Hobart Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Hobart

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.

The city has a unique offering, with 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.

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.

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Population: 20.090.400
Languages: English 79%, native and other languages
Currency: Australian dollar
Currency code: AUD
Local Times:
Australia - Australian Capital Territory - Canberra

Australia - New South Wales - Sydney

Australia - Tasmania - Hobart

Australia - Western Australia - Perth

Country Dialling Code: +61
Voltage: 240V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
Flat prongs, inverted 'V' positioned with earth connector

Flat prongs, inverted 'V' positioned with earth connector

The moment Captain James Cook arrived in Botany Bay in 1770, it was clear that Australia was never going to be kept much of a secret for future generations. The country has ever since been a magnet for explorers and backpacking adventurers and has a great deal to offer tourists and holidaymakers looking for something a little more organised. Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the continental mainland (the smallest of the World's continents).

The continent of Australia, with the island state of Tasmania, is approximately equal in area to the United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). Mountain ranges run from north to south along the east coast, reaching their highest point in Mount Kosciusko (7,308 ft; 2,228 m). The western half of the continent is occupied by a desert plateau that rises into barren, rolling hills near the west coast. The Great Barrier Reef, extending about 1,245 mi (2,000 km), lies along the northeast coast. The island of Tasmania (26,178 sq mi; 67,800 sq km) is off the southeast coast. It may be one of the world's most ancient lands with its mystical red centre and brooding rock formations, but Australia is also characterised by its youthful energy, its freshness and its 'no worries' philosophy.

Most of the population lives within a few miles of the beach and with the working day beginning and ending early, it's not uncommon to see city slickers out of their suits and into the surf come 4.30pm.

In high summer many families will enjoy a simple backyard barbecue several times a week.

The 22-hour journey means most European people visit for at least a couple of weeks, allowing time for all that the country has to offer, including its chic cities, terracotta desert, lush bush and magical ocean reefs.

But the sheer size of Australia means that one visit is unlikely to be enough.

The most popular attractions are undoubtedly Uluru (Ayers Rock), the Great Barrier Reef and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, but there are now more subtle incentives for a visit.

The wonderful fusion cuisine, the café society, the burgeoning art, culture and fashion scene, and the very real possibility of being the only person for miles around all conspire to make it a wholly alluring experience.

From the dazzling kaleidoscope of colours and marine life of the Great Barrier Reef and its coral islands, the intridue of the outback, the bustling cosmopolitan cities, the sun and surf at some of the best beaches on the planet, and the tropical rainforests of Western Australia really set up the scene for any tourist to find a myriad of fantastic experiences. With more than 2,000 national parks, 14 World Heritage-listed areas, 7000 beaches and a wealth of man made attractions, Australia is certainly a destination for anybody.

Australia is full of culture and character too, with diverse cultures and traditions. For more than 50,000 years the Aboriginal people lived and thrived in the continent's unique environment and nowadays consciuos government efforts and initiatives are placing ever greater importance on them retaining their heritage and culture. Any tourist to Australia will no doubt experience the new world and maybe a glimpse of the aboriginal old Australia too.

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