Hobart has the sort of charm that sneaks up on you. There's something about the lovely buildings, the landscapes and the excellent local produce that makes you want to linger.

Hobart is Australia's second-oldest state capital, after Sydney. With a stunning harbour and historic buildings, it's one of the most attractive Australian cities.

It's also an easy place to see on foot and Salamanca Place, a row of sandstone Georgian waterfront houses built in the 1830's, is a good place to start. Try Salamanca Markets on a Saturday morning for craftwork made from native woods, pottery and glass, Salamanca Square for cafes and boutiques, or the waterfront for seafood restaurants and pubs to whet your appetite.

Walk across the road to the historic Franklin Wharf and Princes Wharf both worth exploring. Leaving from Wishing Well in Franklin Square every Saturday at 9.30am you can join the Battery Point Walking Tour as it gives you an insight into the area's architecture.

Downtown, Franklin Square leads past many fine old buildings to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Macquarie Street. In the museum, look for the display on the Tasmanian tiger (or thylacine), a handsome, striped marsupial generally thought to have been hunted to extinction by 1936. Unconfirmed sightings persist in remote parts of Tasmania.

Somewhat easier to spot, Tasmanian tigers are depicted on the labels of Cascade beer, one of Tasmania's top drops. The city's famous Cascade Brewery - Australia's oldest - is matched by the lesser-known Tasmania Distillery. Australia's only whisky distillery uses an Alambic Charentais pot still, dating from the 1860s. Tours are conducted year-round and include tastings of whisky, gin, brandy and vodka.

Your palate is in for a treat in Hobart. Crunch into an apple, scoff some hot crusty bread from a country bakery and match it with a rich, creamy, full-flavoured cheese. Wash it all down with the world's best ale and for dessert, nibble on a summer spectrum of berry fruits. Seafood is also in good supply - stroll around Hobart's docks en route to your next meal and watch the catch that will later be delivered direct to your plate. Savour local oysters, succulent lobster or the smoky tang of Atlantic salmon.

To get a bird's eye view of Hobart, visit Mt. Wellington. Rising1270 metres above the harbour, it's a taste of the wilderness just a short hop from the city. There's a web of walking tracks over and around the summit, and the views, when the lowering fog allows, are fabulous. You can take a local bus to the base of the mountain at Fern Tree then enjoy a stunning, five- to six-hour return walk. Or why not hire a bike? Remember, once you've reached the top of the mountain, the only way is down.

If that sounds a bit daunting, Island Cycle Tours run trips that include getting you to the top to start with. The tours finish at Salamanca Place, where you can treat yourself to a cold beer and enjoy the views of Mt Wellington in the distance.

For a great day trip from Hobart, take a boat ride to nearby Bruny Island. An hour's drive from the city centre will deliver you to Kettering and the car ferry. Bruny Island is full of surprises - gentle countryside and wild sea cliffs that plunge 300 metres into the Southern Ocean, quiet beaches and roaring surf, seabirds, lighthouses, and a rich heritage of sealers, whalers and explorers. In 1788, Captain William Bligh of the Bounty planted Tasmania's first apple tree at Adventure Bay. Today, fruit trees still line the highways and country roads of the Huon and Channel district.

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• Nearest Airport:Hobart
• Distance to Hobart Airport:22km

Local Attractions in the Area

• Salamanca Market
• Mt Wellington
• Hobart
• Hobart Visitor Information Centre
• Hobart Arts & Entertainment
• The Cadbury Factory Tour

Helpful Links for the Area

• Tasmania's South
• South Bruny National Park
• Tasmania's Historic Places
• The River Derwent
• The Huon Trail

Seasonal Events

• Hobart Summer Festival
• Taste of Tasmania
• Antarctic Midwinter Festival
• Australian Wooden Boat Festival
• Three Peaks Race
• The Great Tasmanian Bike Ride