, markets, mountain views, and more seafood than I care to admit. It was the ideal way to wind down after the Three Capes Track and a reminder of how much this small island packs in.