Historic charm meets edgy art as David Reyne explores Hobart

Hobart is a city where historic charm meets edgy art! David Reyne discovered that you can't be fooled by Hobart's gentle exterior as he navigated the harbour city's must-see locations.

Location:

Hobart, Tasmania

Cost:

MONA www.mona.net.au
See website for various entry prices. Some installations cost extra.
Return ferry starts at $30pp

Manky Sally's www.instagram.com/mankysallys
Open Wednesday - Sunday

Moss Hotel www.mosshotel.com.au
Rooms start at $270 per night

Correct at 16.05.26

Highlights:

Hobart, where the bulk of Tassies live, is a small lively capital with plenty of things to see and do for the curious traveller. With historic districts, a thriving culinary scene, reinvented museums and boutique hotels, it's anything but sleepy!

Hobart's key tourist attraction is MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art. Catching one of the dedicated catamaran ferries, the Mona Roma, is the best way to arrive at the museum, although the drive from Hobart CBD is only 15 minutes. The scale and the architecture alone makes Australia's largest privately funded museum worth the visit. Carved into Triassic era sandstone, the three level subterranean galleries are filled with provocative, controversial, even experimental pieces that challenge conventional art experiences. MONA is not for everyone, but if you have an open mind it is sure to be a journey of self discovery. You probably need to spend a whole day to fully appreciate all of the immersive installations, outdoor sculptures and on-site winery, restaurants and bars.

MONA also runs Manky Sally's, a luxury dive bar and nano brewery in Hobart's historical Salamanca Place. David was introduced to some local Moo Brew ales and other fruity experimentations such as the Mandarin Goza, a salted sour beer with citrus flavours.

Salamanca's iconic sandstone warehouses date back to the early 1800s, but these days the precinct is home to some of Tasmania's trendiest establishments. Moss Hotel is one of the finest, managing to blend the old with the new in a sophisticated design. Spread across two buildings, the 41 rooms have incredible attention to detail and thoughtful touches. Heritage timbers and stonework are mixed with handmade furniture and native greenery and to create a unique inner city sanctuary.

If you like the sound of unearthing a new craft beer, delving into history that dates back to Australia's earliest days and hopping on a ferry to MONA, a museum that's reinvented what museums are all about, then Hobart is for you.

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