Hobart

Hobart sits between the Derwent River and Mount Wellington, and your ship docks right in the centre of town. Walk off the gangway and you're steps from Salamanca Place, a cobblestone square where old sandstone warehouses now hold galleries, boutique shops, and cafés. The waterfront has fresh seafood stalls and live music from the pubs, with the mountain and river providing a backdrop that makes the whole setting hard to beat. Port Arthur Historic Site, a convict-era penal colony on the Tasman Peninsula, is the major excursion and well worth the drive. Closer to town, you can sample oysters at Barilla Bay or try wines from the Coal River Valley. The city centre is walkable from the dock, and the Australian dollar is the local currency. A ride up Mount Wellington for the views is one of the best ways to spend a few spare hours.