Hobart Tasmania is certainly a beautiful Australian city. Yet it began its early life as a penal colony in 1803, making it the second oldest city in Australia.
Convicts were being sent to the colony from 1804 on and sent to various stations around the island. You can visit a number of these early places of punishment, including Port Arthur and Sarah Station with their restored buildings, museums and tours.
Many of the convicts were young and Irish, many who had gotten into trouble for their belief in a free Ireland. Sending them to far away Tasmania was seen as a solution to the growing demands for independence.
Tasmania attracted free settlers as well. Many settled by the Derwent River and its deep harbour at the mouth to export things like fruit and wool to other parts of Australia and the British Empire.
Hobart Australia
The city abounds in its early convict history, surrounded by the vast untamed wilderness that makes up much of Tasmania.
The city sits on the Derwent River and the harbour and with many of the original buildings having been restored, particularly around the original wharf area, it makes for a historically picturesque place.
The Wharf Docks are a good place to start to explore historical Hobart. Because less buildings through the years were torn down, the old world feel is magnificent and much more pronounced than in Sydney, despite Sydney being the older city of the two.
The Wharf area gets busy with fishing boats during the week and on the weekend, markets, locals out for a quiet drink and pleasure craft.
Maritime Museum of Tasmania
There are a number of museums, art galleries and attractions there, including the Maritime Museum of Tasmania.
The ocean played an essential part of Tasmania history, making the Maritime Museum an essential stop for history buffs. Corner of Argyle and Davey Streets, Phone (03) 6234 1427.
Salamanca Place
Salamanca Place, a short walk from the docks is a great place to shop and has a lively weekend market and the Antartic Adventure, a museum that explores the history and present of the Antartic experience and Australia&rsqou;s role.
Salamanca Place was were the whalers used to dock. The wharf buildings and storehouses have been converted into a collection of restaurants, cafés, art galleries and speciality shops while retaining its historical buildings.
Hobart Tours and Cruises
There are plenty of opportunities for exploring Australia’s harsh convict past. Port Arthur has been well preserved. Freycinet National Park is stunningly beautiful and pristine.
Bear in mind the island’s southerly position makes for very cold winters (June to August) so hiking and camping are not simple or easy options at that time of the year.
