| Tasmania |
| This small, dramatically
beautiful island crams into its 68 000 square kilometres its rugged west,
a central plateau broken by steep mountains and narrow river valleys,
and an eastern coastal region offering a soft pastoral beauty. Tasmania
is small, but its sights are grand. Nurtured by the temperate climate,
the trees are taller here than on the mainland; mountains vault to the
skies. The great inland lakes in the mountains feed savage rivers, some
of which are harnessed for the State's hydro-electric schemes. Within
this landscape are set the remnants of a rich past of convict and colonial
life - the prisons, churches, cottages, court houses, the barracks, mansions
and homesteads - from the earliest days of European settlement. |
| Hobart |
| |
Hobart, Australia's
second oldest and most southerly city, is a small metropolis with a huge
appeal. Sheltering beneath the slopes of the majestic Mount Wellington
and straddling the banks of a glittering estuary, the place has the shape
and scenery of a European city, an impression born out by the invigorating
climate, complete with a hint of snow in the winter months.
But Hobart is also very much an Australian city, surrounded as it is by
bushland and boasting prime examples of distinctive Australian colonial
architecture. The city has a population of around 218 000. The climate
is on this side of cool, with summer temperatures that rarely exceed 25
degrees, and winter temperatures that are usually in the single digits.
It is Australia's second driest capital city.
Interesting Places
Battery Point - former mariners' village with a collection of
wonderfully preserved miniature-sized cottages
Cadbury Cruise - take a river cruise and fulfil a childhood dream
with a tour of a chocolate factory
Constitution Dock - a great place to watch the waterfront bustle,
particularly when the boats from the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race come
in to dock
Derwent River ferry ride - a relaxing way to get a perspective
on this riverside city
Mount Wellington - snow-capped in winter, the summit of this beautiful
natural feature is a wonderful place to get a bird's eye view of the city
Mures Fish Market - a gourmet institution, Mures offers the best
and freshest of Tasmania's famed seafood
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens - gracious gardens of great
botanic importance, and wonderful aesthetic value
Salamanca Markets - among Australia's most vibrant street markets,
offering arts, crafts, fresh food, and more than a little political protest
Theatre Royal - Australia's oldest theatre still in operation
Wrest Point Casino - Australia's first casino bears an almost
dignified air compared to the over-the-top opulence of its counterparts
on the mainland
Getting Around
Hobart's city centre is compact, and remarkably easy to negotiate
on foot, although the hilly terrain may be a challenge to some. Walking
will also give visitors the opportunity to explore the unexpected nooks
and crannies, for which the city is famous. Many of Hobart's attractions
lie further afield. The bus system is reasonable, however, to get the
full benefit of the scenic beauty of the city surrounds, self-drive is
the best option. All the major car rental agencies are represented in
Hobart; look in the 'Yellow Pages' telephone book under 'Car Rental' or
enquire at the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania, or the Tasmanian Travel
and Information Centre.
River cruises are an excellent way to extend your acquaintance with this
waterside city. Ferries leave regularly from the wharves at Franklin Wharf
and Brook Street Pier, and among the tours on offer are a cruise to Bruny
Island and another to the Cadbury chocolate factory.
Shopping
Superbly crafted huon-pine bowls, a rich array of colourful textiles,
firey gourmet mustards, rich jams, hand-blown glass artifacts, woven wall
hangings, essential oils and other new age accoutrements - Hobart's shopping
prospects are enough to entice the senses of the most jaded traveller.
Battery Point is the place to go for charming shops crammed with collectibles
and antiques. The city centre has many independent retailers selling a
surprising range of speciality products as well as the convenience of
two major department stores. The wonderfully kitsch Cat and Fiddle Arcade
in the city centre is well worth a visit. The Salamanca warehouses have
been taken over by stores and stalls selling the very best of Tasmanian
produce. The open-air markets, held each Saturday, extend the range -
with everything from Asian vegetables to locally produced fine art on
offer at the many stalls that line up in front of the warehouses.
Restaurants & Nightlife
Eating out is an integral part of the Hobart holiday experience. Increasingly,
this city and the surrounding countryside areas are attracting gourmet
travellers keen to partake of Tasmania's dining pleasures, which include
innovative menus, fine seasonal produce, and distinctive local wines -
not to mention the seafood, which is probably the freshest in Australia.
