Nestled on the sweeping banks of the Derwent River, Tassie’s capital is the ideal getaway location. With a vibrant food scene, spectacular scenery and culture at every corner, Hobart truly has something for everyone – including those keen for a healthy escape. Explore the fresh produce markets or take a hike in the city’s surrounds – seriously, the landscape is so pretty it will turn anyone into an “outdoorsy” type. Here’s a few tips to make the most of your escape to the apple isle.

Sample the produce

To get a taste of the diverse produce Tassie has to offer, visit Farm Gate Market. It’s a bustling farmers’ market right in the heart of Hobart’s CBD. On Sunday mornings, Bathurst Street is lined with colourful stalls selling seasonal fruit and veggies, local honeys, olive oils, jams and preserves, healthy treats and more. The other must-do is Salamanca Market – it’s the most famous market in the state. Pop by on a Saturday morning to see Salamanca Place come alive with local sellers peddling crafts, antiques, flowers and, of course, all of the food! Don’t miss this one.

Stay local

It’s worth finding accommodation in the centre of Hobart as there’s so much to do around the city. Salamanca Wharf Hotel is our pick – it’s just a few metres from the waterfront and close to all the attractions. The Salamanca Markets are at your doorstep, along with plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars. The hotel is also near MONA ferry – your gateway to Hobart’s must-visit museum of old and new art.

Salamanca Wharf Hotel is a self-contained, boutique apartment-style hotel, which features fully-equipped kitchens. This means you can shop at the local produce markets and then cook up a storm back in your room. Plus, if you’re keen for a morning sweat sesh, Princes Park is just two minutes away. This provides a beautiful spot for a workout on the lawns. You could also sprint up Kelly’s Steps in Salamanca Place – they are a three-minute walk from the hotel. HIIT session, sorted.

Around ten minutes walk from the hotel you’ll find Alceme, a new urban wellness retreat. There you’ll find a café with simply nourishing eats, a wellness spa (opening soon!) and a range of yoga and dance classes. Yep, they offer everything from adult ballet to yoga beats – a vinyasa class set to live music. Groovy.

Head out for a hike

Tasmania is a hiker’s heaven, with trails to suit all levels of experience. For a great day trip, head out to Fortescue Bay, about an hour and 45 minutes drive from the CBD. From there, take the trail to Cape Hauy, which is one part of the Three Capes track. It takes you from the pristine waters of Fortescue Bay, through thick bushland and out onto the spectacular cliffs of Cape Hauy, where you’ll feel like you’re on the edge of the earth. As you climb over rolling peaks to reach the cape, it’s a jaw-dropping (and almost heart-stopping!) experience. Warning: you’ll need to be relatively fit for this hike. There are plenty of stairs – your glutes and thighs will feel the burn for days. If you’re brave, take a dip in the refreshing waters of Fortescue Bay on your return – think of it like a recovery ice bath.

For an option closer to Hobart, head to Mount Wellington (AKA, Kunanyi). This spectacular mountain towers 4166ft above the Hobart CBD and offers a huge range of walks – from short 20 minute strolls to 7-hour hikes. If you’d rather take it easy, you can drive to the summit of Kunanyi to bask in the panoramic views of Hobart and beyond.

Keen for a blissful afternoon stroll? Walk over to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Located just outside the city centre, it has a beautiful array of plants from Tassie and further afield. Make sure you swing by their Tasmanian Community Food Garden to check out the in-season produce.

Soak up the café scene

Hobart’s vibrant café scene offers plenty of opportunities to tuck in to Tassie’s seasonal produce. Despite the distinctly Melbourne name, Born in Brunswick is a champion of local and sustainable ingredients. Its eclectic menu is packed with left-of-field brunch options, like sourdough topped with cured wallaby and pepperberry relish or brisket with puffed amaranth and kimchi. Even the classic avo toast comes sprinkled with dried seaweed. It’s a truly unique Hobart experience that foodies will relish.

If wallaby and seaweed aren’t your thing, head to Pigeon Hole Café in West Hobart (not to be mistaken for Pigeon Whole Bakers – which is also delicious). It offers a true paddock-to-plate experience – the owners source much of their produce from their family farm 25 minutes north of Hobart. Try the gingerbread granola, topped with seasonal fruit, co-yo and their own honey or perhaps soft-baked eggs with labneh and fermented veggies from the farm. Delish.

For a full wholefoods experience, drop in to Straight Up Food and Coffee. It’s 100% gluten-free and vegetarian, plus they offer low and no refined sugar desserts. They serve up dishes like daikon fritter dumplings, lime yogurt, pineapple sambal and pea tendril salad or smashed banana on toast with tea poached pear, activated buckwheat and soy ricotta. Sold!

Have a little tipple

We’re keeping it healthy here, but no Hobart guide is complete without a mention of the many watering holes on offer. For the winery experience, drive 25 minutes out of Hobart towards the historic town of Richmond, via Richmond Road. Here you’ll find a trail of cellar doors, like Coal Valley Vineyard and Frogmore Creek.

If vino isn’t your thing, Institut Polaire offers house-made gin and small plates featuring organic produce from local artisan producers. It’s all dished up in a positively polar environment in the heart of the city – think all white everything. Or, you can head out for a drive in the stunning Huon Valley and stop off at the Apple Shed, the home of Willie Smith’s Organic Apple Cider. There you can enjoy the local cider alongside a tasty feed made from seasonal produce.

So, with hikes and healthy eats aplenty, now’s the time to escape to Hobart. Book today and get set for a true Tassie experience!