HOBART, TASMANIA - AUSTRALIA

Hobart is Tasmania’s harbour capital, located in the south-east of the state at the foot of majestic Mount Wellington.

What’s special about Hobart?

• Australia’s smallest and most historic capital in close proximity to beautiful natural surrounds.
• Your start point to explore Southern Tasmania.
• Listed as 7 out of 10 in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel for 2013 - the only Australian location to make that exclusive group.
• A provocative mix of historic and contemporary art and culture.

Early morning looking to Hobart city.

Location of Hobart:

Hobart is located on the estuary of the Derwent River in the state's south-east. The central business district is located on the western shore, adjacent to Sullivan's Cove, with the inner suburbs spread out along the shores of the Derwent and climbing up the hills at the foot of Mount Wellington. The Port of Hobart occupies the whole of the original Sullivan's Cove.

Dating from 1804, Hobart is the second oldest capital city in Australia, only exceeded in antiquity by Sydney. It is a city which is in a beautiful natural setting and of a very manageable size.

Today Hobart is still a treasure trove of early Australian history. It abounds with the original colonial architecture of the 1800's.

Murray St Hobart city - fine 1800's architecture.

 It is a modern vibrant community with a strong cultural focus on the arts.

Hobart attractions:

Alexandra Battery is near the Shot Tower. It was built in 1885 to defend Hobart from possible invasion, and was named in honour of Princess Alexandra of Denmark. It has fine views over the Derwent River.

Anglesea Barracks is the oldest military headquarters still occupied in Australia. The Barracks were ordered by Governor Macquarie in 1811 and are still used by the military. The Museum is open to the public on Tuesday & Thursday 9am - 12.30pm & operated by volunteers - parking is available within the barrack grounds - ask at the Visitor Centre as you drive in. Location is in upper Davey Street, Hobart.

Anglesea Barracks, Davey St Hobart.

Battery Point was one of the first areas of Hobart to be settled and it contains some stately colonial housing, now mostly used as up-market accommodation or as restaurants.

The Cenotaph is located in the domain and is on a prominent hill overlooking Macquarie Point and the Yacht Club. It is a wonderful memorial to the soldiers who served our country in all campaigns.

Franklin Square is in the centre of Hobart, diagonally opposite the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre on the corner of Davey and Elizabeth Streets, with Sir John Franklin standing at its centre. He was Governor of Van Diemen's Land from 1837 until 1843, and was also a polar explorer. He perished while trying to locate the North-West Passage. Hobart has a long association with Antarctic exploration, being the closest Australian city to the southernmost continent, so you will also find in this square photographs of the 1898 - 1900 Antarctic Expedition led by Carstens Borchgrevink. This was the first expedition to spend a winter in Antarctica. The members are pictured paying their respects to Sir John Franklin in this spot upon their return to Hobart in April 1900. One member, the physicist Louis Bernacchi, was from Hobart. Franklin Square also offers a fine view over the harbour, especially if the sun is shining.

The International Wall of Friendship is at the Commonwealth Government Centre providing a tribute to the migrants who have settled in Tasmania. 188 Collins Street, Hobart.

The International Wall of Friendship, Collins St hobart.

Kelly's Steps are found leading up from the eastern end of Salamanca Place. These are Kelly's Steps, built in 1839 by the adventurer James Kelly to connect Salamanca Place with Battery Point. They lead into Kelly Street.

North Hobart Cafe & restaurant strip - the rival to Lygon St of Melbourne ONLY here it is much more compact and easy to enjoy. In just 500 meters there are more than 25 eateries, Dick Bett gallery, the great State Cinema and a feast of live entertainment at any of the four major hotels in the area.

Parliament House is adjacent to Salamanca Place. It was designed by the famous convict architect John Lee Archer as a customs house and built by convicts between 1835 and 1840. Only when self-government was granted in 1856 did it become the home of the Tasmanian Parliament. NOTE: it is open to the public at restricted times and there is a museum on the ground floor and a popular lawn outside in Parliament Square.

Penitentiary Chapel Historic Site is a collection of redbrick buildings which are some of the oldest in Tasmania. The Penitentiary Chapel was completed in 1835 and used for compulsory church services for convicts. It is located right in the city on the corner of Brisbane and Campbell Streets. NOTE, it is open for viewing and in peak season often includes the opportunity to see a play enacting one of the original trials held within the court. A must see!

Runnymede is a stately home built in about 1836 and now restored and opened for viewing by the National Trust. 61 Bay Road, New Town. (03 6278 1269).

Salamanca Place consists of a splendid row of Georgian sandstone warehouses dating back to the 1830s, now converted into cafes, craft shops, galleries and restaurants.  

Salamanca, Hobart Tasmania.

The Shot Tower was built in 1870 and, of course, its purpose was the manufacture of lead shot by the process of dropping molten lead from a height so that it would form spherical pellets and solidify before hitting the ground. The tower is 48 metres high. It is no longer used for the manufacture of lead shot, but offers a good lookout over the city. Channel Highway about 10 km south of Hobart.

The Shot Tower, Taroona.

St. David's Cathedral construction was commenced in 1868, the handsome edifice being the work of George Bodley. It is generally thought to be his best creation outside England. There is a small museum in the cloisters. 125 Macquarie Street.

St David's Cathedral, Hobart Tasmania.

The Tasman Bridge lies a little over one kilometre north of the city centre. It was the scene of a disaster when, at 9.27pm on 5th January 1975, the bulk ore carrier Lake Illawarra crashed into one of the piers and brought down a 127-metre section of the bridge. Four vehicles were on the section at the time and the five people in those vehicles died, together with seven crew members of the Lake Illawarra. Two cars were left suspended precariously over the gap in the bridge, but their occupants escaped.

Tasman Bridge at night, Hobart Tasmania.

The magnificent General Post Office is in the heart of Hobart. It was from the steps of this building on 8th March 1912 that Roald Amundsen announced his journey & sent his telegram to confirm to the world that he had indeed reached the South Pole and returned safely.

The Hobart GPO, Tasmania.

The Hobart Yacht Club, just north of the city centre, is where the famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race finishes.