TOP SEAFOOD EXPERIENCES

Treasures of the Sea

Fresh, flavoursome and fun to explore, Hobart and southern Tasmania boast a treasure-trove of ocean delights. A wander along Hobart’s waterfront is a virtual voyage of culinary and sensory discovery, as you encounter enticing eateries and floating fish punts offering a taste of Tasmania. Or head out on the water for the ultimate, luxury ocean-to-plate cruise experience. Hobart and southern Tasmania offer a menu of sensational seafood and waterfront dining delivered with a generous helping of warm hospitality.

Tasmanian Seafood Seduction

Revel in the salty delights of a Tasmanian Seafood Seduction cruise with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys. Spend a full day exploring pristine marine coastlines and sampling some of the world’s finest seafood scooped straight from the ocean, sizzled and served up for your feasting pleasure.

Intimate and indulgent, this tantalising tour allows guests to cruise in luxury aboard a purpose-built, low-emission vessel departing from Hobart’s vibrant Constitution Dock. Cruise the suburban coastline of the River Derwent into the sheltered, tree-lined D’Entrecasteaux Channel, all the way to the southern end of Bruny Island, with its dramatic capes and beautiful beaches. Bruny Island is internationally renowned for its premium oyster farms, and for having the world’s first drive-thru oyster retailer – the humorously named Get Shucked. Enjoy a briny delight plucked from the water a mere 30 seconds ago – arguably the freshest oyster you’ll ever taste.

Feel the sweet, salty caress of the sea breeze as you glide through a southern-ocean wilderness. Leave civilisation behind and trek along remote beaches teeming with birdlife. Learn from a knowledgeable guide about this island’s unique marine environment – hear about the ancient rock formations and encounter curious sea life like seals and sea eagles.

Your guide will dive for abalone and sea urchins in a secluded Bruny Island bay. Every catch here is high-quality, nurtured by the island’s clean, cold temperate waters. The spoils are served up in a salty-sweet-smelling sizzle aboard the boat. Dine on a feast of mussels, fresh Tasmanian salmon and local southern rock lobster (known in Tasmania as ‘crayfish’). Your succulent seafood feast is accompanied by the finest Tasmanian produce paired with locally crafted cool-climate wines, boutique beers, and organic ciders and juices.

Experience the salty seduction of Tasmania’s ocean bounty with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys.

Fish Punts at Constitution Dock

Deep-blue waters gently rock the barnacled hulls of fishing boats. Sounds of pleasant chatter and lapping water are punctuated by the squawks of gulls amidst the moorings. A salty ocean scent fills the air – tinged by the enticing aroma of fish and chips. Welcome to Hobart’s famous Constitution Dock.

Access Constitution Dock via Davey Street just past Campbell Street, or via Franklin Wharf, to explore a row of fine fish punts selling premium seafood on the water. Choose from an extensive selection of quality raw catches of the day and cook up your own culinary creations. Or feast on piping hot packs of tasty crumbed, battered, fried and grilled seafood by the harbourside. Climb aboard some of the boats to enjoy a unique dockside dine-in experience.

The first punt in the lineup is Flippers Cooked Seafood, serving freshly-made favourites like delicately-flavoured blue grenadier, or succulently-textured trevalla wrapped in golden crispy crumbs.

Next is Van Diemens Land Creamery – a popular local maker of premium ice cream, gelato and sorbet, including indulgent Tasmanian-inspired flavours like whisky cream, pepperberry and leatherwood honey, and lavender and white chocolate.

A short walk to the next punt will have you greeted by the friendly folks at Fishy Business, who serve fresh and flavoursome fish and chips, and Tasmanian Valhalla ice-cream by the scoop through a window.

Mako Seafood is next – a purveyor of dine-in and takeaway seafood, including tender calamari, fried oysters, and crunchy chips.

If you’re not dining in, sit at a bench beside the punts, or at Franklin Wharf beside the water’s edge, and listen to the soothing sound of boats bobbing on the mirror-like sea. Then wander along the waterfront towards Salamanca to discover other seaside treasures.

Walk the waterfront

A lap of Hobart’s wharf takes you past a string of tantalising food and drink stops infused with maritime heritage and history.

Stop by Nutpatch Chocolates at the southern end of Morrison Street and pick up a box of assorted praline treats. Next door is Franklin Wharf restaurant – a spacious venue with indoor and outdoor dining on the water’s edge, serving up crispy market seafood and toasty pizzas.

Walk onward to a line of benches beneath the trees, where the 33-metre traditional tall ship Windeward Bound berths with her billowing sails.

Find the elegant Brooke Street Pier further along Franklin Wharf. Take your pick of fine-dining offerings overlooking the riverside, like Aloft restaurant with its premium wine and high-quality seasonal tasting plates – a great place to try the chef’s menu.

Step back outside to the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses and live music from nearby bars and buskers, and the occasional harbourside market. The next stop along this stunning stretch of water is Elizabeth St Pier – home to longstanding dining institutions Fish Frenzy and Tavern 42 Degrees South.

Cross the short bridge to Constitution Dock. Explore the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery or the Maritime Museum of Tasmania, both just across the road, or wander the wharf – where rows of tall, skeletal masts mimic the bony quayside trees.

Cross the Victoria Dock Bridge to find a series of statues paying homage to Antarctic explorer Louis Bernacchi – a nice place to feel the crisp sea breeze rolling in from the east. Bordering Victoria Dock is a line of colourful heritage-buildings housing restaurants, art hotels, cafes and galleries. Stretching out to the water’s edge is MACq 01 Hotel, with sophisticated, dimly-lit lounges, eateries and bars – a lavish spot for harbourside night-time dining.

Accessibility

Hobart’s waterfront is an easy five-minute walk from the city centre. Just follow roads like Campbell, Argyle, Elizabeth and Murray streets in a south-easterly direction until you arrive at the seaside.

The waterfront along Morrison Street and Franklin Wharf is particularly pedestrian-friendly, with wide foot and bike paths, slow traffic and right of way given to pedestrians on a network of zebra crossings. Traffic lights in this area have audio-tactile controls.

You can also access the waterfront with a range of public and private transport options. Ubers and taxis are readily available, particularly near Salamanca and Parliament House. The main metro bus mall in Hobart is a few blocks up Elizabeth Street, near Franklin Square. Macquarie, Davey and Campbell Streets have bus stops close to the harbour.

Hop-on, hop-off Red Decker Bus Tours to iconic Hobart sites depart just outside Brooke Street Pier, and pre-booked boats come and go from the quirky museum, Mona. The Derwent Ferry also regularly departs from this pier, cutting across the river to Bellerive – the home of Bellerive Oval, also known as Blundstone Arena.

At Constitution Dock, please note that the ramps among the boat moorings do not have handrails. They vary in width and ease of access so please take care when navigating the area. For more helpful information, visit the friendly staff at the Information Centre on the corner of Davey and Elizabeth Streets or visit hobartcity.com.au. Call ahead to individual businesses for more accessibility information.