Tasmania is Australia’s only island state, located off the South-eastern tip of the world’s smallest continent. Large tracts of it are untouched farmland, forest reserve and lumber country, and there is an abundance of small towns of populations less than 1,000. These features combine to make Tasmania a welcoming, beautiful abode of peace and tranquility, where the horizon is always distant and the land between it and you is a myriad of colors and textures. The capital, Hobart, is the ideal destination from where to launch an exploration for a romantic getaway.
To get an incomparable overview of the entire region, take the 10-minute drive to Mount Wellington. Hike or bike to the 4200-foot summit and you will be rewarded with spectacular vistas of the city and the surrounding areas. Take a detour to Fern Tree Village for some of the most scenic and romantic picnic spots. Step into Tasmanian heritage and gain an insight into its history contained in the sandstone mansions and colonial cottages of Hobart’s oldest suburb, Battery Point. There are a number of quaint pubs where you can settle in to enjoy the laidback atmosphere and each other’s wonderful company over a beer.
Sometimes, a little bit of retail therapy is the perfect way to bond with your special someone. Hobart offers you the opportunity to indulge without breaking the bank; the handmade jewelry and homewares, arts and crafts of Salamanca Place will give you both an insight into each other’s tastes (ideal for future gift selection). The nearby Salamanca Art Centre might be the ideal place to explore how creativity in art can induce creativity in your relationship. If you are avid art enthusiasts, perhaps the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is also worth a look. If you love beer almost as much as you love each other, Cascade Brewery, the nation’s oldest, just might be considered a romantic option, too. From lovers to beer lovers, there is but a small step. There are few places as breathtakingly beautiful as Tasmania to experience from a bird’s eye view. A number of operators offer flights in small aircraft that sail over the undulating greenery, rushing waterfalls and crystal-clear bays around Hobart that will thrill you and invigorate your souls.
Being in the southern hemisphere, Australia’s seasons are the reverse of those in North America and Europe. The Tasmanian summer is at its peak in the months of December and January, when the excellent weather makes the city of Hobart come alive with festivals and outdoor events.The months of November and February will give you the chance to enjoy great weather without the higher prices and thicker crowds of the peak period.
