Travel Eye on Hobart (Tasmania, Australia)

Write a review or view peoples experiences in Hobart.	Vacation Rentals & Holiday Rentals in Hobart and surrounding area.	Hotels in Hobart	Flights	Car Hire/Rental

Overview:

The city of Hobart is unique offering all the amenities of a thriving city only minutes from a wide variety of natural beauties. Situated on the west bank of the Derwent River the city in many ways retains the flavour of a small town with a leisurely pace and a population of 160 000. One of the most beautiful capitals in the world, Hobart is set under the towering peak of Mount Wellington and has a deep water port rivaling Sydney Harbour.

Founded in1804 by Colonel David Collins, Hobart is the second oldest city in Australia. It grew out of the first settlement on the island at Risdon Cove, eight kilometres up river, which was founded in 1803 and abandoned five months later for the present site of Hobart. Ridson Cove remains today much as it was 190 years ago and is an unique tourist attraction.

There are many fine examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture, including, Salamanca Place which has a terrace of wharehouses dating back to the whaling days of the 1830's. Nearby Battery Point, the original seamens quarters of the city and Maquarie and Davey Street offer more than 60 buildings classified by the National Trust.

Locality:

Hobart is Australia's southern most capital situated in Tasmania. The city straddles the Derwent River, with Mount Wellington as a magnificent backdrop. Hobart has one of the deepest harbours in the world.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Popular attractions and activities include:

Cadbury's Chocolate Factory: This tasty attraction is situated in Claremont, 15 minutes outside of Hobart. It is open Mon-Fri, for various tours, ranging from boat cruises to drive yourself tours. This is an excellent outing for chocoholics and families, as it is both exciting and educational. For further information on this culinary delight, you can call Cadbury's toll free number: 1800 627 367

Anglesea Barracks: Building began in 1814 on what is now the oldest military establishment in Australia still used by the Army. Two impressive bronze cannons are mounted on the grounds. One theory has it that they were souvenired from the brig HMS Sirius by a detachment of the 73rd Regiment, which served in Hobart from 1810-14.

Cascade Brewery: Hop vines were brought to Hobart as early as 1822, and the cultivation of hops and brewing have been two of Tasmania's important industries. The brewery was established in 1824, the stone building erected in 1832 and extended in 1927. It houses a collection of bottles that tells the story of brewing in the state.

Maritime Museum: This museum in the seafaring village of Battery Point brings to life Tasmania's rich maritime history, with displays of pictures and equipment covering the whaling era, models of various ships from the past to the present day, and relics from sunken vessels. The collection is housed in Secheron House. Open Sunday-Friday afternoons and all day Saturday.

Royal Botanic Gardens: The development of these beautiful gardens, spread over 13.5 hectares in the Queen's Domain, goes back to 1818. The 280 metres Eardley-Wilmot Wall between the gardens and Government House is said to be the longest convict-built wall in Australia still standing. Buildings include a conservatory, a tropical greenhouse, a rosarium and a fuchsia house.

St David's Cathedral: This sandstone church, built in the Gothic Revival style (1868), boasts several treasures. The alter vessels include 5 solid silver pieces presented by King George III in 1803, and there is a collection of stones from many well-known English abbeys and cathedrals.

Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery: A section of this building is itself a museum piece, since it dates from 1808 and is Hobart's oldest structure. The art gallery has a fine collection of colonial art, water colours and prints. The museum collection includes Aboriginal artifacts and convict relics, as well as whaling and shipping displays. It is open daily.

Theatre Royal: A thousand people attended the laying of the foundation stone in 1834, every ship in the harbour showed its colours. Until a devastating fire in mid 1984, this small theatre was renowned worldwide for its beautiful interior and was the oldest theatre in Australia still in use, having opened in 1837. The classical facade remains intact and the auditorium has been restored to its former glory.