Hobart (Tasmania)
Hobart,with a deep-water port and a maritime history, is the capital of Tasmania and Australia’s second-oldest city. Founded in 1804, it straddles the Derwent River, with Mount Wellington as a magnificent backdrop to the city. It is the ideal base from which to explore the wild, tranquil beauty of Tasmania, with over hundred national parks, heritage and wildlife reserves.
Must see and do in Hobart
Battery Point: This waterfront precinct was first settled in 1804. It remains largely residential, with more than 40 historic buildings still in use. There are early fishrmen’s cottages,fine town houses and old pubs. The best way to explore it is on foot.
Cadbury Schweppes Chocolate Factory: Australia’s largest confectionery manufacturing plant. It was established in 1921 and spans some 15 hectares.Visitors are shown an video detailing the history of Cadbury’s and on a tour of the factory are given samples of whichever varieties of chocolates are then being made.
Salamanca Place: adjacent to Constitution Dock in the city centre, features a row of beautifully preserved sandstone warehouses from the city’s first settlement, specialty shops, arts and crafts and restaurants. On Saturday visit the open air market which is renowned for local craft and fresh produce. The Antarctic Adventure Centre on Salamanca Place takes visitors on an interactive journey through the stormy Southern Ocean to the wilderness of Antarctica to explore the coldest, driest,highest,windiest, emptiest and most isolated continent of Earth.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens: These outstanding gardens, situated only 2 km from the centre, were established in the early 1800 s and feature a fine collection of exotic and native plants, a Conservatory, tropical glass house,herb garden and various water features.
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: Located at 40 Macquarie Street. An outstanding collection of colonial art and exhibitions displaying the cultural and natural history of Tasmania.
Wildlife and theme parks in Hobart:
Bonorong Park Wildlife Centre: Brighton, 26 km from Hobart. Displays koalas, Tasmanian devils,emus, kangaroos and wombats in a one-hectare park. At feeding times visitors are allowed to pat animals.
Tasmanian devil Park Wildlife Rescue centre: Port Arthur Highway at Taranna, 85 km south of Hobart. A wildlife rescue centre for orphaned and injured animals spies under care range from eagles and kangaroos to Tasmanian Devils and Koalas, many in walk-in displays.
Trowunna Wildlife Park: 72 km from Launceston. Situated in the beautiful Mersey Valley the park displays Tasmani an animals birds and reptiles as well as koalas from Victoria and free roaming wallabies and kangaroos. Animal shows featuring koalas, wombats and Tasmanian devils are held daily with the opportunity to hold and pat animals.
Excursions and day tours from Hobart:
Huon Valley: located about 45 minutes drive south of the city. Visitors can explore the area stopping by apple, berry and cherry orchards, oyster and salmon farms,Roadside stands sell fresh produce.
Port Arthur Historic Site: located 100 km south of Hobart and is one of Australia’s most significant historic sites. Port Arthur offers a combination of convict history, spectacular scenery and magnificent waterways. Visitor shave access to a wide range of activities including 40 hectares of grounds, 30 building and ruins, historical walking tours, harbor cruises, museums and audiovisuals. Evening Ghost Tours Operate year round with guides giving an insight into the mystery of Port Arthur as you explore the site by lantern light.
The east coast is the balmiest part of Tasmania, with pristine white beaches washed by a turquoise sea. Visit Freycinet National Park to see stunning Wineglass Bay. Launceston, two hours north of Hobart, is the starting point for an exploration of the wineries of the Tamar Valley,colonial history, charming Evandale, and fishing at London Lakes. Launceston has preserved its colonial heritage – visit the Design Centre of Tasmania and the Wood Design Collection for the best of local Cantaract Gorge with its gardens, walking trails, suspension bridge and chairlift is only minutes from the city centre. Historic towns and villages abound along the Heritage Highway between Hobart and Launceston.
The West: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is part of Tasmania’s World Heritage Area.It features rivers, lakes, waterfalls, Tasmania’s highest peak, Mt Ossa, the famous Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake, and the Overland Track that links cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair. Head for the wild coast line and Strahan, on the shores of Macquarie Harbour. Visitors enjoy easy access to the Franklin-Gordon Wild river National Park. Take a scenic flight and a Gordon River cruise.
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