Hobart is dominated by 1270 metre-high Mount Wellington. In the peak of the tourist season (Christmas – mid-February) there are public buses to the top but for the rest of the year the options are taxi or rental car.(unless you want to walk the 13 kilometres from the last regular bus stop)
Along the road to the top there are several picnic spots including one where the earliest inn opened in the 1860s. Unfortunately, this was destroyed in the bushfires of 1967. There are signs chronicling these events. At the top there are fine views and several walking tracks. The problem is that often you can also experience an impressive display of Tasmanian weather at its most whimsical – freezing cold winds, clouds and mist.
There is a well-organised shelter where you can hide behind the glass as you gaze over the entire Derwent River area. This also provides information on some of the intrepid early explorers to this wind-swept site. When the weather is good, this is a great place for walking, rock climbing and cycling (down only). If you look up from Hobart and see the mountain shrouded with cloud, forget making the trip.