By Rama Gaind.
Kunanyi/Mt Wellington is a wilderness experience, just a 20-minute drive from Hobart.
Winter is here, but there are some wonderful opportunities to break free, fly away and unwind – even if it is for a short a time. Take it easy as you tuck into a gourmet experience or relax during a tropical getaway.
It was Luciano Pavarotti who once said: “One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating”. So true!
Take your tastebuds on a journey to Tasmania with food author, editor and baker extraordinaire, Anneka Manning. A nine-day tour to uncover the Flavours of Tasmania starts from $5,975 per person departing Hobart.
With its captivating history, picturesque waterways, rugged mountains and gourmet experiences, the city has something for everyone. Hobart offers a contrasting blend of heritage, scenery and culture, with world-class activities and attractions nearby. Nestled amongst the foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington, Hobart combines heritage charm with a modern lifestyle in a setting of exceptional beauty. Tasmania’s capital city is said to be one of the top 10 spots to visit in the world right now.
After Sydney, Hobart is the second oldest capital in Australia. It is located at the entrance to the Derwent River. Its well-preserved surrounding bushland reaches close to the city centre and beaches line the shores of the river and estuary beyond.
Wander through Hobart’s historic waterfront.
Enjoy the contrast of elegant heritage sandstone alongside modern architecture. Explore Salamanca Place, a short walk from the waterfront, with its galleries, theatres, craft shops and restaurants in 1830s Georgian warehouses and on Saturdays enjoy the food and entertainment at the Salamanca Market, Australia’s best outdoor market.
Take a walk along Hobart’s iconic waterfront. Stroll the winding cobblestoned streets past old sandstone warehouses, explore galleries, markets and even a theatre along the way as you uncover the charm of this quaint and historic neighbourhood, central to life in Hobart. Explore the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery or take a ferry up river to MONA for an out-of-this-world modern art experience.
Kunanyi/Mt Wellington is a wilderness experience is a short drive from Hobart. The 21-kilometre drive to the summit passes through temperate rainforest to sub-alpine flora and glacial rock formations, ending in panoramic views of Hobart, Bruny Island, South Arm and the Tasman Peninsula. You can walk, cycle or drive up to the top and you’ll be see some astounding views, especially when the sun rises and the mist dissipates.
Hobart is also close to many of southern Tasmania’s best travel experiences, from historic Port Arthur and the rugged Tasman Peninsula to Bruny Island, the Huon and Derwent Valleys and Mount Field National Park.
Morning breaks overlooking the Derwent River, in Hobart. Photo: Rama Gaind
Award-winning restaurants offer fine dining experiences using the best Tasmanian produce recognised by the world’s best chefs, while on the waterfront punts and fishmongers sell the freshest seafood straight from the Southern Ocean.
As it’s said: “Food is not rational. Food is culture, habit, craving and identity”.
‘Uncovering the Flavours of Tasmania with Anneka Manning package’ is available for travel only on 17 October 2021.
Relaxing holiday
Ralph Waldo Emerson has some wonderful advice. “Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air.”
Why not do this and escape to Tropical North Queensland for the comforting holiday you’ve been dreaming about. Sip cocktails by the pool or get out and explore. Take a six-night package at the Crystalbrook Riley, Cairns, from $1,349 per person in a panoramic sea room. There are some exclusive inclusions with select travel dates from 1 August to 14 December 2021.
Two of the world’s greatest natural attractions – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest – can be accessed through the Cairns region gateway. There’s a tiny pocket of tropical rainforest that has survived for millions of years, from the time dinosaurs wandered the earth. It’s quite unlike any other place on the planet.
An aerial view of Hobart, Tasmania.
This extraordinary, World Heritage-listed landscape is the oldest tropical rainforest that has been described by English broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough as “the most extraordinary place on earth”.
The scene is set because attractions in Cairns rank as some of the most original and exciting in Australia today. Golden sunny beaches flanked by the Daintree and Cape Tribulation rainforests … it’s a region that literally has it all.
Take the time to savour the wonders of the deep blue seas of the reef (a Marine Park and World Heritage Area), along with the scenic rainforest railway, up-and-down the Skyrail and the lagoon on the Cairns Esplanade. The latter is a fabulous highlight – right in the heart of the city where the swimming pool immediately overlooks the Coral Sea and the Pacific Ocean in the distance.
One of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef is the only living thing on earth visible from space. It’s blessed with the breathtaking beauty of the world’s largest coral reef.
The tans will fade, but the memories will remain forever!
DETAILS BOX
Travel Associates
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