Generally, when you think of an annual family holiday, the image of a camping trip or a roadtrip to another major Australian city comes to mind.  One tradition that has developed over the last few years in my family, has been a long weekend down in Hobart - Australia's southern-most capital city and notoriously cold in the winter. This has never fazed my mother and I.  Living in a climate that is hot for ten months of the year, we relish the chance to become tourists in a climate that barely makes it into double digit temperatures during the day.

We seem to always visit the same places, but typically add in one new location to explore during each visit.  Having already seen much of this small state, the main attraction is its distance from home, the weather, and most importantly, its charm and atmosphere. On Saturdays, a visit to the famous Salamanca Markets is mandatory.  The House of Herbs stall is a must-see, with wonderful organic skincare products.  No visit to this area of Hobart could happen without going into Norman & Dann.  I am a self-confessed chocoholic and make it a mission to try local dark chocolate from wherever I visit around the world.  So far, on my travels I have always encountered at least edible flavours (except perhaps in Morocco).  Norman & Dann are one of my favourites.  Their dark chocolate covered almonds are delicious!

Hobart is such an easy city to just wander around.  Its harbour is serene in the winter, with only a few tourist boats moored - the remainder being private yachts and a few fishing trawlers.  Constitution Dock is a personal favourite - to just sit on one of the benches and stare out at the water and the surrounding activity (or lack thereof). There is also so much to see outside Hobart, and for this, a hire car becomes necessary.  The city is relatively easy to navigate - once you understand that every street in the inner city is a one-way street.

One town that is only a 20 minute drive, but feels like it's been taken out of a Jane Austen novel is Richmond, north-east of the city and not far from the airport.  This town is delightful and is most famous for it's stone bridge, construction in 1823.  It's the oldest bridge in Tasmania and is particularly picturesque in the morning, when the rising sun bathes it in a warm honey light. The town has an array of shops filled with quality handcrafted goodies, which can definitely tempt.  It isn't filled with tacky souvenir shops, so visitors from other Australian states can also enjoy browsing.