I was headed to Huonville with the single goal of devouring all the chocolate at the Cat's…read moreTongue... but Twigs & Daisy Chains caught my eye and I couldn't help but stick my head in for a look around. Gorgeous bits and pieces inside mean this is a gift shop right up my alley! I had to try very hard not to spend any money but I have no doubt I'll be sticking my head in next time I've got chocolatey urges pulling me in this direction.

Inside is one of those dangerous places where my wallet starts shivering with nerves even if I just…read moreglance in its direction. I can't help myself, though--the window displays are part of them problem. They're so fine. They're always so attractive, and I just have to have a look, and then I just have to peek my head in, and then I just have to do one full circuit, and then I just have to treat myself to just one thing, but oh the sale table's just here too, excuse me, bye forever. Stocking Nancybird, Elk, Kip & Co, a plethora of wonderful jewellery makers... I could work at this list for ages or I could just encourage you to go into the store, so maybe just do the latter. It's worth it. See if someone else will mind your wallet for you.

Gifts galore for young and old, handy place for stocking stuffers and other assorted XMAS stuffread more

Get lost. No, really, it's quite possible to actually get lost inside Willow Court Antique Centre…read more Big rooms, tiny rooms, hallways, all full of antiquities big and tiny (and hallway-sized?) just waiting for you to love them. This is THE Antique place to stop off in New Norfolk (there are others, but this is THE one). Leave your wallet in the car if you're easily parted with your hard-earned dollars, because there are bargains to be had in here--as well as more pricey treasures to add to your collection. It certainly helps that it's part of the old mental hospital grounds, which are creepy as all heck, particularly on strange autumn days. Wander around and latch onto the eeriness. Don't be afraid of the cat, she's real and her name is Lily.

One of the best Antique shops I have ever been in, its quite amazing. The Willow Court Antique…read moreCenter certainly has one of the largest collections in Tasmania ranging from antique motorcycles/cars to old bottles and coasters and everything in between. definitely well worth a visit, you won't be disappointed! The shop used to be part of the Willow Court (Asylum). The Ward itself was known as O Ward or Olga and was built in 1866. For more information please visit: www.willowcourtproject.com

LOVE LOVE LOVE the range! When they said they do more than just foam, they weren't pissing on my…read moreleg and calling it rain! True blue Aussie legends, serving up true blue Aussie foam (and so much more). My only criticism is that I couldn't get my foam needs fulfilled on a Sunday morning. But I guess even heroes need a day off. Me and my wife Michelle can only sing praises (except our one complaint) for this wonderful, local landmark - servicing this great country! - Barack

Fellini is an Italian restaurant on the water at Battery Point in Hobart. It's a really pretty…read morearea and an attractive space. This was where our tour group met for our "Welcome to Australia" Dinner. The 15 of us (including our guide) were comfortably seated along 2 tables. The menu offered a nice selection, and there were lots of Tasmanian wines to choose from. I can't really remembered what we ordered, but our choices were well portioned and delicious. As we were all having a nice time getting to know each other, the happy buzz around the table (and great service) enhanced our meal experience even more. In Australia, you pay at the register either at the time of ordering or after. Tipping is a little mysterious as it's not usually designated on the bill or with payment. What I really appreciated was their restaurant software that easily facilitated paying individual tabs. I thought our bill was a good value for the meal and service received.

One of my two favourite stores at Salamanca, the Maker is full of really beautiful handcrafted…read moreitems. From terrarium kits to winter woollies to stunning dresses to pieces of jewellery, here you will find something unique and worthy of treasuring forever, either as a momento of your holiday in Tasmania (if you're visiting) or a reinforcement of why Tasmania is the best state in Australia (if this is home).

I loved working with this guy, with dry humor and with a refreshing curmudgeonly attitude that…read morehappily rolled off me. I think he's got some Afrikaans in him as he's a bit Dutch and is from South Africa. That came up when I came in wearing my Springboks (Rugby) hat, explaining that my Nephew lives there and it was great way of not being taken as an American at first. What followed was a nice American politics back-and-forth, with one other customer joining in. Talking with the locals is almost always a fun learning experience for me. I settled on a nice Tasmania map, and received a nice Tasmanian Tiger print as a bonus. Both were wrapped up nicely for the eventual long journey home. There were more expensive choices and additional selections, and I was happy to get out of there without picking out more.

When my husband and I first came upon this place there was no one there even though the opening…read morehours stated that it should have been open. Next thing, a gentleman appeared in the side alley and invited us into his shop. We were both amazed and fascinated by the antique maps and photographs on display and mused over them asking questions. After half an hour or so we got to know the owner, Gerald, whose personality, humour and knowledge will stay with us forever. Just listening to him was mesmorising as he informed us of the history of the maps he has on display. Of course we found the 'one' that we had to purchase. Gerald is also a professional framer. He went above and beyond (we had to fly back to Sydney the next morning) by not only framing and packaging our purchase, but ended up driving us to Hobart Airport so that we didn't miss our flight. This was truly an experience that my husband will talk about in years to come when visitors to our home reflect on the beautiful artwork we purchased from this historical store. Thank you so much Gerald. We will definitely meet up with you again when we next visit Hobart.

I grew up in a country town, where the CWA ladies had a real presence. Whether they were running…read moreevents or fixing things or making things better or just smashing the cake section at the local show every year, everyone knew all about the CWA. In big cities they don't have a presence, really, because CWA stands for COUNTRY Women's Association. However, Hobart isn't really a big city. It pretends to be. And for locals, it sure is! But travel to any other state capital in Australia and you'll probably be a bit overwhelmed if Hobart's all you know as a Big City. However, there are so many joys that come with Hobart's weird in-between city state, and one of those is right here: the CWA Gift Shop. It's cash only ("because the bank takes money from you for every card transaction!" how rude) and full of incredible hand-made goods, from crocheted throws to jams to beanies to cakes to everything your grandmother's talents extend to. And they've been in this exact spot since 1951. My current favourite thing to do is, whenever I'm feeling slightly or dramatically under the weather, drop in here and get myself a treat. My mum and my grandmothers all live interstate but the CWA ladies step in as my surrogates for a bit of heartwarming TLC for the mind and tummy, and it's pretty wonderful. Oh, and also: pineapple tea cosies.

Here's a hidden little gem. The Country Women's Association shop is great - with a mouth-watering…read moreselection of cakes, biscuits, slices, pickles, jams and relishes made fresh by ladies (and men perhaps - despite the title) in the surrounding country areas and brought in to be sold in this city shop. The ladies in charge informed me the vast majority of the baked goods on display were made fresh that morning. Each product - be it a sponge cake, tray of biscuits or jars of jams and relishes - is numbered, with the number corresponding to the lady who made them (it's all anonymous, only the ladies who run the shop know the secret identities of each cook). The shop takes a 25% cut of any takings with the baker/jam maker/knitter getting the rest. They also have loads of knitwear - from tea cosies to jumpers for kiddies - all of it first rate and all of it at great prices.