The small pubs around the city and Battery Point area have collectively
developed a reputation for good food. Salamanca Place does well with its
interesting array of cafes and restaurants, while the Sullivans Cove area
is justifiably famous for providing seafood, either masterfully presented
at one of the up-market waterfront restaurants, or served in newspaper
for consumption at twilight on the end of a pier. North Hobart has garnered
a strong reputation as the geographical centre for the city's ethnic eateries.
To tune in to the best and the latest, do what the locals do and consult
the local newspaper 'The Mercury' on Thursdays and Saturdays for comprehensive
events listings. It is worth planning your visit to coincide with a performance
at the Theatre Royal, the oldest operating theatre in Australia. A Hobart
speciality is the historic corner pub, an institution that has become
part of the fabric of communal life in the city. All over town you will
find small, cosy places bearing seafaring names such as The Shipwrights
Arm, Whalers Return and Neptune Inn.
No description of Hobart's after-dark attractions would be complete without
mention of the city's favourite modern landmark, Wrest Point Casino. The
casino, Australia's first when it opened in 1973, continues to be a popular
night-time focus for residents and visitors alike. |
| Launceston |
| |
Although Tasmania's
second-largest city and a busy tourist centre, Launceston retains a relaxed,
friendly atmosphere. Nestled in hilly country where the Tamar, North Esk
and South Esk rivers meet, Launceston is also at the junction of three
main highways and has direct air links with Melbourne and Hobart. It is
sometimes known as the Garden City because of its parks and gardens.
In Town
Yorktown Square, The Avenue, Quadrant Mall, Civic Square, and Prince's
Square with its magnificent baroque-style fountain and fine surrounding
buildings. Main shopping area is around the Mall. Old Umbrella Shop, George
St, unique 1860s shop preserved by National Trust. Penny Royal World,
Paterson St, collection of buildings originally near Cressy, and moved
stone by stone to Launceston; includes tavern, museum, working watermill,
corn mill, windmill, Mole Hill Fantasy (popular mole diorama), accommodation,
restaurants; linked by restored tramway to Penny Royal Gunpowder Mill
at old Cataract quarry site; boat trips on artificial lake, paddlesteamer
cruise on Lady Stelfox along the Tamar River and nearby Cataract Gorge.
This spectacular gorge is one of Launceston's outstanding natural attractions.
Historic Kings Bridge (1867) spans the Tamar River at the gorge entrance.
Cataract Cliff Grounds Reserve, on north side of gorge, a formal park
with lawns, European trees, peacocks and restaurant. Area linked to swimming
pool and kiosk on south side by chairlift and suspension bridge. Walks
on both sides of gorge. Ritchies Mill Arts Centre, Paterson St; art and
craft. National Automobile Museum, Cimitiere St. Parks include 5-ha City
Park with Monkey Island and conservatory (nearby Design Centre of Tasmania
displays contemporary art and craft), end of Cameron St; Royal Park, formal
civic park on South Esk River; Zig Zag Reserve, leading to Cataract Gorge
area. At Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, in Royal Park off Wellington
St, displays of: Aboriginal and convict relics; Tasmania's mineral wealth;
flora and fauna; early china and glassware; colonial and modern art. Boags
Brewery, William St, guided tours or self-guide tours, brochures available.
Feb.: Country Music Festival; Launceston Cup (State's biggest race day).
Mar.: A Night in the Gorge; Festivale (food and wine). Sept.: Garden Festival.
Oct.: Royal National Show; Tasmanian Poetry Festival.
In the area
Trevallyn Dam, 6 km W, good picnic spot. Nearby, Australia's only
cable hang-gliding simulator. Launceston Lakes Trout Fishery, 17 km W,
has fly-fishing lessons. Punchbowl Reserve and Rhododendron Gardens, 5
km SW, has native and European fauna in natural surroundings. Alpine Village
in Ben Lomond National Park, 60 km SE; open during ski season. Launceston
Federal Country Club Casino, 7 km SW. Waverley Woollen Mills, 5 km E,
offers tours that include historic collection of plant machinery used
to create the industry for which Launceston earned its national reputation.
St Matthias' Church, Windermere, 15 km N. Tasmanian Wine Route, Pipers
Brook and Tamar Valley regions, north of the city; brochure available.
Three National Trust historic houses: Entally House, 18 km SW at Hadspen;
Franklin House, 6 km S; Clarendon 28 km SE, near Nile. |
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