There is no other capital city in Australia like Hobart. Located in Southern Tasmania with the magnificent Mt Wellington as a backdrop, this historical city has so much to offer. Though small in size it is rich in heritage, spectacular scenery and amazing landmarks.

Tasmania is a fantastic place to tour by campervan as you can see a large number of attractions in a short time. Campervan Rental in Tasmania, particularly in Hobart, is a very simple process, so all you have to do is just plan your itinerary each day and go where you please. Using Hobart as a base you can tour most of fantastic Southern Tasmania easily as there are plenty of rest stops to relax and enjoy the views.

What also separates Tasmania from the rest of Australia is that the four seasons are so distinctive. The Hobart Summer Festival at Sullivans Cove is a must, and showcases what Hobart has to offer with great food, festivities and entertainment. Temperatures are still mild enough to be comfortable and enjoy this fun season. Autumn is sunny during the day with crisp mornings, and a myriad of golden trees and warm colours. Winter brings the snow capped mountain peaks, cosy log fires and amazing scenery. Spring of course is the prettiest season with abundant flowers and beauty.

There are plenty of caravan parks, one of the most popular being Seven Mile Beach Caravan Park, located 15 mins from the city. It is a great spot right on the beach for a few nights or even a week, and is a popular location for horse riders. Elwick Tourist Park is located in central Hobart and is a fantastic base as you enjoy the nearby attractions. Other beaches close by are Clifton and Carlton beaches which are great for surfing or enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

The city centre’s best feature is the waterfront as Hobart is a port city. Not only are you spoilt with an array of restaurants, shops and entertainment, there is also boating, fishing, water sports and cruises running daily along the majestic Derwent River.

You can board a catamaran or a ferry to enjoy the river at its best. One popular cruise is to the heads where the Sydney to Hobart yacht race ends. The Derwent River offers some of the best cruises in Australia as it is well sheltered and has such rugged beauty and scenery that is always changing.

For nature lovers, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens offer an amazing display of flower species. Founded in 1818, the gardens are a place of beauty, with plant native and exotic plant species such as conservatory plants, bright displays of annuals, a Japanese garden, a cacti garden, tropicals plants and the largest collection of conifers in the southern hemisphere.

You will need a day to visit Mt Wellington. You can drive to the base of the mountain at Fern Tree and then begin the 5-6 hour walk to the summit. There are a number of walking trails to choose from and you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Hobart and beyond.

A lovely drive along a country road is to Richmond, only 25km from Hobart where you will find historical manors and cottages. You can also visit Richmond Gaol, which is Australia’s oldest convict gaol. Richmond will take you back a century to the convict days and will give you a closer look at a completely different way of life.

Surrounding Richmond, the Coal River Valley has about 17 vineyards, and has almost the same climate as the famous French vineyards. Make sure you visit a few of these award winning wineries.

Hobart is perfect to visit any time of the year. It is the the perfect end or beginning to a camper holiday around Tasmania and its stunning attractions will bring you back time after time.

Jenny Brewer