Around Town
Local recommendations
New Norfolk, 45-minute scenic drive along the meandering Derwent River.
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Agrarian Kitchen Eatery + Kiosk
Best done on a little day trip, this eatery is in the historic village of New Norfolk. Rodney and Severine Dunn also host world-renowned cooking classes set on the beautiful grounds (formerly a Forensic Hospital housing the criminally insane). Tours around the flourishing and highly nurtured gardens can be made via The Agrarian Kitchen website. The garden provides the eatery and kiosk (and its microscopic inhabitants) the freshest of seasonal food for 12 months of the year… impressive! From farm to plate, this dedicated team provide the loveliest experience. The Agrarian Kitchen’s Menu is changed weekly, but they always keep serving crowd favourites. Head Chef Stephen Peak will impress. On your way northwest along the meandering Derwent River you will find wineries Stefano Lubiana and Derwent Estate Vineyard (a must stop).
Our nearest and dearest eatery, Ogee is a scenic 5-minute walk from the cottage (via Lochner Street & Arthur Street). Ogee is big sister to award winning wine bar and eatery @sonny.hobart. Ogee’s moody interior is lite by romantic candlelight, timeless records are carefully selected and played through @pittandgiblin speakers. The wine list and menu are mouthwatering (to say the least) paired with handmade pasta which is our absolute favourite! We recommend booking to avoid disappointment. Located at 374 Murray St, Hobart
Wine, vinyl and food. @sonny.hobart is a little wine bar and eatery in the bustling streets of Hobart City with a relaxed and trendy vibe. They will keep your glasses ever flowing and conversation rolling. Make sure to line up promptly by 4pm (walk-in only). Iconic and award winning. Located at 120a Elizabeth St, Hobart.
This cold climate wine bar and eatery has an attractive facade reminiscent of the vibrant shop fronts in Notting Hill and an interior that takes you back to the rise of the millennium. We recommend booking an exploration into owners, Lou and Nav’s, Süd Polaire Gin and Whisky range, followed by a memorable dinner @institutpolairetasmania. Located at 1/7 Murray St, Hobart.
Aloft is passionate about local produce. The menu reflects the changing seasons and the raw nature of Tasmania. Situated in a felicitous spot, the eatery offers a pure and varied menu. With a commitment to excellence, the establishment ensures that each dish is crafted to perfection, providing a memorable culinary experience. We highly recommend booking a window seat for one of Hobart’s most spectacular harbour views. Or, the bar seats overlooking the kitchen, where you can watch the chefs at work. @aloftrestaurant_ isn’t just a restaurant – it’s an experience! Located at Brooke St Pier, Hobart.
Boasting an award-winning wine list curated by wine connoisseur @kobi_ruz, Dier Makr is a must for cool climate experience. A modern take on organic Tasmanian produce with gorgeous heritage interiors. A well loved addition to Dier Makr is it’s little sister Lucinda Wine Bar which is located in the same heritage building. It is a real treat when local Chef, Analiese Gregory contributes to the made-to-be-shared menu, “@analiesegregory’s go-to is a Dirty Martini alongside French-inspired snacks, like oysters mignonette, Lucinda Wine Bar whipped anchovy and crudités” (Time Out). Both are the perfect date night! Located at 123 Collins St, Hobart.
In the broader reach of our local neighbourhood lives Trophy Room. A bistro style cafe and restaurant located in North Hobart (a twenty minute picturesque walk from the cottage on the flat). Owner’s Rose and James have created a little neighbourhood gem with freshly baked pastries and bread cooked-up in the open plan kitchen every morning and hand made pasta rolled and cut for the evenings. We can’t get enough of this delightful couple and their offerings. We highly recommend ordering our favourite dessert, the Bombe Alaska! Walk-in’s welcome, but highly recommend booking to avoid disappointment. @trophyroomhobart Located at 342 Argyle St, North Hobart.
Head chefs and owners Federica and Oskar came together in the North of Italy 5 years ago. Following a year of travel and pop-up restaurants, searching for the perfect location, they landed in Oskar's hometown of Hobart, and founded @ficohobart. Inspired by their respective backgrounds in fine dining establishments, Fico is a neo bistro blurring the lines between fine dining and a traditional bistro... we like to call it fun dining. Located at 151a Macquarie St, Hobart.
Created by the owners of Fico (above), @pitzi_hobart is a beautiful Italian pasta bar located in the heart of Hobart (just around the corner from Fico). Pitzi is open from Friday to Tuesday. Walk-in from 4pm, bookings can be made from 5pm. Eat and be merry! Located at 4 Victoria St, Hobart.
