Checking the Night Life Hobart

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I know from growing up in Hobart that the night scene is excellent.

Live bands, old fashioned pubs and clubs are in abundance.

Many pubs while looking a bit “uneventful” on the outside will be pumping on the inside. Let your teenage inquisitive self take control and explore.

These are a couple to try out… no doubt there are more that I haven’t been to in awhile.

Cargo

Cargo has be the local go to for a beer or boogey for a few years now. I have had many a late night here with great music, vibes and drinks.

Jack Greene

Next door to Cargo is Jack Greene an awesome bar done up how I would design my underground, bar at home! We went on Friday night and caught the tail end of a duet playing excellent 80s tracks that had people dancing and swaying.

The bar also offers great Tassie gins! Ask the staff for their recommendation and don’t stop at one… (NB The Usual clause of drink responsibly etc)

Wine and Grape

We headed here on Friday night and it is a younger scene but great fun and excellent for a dance. It goes late… Grape Bar is open until 2am Friday and Saturday nights and a fun place for a dance.

Republic Bar in North Hobart is well known for housing live bands. It has a large out door area with a big smokers area if you need. And inside a large dance space to let your inner teenager express itself on the dance floor.

Heading towards the other side of the wharf are a few quintessential bars and great meets and drinks places.

Custom’s House

Built in … and restored a few moons ago, Customs is a wonderful pub where you can sit inside or outside under heat lamps. You can watch life go past with a locally brewed beer or delicious pinot noir. This is the go-to pub when the Sydney to Hobart is on. The food is also excellent. It is situated at the docks and the views of the Derwent River are great.

The Telegraph Hotel

This used to be the place to go to on a Friday night. Telegraph still is worth of including in a pub crawl around the water front.

The Lower House

This hidden bar is a newish addition to the Tassie pub scene being around for maybe 10 years. The Lower House is worth a sneaky peak on a Friday. Also a younger scene. It is the next block up from Custom’s House.

Wine Bars

The Henry James in the old Jam Factory offers incredible Tassie wines and a wonderful ambience.

Tavern 42 degrees – great atmosphere and upstairs turns into a night club friday and Saturday.

My favourite tucked away wine bar is Drink Co.

You will find James and his boutique bar under Salamanca Galleria, in the walk way beside Retro Cafe, Salamanca. A definite must if you like wines. Oh and gins!

All in all, Hobart has some of the best wine bars in Australia, and a healthy, active night scene that has never wavered. The locals are friendly and there are plenty of live bands on around town. Venture out, even if the night is cold, and you will find your mood catered for!

Salamanca Markets Tasmania

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If you are booking a trip to Hobart, Tasmania, make sure you include a Saturday morning in Hobart and visit Salamanca Markets.

A local iconic experience shared by millions over the years and a mainstay for locals.

I remember growing up here (in Hobart), we used to frequent the markets every Saturday. It was a way of life!

It’s where we buy our produce, catch up with friends for a coffee, or bump into other people in our community. It is exactly that – the village meet up.

Now I am older, and the boutiqueness of Tassie has been developed more, I love going.

Boutique wines, meads, ports, cheeses, fudges, truffles, dips, relishes, jams… are headline acts for the food scene.

The local farmers will offer their great, unadulterated foods, and produce and flowers.

AND the crafts are incredible.

Tasmania, is a listed world heritage site. Some of the oldest forests in the world offering some incredible walks. Which also have some of the oldest trees and delightful pines. Sasafras and Huon pines are two incredible woods that many use to make bowls, domestic items with aswell as larger scale furniture. you can see it all at the markets.

The markets are open from 7am – 2pm…every Saturday.

Mona Art Gallery Hobart

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Situated up the Derwent River, a twenty minute drive from the CBD of Hobart, is MONA (Museum of Old and New Art).

It has only been opened since 2010 but I make sure I go there every visit.

There is a solid collection of regular exhibits (the building has actually been built around several) and it also hosts roaming exhibitions and festivals througout the year.

This time we caught the Mona ferry from Brooke Street Pier.

It is camouflaged catamaran so you may not see it when you are down at the docks. Book on line or rock up and try your luck.

The ferry has two options – sheep class or posh pit. I highly recommend the Posh Pit. For a little extra you get delicious canapes and Tasmania wines.

