Mount Wellington

Lonely Planet review

Cloaked in winter snow, Mount Wellington peaks at 1270m (4167ft), towering over Hobart like a benevolent overlord. The citizens find reassurance in its constant, solid presence, while outdoorsy types find the space to hike and bike on its leafy flanks. And the view from the top is unbelievable! Don't be deterred if the sky is overcast - often the peak rises above cloud level and looks out over a magical ocean of rolling white cloud-tops.

Hacked out of the mountainside during the Great Depression, the 22km (14mi) road to the top winds up from the city through thick temperate forest, opening out to lunar rock-scapes at the summit. If you don't have wheels, local buses 48 and 49 stop at Fern Tree halfway up the mountain, from where it's a five- to six-hour return walk to the top. Pick up the Mt Wellington Walks map (around A$4 from the visitor information centre) as a guide.