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“Mona is the playground and megaphone of David Walsh, who grew up in Tasmania (just down the road from Mona), dropped out of university, played cards, won, did some other stuff, and opened a small museum of antiquities to which no one came. He declared it a triumph and decided to expand. The result is Mona, a temple to secularism, rationalism, and talking crap about stuff you really don’t know very much about. We won’t tell anyone. Come and play.” - via the Mona website. We recommend catching The Mona Ferry via Brooke Street Pier which is a $7 Uber fair from the cottage. This whacky and wonderful ferry service takes you on a scenic 25-minute cruise to your main destination. Tickets can be purchased from the ‘Getting to Mona’ Website.
The market extends the full length of Hobart's historic Salamanca Place, from the silos end to the top of Davey Street. You will find a huge selection of locally made products and you can meet the makers, the artisans, the designers and producers. The market is one of those special places where you can find plenty of handmade and home-grown produce, mingle with the locals, enjoy the vibrancy and atmosphere, and discover the heart of a creative island. Salamanca Market is Tasmania's most visited tourism attraction and runs each Saturday from 8.30am to 3pm, rain, hail or shine (map here). We recommend walking the historical Kelly’s Steps to the picturesque suburb of Battery Point where you can spend the afternoon admiring old 19th Century Hobart.
The historical township of Richmond is a scenic 30-minute drive along the Southern Wine Trail. With many sandstone cottages, antique stores and Tasmania’s oldest bridge, you will find plenty to see and do. We recommend visiting iconic antique store Warwick Oakman Antiques and neighbouring stores.
The historic and moody township of New Norfolk has been made iconic from its local artisans of wine, whiskey and fine produce. The township is a 45-minute scenic drive along the meandering road that follows the northern end of the Derwent estuary. New Norfolk is the gateway to the Derwent Valley, Mt Field National Park and the Central Highlands to Lake St Clair and other highland lakes. We recommend visiting iconic eatery, kiosk and farm, The Agrarian Kitchen followed by an antique collector’s delight, The Drill Hall Emporium, Miss Arthur, Fly Wheel, Black Swan Bookshop, Ring Road Antique Centre and Willow Court Antiques.
This wonderful meet-the-maker style market is held every Sunday from 8:30am to 1pm, you will catch every local here. We recommend saving room in your belly for a memorable brunch and room in your basket for snatching-up fine local produce, spirits, preserves and seasonal delights that you can cook-up in the cottage kitchen. Located between Elizabeth and Murry St, Hobart (Bathurst St). Walk along Arthur, Burnett and Elizabeth Streets for the easiest and most scenic route from the cottage.
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The majestic beauty of Hobart’s main landmark sits to the west of the city - kunanyi/Mt Wellington. The cottage is located on the lower foothills of this dramatic setting which captivates one’s eye when driving over the Derwent Bridge. The route to the summit can be done easily by hire car, but keep in mind these roads are narrow, windy, but picturesque to the top. The mountain has many scenic walks that can be easily accessed for beginners and more challenging routes for others - see ‘The Five Best Walks on kunanyi/Mt Wellington’.
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An eye-opening winter event with a dark, moody and controversial program announced every year. This event which is brought to you by Mona (Tasmanian Museum of Old and New Art) and brings crowds from all over the world to partake and celebrate the dark of winter in Hobart. From the Winter Feast, Nude Solstice Swim and Night Mass, our recommendation is to subscribe to the Dark Mofo website for announcements, ticket releases and to book Lumiere Lodge in advance. On the flight into Hobart Airport, expect to see a red haze over Hobart as local folk change their light bulbs to welcome the night. Dark Mofo is our version of Halloween. Held between June 8th to June 22nd yearly (2024 dates have changed slightly).
Tasmania’s Taste of Summer & Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
Summer in Hobart is nothing without Tasmania’s Taste of Summer event at the Hobart Wharf. A vibrant and colourful family friendly celebration that is held in a large precinct at Hobart’s waterfront with views of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Be in the midst of locals and guests cheering on the arrival of yachtsman in tall ships as they end their journey from Sydney to Hobart. An event that highlights local wine makers, brewers, distillers, a variation of cultural and seasonal foods and fun-filled activities held for families - there is something for everyone. The festival is held from December 27th to January 6th (excluding some weekdays) - see details here. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is held between December 26th and January 1st.
The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery + Kiosk
