Grey skies lashed by the crowns of a wind-whipped corpse of dreary green eucalypts. Silver sun bleached giants stark, standing sentinel above the plateaus rolling grasslands. A circle of stones, the cold touch of bronze embraced in the green velvet of antiquity; place of power.

Near Saltwater River on the Tasman Peninsula, in the south-east of Tasmania, lies the Coal Mines Historic Site. It is only a 1-hour 40-minute drive from Hobart or 30 minutes from the infamous Port Arthur Historic Site, but its existence and history is much less well-known.

Tasmania's vibrant wine and spirits scene holds a special place in my heart. As a chilled-out aficionado of tasty tipples, I have been fortunate enough to explore the remarkable establishments that make this region a premier destination for wine and spirits enthusiasts. Let me share with you my most recent experiences of two exceptional locations: Bangor Vineyard Shed & Spring Bay Distillery.

A couple of weeks ago, a colleague of mine mentioned she was planning on going hiking with some friends out to "The Needles" somewhere out near Mt. Field (90 minutes from Hobart) and asked if I wanted to join. Now if anyone knows anything about me, they know I am always up for exploring some place new and the word "hike" simply lights up my day. I just happened to mention to another colleague that we planned to do the hike so if he was interested, he could join in on the day.

Situated in the far south of the gorgeous Huon Valley, a scenic 90-minute drive from Hobart is Hastings Cave and Thermal Pools. This mysterious underground world will open your eyes with its natural wonders (stalactites and stalagmites) and fascinating history.

We get a lot of visitors here in Hobart who ask if they can visit Launceston in a day from Hobart. While it is definitely doable in a day from Hobart there are so many things to see and do in and around Launceston that it deserves a few days.