Image Source: Vibe Hotel Hobart

When it comes to natural beauty, Tasmania has it in spades. With rugged mountains, ancient rainforests and a spectacular coastline, it sets the scene for a romantic getaway. Finding a secluded spot to kick back and relax with your love is easy. 

These days Tasmania is also special for its galleries and cultural offerings, world-class festivals, award-winning distilleries, and superb food and wine. There’s a veritable feast of fresh produce, from oysters and seafood straight from the ocean, to truffles and heirloom vegetables from the earth, and honey from ancient rainforests. 

Seasonality rules in this island paradise. While Salamanca Market gets all the attention, true foodies make a beeline for the Farm Gate Market, held every Sunday in Bathurst Street. It showcases how blessed Tasmania is in the variety and quality of its produce.

For top-notch coffee and great pastries, start your getaway at Pigeon Whole Bakers. It’s just up the road from the Vibe Hotel Hobart, designer digs that offer the perfect eat, play and stay experience in the heart of historical Hobart. This striking-looking building with its trademark ‘fins’ is an easy walk to downtown shops, the waterfront and historic Battery Point. 

Enjoy a taste of Tuscany over lunch at Osteria Vista in the Stefano Lubiana winery on the outskirts of Hobart. This biodynamic winery produces spectacular Pinot. Alternatively, head to the cool-climate wineries in the Coal River Valley, passing through historic Richmond and Australia’s oldest bridge on the way. For a special experience, enrol together in a cooking class at The Agrarian Kitchen in the beautiful Derwent Valley. Its light-bathed dining room is a lovely spot for lunch. 

If you’re wanting to enjoy a tête-à-tête over dinner, Hobart’s many fine restaurants ensure that you are spoilt for choice. Names on everybody’s lips include cosy neighbourhood restaurant Templo, and Fico with its innovative menu designed around local produce. Aloft, on the top floor of Brooke Street Pier, offers contemporary Asian flavours in a sleek Scandi setting with water views. 

As a producer of world-class wine, it’s not surprising that Tasmania also has some great wine bars. The list at Lucinda Wine Bar spans more than 130 varieties from around the world and it also offers a tempting menu of wine-friendly dishes. 

Hobart is a great city to walk in. Battery Point is especially interesting as it still boasts many of the original buildings from the earliest days of colonial settlement. Wander the narrow streets to find museums, cafés, boutiques and restaurants among the colonial-style houses. 

Enjoy a breath of fresh air at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens; it’s easy to find a tranquil spot in these glorious gardens overlooking the Derwent River. Hobart is fortunate in being surrounded by green spaces. Take a trip up Mount Wellington/kunanyi where there are some great walking trails and spectacular views.  

Cap off your romantic getaway with the ultimate seafood feast. The aptly named Seafood Seduction Cruise explores the pristine waters of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island. Don't be surprised if your skipper disappears below deck and returns in a wetsuit, ready to dive for abalone and sea urchin for your lunch. Local Tasmanian beer, wine and cider, oysters, farmed salmon, and delicious Southern Rock lobster are also on the menu.  

Bruny Island itself warrants a romantic getaway as it offers breathtaking views and a fabulous wilderness experience as you venture into the bush and cruise its waters, keeping an eye out for seals and penguins along the way. Locally produced chocolate, truffles, handmade fudge, cheese, and oysters add to Bruny’s appeal. 

Celebrate your love with a bottle of bubbles. Tasmanian sparkling wines have achieved such finesse in recent years that the whole world is taking notice. The experts will tell you that some even rival Champagne, at a fraction of the price. All of which makes Tasmania the perfect place to enjoy a romantic getaway. 

Check into the excellent Vibe Hotel Hobart, in Argyle Street, which has everything you need for the ultimate romantic getaway.