Southern Tasmania
Accommodation

Tasmania's capital, Hobart lies in the southern area of the state, near the mouth of the Derwent River at the foot of Mount Wellington. Tasmania's capital city is an intriguing blend of heritage and lifestyle, scenery and vibrant culture. Head south following The Huon Trail through waterways and find wilderness or head south east to the Tasman Peninsula for scenery, wildlife, heritage and adventure.

The wine region is Southern Tasmania is mainly centred around the Derwent Valley and the Huon Valley. Great care is taken to shelter the wineries and vineyards from the cold winds and frosts from the south and ensuring more sunshine during the day. Most vineyards and wineries are found around rivers and lakes to take full advantage of the tempering effects of the water. Harvest time is between April and late May, usually a couple of weeks earlier than in the north. The leading varieties are the table and sparkling styles.


Hobart area - A short stroll from any of the major hotels or transit points you'll find Tasmania's premier commercial centre Hobart CBD. A lively, friendly city with that magical blend of pavement, arcade and centre shopping, providing easy access to national department stores, fashion outlets, Tasmanian souvenirs and crafts and a cosmopolitan cafe society. On a clear day drive 22km to the top of Mount Wellington, which you've seen every day since you arrived in Hobart. From the top you'll see miles and miles up the Derwent Valley, down to the Southern Ocean and across to Port Arthur. To the north east of Hobart, explore the attractions of Richmond including Richmond Gaol and see Australias oldest brigdge. Hobart's most popular suburb is Battery Point and Salamanca Place.

The Hobart region offers a range of holiday accommodation including self-contained apartment accomodation, luxury hotel accomodation, budget motels and bed and breakfast acommodation.

Huon Valley and Bruny Island - The Huon Trail begins south of Hobart, leading you through Huon Valley, D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island. You'll discover waterways and wilderness, art, craft and heritage, apple blossom and vineyards, succulent salmon, salt-sweet oysters and fragrant preserves.Towns include Kettering, Bruny Island, Geeveston, Huonville and Cockle Creek. Geeveston is 45 minutes south of Hobart and is the gateway to the Tahune Airwalk and the Hartz Mountain National Park. It is in the centre of the Island's apple and stone fruit growing area and an important timber industry base. Huonville is a busy town on the tranquil Huon River, and gateway to the Huon Valley. Access to Bruny Island is a 20 minute crossing by vehicular ferry from Kettering, 35 minutes drive south of Hobart. Cockle Creek, on Tasmania's southeast coast, is the most southerly town in Australia.


Tasman Peninsula - Scenery, wildlife, heritage, adventure and a mingling of past and present on the magnificent Tasman Peninsula. Your visit to Tasmania isn't complete without spending time on the magnificent Tasman Peninsula. Sample the region's superb cool-climate wines, and savour some of the local specialties - octopus, oysters, quail and venison. You may also encounter some of the local inhabitants - playful dolphins, the unique Tasmanian Devil, or a majestic sea eagle, soaring from cliffs in the Tasman National Park. Sorell is located 26km east of Hobart on the Arthur Highway and is the gateway to the south-east of Tasmania. Interesting destinations include Sorell, Eaglehawk Neck, the historic town of Port Arthur and Doo Town. Thrill your senses on a ghost tour of the Port Arthur historic site.

Derwent Valley and Highlands - Explore Tasmania's mountains and wilderness from Granton where the Bridgewater Bridge crosses the Derwent north of Hobart, explore the Lyell Highway as it follows the course of the river past poplars and willows, hopfields and orchards, towards Tasmania's mountains and wilderness. New Norfolk is situated 20km north-west of Hobart and is the centre of the hop growing area. Mt Mawson is located only 1½ hours drive to the west of Hobart. Situated in the Mt Field National Park, Mt Mawson claims to have some of the steepest slopes in the country. Lake St Clair forms the southern boundary of Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair National Park and the finishing point for the Overland Track, one of the world's best multi-day bushwalks. Discover the history of the pretty town of Hamilton on the Clyde River. Strathgordon is situated a few hours drive north west of Hobart, on the border of the stunning South West National Park. Located northwest of Hobart and southwest of Launceston in the Derwent Valley, Miena is a small and sleepy fishing village on the southern shores of Great Lake. Take an adventur back in time at Bothwell, 73km northwest of Hobart, Bothwell is a lovely old town on the Clyde River. Take a look at golfing history in the Australasian Golf Museum at Bothwell.