The long-neglected island of “Tassie” as the Aussies call it, has finally come into its own. Tourists from all over the world are flocking to this beautiful island where vistas of unspoilt natural trails abound, and while there, more often than not, stumble upon a few urban surprises unrelated to quaint architecture and wildlife.

The TasmanianCricketMuseum is one such find, being a must-see for any cricket fanatic, as it showcases the entire length of the island’s cricketing history from the days of its early settlement. This is located on Bellerive Oval in Hobart, which is a ten minute drive away from its city centre. The museum features an unparalleled collection of cricket artifacts and memorabilia which is exhibited via a series of state-of the-art multimedia and audiovisual presentations as well as other mediums incorporating interactive technology.

Apart from these displays, the guided tours of Bellerive Oval are also highly sought after, where visitors learn the operation of a modern sporting venue in detail. Highlights of this tour include the views of the Oval from “Richie’s Room”, the exploration of the players’ and members’ facilities and the chance to gaze out at the stadium from the television studio located above the Southern Stand. Entry to the TasmanianCricketMuseum is part and parcel of the tour, although advance bookings are essential.

Cricket fanatics and those taking a scholarly interest in this internationally-popular sport should also visit the Max Atwell Memorial Library housed at the Oval. This archive boasts a collection of thousands of cricketing books and comprehensive records of legendary sportsmen. The library is usually open on weekdays.

This is only one of the many recreational options that open up to visitors staying at Hobart. Perfect for extended family vacations, Hobart Accomodation is plentiful within the town. If you’re weary of extended hotel stays, a great alternative in the form of Serviced Apartments Hobart is also to be found in the city. The waterfront property of Somerset on the Pier in particular, is a by-word in excellent service in this area, and is becoming popular especially among business travelers and family vacationers to the city.