Something of an ideal family holiday destination, Hobart offers plenty to keep visitors with young ones in tow occupied. There are fascinating manmade attractions such as the Antarctic Adventure theme park and others such as Bonorong Park Wildlife Centre, which relies more on nature for its thrills. Indoor activities such a bowling and swimming are ideal for filling rainy days.

Antarctic Adventure
This is a unique theme park by all accounts, and it’s unlikely that visitors will have experienced anything quite like it before. The park simulates the conditions of the Antarctic region, presenting both the climatic conditions and a selection of wildlife that is indigenous to the region. Kids will love playing in the snow, the thrill of downhill skiing in the exciting video simulation, seeing the inside of an igloo and the stars at the park’s planetarium. Phone: +61 3 6220 8220.

Bonorong Park Wildlife Centre
A wealth of interesting animal specimens can be encountered by visitors at the Bonorong Park Wildlife Centre situated on Briggs road in the suburb of Brighton. Kids will relish the chance to get up close and personal with the likes of indigenous creatures such as wombats, kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian devils. Adults too will be enamored by the creatures at this fascinating centre, making it the ideal place for a family day out. Phone: +61 3 6268 1184.

Horseback Riding
Kids needn’t have any previous experience in the saddle to enjoy a spot of gentle pony trekking or horseback riding in the South Arm and Seven Mile Beach areas located just outside of the city. There are a number of stables in the area providing trusty steeds and staff who are experienced in assisting riders of all ages and abilities. For more information, contact one of Hobart’s tourist information offices or ask at your hotel.

Moonah Bowling Centre
The ideal place to head to on a rainy day, kids will love this place irrespective of what’s going on elsewhere. There are 24 bowling lanes on hand so you never need wait long to get in on the action. While waiting, the kids can kill time on the centre’s various arcade games. There’s a restaurant on hand and bowl and meal deals are offered during the daytime. Phone: +61 3 6272 9810.

Rosny Mini Golf
Another popular family activity, mini golf brings out the competitive streak in visitors of all ages. The Rosny Mini Golf course provides plenty of opportunities to showcase your talents with its 18 holes of fun. Every hole presents its own unique obstacles with some proving to be challenging even for pro-putters. Phone: +61 3 6244 1243.

Tattersalls Hobart Aquatic Centre
Indoor water fun is the name of the game at the Tattersalls Hobart Aquatic Centre. Young visitors will find the water jets and whale slide especially entertaining while the Olympic-size swimming pool with its selection of diving boards will keep older children occupied for hours. There’s also a big slide providing thrills for adults and teenagers alike. Phone: +61 03 6222 6999

Tinderbox Marine Reserve
Family fun comes in a variety of forms at the Tinderbox Marine Reserve, a scenic nature area operated by the Parks and Wildlife Service in conjunction with Marine Resources. Swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving are popular activities, especially in light of the wide variety of sea life specimens that are available for viewing in both shallow and deep waters. Phone: +61 3 6233 656; website: www.parks.tas.gov.au/marine/tindbox/.

There are plenty of things to keep culture lovers busy in the Tasmanian city of Hobart with a good selection of attractions offering historic themes plus others focusing on nature and the arts. Be sure to check out the Penitentiary Chapel Historic Site if the history of Hobart is of interest to you - there are a few locations in the city capturing heritage as rich as this.

Military Museum of Tasmania
This fascinating museum is set within the Anglesea Barracks, Australia’s oldest continuously occupied military buildings (dating back to early colonial times). Exhibits and displays in the museum provide background on early Tasmanian military history plus information relating to the Boer War and 20^th century conflicts such as the Vietnam War. Phone: +61 3 6237 7160.

Moorilla Museum of Antiquities
The country’s most extensive and impressive antique collection is housed at this museum located among the vineyards of the Derwent River. There are pieces that have been procured from all over the globe, including some notables from Costa Rica, Africa, Egypt and several Roman colonies. Guided tours are available however the exhibits are all accompanied by extensive background information making it possible to appreciate the facility without any assistance. Phone: +61 3 6249 7988.

Penitentiary Chapel Historic Site
Hobart is blessed with an excellent selection of fine architectural treasures with the Penitentiary Chapel Historic Site presenting a notable example of those attributable to the talented John Lee Archer. The series of buildings at the site date to 1831 and are now under the care of the National Trust who provides tours taking in some of the more interesting rooms enclosed within. Among those rooms open to the public are the old prison cells, the courtrooms, the gallows and a selection of underground tunnels. Phone: +61 3 6231 0911.

Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
As far the city’s notable nature spots go, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are right up there at the top of the list. Dating back to 1818, the gardens cover an area of 13.5 hectares located on a gentle slope overlooking the scenic Derwent River. The gardens are home to more than 6,500 species of plants, of which some 400 are indigenous. Also of note are the Chinese and Japanese gardens, the conservatory, herb garden, fuchsia house, impressive conifer collection and the magnificent annual bed displays. Phone: +61 3 6236 3050; website: www.rtbg.tas.gov.au/.

St David's Cathedral
Over a century and a half old, this impressive religious building displays the typical beauty and grandeur you would expect of an old church of its nature. The interior is similarly grand and has been lovingly preserved in order that the church can continue to be a working religious facility as well as the home of the famous Choir of the Chapel of St Thomas. A small museum inside the church provides some background on its history. Phone: +61 3 6234 4900.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Housed inside the oldest building in the city, the 1808 Commissariat Store, this cultural facility presents exhibits which offer background on the history of the city from its Aboriginal and early penal periods. There are video presentations on various subjects including one about the last ever Tasmanian tiger which passed away in the city zoo in the 1930s. Phone: +61 3 6211 4177.

Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Cultural entertainment in the city doesn’t come much richer or satisfying than a night listening to the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Based at the Federation Concert Hall, this famous musical collective is comprised of 47 musicians. Few who experience one of the impressive performances given by Hobart’s finest classical musicians leave disappointed. Phone: +61 3 6235 3633.

Theatre Royal
Another of the city’s notable architectural delights, this building is in fact the oldest theatre in the country, dating back to 1837 and illustrating a classic Victorian bijou style. After checking out the impressive exterior, visitors should venture inside to see the magnificent auditorium, which is undoubtedly the building’s piece de la resistance with its splendid central dome complete with intricate carvings and vibrant colours. The theatre is a working performance art centre with year-round billings. Phone: +61 3 6233 2299.

Tasmania has a great reputation for food and is well known by international connoisseurs for its high standard of cuisine. Geographical and climatic features provide the island with ideal conditions for producing all manner of high quality fresh ingredients which are the hallmarks of its most famous dishes.

Hobart is no exception to this trend, enjoying a coastal location which ensures a constant supply of fresh seafood including lobster, salmon, oysters and more. The city is also surrounded by vineyards so it’s unsurprising that there are some great local wines gracing the menus of many eateries.

The city has restaurants offering what might be considered typical Australian fare as well as a good selection of venues specialising in international cuisines such as Chinese, Thai, Mexican, French, Indian and more.

Great places to eat are abundant in the city although Salamanca Place is home to a number of particularly noteworthy establishments including the Ball and Chain, Maldini Italian restaurant and Mikaku Japanese restaurant. At Salamanca square, the Machine Laundry Café is also well worth a visit.

For shopping, Hobart has plenty of options, with everything from small independent retailers to large department stores. If you’re looking a one-stop shopping destination where you’ll find everything within easy reach, the Elizabeth Street Mall is the best place to head. The mall offers a mixed selection of retail establishments including clothing and shoe shops, department stores, bookshops and more.

The popular Salamanca Market is held at weekends and is a must for visitors. The market features over 300 stalls selling a huge variety of goods including fresh local produce and a myriad of interesting handmade goods. Wines, beers, apple cider, cheese and honey makes an appearance, as do some interesting wooden products which make for good souvenirs or gifts to take home to family and friends.

Despite being a distinctly urban area, Hobart is surrounded by nature with numerous locations available for the pursuit of popular outdoor sports and pursuits. Typical sports such as golf and fishing are represented, while more specialist activities such as rafting and mountain biking are also easily pursued. Bird watching opportunities are particularly good around Hobart.

Bird Watching
Hobart, as with much of Tasmania, offers some great opportunities for ornithological enthusiasts. The island is home to a wide variety of indigenous species, many of which can be seen at Hobart’s excellent selection of nature spots and outdoor areas with public access. Visitors patient enough to wait in strategic locations have the chance to see species such as the Tasmanian native-hen, dusky robin, masked owl, swift parrot, green rosella and the Tasmanian thornbill, as well as various different kinds of honeyeaters.

Fishing
You can bring your own fishing equipment and take off unassisted to any of the many excellent angling spots in and around the city such as those offered by the sea or the Derwent River, or you can take one of the excellent fishing tours provided by local operators. Alistair's Trout Fishing and Adventure Tours is among the more popular excursions available and gives trip-goers the chance to benefit from the tour leader’s excellent knowledge of the area’s best trout fishing locations. Phone: +61 3 6228 2049.

Golf
Few developed cities in the world are without their own golf courses these days, and Hobart is no exception. Catering to the needs of visiting golf enthusiasts with the Royal Hobart Golf Club and the Tasmania Golf Club, both 18-hole international standard courses, Hobart is the perfect place to practice your swing. Phone: +61 3 6248 6161.

Horse Trekking
Suited best to those with some experience in the saddle, the horse trekking excursions offered by local tour operators take visitors across lengthy stretches of the Tasmanian countryside, giving unrivalled views of the landscapes and indigenous flora and fauna. Trips can last up to several days and involve overnight stops at various locations. Enquire at a tourist information office for more details.

Mountain Biking
The Tasmanian countryside has some excellent areas where off-road cycling is possible with a wide variety of terrain on offer, presenting opportunities for riders of all abilities. Alternatively, you can head for the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park, a spacious outdoor area dedicated to the pursuit of the sport. The park offers cross-country and mountain cross courses, as well as downhill and dirt jump tracks. Website: http://tasbikepark.com/.

Rafting
Rafting and other paddle-powered activities such as canoeing and kayaking can be pursued along the Picton River with a number of local tour companies providing the equipment and know-how. Excursions are available for experts and novices alike, with those in the latter category making use of quieter parts of the river. Whichever category you fall into, you’ll be given the chance to see some gorgeous river scenery on your way along the river.

Rock Climbing
Rock climbing enthusiasts won’t be disappointed by Hobart’s selection of suitable climbing locations, especially when they set eyes upon the famous Organ Pipes crag located on the side of Mount Wellington. The crag can be reached in just 20 minutes from downtown Hobart and once here, climbers can enjoy a number of pre-bolted routes on dolerite columns that stand up to 125 metres tall.