Archive for the Category »Hobart «

In and Around Hobart
Friday, February 25th, 2011 /

Tasmania is a beautiful island state of Australia where the bounty of nature is the rule rather than the exception. A largely undiscovered paradise, visitors are greeted by natural beauty and many small, lightly populated towns, making the atmosphere one of relaxation and harmony.

Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, has a wonderful mix of the historical mingled with the cosmopolitan and offers a variety of attractions including art galleries, fine dining, a lively music and theatrical scene and plenty of outdoor activities nearby. If wine tasting is on your agenda, just outside of the city are some of Tasmania’s best wineries.

Hobart from Mt Wellington.

As a central point for a holiday, Hobart offers ample dining and accommodation options while just a short distance from the city the unique features of the area are waiting to be explored.

Nearby Mount Wellington offers spectacular views of the area from its high vantage point, offering a panoramic look at the city of Hobart and its harbour, the Derwent Valley, Kingston, Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula. On a clear day it presents a great opportunity for photos and is well worth the 21 km drive.

A bit further from the city, a great experience is waiting at Devil’s @ Cradle. Located near the entrance to the Cradle Mountain National Park, this sanctuary is dedicated to the preservation of the Tasmanian Devil and is a wonderful addition to a holiday itinerary. The best time to visit is during the evening feeding, as the Tassies are very active at that time and you might even get a chance to pet one of the cute creatures. Contrary to popular myth, the Devils are typically more curious than aggressive. The sanctuary is run by a dedicated and knowledgeable staff with the goal of protecting the species and educating the public.

Walking along the treetops is a fantastic adventure and not to be missed if coming to Tasmania. Tahune Forest Airwalk at Geeveston, which is about a 90 minute drive from Hobart, allows visitors the chance to traverse the Airwalk and gain a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area and the forest canopy from several steel walks suspended at 20 meters above the forest floor. There are also suspension bridges that overlook the Huon and Picton Rivers with beautiful views of the mountains off in the distance. Once completing the Airwalk, there are plenty of walking paths on the forest floor that offer beautiful scenery throughout the area.

airwalk

There are many other destinations worth exploring. Hobart is a wonderful destination for the entire family and Tasmania is a bit of Heaven on Earth.

About the author:
My name is Keith Palmer and I live in Brisbane, Australia. I was thinking about visiting Tasmania for a long time. After seeing lots of documentaries I decided to go. I took a flight with Student Flights, a travel agency that offers really cheap flights and at the same time I arranged a car hire. I stayed at Wrest Point hotel in Hobart.

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Port Arthur is must see when touring Tasmania
Wednesday, June 09th, 2010 /

Port Arthur Located in Tasmania, Port Arthur is an extremely well-preserved convict settlement. For much of the 1800′s, criminals from Britain and Ireland were sent to Port Arthur. The location had been used as a timber mill but throughout the 1800′s became known chiefly as a prison. Port Arthur was ideally placed because it was surrounded by water with only a tiny, heavily guarded strip of land linking it to the mainland.

The prisoners at Port Arthur produced many of the basics that they needed. They made shoes and leather goods, clothing and wooden tools. In this way, the prison population was largely self-sufficient. However, this was no idyllic community. The prisoners worked in chain gangs and beatings were not uncommon. Port Arthur came to be known as ‘hell on Earth’. Port Arthur accommodation, thankfully, would not be described this way!

Port Arthur1 The tourist industry at Port Arthur began to take hold as early as the 1920′s. After the prison closed, the name of Port Arthur was changed to Carnavon in an effort to shake off its dark history. However, tourists were very interested in the original convict settlement. Therefore, it was renamed Port Arthur in the 1920′s. Since then, it has been a tourist destination for Australians and visitors from around the world.

Today, visitors can take guided tours of the many original prison buildings at Port Arthur. You can also visit the island which is home to the graves of prisoners, known as the Island of the Dead. The suffering and death which occurred at Port Arthur has led to many ghost tales. The night ghost tour is devoted to the ghost stories surrounding the settlement.

In contrast to the dark history of Port Arthur, the area is recognized for its natural beauty. Hiking, caving and boating are some of the activities which tourists enjoy while visiting the area.

It is wise to book your accommodation well in advance because Port Arthur is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. The inns, Bed and Breakfasts and hotels tend to fill up quickly, particularly in the summer. Because Port Arthur is located on an island, there are not as many accommodation options as there are in sprawling cities.

There are a number of small independently run accommodation options in Port Arthur. These include pubs with accommodation, bed and breakfasts, and boutique hotels. You can also find self-catering lodges and cabins which include a kitchen. Many are positioned with views of the Port Arthur bay. Other options include motor home resorts. An RV can be one of the cheapest choices for accommodation in Port Arthur. Hotels and motels are another possibility. They usually have a large number of rooms, which can be especially helpful when travelling in a large group.

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Great Attractions in Historic Hobart
Sunday, April 11th, 2010 /

Customs House HobartAnyone with the slightest interest in history will be fascinated by the town of Hobart and its suburbs in Tasmania. Whether you want to check in on some places listed in the National History Register or start at Salamanca Market and improvise, you won’t be able to avoid countless picturesque and intriguing spots along the way. You have numerous Hobart Accommodation options available when you need a break. Here are some great attractions in the area.

Battery Point
Standing on the coast of Battery Point, it’s easy to imagine the days when great navies roamed the high seas and batteries protected the shores. Those days – and the cannons once used – are long gone, but Battery Point still has a distinct 19th century flavor. For an even closer look at the area’s early days, visit the Colonial Museum. Arthur’s Circus, which features some of Hobart’s oldest homes, should not be missed.

Female Factory
For women convicted and sentenced to a labor prison, ending up at the Cascades Female Factory was the worst case scenario. Begun in 1828 after expanding the site of a rum distiller’s factory, this prison camp has many original sections intact, allowing the visitor a glimpse into a long-departed piece of history.

The site ceased being the Female Factory as of the 1850s, but as different hospitals and other governmental institutions took its place, some of the yards were preserved. The entire site was left unused after 1904.

Parliament House
The John Lee Archer Parliament House in Hobart is the place to see history and modern government in action at the same time. Completed in 1841, the building was both Customs House and Parliament for Tasmanian officials until the early 1900s, when Customs offices were moved.

Still the seat of government for all Tasmania, Parliament House is open to visitors interested in parliamentary procedure or just excellent architecture.

History Tours in Historic Hobart
The History Tours of Hobart are an interesting and fun way to step into the past of this coastal area.

For a taste of the hard life of a Female Factory inmate, spend the afternoon on Louisa’s Walk, complete with live actors and a Cascades tour.

To enter the past of rum-running gamblers and lascivious women, take the Pub History Tour and stop in for refreshments at some of the old haunts along the way.

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