Tasmania is the only Australian state that is not part of the mainland, and lies to the south across Bass Strait. It is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney, as it was founded in 1803 as a penal colony. It is situated on the banks of the Derwent River in the south-east of Tasmania and just to the west is Mount Wellington with a height of 1,271 metres.
Hobart was named after the Colonial Secretary, Lord Hobart. It was originally called Hobart Town and was renamed Hobart in 1875. It has a good deep water harbour and is a busy port that acts as the home port for both Australian and French operations in the Antarctic, including the Aurora Australis research vessel.
Facts About Hobart
Hobart is Tasmania's largest city with a population of over 207,000, which is over 40% of the entire population of Tasmania. The city centre is easy to get around with the streets arranged in a grid pattern around the Elizabeth St Mall. There are still many well-preserved sandstone buildings from the Georgian era which gives the city a attractive and elegant ambience, and more than 90 of them are classified by the National Trust.
The Wrest Point Hotel and Casino was the first legal casino in Australia and was opened in 1973. It is still the tallest building in Hobart, 17 storeys high, even though it is several kilometres from the CBD. The city is well-known for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race which starts in Sydney on Boxing Day.
The climate has four distinct seasons, although storms from the ocean can bring cold conditions at any time of year. The summer is warm rather than hot, with mild nights. After March the temperature drops, and autumn brings cool, sunny days with occasional frosty nights. Winter is wet and cold with frequent storms and overcast days and Mount Wellington is often snow. Spring is sunny but also windy.
Hobart Accommodation and Dining
Most of Hobart's main attractions are in or near the city centre and waterfront area so accommodation in this area tends to be a little dearer. Hobart accommodation includes hotels, cottages, apartments, backpackers, bed and breakfast, retreats, lodges, and of course the casino. One popular hotel has been converted from an old wool store
There are a range of places to eat and there are large numbers of good restaurants at Elizabeth Street a in North Hobart, and also Salamanca Place near the waterfront where several trendy restaurants line the wharves. There is a wide range of ethnic cuisine on offer with the most popular being Chinese, Thai, Greek, Italian, Indian, Pakistani and Mexican.
Things to Do in Hobart
Battery Point is a well-preserved early colonial district on the waterfront, and the port is always interesting to visit with its mix of fishing boats, cruise boats, ferries, visiting yachts and naval vessels as well as the occasional Antarctic vessel. Popular places to visit include the Cadbury chocolate factory and the Cascade Brewery in South Hobart.
There are historic buildings, parks, museums and galleries. You can also use the city as a base to visit the many vineyards in the surrounding area, climb Mount Wellington or travel to Bruny Island. There are also plenty of tours to Port Arthur which is well worth dedicating a full day to.
Australia's other capital cities are Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Darwin. Canberra is also the National capital.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
