Hobart, Australia
The Tasmanian capital of Hobart, with its stunning harbour and historic buildings, is one of Australia's most attractive cities. It is also the perfect starting point for touring Australia's most southern state.
Hobart is shaped by water. The suburbs hug the winding Derwent river and city buildings cluster the docks. On the sparkling harbour Antarctic supply vessels and liners mingle with sailing craft.
Heritage City
Hobart is Australia's second-oldest state capital, after Sydney.
Founded in 1804 on the mouth of the Derwent river, against the striking backdrop of Mount Wellington, Hobart is a city of charming Georgian sandstone and brick buildings, many built by convicts.
Hobart is a great city to walk around. A good place to start your stroll is Salamanca Place, a row of classic Georgian waterfront houses.
Be sure to visit the Salamanca Markets on a Saturday morning (craftwork made from native woods, pottery and glass), Salamanca Square (cafes and boutiques) or the many waterfront seafood restaurants and pubs. Historic Franklin Wharf and Princes Wharf are both worth exploring and the Battery Point Walking Tour will tell you about the architecture.
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Downtown, Franklin Square leads past many fine old buildings to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Macquarie Street. In the museum, look for the display on the Tasmanian tiger (or thylacine), a handsome, striped marsupial generally thought to have been hunted to extinction by 1936. Unconfirmed sightings persist in remote parts of Tasmania.
Historic Breweries
Tasmanian tigers are depicted on the labels of Cascade beer, one of Tasmania's top ales. Hobart's famous Cascade Brewery (Australia's oldest) is paralleled by the less-known - but equally interesting - Tasmania Distillery. Australia's only whisky distillery uses an Alambic Charentais pot still, dating from the 1860s. Tours are conducted year round and include tastings of whisky, gin, brandy and vodka.
Step Back in Time
Richmond, 20 minutes travel time from Hobart, is Tasmania's premier historic town. Between cafes and galleries you'll find the oldest bridge and Catholic church in Tasmania, and Australia's oldest post office.
Food and Wine
Your holiday palate is in for a treat in Tasmania. The sharp crunch of local apples, crusty bread hot from a country bakery, world-beating ales, rich cream, full-flavoured cheeses and a summer spectrum of berry fruits will all delight your senses.
Stroll Hobart's docks onroute to one of the city's many fine restaurants and watch the catch delivered direct to your plate. Savour local oysters, succulent lobster or the smoky tang of Atlantic salmon. Come and experience and enjoy for yourself the wonderful harvest that Tasmanians reap from the soil and the sea.
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