Weekend getaways in Tasmania for a break on the Apple Isle

No need to go far for a weekend getaway steeped in colonial charm. Only 30 minutes from the airport, the Islington Hotel in Hobart welcomes guests from the road with soft, amber lights that invite you in. After being shown to your room, you and your loved one can run a hot, steamy bath for two, ease yourselves in and spend your first hours at the Islington in complete relaxation.

Cosy up for a nap in your king-size, teak bed, then put on your weekend best and head to the Islington Restaurant for a fine dining experience. Tasmanian oysters are served here by the dozen–fresh, salty and delicious–and you can complete the meal with a chocolate tart under a mountain of cream. To top off the evening, explore the hotel library and its collection of books that have witnessed stolen moments between lovers for years.

When you wake the following morning, snuggle in comfy sheets surrounded by antique furniture to make you feel like royalty. You can sip a coffee in your room before taking a wander through the hotel garden. The gurgling water feature will set a pastoral mood as you walk through fragrant herb gardens and groves of small trees.

For weekend accommodation in Tasmanian nature, you’ll want to check out serene Port Arthur and Stewarts Bay Lodge. After a drive through the forest-flanked Arthur Highway, unwind at on-site restaurant Gabriel’s on the Bay. Take in the glistening water as gum trees sway overhead, sipping glasses of local Bream Creek Chardonnay before making your way to your own secluded spa chalet.

You’ll wake to the sounds of dusky woodswallows singing their morning songs over the water. Spend the morning deep in your personal spa bath while room service delivers a scrumptious breakfast spread.

After a day of cosying up on your sofa or gazing at the verdant surrounds from your own private deck with panoramic views, revisit Gabriel’s for a delectable meal. Feast on oven-baked ocean trout cured in vodka and beetroot and served with tomato and potato mash.

For those who like a bit of a fright, take a ghost tour around the historic sights in Port Arthur. When the thrills finish, leave the spookiness on the streets and return to the hotel’s welcoming warmth for a late-night Belgian chocolate tart.

A mere 11 kilometres north of Hobart, check into the unusual MONA for stylish accommodation and conversation sparked by works of classic and contemporary art. Spend a day walking through the impressive gallery, where you’ll always be just steps from your own personal MONA Villa.

Alternatively, head straight to your balcony shaded by gum trees for a quiet afternoon in sight of the shimmering Derwent River. It’s ideal for a spot of relaxation–use the time to decide on a restaurant for dinner, or just stay in and snuggle as the sun sets.

If you’ve opted for the secluded MONA Source Restaurant, you’ll dine on fresh Kingfish and plates of charred octopus. This modern and sensual space is reserved for MONA guests and the artists featured in the museum, so you might just rub shoulders with a creative you admire. Complement your meal with a chilled bottle of Moorilla’s Cloth Label sparkling wine from the expansive wine cellar, sipping and chatting with esteemed artists like you’re members of an exclusive club.

You’ll find your villa filled with books and art, so cuddle up on your designer sofa and discuss Monaism and the museum’s fascinating exhibits. Watch the moon rise through your window as you savour one last glass of crisp Chardonnay, selected by the wine merchants at MONA and brought directly to your weekend hideaway.

Steal away for a few days to the banks of the Derwent River at Woodbridge on the Derwent. As you pull into the drive, the majestic colonial building will bring you back to a different era. Drop your bags in your stylish room and head straight to the hotel patio for talks and a tipple as the river flows gently by. You can take a stroll to explore the hotel grounds and gardens, then relax in the sauna and Jacuzzi room to ready yourself for an evening of luxury.

Chuck on your fancy shoes for dinner at the exclusive Pavilion restaurant. You’ll sit and feast on Tasmanian maple-glazed trout or a succulent rack of lamb. Tuck into gooey, oozing chocolate fondant to top off your evening before retiring to your stately colonial-inspired room. Rustling trees and the setting sun will lull you into tranquil sleep in your bed dressed in champagne silks.

Mornings are slow affairs in the reading room–helpful staff might even light a crackling fire to keep your toes toasty warm. When the sun has fully risen, you can pack a picnic blanket and tuck a bottle of Woodbridge Cellar Cab Sav under your arm for a shared glass on the banks of the river.

Pack the car and enjoy a weekend escape amid forested peaks at Cradle Mountain Hotel. You’ll start your getaway with an afternoon of hiking through the national park, breathing in the clear mountain air as wallabies and echidnas waddle past.

When the exercise piques your appetites, return to the hotel’s Altitude restaurant for a spot of lunch. Pan-seared Tasmanian salmon or warming, creamy soup served with a view of trees and mountains will fuel you for the rest of the day.

For some privacy, slip into your room’s own spa bath and let your cares disappear into the warm water and bubbles. Afterwards, drift away to sleep with your arms around that special someone in a king-size bed and plush hotel robes. When morning breaks, the sun streaming through the gum trees and a symphony of birdsong will rouse you naturally. With in-room coffee facilities on hand, you can easily spend the whole morning between the sheets.

You’ll want to save some minutes for a slow wander through the hotel’s Wilderness Gallery, soaking up stirring works of art and photography. Your cultural hunger satiated, settle in at the lounge bar for a tasting session of James Boags ‘Wizard Smith’ Ales, world-famous Tasmanian whiskies or a fizzy, fruity cider.

Treating your special someone to luxury accommodation in Tasmania is easy with a stay at the regal Grand Chancellor in Hobart. Nestle into your Harbour View room to watch little boats bobbing up and down in the glistening marina, and gaze across the water to lush views of green hills through soaring windows.

For delicate nibbles you can share, head to the hotel dining room for high tea featuring warm, plump scones topped with jam and cream, along with fragrant tea or a cafetiere brimming with fresh coffee. Or there’s the Atrium Bar where you can get comfy in leather armchairs and order rounds of refreshing cocktails with Mount Wellington’s presence in the distance. Sit, chat and enjoy the bar atmosphere before taking a sunset stroll along the harbour.

Take your time in the morning with a room service delivery of breakfast in bed. Munch on warm bread, salty bacon and fresh fruit against a picture-perfect backdrop of sea and mountains. When you’ve capped your cuddles, ease out of bed and into the pool for a leisurely morning swim.