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Hobart, Tasmania Robert Saxton
Overview Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania, with the largest population of any city in the state. It is the second oldest capital city after Sydney and was founded in 1803 as a penal settlement . It is situated on the south-east coast of Tasmania, in the inlet of the River Derwent into the Southern Ocean. Most of the city lies in the foothills of Mt Wellington, with its CBD down by the bay.
Geographical location & features • Hobart is located in the South-East of Tasmania, at the mouth of the Derwent river flowing into Storm Bay. • Much of the city is overshadowed by Mt Wellington. • The Derwent River flows through Hobart, creating separate parts of the city on either side. • Being situated in a river valley, the suburban area of Hobart spreads up the river in the surrounding foothills. Hobart
Locations of nearby towns and cities • NE quadrant: • Richmond • Sorell • Midway Point • SE quadrant • Hobart suburbs • Port Arthur • SW quadrant • Huonville • Kingston • NW quadrant • New Norfolk • Bridgewater
Man made attractions • Salamanca Place • Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) • The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery • Parliament House • Salamanca Arts Centre • North Hobart shops and cafés • Cascade Brewery • Maritime Museum • Old Hobart Town Model Village • Colville St Art Gallery, Battery Point
Major transport gateways and options • Launceston • Regional airport • Bus services • Hobart • Domestic airport • Bus services • Devonport • Regional airport • Bus services • Other • Cruise ships operating to and from Hobart
History • Aboriginal people had inhabited Tasmania for at least 40,000 years before in 1642, a Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman sighted land and named it Van Diemen's Land, after the governor of Batavia. • Hobart is the second oldest city in Australia, founded as a penal colony in 1803. It was then known as ‘Hobart Town’ or ‘Hobarton’. • Free settlers and former convicts transformed Hobart into a large trade outlet for Tasmania’s wool, wheat and other produce. • Hobart has since grown slowly because of its isolation, loss of whaling and ship-building industries and in the 20th century, its loss of working age men to the world wars. • In recent times people have moved to Hobart to enjoy its relaxed atmosphere and low cost of living, along with many who have migrated from Europe and Asia.
Economy • Tourism • Processed metals • Shipping – freight and passenger • Beer breweries • Chocolate • Wine
Local customs • Hang out in Hobart’s parks and cafes • The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race • Shopping in North Hobart • Browsing the shops and market in Salamanca place • Enjoying Hobart’s many pubs and clubs • Live music at various hotels and cafes, and the Salamanca Arts Centre • Theatre at the Salamanca Arts Centre
Local facilities • Hobart Function and Conference Centre • North Hobart Oval • Meadowbank Estate – function spaces • Hotel Grand Chancellor – conference spaces • Wrest Point Casino • Domain Athletic Centre • Domain Tennis Centre • Hobart Aquatic Centre
Climate • Average maximum temperature (˚C): 16.9 • Average minimum temperature (˚C): 8.3 • Highest maximum temperature (˚C): 40.8 • Lowest minimum temperature (˚C): -2.8 • Average rainfall (mm) : 614.7
Health & safety advice • Ensure adequate UV protection – in the cool climate it is easy to be deceived into believing there is a lower risk of UV damage. UV is still present in harmful amounts even on cloudy days. • Swim on patrolled beaches between lifesavers’ flags to avoid rips and underwater hazards. • Beware of snakes when bushwalking , especially in hotter months. • Wear adequate insect repellent to avoid insect-borne diseases, especially around watercourses.
Web Links • http://www.discovertasmania.com/destinations/hobart_and_surrounds/hobart • http://www.hobartcity.com.au/Home • http://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/tasmania/hobart • http://www.bcl.com.au/hobart/ • http://www.tasmania.visitorsbureau.com.au/region1.html • http://www.hobarteguide.com/