5 Hidden Gems To Discover In Hobart, According To A Local Artist
Creative People
Ceramic artist and educator Kate Bowman in her Hobart studio.
‘My practice is centred on material storytelling and environmental narrative, using overlooked and discarded matter to create ceramic surfaces grounded in place,’ Kate says.
‘I love opening people’s eyes to the creative potential of the materials already around them, and showing that waste or everyday matter can be the beginning of something unexpectedly beautiful and useful,’ Kate says.
Everything from shells to bricks and rocks can be transformed into new ceramic surfaces.
‘Tassie forces you to slow down and pay attention,’ ceramic artist Kate Bowman says.
Originally from Melbourne, Kate moved down to Hobart about two years ago, when her partner was offered a new job.
‘I’ve been coming to festivals and gigs in Hobart for years, so it already felt familiar. Some places just click, and I didn’t overthink the chance to give it a crack.’
It turned out to be a perfect match — both for her lifestyle and creative practice, which turns materials from the local geology, or post-industrial by-products, such as quarry dust, volcanic rock, and even hospitality waste into experimental ceramics.
‘The landscape is wild, the materials are literally under your feet, and there’s a deep respect for craft here,’ Kate says fondly of Hobart.
‘Instead of ordering materials from across the world, I can go for a walk with the dog and collect what I need.’
She’s also found herself at home within the city’s strong creative community: ‘People here are experimenting, pushing boundaries and genuinely invested in making things that matter.’
In addition to running hand-building courses and glaze workshops at her Hobart studio, Kate is currently in the middle of a 12-month residency with Design Tasmania and Regional Arts Australia.
The collaborative project explores how hospitality waste (think eggshells, bricks, glass or fryer oil) from local restaurants Dier Makr, The Agrarian Kitchen and Scholé can be reimagined as ceramic forms, like tableware or tiles.
Not only does this process give discarded material newfound purpose, but there’s an added layer of meaning, anchored by a connection to place.
‘When a piece contains materials from a local landscape or a venue people know, it carries a different kind of weight. It becomes more than just a nice object,’ Kate adds.
Having seen what makes Hobart so special first-hand, we asked Kate to share some of her favourite spots so you can experience Tassie like a local.
Explore all her recommendations in her own words below!
Kate’s a regular at Westside Laundry Cafe.
This hidden gem serves sandwiches and sweet treats by day and small plates by night.
The space has transformed from an old laundromat into a laid-back neighbourhood cafe.
Westside Laundry Cafe
Westside is my local and a bit of a second living room. Most mornings start there with coffee, and by Friday, it’s more likely a cocktail and dinner at the bar. I love that they do a changing cocktail each day using fruit from their own backyard. Very Hobart! The chicken and waffles are also worth rearranging your day for!
Lavada Day Spa is Kate’s go-to for some self-care.
Inside the luxurious space.
Book from their long list of offerings, including massages, treatments, facials and more.
The minimalistic interiors fill the space with a calming energy.
Lavada Day Spa
Whenever I visit Lavada Day Spa, it feels like a full reset. They really know how to bring Hobartians’ winter-weather-affected skin back to life, whether that’s with a body treatment or a massage, and their facials feel less like maintenance and more like a full nervous-system repair. You might come in for a quick treatment, but the calming interiors will make you want to stick around and soak up the full experience.
Ranita Ramen is a nine-seat ramen bar on Liverpool Street, Hobart.
Ranita Ramen
Ranita Ramen is tiny, thoughtful and insanely delicious. Javier and Zoe have created one of those places that feels generous in every sense. It’s become a fave for a solo lunch, though I’m just as likely to bump into a pal while there!
Kate at Lucinda Wine Bar.
Lucinda offers an ever-changing selection of wines from around the world.
The perfect spot for an evening drink.
Lucinda Wine Bar
Lucinda is one of my regular haunts for date night with mates! The wine list, the snacks, the mood, it all just hits. I also make tableware for the bar, so it feels personal in more ways than one.
Skyfarm is a newly built, off-grid accomodation in Woodstock.
Views overlook the Huon Valley’s lush rolling hills.
Inside the A-frame retreat.
A bath with a spectacular view!
Skyfarm Retreat
While this one is actually less than an hour south of Hobart, Skyfarm Retreat is an off-grid retreat worth travelling for. Perched high above the folds of Tasmania’s Huon Valley, the house in Upper Woodstock has floor-to-ceiling windows, capturing all-day sunlight and panoramic views of lush rolling hills. With a firepit and outdoor bath, the accommodation has everything you need for a cosy getaway.
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