- Destinations
- Australasia
- Australia
- Hobart
Hobart
Tucked between Mt Wellington and the River Derwent 12 miles
(20km) upstream of the river mouth, Hobart is the capital of
Tasmania, and boasts one of the world's most secure deepwater
harbours. The city is the essence of Australia's only island state
and represents the fountainhead of white island settlement. It was
established in 1804 and is saturated in colonial history.
The main historical district, Battery Point, is characterised by
colonial stone cottages, tearooms, antique shops, restaurants and
pubs. The Narryna Van Diemen's Land Folk Museum at Battery Point
depicts 19th-century pioneer life. Here one also finds the Maritime
Museum of Tasmania. Like most Australian cities Hobart has plenty
of green space; the largest here is the Royal Tasmanian Botanical
Gardens, which are known for English-style plantings and trees, and
a Japanese garden dominated by a miniature Mt Fuji.
Other amusements for visitors include steam locomotive rides,
guided tours of a former women's prison, tours of the Cascade
Brewery, gaming at Australia's first legal casino at Wrest Point,
taking a cruise of the harbour, or sampling the delights of the
fudge factory at Island Produce Tasmania. Mount Wellington, which
is a 13-mile (22km) drive from the city, offers extensive views
across alpine shrubs of the city below.
Information & Facts
Climate
Hobart is characterised by a mild and temperate oceanic climate
with four distinct seasons and the second fewest daily average
hours of sunshine in Australia with 5.9 hours per day. Snow is not
common during the winter months, but it is normal to see adjacent
Mount Wellington with a snowcap. January and February are the
warmest and driest months and the best time to visit.
Getting Around
Hobart is small and compact, therefore it is easy to explore on
foot or bicycle. There is an efficient local bus service, the
Metro, for which day passes are available. Ferries run between
Franklin Wharf and tourist spots around the harbour.
Language
English is the official language of Australia.
Money
The Australian Dollar (AUD) is divided into 100 cents. Banks and
bureaux de change exchange most foreign currencies. Travellers
cheques are also welcome everywhere, but banks take a small
commission and it is better to take cheques in major currencies
(e.g. US dollars or Euros) to avoid additional charges. Credit
cards are widely accepted and ATMs are freely available throughout
the country. Banking hours are generally 9.30am to 4pm Monday to
Thursday, and 9.30am to 5pm on Friday, but some banks offer
extended hours and some are open on Saturday mornings.
Shopping
Hobart may not be the largest city in Australia but it has
plenty of great unique shopping opportunities for visitors to
enjoy. The main shopping area in the CBD is centred round the
pedestrianised Elizabeth Street, where the Cat and Fiddle Arcade
provides the perfect splurging arena for shopaholics. Nearby
Collins Street is also a good place to browse the numerous shops,
boutiques and speciality stores.
Downtown Hobart features a good mix of stores, from fashion
outlets and souvenir stores selling the usual tourist tat to art
and craft galleries and department stores and Sandy Bay is the
where fashionistas can be found in their designer clothing picking
up more of the latest trends. Northgate at Glenorchy and Eastlands
on the eastern shore are the two main suburban shopping centres
housing independent and chain stores as well as food halls and
supermarkets.
One of the greatest shopping markets in Hobart has to be the
Salamanca Market which takes place every Saturday from 8.30am to
3pm. Here, shoppers can enjoy browsing through everything from
fresh fruit and vegetables and confectionaries to Tasmanian arts
and crafts, clothing and leather goods. There are great food stalls
too to keep hungry shoppers energised, and the nearby cafés and
restaurants along the Salamanca Place offer respite from the maze
of stalls.
Sightseeing
The second oldest city in Australia, Hobart is indeed a
fascinating place to visit. Dating back to 1804 when it grew out of
the penal settlement on the island, Hobart boasts many beautiful
historical buildings and areas all beneath the majestic backdrop of
the often snow-capped Mount Wellington.
There are many rewarding ways to spend your time in Hobart. Take
a stroll along the riverfront and admire the Georgian and Victorian
architecture, then visit Battery Point to see buildings made out of
Hobart's golden sandstone, which gives parts of the city a warm,
golden glow. On a Saturday, visit Salamanca Place where the
sandstone warehouses date back to the 1830s and stalls line the
maze of streets selling everything under the sun, while the
surrounding art galleries, theatres and cafés will cater to your
every need.
Check out the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery to see the
stuffed Tasmanian Devil and the extinct Tasmanian Tiger, or head to
the Maritime Museum of Tasmania to learn about the whaling
industry, see early aboriginal boats and even shipwrecks. Hobart's
wine industry has exploded in recent years and a day out in the
Coal River Wine Region and D'Entrecasteaux Channel sampling some of
the region's wines and gourmet cuisine at Moorilla, one of
Australia's most awarded vineyards, is not to be missed. Travellers
should look into buying the See Tasmania Card which grants access
to over 60 attractions across Tasmania, as well as tours and
discounts. The card is available for either three, seven or 10 day
validity periods.