HOBART.... 12th March

Just going back to yesterday when we arrived. This is the holiday apartment in Hobart the whole of the lower floor. Not sure who lives upstairs maybe the owners but the booking was done through an agent. It is a two bedroom apartment with a bedroom and ensuite each end and the living kitchen dining lounge in the middle. One bedroom is shut off. Lovely place and beautiful gardens. We are having four days here.

Inside dining kitchen lounge in the middle and far end one of the bedrooms and ensuite.

The view from inside looking down over the Derwent river. We are about 12 minutes from downtown Hobart.

Now today we explore Hobart.

Hobart is the second oldest capital in Australia after Sydney, located at the entrance of the Derwent River. We are staying a few minutes up the river. Hobart is surrounded by bushland which reaches close to the city centre and beaches, and the shore of the river estuary. Behind the city there are high mountains.

This morning we woke up to wind and clouds. Got very windy in the night. Fortunately as the day went on the sun started to shine. It was a lot colder after yesterday.

A walk around the harbour where all the fishing boats are. The yachts are along in the next harbour area. PT chatting to one of the fishermen that is getting ready to take off for three weeks catching crayfish. Has enough live storage on board for that time. Does it all on his own. Unfortunately they aren't allow to sell their catch to the public as they have a limit and it all goes to China. He said one just can't afford to buy them as they get $90 kilo on the China market therefore we have to go without. I thought that I was going to eat myself silly with crays and prawns but doesn't look like it. I may as well just go straight home!!!!!!!! Maybe not. What we have seen so far is a great place very quiet after Auckland although it is a public holiday today.

Looking back the other way.

Continued walking around the waterfront past Parliament Buildings which is built of local sandstone blocks which looks very nice.

Then along to where the  Salamanca markets are held on Saturdays  with over 300 stalls. The buildings are 1830s Georgian warehouses which they use for shops restaurants, craft shops and galleries.

Castray Esplanade Judges box down on the coastline in front of Battery Point for the yachts racing on the Derwent river. Two classic ocean races finish here. The Sydney to Hobart since 1946 almost 1200 Km via Tasmania East coast. And also the Melbourne to Hobart which is about 900 Km around the Tasmanian West coast.

Cascade Brewery Australia's oldest Brewery.  The Brewery is the world Heritage-listed Cascades female factory where thousands of women were imprisioned. PT hasn't tried any of the local brew yet but I guess he will. It is situated in the foothills of Mt Wellington which is in the background. This Brewery was established in 1824.

We are now on our way up Mt Wellington. Weren't going up today as the rain was up the mountain but it looked like it was clearing so decided to go. It is a 30 minute drive from the CBD. A view that shouldn't be missed standing on the observation deck with 360 degree view of Hobart City. Mt Wellington is 1233m high.

Fortunately by the time we wound are way up the mountain the weather had cleared a little and the sun even came out. The above is looking down over Hobart alone to the entrance of the Derwent river which goes out to the southern ocean.

Standing on the observation deck, Hobart to the right of us and further up the river to the left. It was freezing up there very cold wind. Not many people in shorts. Very windy too. Couldn't spend too long up there before we were running back to the car to get some warmth. Great experience though and glad we did it.

Looking right down over Hobart. In the forgrown you can see the mountain is covered in boulders reminded us of Rangitoto with it's rugged surface.

Looking out to the entrance of the river over the boulders which are all over the Mountain.

We are now down in the Sandy Bay Area. Above and below. Very nice spot just a few minutes out of the city.

Now having a drive around the streets of Battery Point. The old part of town. It's just nice looking at all the old houses.

Also the views between the houses as they are up high from water level.

The old narrow streets. They have to be one way these days.

The view between the house above. I love seeing all these old houses.

Back home to base. This is the house we are staying under. View from the road. Our entrance is just around the corner we're PT is standing.

Our first day has been fun exploring the area being out today for six hours mainly driving but also walked 10km. Off down to Port Arthur tomorrow.