A long weekend of good food, good walks, great finds and no plans to rush.
There’s something about Hobart that made me want to slow down.
It may have been the crispy mornings, the old architecture, quaint little neighbourhoods, or maybe even more likely the fact that I left my three kids at home! But in all seriousness, it is the perfect place to swap the school runs and head away for a romantic weekend away. Good food, great markets, a little bit of shopping and the freshest of fresh air.
FRIDAY
Time to relax!
After landing, we headed straight to COLLECTED/PLACES in North Hobart. This accomodation is set in an original Georgian residence and feels charming and cosy from the moment you walk in.
It’s tucked away on a quiet street but close enough to walk to plenty of Hobart’s bars, restaurants and cafes.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Something comfortable enough for the flight but that still feels like an outfit. A relaxed pant, easy knit and scarf were my go-to for the cooler Hobart weather.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Dinner at Ogee
We made a reservation at Ogee in the lead up to our trip as it had been recommended time and time again.
Coming off the cold streets of Hobart, into the warm, cosy and intimate setting of Ogee was perfect for our first night. Their small menu boasts European-Inspired dishes with a strong Tasmanian focus for the ingredients. Warming, hearted food that doesn’t feel to fussy.
The perfect start to our weekend away!
SATURDAY
Markets, mountain air & a very good dinner
Saturday morning in Hobart really only has one plan.
Salamanca Market
Get up, grab a coffee and head to Salamanca Market.
It runs every Saturday through the historic Salamanca precinct, with hundreds of stalls selling everything from local produce and baked goods to handmade pieces and artwork.
Any parent will understand the immense luxury of wandering aimlessly and slowly through the many stalls of a market. My picks of the morning were a pocket curry, the fluffy hats, the felt toy store and finish the morning with a buttery bun.
For me, the best kind of shopping is usually the kind you didn’t set out to do.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Get out of the city
After a morning of eating and wandering, it was time to get some even fresh air.
We headed up kunanyi / Mount Wellington for a walk. It was chilly, very chilly, but the views make the extra layers worth it.
This is one of those Hobart things where the weather is almost part of the experience. Pack something warm, don't overthink it and go anyway. There’s also a distance for anyone so either just have a look around or pick a hike that suits you!
WHAT TO WEAR:
Layers. Always layers. Something you can throw over your outfit when the temperature drops, comfortable pants and shoes you can actually walk in.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Back into town and out for dinner at Bar Wa Izakaya.
This was the slightly more fun and lively dinner of the weekend. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious and I’ve heard the ramen in the arvos is spectacular too.
The kind of place where you order a few things for the table, settle in, order a little more and let dinner stretch out a little.
Exactly what a Saturday night away should feel like.
SUNDAY
Slow mornings & a little shopping
We started the morning at Leoht with a batch brew and a VERY good breakfast. Nestled amongst Hobart’s historic Battery Point, the cafe is surrounded by beautiful homes and shops too. I got the eggs on flatbread and added some sausage, and it quickly became potentially my favourite meal of the weekend! The flavours were fresh and balanced, staff were so friendly and is there anything better than a slow Sunday morning breakfast with no where to be!
Honestly, my favourite kind of morning.
Once breakfast had settled, we headed out for a wander around Hobart's shops. If I can give one piece of advice, don’t leave shopping for a Sunday in Hobart cause basically everything is closed. But we did the best we could with what we had!
One stop worth making is Goodbyes, a resale store on Argyle Street. It's a great place to have a dig around and see what you find.
Make sure you duck into Pigeon Whole Bakers across the road, a Hobart trip isn’t complete without going there, for a treaty to keep you fuelled while you shop!
We then headed over to Bruce, which is another consignment store, to have a dig around there too.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Home to our girls.
And just like that, it was time to head home.
A few days of good food, cold walks, slow mornings and absolutely no school-run alarm clocks.
Hobart is one of those places where you don't need to pack your weekend with plans. The best bits are often the ones in between.
A very good reminder that sometimes the best kind of weekend is simply a change of pace.