Did you follow my footsteps to find Hobart’s vintage soul from my previous post? Are you yearning for more top picks of this charming destination? Here you are, part 2 of my Hobart travel guide for the globetrotting vintage goddess:
♥ Be sensually aroused at MONA. I’d call it the wild child of Hobart. Stirring controversies and elevating Hobart’s status in the cultural scene at the same time, the Museum Of Old And New Art (655, Main Road, Berriedale) is located on a peninsula that was a setting for a pioneering vineyard. The original 1950’s farmhouse has been transformed into the entrance for the underground gallery carved out of sandstone to form a dramatic setting, all for displaying a remarkable and confronting collection of artwork at this private museum. CNN Travel named it the world’s most far our museum. Wonder why? Three levels of art exhibitions with an infant doll inside an old pingball machine aren’t for the faint-hearted, and make sure you don’t go in with a full stomach as the revolting smell in one of the chambers makes it, well, a truly memorable experience for your senses. I might not be an art critique, yet the remarkable architecture and the breathtaking location by the peaceful Derwent River presented an electric contrast to the artwork itself and guaranteed an enjoyable time at MONA. If you still haven’t lost your appetite after the tour, grab a coffee at the cafe on ground floor and sit at their outdoor terrace for a sweeping 180 degree panoramic view of Northern Hobart by the water.
♥ Hunt for antique gems at Salamanca Market. The market is a magnet for tourists and locals alike. It runs every Saturday at the beautiful riverfront Salamanca Place, and I’d highly recommend planning your itinerary around it to make sure you catch all that bustles. The broad cobbled avenue is filled with market stalls and purveyors of all kind from preloved fashion to organic produce, woodfire bread to wool blanket – all to the soundtrack of buskers. I locked my eyes at the antique stalls and had some interesting conversations with the gentleman who’s the stall keeper and seems to know every single piece of antique he sells among the hundreds like they’re all his babies. My antique find includes a set of four beautiful blue and white porcelain teacups handmade in England in 70s’, and a tiny pot plant in vintage silverware. Among the beautiful smell of preloved homewares (yes I’m a weird granny), the fragrance of sizzling Huon Valley salmon sausages served on a freshly baked sourdough with organic herb seasoned mayonnaise made any market day blissful!
♥ Savour Tasmania’s best drops at Puddleduck Vineyard. This family run vineyard in the Coal River Valley (992, Richmond Road), 20 minute drive from Hobart, can easily keep you engaged for half a day. I bought a bottle of their award winning Bubbleduck and a cheese tasting platter from their neighbor The Wicked Cheese Co to have a splendid picnic by the pond. Soon the feast was gatecrashed by Lucky the pet duck and Polly, their resident wine dog, who seem to master the skill of photobombing as much as gatecrashing! The wine dogs of the vineyards in the Coal River Valley area are so well loved among the visitors that they’ve achieved a celebrity’s status of publishing their own photobook named ‘Wine Dogs‘. Refreshing drops, captivating view of acreage of hanging vines and Instagram-worthy pets, life in the wine region doesn’t get any better than this!
From the aroma of fresh buttery pastries to the beautiful rhythm of market buzz, are you itching to touch and feel Hobart’s vintage soul? Here I present a few handy tips for planning a pleasant journey:
♥ Hobart and surround are the best spots for road tripping as there’re numerous scenic lookouts on the way that will take you by surprise! Do drive with caution though as the roads get slippery with ice on surface on chilly winter mornings, and watch out for those curious wildlife who might block your path.
♥ The sandstone buildings and historic quarters in Hobart ooze with vintage charm and are best captured through an old film camera or a vintage lens. My brother shot with a Hasselblad 500 and the results are match made in heaven!
♥ Hobart is one big foodie town in Australia as it seems locals enjoy dining out a lot. This means getting a table at the city’s famous eateries isn’t always an easy task. Research on sites such as Urbanspoon and Yelp, plan you meals ahead and make bookings in advance will ensure you don’t miss out on all those culinary delights.
Hobart and its vintage soul are well worth savouring over a few days, whether it’s a bite, a drop or a click at a time. So tell me fellow travelettos, have you got some insider tips to add to my Hobart top picks? Share them in the comments below! Also hashtag your travel photos using #Lacenruffles for a chance to be featured in my Travel Through Your Lens project or eNewsletter.
Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring!
