Fly in, fly out: How to do Hobart in 12 hours

This involved a 4:30am alarm and a double shot flat white before breezing through airport security and boarding our Jetstar Australia flight. Those who have balked at the early wake up call can make up for it with a solid in-flight snooze.

After arriving bang on time at Hobart Domestic & International Airport, we took a 20-minute, traffic-free taxi ride (a real treat for us Sydneysiders) to just west of town centre. Everything seemed a little greener, a little cleaner, and no it wasn’t just the we’re-on-holidays-buzz – Tasmania legitimately has some of the freshest air in the world. While your average cubic centimeter of air contains 5000 to 500,000 particles, this island’s air contains 10 to 600.

Time for coffee number two and a hearty, homegrown breakfast at Pigeon Hole. This quaint cafe showcases local, seasonal produce grown and harvested by Weston Farm, in a variety of creative dishes. Owner Belinda recommended we go with anything egg-related, emphasising the quality of their free range source. We settled on the Slow cooked beans with salsa verde and wholemeal flat bread and the Green eggs and ham, despite the Instagram-appeal of the Gingerbread granola with stewed fruit, organic yoghurt and Manuka honey. Although our willpower held when checking out the pastry cabinet we couldn’t not stock up on housemade jam for our, ah… friends and family back home. Yep, definitely. Let’s go with that.

Next, it was an easy stroll down to Salamanca Square. Hobart’s historic trade hub has become the cultural heart of the city, distinguished by its stunning colonial architecture and range of eclectic boutiques. It’s the ideal spot to disregard your latest credit card statement and go to town on local art and craft. Head to the The Maker for a new wardrobe designed and made in Tasmania using high-quality linens, wool and cotton. For stunning ceramics, jewellery, furniture and artwork, Aspect Design has stocked over 100 Tasmanian artisans since 1978 making it the longest running store in the area. If you’re in town on a Saturday, the markets are a must-not-miss.

Taking a sandstone staircase behind the storefronts we made our way around Battery Point to eye off our (wholly unrealistic) real estate options. This dreamy part of town is all picturesque cottages, overhanging apple trees and bees buzzing around lavender bushes – you’ll feel like you’re walking through some kind of nostalgic movie set.

We bagged an outdoor seat at this busy bakery and cafe to try their cult-favourite creation – the scallop pie. Flaky pastry and a moreish filling get this one at least five raised hands emojis from us. That’s millennial for amazing, btw. 

Founded by affluent businessman David Walsh, the Museum of Old and New Art is the largest privately funded museum in the country. Walsh has described it as a “subversive adult Disneyland” housing confronting and controversial collections themed around sex, death and evolution. The space itself is a sight to behold featuring three dark and twisting subterranean levels located in the Moorilla vineyard on the Berriedale peninsula. A 25-minute ferry is certainly the most picturesque way to get there. Upgrade your ticket to the Posh Pit to kick back in the exclusive lounge and private deck with complimentary bubbles and canapés.

Featuring four curators, four exhibitions, more than 234 pieces and five years years of planning – this exhibition is an intriguing exploration of the biological reasoning behind art. You’ll gawk, gasp, laugh and learn your way through the incredible experience. 

A thorough debriefing is essential after your experience at MONA and what better way to do so than over a tasting selection of Moorilla’s best drops. For $10 (redeemable upon your an inevitable purchase) the sparklings, Sauvignons and Syrahs this winery is renowned for, with John Olsen’s The Source above you and views of the River Derwent around you.

The Tasmanian landscape makes for world-class whisky thanks to its pure water supply and aforementioned fresh air. These winning conditions were underutilised until 1992, when the family-run Lark Distillery was the first to be licensed in Tasmania in over 150 years. They’ve been crafting their range premium single malt ever since. We sat down in their harbourside courtyard to try a couple of their creations, which included the Lark Single Malt Whisky, their flagship product, the Lark Single Malt Whisky Liqueur ‘Slainte’ and an Overeem Single Cask, Single Malt Whisky.

While you’re here you can also squeeze in a tour of Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum next door. As the title suggests, it is a replica of the historic huts that the Australian Antarctic Expedition, led by Dr Douglas Mawson, constructed in Cape Denison, Antarctica.

For our final fuel before the leg home, we stopped at Templo. Tiny in stature, huge in satiety – this 20-seat spot in the back streets of Hobart offers beautiful handmade pastas, unique wines and a communal dining experience. Owners Matt Breen and Chris Chapple have a hands-on approach, running the back and front of house respectively. From your light-flooded table by the exposed brick wall you’ll be able to see Breen working away on drool-worthy dishes like the Pici zucchini and Gnocchetti with pork sausage. Two selections we can strongly endorse should they be on the ever changing blackboard when you’re in town.

Heading home from a holiday can often be a stressful experience but after our adventurous day the process was seamless. A taxi waiting outside, five minutes to get through security, walking straight through the boarding gate onto the waiting plane and back home in Sydney for a 11pm bedtime.