Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania, Australia’s island state in its southern coast. A little town that started off as a penal and military British Colony towards the beginning of the 19th century, Hobart today, is a thriving town for tourism and Antarctic expeditions. We flew in to Hobart from Melbourne after an exciting, tanned out drive on the Great Ocean Road (read: Great Ocean Road Drive in Australia), and was looking forward to a quieter, slower wandering in this quaint and charming town.
Of the two days that we stayed in Hobart, the first day was definitely slower as we strolled through the city seeing its neighbourhoods, churches, waterfront, markets. On the second day, we drove out of the town in the lure of nature trails and sight-seeing….
Staying at the Grand Chancellor in Hobart: Grand Chancellor’s location will bowl you over – right on the Hobart harbour! Our room, extremely well-appointed, had the most stunning of views – that of the harbour and the city laid out around it. One could keep staring out of the window sill for hours. It also had an amazing breakfast spread in its sunlit restaurant on the ground floor. At 311 AUD, somewhat steep, we had a lovely stay there.
Sight-seeing in Hobart city: Though a small town, we were completely charmed by Hobart…we set out immediately upon reaching the hotel.
- Walking left from the Grand Chancellor Hotel, we walked up about a kilometre or two to see the Tasman Bridge from the biker’s trail. We had crossed it on our way from the airport to the hotel, and were curious to see it up and close.
- Just where the biker’s trail starts, is the Hobart Cenotaph with its Egyptian-like obelisk, a memorial commemorating sacrifices of Tasmanian martyrs. The inscription, Lest We Forget, on the obelisk stirs you.
- We came back to the Harbour front, Victoria Harbour, to stroll past it century-old restaurants, warehouses, yatches, boats. Look out for the ‘Heading South’ black sculpture commemorating Hobart’s role in Antarctica expeditions. Then there’s the famous Bernacchi Tribute too, the self-portrait of expeditioner Louis Bernacchi with his dog.
- Cross over to the Parliament grounds…you will find here beautiful flower beds, even as people stroll by and children play…
- Straight ahead is the Salamanca Place, the pulse of Hobart..with its many restaurants, boutique shops, cafes..a lovely place to simply stroll around in. Plus, every Saturday is the day of the famous Salamanca Market, when stalls of locally-made products, crafts, food are set up since morning until 3pm in the evening.
- Now walk up to Battery Point, a neighbourhood of beautiful row houses and churches here and there, with a strong history of the early settlement.
Must dine at Ball & Chain Grill – that of course, if you love meats. This is at the Salamanca Place. We got drawn in by the aroma of the grills. Thankfully, we went in early and got a table immediately. Salads and accompaniments are on the house if you order grills. The Beef and Mutton grills were both out of the world…
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Read our complete Australia story at — Ring In The New Year With A Holiday in Australia