Hobart, a short flight from Melbourne or Sydney, is the capital of Australia's smallest state and only island state. It was built along the Derwent River on the world's second deepest harbor.

The city is alive and vibrant, especially at the end of each year - it is the finish line for the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, beginning in Sydney's Harbor each December 26th. Plan well in advance if you would like to join in the fun at these festivities and celebrations.

Take a wander to Battery Point, the old port area behind Princes Wharf, where charming sandstone cottages reflect colonial days. And be sure to visit the many arts and crafts galleries - and cafes - along the waterfront.

Hobart is a city of fantastic dining venues, bustling Saturday morning markets, fun, festivals and a lively arts scene. If you're planning to spend a few days or more in southern Tasmania, this central location is a great base to explore the many things to do near Hobart.

Our Top Picks for Hobart's Best Things to Do:

• Hobart Walking Tour - available through the Tasmanian Visitor and Information Centre, a 2-hour walking tour of Hobart's historic areas and friendly pubs is a great introduction to the city.
• Salamanca Market - held every Saturday morning, the Salamanca Market is a great place for a wander. Join the locals to sip some coffle, munch on tasty pastries and check out the local crafts, spices, fresh produce and an array of reasonably priced art work, locally made crafts, books and souvenirs.

• Cadbury Chocolate Factory - if you feel the need for a serious chocolate fix, stop by the home of Cadbury for a short video and wander in the factory outlet chocolate store. Yummy!
• Cruising - it's no surprise that you'll find a variety of cruises available in Hobart. Choose from a relaxing cruise up the Derwent, with a stop at the Moorilla Estate for lunch, or a half-day cruise through the sheltered southern waterways to Peppermint Bay, or enjoy a leisurely sunset or dinner cruise in Hobart's harbor.
• Mt Wellington - walk the trails up to the summit for spectacular views or feel the wind through your hair while riding a bicycle downhill; add in kayaking on the Derwent for a full day to enjoy the amazing nature in and around Hobart.

• Richmond - 20 minutes from Hobart, you'll find Richmond, the best preserved Georgian village in Australia, an antique lover's paradise with small shops and a sense of history. In the heart of the Coat River Valley, where some of the finest pinots, cabernets, rieslings and chardonnays are now grown, Richmond was once a key military post and convict station. With over 30 vineyards and many shops, cafes, and galleries in the historic buildings, there's plenty to do and see.

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• Melbourne Escape - Nature, Wildlife and Culture
• Adelaide to Melbourne - the Great Ocean Road

• Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens - a short walk from the center of Hobart, the botanical gardens feature a variety of distinct displays. Stroll through the Japanese and Chinese gardens, or choose to explore the unusual Subantarctic Plant House complete with sound tracks of native wildlife.
• Bonorong Wildlife Rescue Centre - a 20-minute drive from Hobart in Brighton, you can join a Behind the Scenes program to spend a half-day meeting the animals - echidnas, wombats, blue-tongue lizards, potoroos, emus, koalas and more - by giving them their lunch or a full-day as a wildlife "keeper" at the rehabilitation center. These close-up mix and mingles are unique face-to-face opportunities.

Brew Tasmania

Beer brewed in Tasmania tastes fresher, perhaps because some of the hops used are the freshest possible - they're grown right on the island, or perhaps it's just the ambiance of Australia's Natural State. For a change of palate, get up close to Tasmania's brew at our favorites:

• Cascade Brewery - Visit Australia's oldest brewery, conveniently located in Hobart. Take a tour to see some of Australia's finest and oldest beers in production and of course, sample the finished products. While you're there, wander through Cascade's 3 acres of heritage gardens.
• Moo Brew - Brewed at the scenic Moorilla Estate on the banks of the Derwent River about 15 minutes west of Hobart, Moo Brew is created in a 21st century micro-brewery. This unique brew contains no additives or fillers and is not pasteurized - the only ingredients are yeast, malt, hops and water. Enjoy lunch in the award-winning Source Restaurant, with scenic views of the river and watch the brewers and winemakers (Moorilla Estate is also an excellent winery) at work.
• Boag's Brewery - since the late 1800s, James Boag & Sons has been brewing their outstanding premium brew in Launceston, about a 2 hour drive from Hobart. Visit their unique and historic brewery for an entertaining tour from the brew house to the packaging line, ending with interactive tastings at the Boag's Centre for Beer Lovers.

Tasmanian Cuisine & Whiskey

• The Agrarian Kitchen - a sustainable farm-based cooking school in the Derwent Valley about 45 minutes from Hobart. Using heirloom varieties of fruit, vegetables and rare breed animals, each class varies according to the ingredients harvested that day. Perfect for learning to create meals to accompany elegant Tasmanian wines - and best of all, you're able to enjoy the fruits of your labor at the end of the class!
• Lark Distillery - The distillery, with a cellar door and whiskey bar, is located on the waterfront in Hobart. Be sure to stop by to taste award winning Tasmanian single malt whiskey. Lark uses world famous Franklin Barley to produce a single malt whisky gloriously rich in malt with a delicate hue of peat smoke.
  
  To enter their world of passion and peat smoke, consider one of their fully escorted tours for a trip into the world of whiskey with stops at their facilities outside Hobart and even a bit of a dig in the central highland's peat bog.