Welcome to The Detour: Your food and travel guide to the best flavours, hidden haunts, insider tips and unforgettable new experiences that reward those who wander off course.
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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
No matter how far and wide you travel, Tasmania is hands down one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, and Hobart is up there with the very best cities.
Earlier this week, I was delighted to learn Hobart has been named among the top 10 ‘hottest’ destinations of 2026. Once an infamous penal colony, this waterfront city is now Tasmania’s cultural hub, drawing foodies, nature lovers and art enthusiasts from around the globe.
Hobart was the only Australian city to make the list, which forms part of Expedia’s latest Unpack ’26 report. Powered by real-time data from millions of daily visitors to the site and app, the list highlights where global interest is rising fast – before they go viral.
While Australians have long known about Hobart’s magic, it’s no surprise it’s becoming a must-visit on the world stage.
Locals tell me they’ve never seen such an international boom, with many visitors drawn to MONA’s allure, then returning to discover everything else this remarkable city has to offer.
No matter how far and wide you travel, Tasmania is hands down one of the most beautiful destinations in the world , and Hobart is up there with the very best cities
Pictured, the wine tasting cellar at The Tasman hotel
Everywhere you walk in Hobart there’s a new hidden gem to explore (pictured, The Den, a cocktail bar)
So, today, we’re ditching regular programming for a Hobart love-fest.
For the uninitiated, let’s ‘unpack’ this vibrant city and my top three must-visits at the moment (though I could very easily list many more).
1. The Tasman
I’ve had the pleasure of staying at The Tasman twice now, and each experience has been flawless.
In fact, this heritage hideaway was named the fifth best in Australia in Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Travel Awards for 2025 with a score of 99.20. For reference, the winning score, awarded to Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree, was 99.67.
A Luxury Collection Hotel, The Tasman sits in Hobart’s city centre, just minutes from the riverfront. Rooms are split between a modern, newly renovated section and the ‘Heritage Wing’ and are nothing short of spectacular. Think fireplaces, oversized baths, panoramic views and warm, considered decor.
Guests enjoy a fitness centre, terrace, restaurant (Peppina, yum!), bar and free WiFi. A 24-hour front desk, concierge service and swift room service make the experience even sweeter.
A recent visitor summed up my thoughts perfectly:
‘We had a truly wonderful stay. The staff were exceptionally welcoming and attentive, and the property itself is stunning, with beautifully maintained buildings. The dining experience was outstanding, with restaurants that exceeded expectations. [It was] one of the finest rooms I have ever stayed in. I look forward to returning.’
I’ve had the pleasure of staying at this glorious hotel twice now, and each experience has been flawless
Left, the underground entrance to The Tasman’s cocktail bar Mary Mary. Right, the Studio King Suite at The Tasman
A Luxury Collection Hotel, The Tasman sits in Hobart’s city centre, just minutes from the riverfront
2. Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
You’ve no doubt heard of MONA and as mentioned above, it’s widely credited with helping fuel Hobart’s rapid tourism boom.
One of the quirkiest and most unconventional museums in the world, visitors are encouraged to enter with an open mind as they explore what founder David Walsh describes as his ‘playground and megaphone’.
The artworks and installations are spread throughout what can only be described as an underground labyrinth on the banks of the Derwent River. It takes three to four hours to see it all – and even then, you’ll likely miss something.
When you’re done, sprawl out on a beanbag on the lawn, sip on a glass of wine and listen to live music. The Moorilla Cellar Door and Wine Bar are exceptional.
You’ve no doubt heard of MONA and as mentioned above, it’s widely credited with helping fuel Hobart’s rapid tourism boom
The Source – an ‘elevated dining’ space perched at the top of the site – offers refined tables, lively service and an unforgettable view (pictured, their ‘living table’)
The dining, though, is where MONA truly shines. The Source and Faro Bar + Restaurant are two of my top Hobart dining experiences.
The Source – an ‘elevated dining’ space perched at the top of the site – offers refined tables, lively service and an unforgettable view.
Highlights on the menu include fried buttermilk cauliflower with palm heart and fennel (a deliciously unexpected schnitzel twist) and wild Tasmanian venison with celeriac and coffee-roasted beetroot.
Down at Faro – ‘a light-drenched, cavernous experiment suspended on the river’ – the view is next-level. Executive chef Vince Trim delivers a playful, avant-garde culinary adventure with dishes like ‘F**k art let’s eat’, ‘Carcass in swamp’ and ‘Down the rabbit hole’. I won’t spoil the fun by telling you what they are.
And don’t forget to take the Mona Roma ferry to get there – and splurge on the Posh Pit. It’s worth every cent.
Highlights on the menu include fried buttermilk cauliflower with palm heart and fennel (a deliciously unexpected schnitzel twist) and wild Tasmanian venison (pictured) with celeriac and coffee-roasted beetroot
Down at Faro – ‘a light-drenched, cavernous experiment suspended on the river’ – the view is next-level
3. Caledon Estate Vineyard
This one was a real surprise.
While Caledon Estate is not technically in Hobart, part of the city’s appeal is its proximity to some of the best vineyards in the country.
Just 20 minutes from the centre, in the historic town of Richmond, Caledon was the dream of James and Karen Stewart – a lawyer and teacher who brought their vision to life in spectacular fashion.
What began as a patch of sheep farmland is now one of the most striking cellar doors I’ve visited.
The blocks were planted around towering gum trees, framed by native grasses and wildflowers. The five-metre sandstone wall that forms part of the building was carved from the ground beneath it.
James said a sense of home-grown hospitality and unpretentious charm was key to their vision, with a family-run spirit at its core. Even the logo is a drawing done by their daughter when she was in kindergarten.
While Caledon Estate is not technically in Hobart, part of the city’s appeal is its proximity to some of the best vineyards in the country
Just 20 minutes from the centre, in the historic town of Richmond, Caledon was the dream of James and Karen Stewart – a lawyer and teacher who brought their vision to life in spectacular fashion
Despite the relaxed vibe, the wine and food on offer here are top-tier.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of the show, but I was equally impressed by the fresh, fruity Sauvignon Blanc and elegant Rosé. For a young vineyard, the potential is huge.
And then there’s the food.
From behind the roaring fireplace came dishes that could easily hang on MONA’s walls.
My highlights? Baked half-shell scallops with truffled creamed leek and pangrattato (toasted breadcrumbs), gin ocean trout with mandarin, radish and caviar, and white miso and ginger beer beef with sweet onions and iceberg lettuce.
It’s welcoming, it’s delicious and it’s a place where you’ll happily lose track of time, gazing out across the quintessentially Australian landscape.
And there you have it – another reason (or three) to book a flight to Hobart pronto. That is, if you needed one.
My highlights? Baked half-shell scallops with truffled creamed leek and pangrattato (toasted breadcrumbs), gin ocean trout with mandarin, radish and caviar, and white miso and ginger beer beef with sweet onions and iceberg lettuce
James said a sense of home-grown hospitality and unpretentious charm was key to their vision, with a family-run spirit at its core. Even the logo is a drawing done by their daughter when she was in kindergarten (pictured)
