We could live here! Tasmania’s capital, Hobart, has an exceptional geography for nature and sport lovers with Mt Wellington looming over it and the wide Derwent River flowing into the Southern Ocean, creating miles and miles of winding coastline that begs exploration. The city of 225,000 souls (half of the state’s population) gets an average of 24 inches/626 mm of rain each year with average summer temps of 70F/21C and winter temps of 52F/12C. Sounds a lot like the Bay Area in California. The city is small enough to have few traffic problems but big enough to offer superb cultural, dining, and recreational opportunities.
Salamanca Market is a weekly event held near the waterfront in a plaza of the same name. With 300 stalls we like it because it offers so many eclectic quality items crafted in Tasmania. These mini pavlovas are peaked domes of tasty meringue.Hobart from above: the peak of Mt. Wellington, elevation 900 metres.The Royal Botanical Gardens in Hobart offers a glimpse of the Derwent River. The garden proudly includes a grove of sequoia trees and a sub-Antarctic plant house that simulates the environment of Macquarie Island, 1,500 kms south. Pretty cool, literally and figuratively.Succulent Cafe at the Gardens prepared a pillar of roasted veggies that was almost too beautiful to eat.The Museum of Old & New Art is Australia’s largest private museum. Situated prominently on the Derwent River it is not only architecturally interesting but houses some extraordinary and controversial exhibits, the Moorilla vineyard, a stage for outdoor events and fascinating outdoor sculptures.Another unusual display at MONA was a trampoline.The owner of MONA has a sense of humour as well as a Tesla. The parking spot on the left is earmarked for God. This guy has a narcissistic side to rival the US President.This Signal Station was established to announce the appearance of boats in Storm Bay. Initially flags were raised to signal ships in a manner similarly tedious to Morse Code.The charming village of Richmond has several blocks of well-preserved heritage-listed Georgian buildings.The Richmond bridge is the oldest bridge in Australia built by convict labour in 1825.Pooley Winery bathed in early morning light.The Richmond Bakery has the best savoury pies! The curried scallop is a Tassie special and this one was so yummy.The town of Opposum Bay is nearly surrounded by water as it’s at the tip of the South Arm peninsula and reached by a narrow isthmus. It’s 45km by road to Hobart and only 10km as the crow flies. Kinda like the relationship between Tiburon and SF. The day we went to explore it was a stunner…clear air, clear water, clear sailing…we passed about 3 cars as we drove down the peninsula.Hobart area
12 thoughts on “Glorious Tasmania: Hobart and Surrounds”
As usual, superb pics and text enabling all of us to journey along with you and Joe! Thanks for ” the free ride” Really appreciated
Spectacular vistas, spectacular food presentations. Wow! Missed your usual map, but I went online and found a good one that offered perspective between Hobart and
Opossum Bay. Wow, the Dewent River looks more like a part of the bay, or the ocean, than an actual river. Thanks as always, Mary!
As usual, all your photos are awesome!
Two really captured my eye …
1) The absolutely stunning shot of Hobart from Mt. Wellington.
2) The Richmond bridge reminded me of a photo I took of a bridge on the Avon River in Stratford, England.
12 thoughts on “Glorious Tasmania: Hobart and Surrounds”
As usual, superb pics and text enabling all of us to journey along with you and Joe! Thanks for ” the free ride” Really appreciated
Wow! Absolutely lovely Mary and Joe!!! It’s rainy here today in the NW (imagine that!). 🙂
Thanks for letting us travel vicariously through you!
Soooooo beautiful!! Thanks for sharing. I’m adding this to my bucket list ?.
Sounds like you have found your new home! When can we visit you there ?
Another great snap shot of your adventures. So much to discover and great food and wine too! Got love Tassie!
It does sound very much like the Bay Area (how about earthquakes?) only this year we just hit 70 inches of rain for the season!
Spectacular vistas, spectacular food presentations. Wow! Missed your usual map, but I went online and found a good one that offered perspective between Hobart and
Opossum Bay. Wow, the Dewent River looks more like a part of the bay, or the ocean, than an actual river. Thanks as always, Mary!
Mary, you are entrenching my views on moving to Tas at some stage for some time…..The view from Mt. Wellington is so magnificent.
The Vella’s getting it done in the island State..nice work! Must get back to Tassie,if only for the Trout fishing in the Highlands ?
Fantastic journey! You are certainly seeing as much of the world as possible. Good for you. MM
As usual, all your photos are awesome!
Two really captured my eye …
1) The absolutely stunning shot of Hobart from Mt. Wellington.
2) The Richmond bridge reminded me of a photo I took of a bridge on the Avon River in Stratford, England.