It’s a perfect way to settle your body with your upcoming fears about Mona (you will hear all sorts of stories about Mona – all good – but it does have adult themes)!

Up at Mona – you can be guided around by the free audio system given to you on arrival. It’s called the “ O” . I would recommend using this as you need… some of the pieces are”out there” but they ALL have a story!

Some of my favorite exhibits (and I don’t want to steal the galleries thunder) are:

Cloache

Simulation of a live gut… it has feeding times throughout the day! Fascinating.

The Fat Car

This is one of my son’s favourite pieces and one of mine too. I’m not sure why but it makes me giggle!

The spraying waterfall when you arrive is amazing! And almost hypnotises me

The Mummy

This is one of my favourite exhibits in the whole world. A big rap I know but it is a serene, ecclectic experience and worth the line-up. It will take approximately 30-60 minutes to experience it but well worth the wait.

The fantastic pieces are one called Cunts (yes… I struggled typing that) but a wondering sculpture displaying 78 different molded ones.. excellent for women. It gives one a sense of liberation. They are ALL different.

The music room is fascinating and fun.

The strobe light, relics from Hiroshima and Egyptian relics are all incredible.

The privately owned gallery has an amazing bar under ground to enhance your experience. OR upstairs their is the choice of 3 eateries.

There is a simple elegant cafe…a great wine bar/cafe and a more up market restaurant.

Today we shared a platter at the …… restaurant with a bottle of pinot noir, then headed for a wine tasting upstairs at …….. DO IT!!!

A jazz band was jamming on the main stage, kids were running around laughing and chooks being well.. chooks.

There is something for everyone here. I love it and will continue to viist and applaud (and thank) David Walsh for his insights and philanthropy. Generous soul!

The Duke Hobart

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When we grew up in Hobart, The Duke of Wellington, now known as “The Duke” was a funky drinking hole. I believe it still is but today I decided to try out their counter meals.

The hotel has a welcoming vibe, great art on the walls and a fire side for winter. I really like it.

Built in 1846, the interior still displays the old sandstone bricks and grand arch ways. Long wooden beams help bring the old rustic design to be compatible with a modern hotel style.

The menu is great.

Not over worked, not hundreds of choices, just something in each area.

I have the Scottsdale Pork Belly, which is slow cooked with a delicious glaze (chocolate maple glaze). It is served with four Tasmanian scallops nestled in pumpkin mash and Artichoke puree. The dish works really well and is a perfect lunch before we head to the cinema just down the road.

Accompanying my yummy meal is a Tassie pinot grigio, Devil’s Corner.

My son has a wood fired cooked pizza we he said was amazing – and judging by the pace that he hoovered it in, I imagine it was amazing.

5/5 stars for a pub countermeal/hotel style meal.

Galleria Salamanca – boutique hotel

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Coming home to Tasmania is always a buzz.

The kids and I love the festivities over New Years, as the Sydney to Hobart yacht race is on, ex pats fly home for Christmas and the Taste of Tasmania is on!

It’s a great vibe!

Finding accommodation can be a drama though and prices can soar.

We like staying central for a few days over the Taste and stumbled across this newly opened gem. It’s called Galleria Salamanca.

Located right in the heart of Salamanca, access to the surrounding wharfs, town and Battery Point is a cynch.

I love our room, clean, new and open.

The bed is heavenly and the pillows bulky but soft. Lying in bed last night, I make a note to get similar for home. With air conditioning to cool or heating the place is weather proof.

We have a lovely living space with separate bedroom.

Perfect for the kids and I.

I can highly recommend this hotel for your stay in Hobart.

Five must-try restaurants globally

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Restaurant eating can be an experience in itself.

Often I reflect fondly on town and place because of the restaurant experience.

Atmosphere, food, service and views are all aspects that go into making the restaurants below some of my favs world wide.

These are a few of the restaurants that ignite my taste buds and sensations :

La Rose Des Vents on Larvotto Beach, Monaco

La Rose Des Vents, Monaco

The great appeal of this restaurant for me is the fact it is on a beach in Monaco. It is accommodating (I have turned up straight from the beach) and or as glitzy as you want.

The food is delicious and I only have seafood when I go there. Terrains, kebabs, fresh seafood. It is all devine and delish! Check it out here.

