Chris at work is heading off to Tassie in January, and Nonie at work is heading off next week! I told Chris I’d make a big list of great things to check out while there, and since lots of Linux geeks will also be in Hobart around that time for linux.conf.au, I thought it’d be fun to make a blog post to share around with others.
They’re by no means gourmet or the finest of Tasmanian dining—any travel guide or foodies review can tell you about that—but they’re some of my favourites. Read on for some red hot tips!
Cadbury factory, Claremont
It’s a super obvious one but it bears mentioning anyway cause you’ll kick yourself if you can’t go.
About 25 minutes north of Hobart is the Cadbury chocolate factory, where yummy Dairy Milk and other favourites are made. Until recently you used to be able to tour the factory, getting right up close to the machinery (shonky hairnets and earmuffs firmly in place, of course), with lots of samples along the way. Now there’s just a stupid video—but if you’re curious about the factory and its history, you’ll be entertained. Even if you’re not interested in all that stuff, you’ll be able to visit the factory shop and buy a stupendous amount of chocolate for not much moolah! For an extra treat, combine the trip with a lunch time cruise.
There’s a small admission fee and you must book. Get the details on the Cadbury site.
Mures and the Constitution Dock fish punts
Any Hobart expat with half a taste bud will quite rightly tell you that your local seafood (wherever you might be) is nowhere near as excellent as our local seafood. That is because Tasmanian fish is basically the dog’s bollocks.
On Constitution Dock, part of Sullivan’s Cove, there’s a line of punts selling cooked or fresh fish right there at the wharfside. If you plan to eat there, Mako has seating, but not much of it—you’ll be better off sitting at the dock, or taking your catch away to a nearby grassy area for a picnic.
Next to the punts is Mures, probably Hobart’s most well-known fishmonger and seafood restaurant. Downstairs is a casual fish-n-chippery, the Lower Deck, plus a sushi bar, some ice cream, and fresh fish for sale. Upstairs at the Upper Deck is a ‘proper’ dining restaurant. If you’re eating downstairs be prepared for a bit of a wait, but be assured it’s worth it.
Get some seafood up ya, 8am till 9pm every day. Here’s the Mures Web site. I don’t think any of the punts have a Web site.
Lark Distillery Cellar Door, Davey St
The Lark makes a fantastic range of tasty beverages—whisky, of course, but also a vodka, kirsch, schnapps, gin, and the amazing, mountain pepper-based Bush Liqueur. On a cold cold night in midwinter there’s nothing that will warm you pup better than a glass of your favourite while you rug up and stand outside.
Try some snacks and drinks, plus there’s bottles for sale. They used to do a tasting of a small amount of each for not much; if they still do it, grab it with both hands. If you’re serious about your distilled spirits, there’s even a series of tour experiences ranging from one day to four.
The Lark is open seven days from 10am till “late”, which I guess depends on what’s on—sometimes there’s live music. Check out the Lark’s site.
Europa in Sandy Bay: best souva in town
A fairly quintessential Tasmanian experience goes something like this:
- Get shit-hammered at some pub.
- Walk to Mykonos, on Sandy Bay Road (look for the very loud windmill sign)
- Have one of their grotty souvlaki or a bit of battered crap from the bain.
In this simple process you have experienced some of the most profoundly formative experiences of many of Hobart’s youth.
But if you’d prefer something tasty, get thee hence to Europa next door and have a souva that is fresh and delicious, because everything’s cooked fresh or cut off a rotisserie—or at least it was last time I went, which is clearly too long ago. Grab some salad or pickled octopus for ‘ron whilst you’re there, and a square of baklava to make om nom nom noises at on the way home.
Raincheck Lounge, Elizabeth St, North Hobart
North of Hobart is the imaginatively named suburb of North Hobart. Here you’ll find the Raincheck Lounge, land of wondrous tapas and excellent all-day breakfasts. The food is yumy, they have a great tapas selection, but the best part about it is that loungey atmosphere you can really only achieve from installing a couple of comfy old Vinnies couches. Best the morning after the night before.
Raincheck is at 394 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart, near a Greek takeaway called Parthenon. Call (03) 6234 5975.
BONUS #6: Ashgrove Cheese factory, Elizabeth Town
This is nowhere near Hobart at all, but if you’re getting there by ferry it’s not a terribly large detour. From Devonport, head about half an hour’s drive southwards to Elizabeth Town. Here you’ll be able to stop by the Ashgrove Cheese factory. According to the Web site, their cheese is manufactured between August and May, and if you visit the factory you can watch the cheese being made, try some cheese, and, of course, buy the cheese—plus lots of other yummy accompaniments. Don’t turn down the opportunity to try the Wild Wasabi cheese, which is made of locally grown wasabi, because it is fecking stupendous.
They’re open every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Check out the Ashgrove site.
