Nestled on the Derwent River on the south-east
coast of
Tasmania
is the State's capital, Hobart. Occupying both banks of
the Derwent River, this picturesque city has a relaxed atmosphere, which
is why it is so popular with mainland Australians. The township is focused
on its busy docks, where you can watch the local fishing catch coming in
and the large icebreaker ships being loaded before they head south to
Antarctica. Constitution Dock is an especially popular marina around New
Year's Eve, when the yachts arrive from the annual Sydney
to Hobart Race, which leaves
Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day. This race, Australia's premier
yacht race, has been contested since 1949, and is regarded as one of the
toughest races in the world. The docks area and city centre feature many
delightful cafe's and restaurants, along with boutique stores. There is a
shopping precinct at Elizabeth Street Mall, plus many retail stores along
Collins, Murray, Liverpool and Argyle Streets.
Hobart has resisted the pressure to modernise, the
old buildings add to the city's charm. Tasmania's Parliament House was
built by convicts in the late 1830s, originally as a customs house, and is
now fully restored. The Penitentiary, Chapel and Criminal Courts, a
National Trust Property and one of
Tasmania's oldest convict buildings,
sits on
Brisbane Street -a tour of this site will reveal eerie underground
tunnels which once led to execution yards. There are historic homes
throughout the State; in Hobart there are fine examples of the Colonial,
Georgian and Victorian periods, many of which are owned by the National
Trust. Runnymede House, a colonial building, was built by a lawyer, Robert Picton, in 1840 in New Town, to the north. Theatre Royal, in Campbell
Street, is Australia's oldest theatre, originally opened in 1837Ñit still
boasts a full program of theatre and music. To appreciate the history of
Hobart, take the heritage walk -tours depart the Wrest Point Casino at 2
p.m. on Saturdays.
Hobart has many other attractions for visitors.
The Anglesea Barracks and Museum on Davey Street is set in the oldest
military barracks in Australia -it is still occupied by the Australian
Army. Apart from memorabilia dating back to convict days you can view some
of the tombstones from the original burial ground of Hobart Town. Some of
Hobart's convict past can be seen in the Cascade Female Factory Site,
where women were sent for rehabilitation. The first inmates of this prison
arrived in 1828Ñthe complex operated until 1877. It is said that
corruption and crime were rife throughout the prison, with frequent
prisoner riots. Most of the site on Degraves Street was demolished, but
what was left has been restored.
Tasmania
is renowned worldwide for its beer, and
Cascade Brewery in South Hobart opens the brewery, museum and gardens to
the public on weekdays. The brewery was founded by Peter Degraves in 1824,
and is the oldest in Australia; it still uses traditional manufacturing
methods. Even more popular is chocolate. The Cadbury Chocolate Factory,
Australia's largest confectionery factory, is in Claremont; it too opens
its nearly 15 ha (37 acres) plant for tours, which show the chocolate
manufacturing process and, even better, offer samples. It is essential to
book for this tour.
Near the Cadbury Factory is the Alpenrail (this is
found on Abbotsfield Road), a piece of Switzerland in
Tasmania. This
indoor village and model railway display places you in the Alps of
Switzerland; you listen to Swiss music while gazing upon rivers, lakes and
the magnificent scenery that can only be found in Switzerland. Ten kilometres south of Hobart, at Taroona, is the Tudor Court Model Village,
another intricate village model.
The Tasmanian Transport Museum at Glenorchy is a
must for tram and train buffs. It boasts a wide collection of steam
trains, rail cars, trams and trolley buses. There is even a railway
station and signal box. The Hobart-based Classic Rail Tours
Tasmania
has
restored two 1939 rail carriages - these are available for tours and
charter bookings. The cars run from the museum in Glenorchy to the town of
Ross every third Sunday during the warmer months.
Sandy Bay, a suburb only 2.5 km south of Hobart,
is home to Wrest Point Casino, Australia's first casino, which was opened
in 1973. At that time, Australians used to flock to it to legally play
blackjack, roulette and keno although since then, casinos have now been
built in other States. However, Wrest Point is still popular and the
complex includes many fine restaurants as well as a large convention
centre. Sandy Bay is also home to the John Elliot Classics Museum,
situated in the grounds of the University of Tasmania, which contains
artifacts from Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome, and the
Masterpiece Fine Art and Antique Gallery, which features Australian
paintings from the Impressionist, Colonial and Modern periods, plus many
Aboriginal paintings and antique furniture.
North of Hobart, on the shores of the Derwent
River, is Plasminco Metals, a zinc mining plant -tours are conducted on
weekdays (suitable clothing is required). Further north is Risdon Cove
Historical Site, where the first European settlement was begun, during
1803. The site has a visitors' centre, theatre, monument and housing
displays. If your preference is to spend some time outdoors, go to nearby
Mount Wellington, which offers superb views of Hobart and the Derwent
River. There are numerous walking trails, plus bicycle and even Harley
Davidson excursions are possible here.
Dining in Hobart is exquisite, with fresh local
seafood, delicious dairy products, crisp vegetables and fruits, and fine
wines all being specialties. The Tasmanian Wine Centre can even arrange
gourmet tours of the State and has information on wineries; tastings are
also held here by arrangement. The Trout Fishing Guides of
Tasmania
offer
tours and advice on trout fishing in the inland waters. The Royal Harbour
Regatta is held each February, the Hobart Film Festival is held in
September, and the Royal Hobart Show is on in October.