2. Frogmore’s Creek, Tasmania, Australia

Set outside of Hobart in Tasmania on a vineyard is a wonderful restaurant called Frogmore’s. I have had the pleasure of eating there twice and each time has been mind blowing. This is a more extensive blog about it and their website here. Fly down to Hobart just for lunch!

3. Rae’s on Wategos, Byron Bay, Australia

Wategos Beach Break — Julian Rocks off Wategos

Overlooking arguably one of the best beaches in the world is Rae’s on Wategos.

It’s a perfect for a long lunch with a great conversationalist or friend. You will be served scrumptious delights, not overly large which is good, and fantastic wines.

4. The African Queen, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France

The day we turned up here was a story in itself. Winding down the steep curved road cut into the French coast line, overlooking the vast ocean and cote’d azure we stumbled across The African Queen.

Chilled Champagne, delicate cerviche and the most amazing desserts, The African Queen could win alone on food. But it also has a magestic out look and relaxed atmosphere.

This definitely goes on one of my favorite restaurant’s list.

5. Chez Gado Gado, Bali, Indonesia

A simple, comfortable restaurant by the ocean in Seminyak. The food is great, abundant and refreshing breeze is worth traveling for. I have had a few meals at Chez Gado Gado and all have been worthy. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night you should book in advance.

Let me know your favourite restaurants in the comments and I will try to visit them 🙂

Tassie Bush, Old Mates and Fresh Air at Coopers Hill

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For a few years now, my dear friends Rachel and Pete have been creating a living art space in the Tassie wilderness (secret address) which they have affectionately called Coopers Hill.

The adventure begins as one passes through the gates which is like entering an enlarged outdoor art amphitheatre.

Visiting the land is an opportunity to discover and uncover all sorts of things – Pete’s art, Rachel’s natural ability to create welcoming and zone out spaces and eat some amazing Tassie Tucker! I love it.

This short trip didn’t disappoint in re-charging my “buzzy city battery”.

Fresh air, heavy drops of rain, animal noises and nature immersion 101!

The Tasmania Bush is something else. So much wild life, so many noises and so wholesome.

Rach and Pete have a vision to bring the land to it’s climactic best. Where the land is thriving and tip top condition.

This is in keeping with nature’s rules – such as when a fire goes through, which is a natural 20 year phenomena – they are simply supporting the natural process of the land and helping it thrive – shifting wood piles, so birds can come and peck, bringing in the grubs, sapplings can grow and new life can begins.

I had a ride on their ride on escavator and found my altered bushman ego LOVED it. Moving dead logs, chomping up clumps of bramble seemed very empowering from my drivers seat.

What I love most about Cooper’s are Pete’s sculptures. Sprinkled throughout the land are art pieces, little sculptures and characters.

Coopsy is a fictious character that pops up here and there. He governs and protects that land and occasionally you can see his handy work, maybe some chopped wood, maybe a new path and if you are lucky enough, you might get to have a beer with him!

I must mention the loo.

Ingenious in it’s design, and fully functional the toilet is eco friendly. Pete and Rachel have given the dunny lots of thought.

Not wanting unwanted aromas to filter back to the camp site, the loo faces the northern sun.

It is ventilated well, operates perfectly, with 2 cups of charcoal (from the fire) and 2 cups of sawdust (from the wood cuttings) then Kobota excavator buries the excrement. The way loos should be – open aired, relaxing with the “business” going back to the soil.

The big fires of Christmas 2013 decimating the Peninsula also ripped through Coopers (burning 90% of it). But from old life, new life begins and in the morning the drops of dew on the leaves danced like disco balls around the property. The bush seems to cover in the scars of the bush fires only a few years back!

The morning autumn sun seems to have a different light frequency.

Last night I stayed in the guest’s suite, AKA the Place du Cafe, falling asleep in the bush, waking to birds and gentle sunlight seeping through the fly screens.

Coopers Hill guest room — The guests room

Waking with nature, feeling chilled out, Rach is making a gluten free (hearty) breakfast. Fresh brewed fair trade coffee brewed on the fire and a dash of last nights Tassie liquor port start my Sunday off just nicely.

Thanks guys, I love catching up with both of you and as you say ” its the impression that is left that matters most”.