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.
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.
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!
