| Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, Australia's beautiful | | | | 1922, the Cadbury chocolate factory conducts tours |
| island state. The city has a population of around | | | | with opportunities to sample the products, and of |
| 47,000. It is situated on the banks of the mouth of | | | | course make purchases too. |
| the Derwent River, beneath the slopes of majestic | | | | Cascade brewery |
| Mount Wellington. With such a lovely setting, it is no | | | | Built in 1823, Australia's oldest brewery will impress |
| wonder that the city has been described as the most | | | | you with its chateau-like appearance. Tours are |
| picturesque of all the capital cities of Australia. | | | | offered here as well, hence it is a must-visit for |
| Hobart began as a convict settlement in 1803. By | | | | lovers of fine beverages, alcoholic or otherwise. |
| 1827 it had become a bustling trading port, and one | | | | Theatre Royal |
| of the whaling capitals of the world. Even today, this | | | | This is Australia's oldest running theatre, built in 1837. |
| city evokes a strong seafaring flavor and the harbor | | | | It was referred to by Sir Laurence Olivier as "the |
| continues to be its lifeblood. | | | | best little theatre in the world". See what you think! |
| Being the second oldest city of Australia, there are | | | | Museums |
| many elegant historic buildings. Many of these were | | | | Hobart's earliest surviving building is the Tasmanian |
| erected by convicts during the city's earliest days. | | | | Museum and Art Gallery, constructed by convicts in |
| The streets of the city centre are arranged in a grid | | | | 1808. I passed an easy couple of hours there, |
| round Elizabeth Street Mall (the main shopping | | | | absorbed with the Aboriginal artifacts and convict |
| centre), hence it is easy to get around. | | | | relics. Most memorable for me was seeing what is |
| Here are 11 places to visit while you're there: | | | | believed to be the last remaining footage of the |
| Tasman bridge | | | | well-known but now-extinct Tasmanian tiger (or |
| Arguably the most famous structure in Hobart, it is | | | | thylacine). It was hard to stop watching it, knowing |
| 1,395 meters long, longer than the more famous | | | | that the doomed animal was to cease to exist |
| Sydney Harbour Bridge. It crosses the Derwent | | | | shortly thereafter. |
| River, linking the city centre to the eastern shore, | | | | Other museums include: |
| where the airport is located. | | | | - Maritime Museum of Tasmania showcasing the |
| Salamanca place | | | | strong seafaring heritage of Tasmania |
| Here you will find a row of beautiful old sandstone | | | | - Tasmanian Cricket Museum celebrating the |
| warehouses that have been converted into cafes, | | | | passionately followed sport (religion, more-like) of |
| shops, art galleries and restaurants. It was extremely | | | | cricket |
| difficult to tear myself away! The delightful open-air | | | | Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens |
| Salamanca market is held here on Saturday mornings | | | | Fans of flora will be happy to walk around the 14 |
| from 8.30am. | | | | hectares of gardens, and view the thousands of |
| Battery point | | | | plant species. |
| This area dates back almost 150 years and started | | | | Wrest Point Casino |
| off as a mariner's village. I enjoyed a relaxing stroll | | | | This is another of Australia's oldest buildings, although |
| through the alley-ways, as I admired the quaint | | | | this time we are talking about a very modern type |
| cottages and well-preserved historic streets. As I | | | | of establishment. The first Australian hotel-casino |
| wandered around, I was often rewarded with sudden | | | | awaits those who love a punt. It is the tallest building |
| unexpected glimpses of the harbor too. | | | | in the city. |
| Constitution dock | | | | Mount Wellington |
| Here there are more pretty century-old warehouses | | | | I cannot leave out the impressive 1270 meter high |
| and wharves which have been restored and | | | | mountain that is the backdrop of the city. As locals |
| converted into pubs and restaurants. It was great | | | | will tell you, the peak is usually covered by cloud or |
| having a meal here by the water's edge, with so | | | | snow. The mountain offers some lovely walks and |
| much to admire all around. It is here that the | | | | splendid views. |
| world-famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race finishes. | | | | Hobart has so much more to offer. Visit Hobart and |
| Cadbury chocolate factory | | | | see for yourself. I am sure you will discover your |
| Few humans can resist it. And when you have a | | | | own special places there. |
| factory-ful, it's almost a no-brainer. Built way back in | | | | |