We had quite a bit of rain overnight, and it was still a bit damp and overcast this morning, and so we decided to go into Hobart and take the tourist double-decker bus trip around the city this morning. This had been recommended to us, and I have done the similar trip in other cities, and found them to be very good.
Today's tour did not disappoint. The narrative filled in many gaps for us, and we saw a lot more than we can when one of us is driving and the other map-reading!
In the afternoon, I went for a walk down to Salamanca Place again, while Gavan went around the Maritime Museum. On Saturday, we only really went to the market, and hadn't gone in to any of the galleries and gift shops along the street. Couldn't leave Hobart without doing that!!
Walking back to where we had left the car, we passed St David's Cathedral and went in to look around. The wood carving in the choir screen was well worth seeing. Unfortunately, my photos don't really do it justice.
The last stop for the day was the Hobart Cenotaph, overlooking the Tasman Bridge and the harbour. The Cenotaph has a recent addition of a memorial to Tasmania's Victoria Cross recipients.
This is our last night in Hobart. Tomorrow we head north again to Devonport, via Launceston. I think we have seen a lot in a short time, and we are glad that we didn't try to cover more ground, as we would have missed a lot along the way. There's always next time!!!
Showing posts with label hobart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hobart. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Hobart and New Norfolk
We had a little bit of rain overnight, and some showers this morning. We had already decided to have a quieter day, with less driving, and had planned to go in to Hobart.
We started off near Constitution Dock, where the boats dock after the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Looking across to Macquarie wharf, we could see two Sea Shepherd ships were in port, although they were made to look tiny by the P & O cruise ship beside them!!
We stopped to look at the "Heading South" sculptures, by Stephen Walker. There are two sculptures "The Bernacchi Tribute" and "Seals and Penguings", commemorating the port's role in Antarctic exploration. The "Seals and Penguins" sculpture is on the rocks in the water below the wharf. It shares the rocks with local bird life, which seems entirely appropriate! Also visible in the water were many starfish.
I love the way Hobart has preserved its building heritage. We noticed it on Saturday at Salamanca, and each time we been into Hobart we have been struck by it again. This morning we saw a lovely row of buildings along Hunter Street, beside Macquarie Wharf.
Our next stop was at the pinnacle of Mount Wellington. We expected it to be cold and windy, but were not expecting the ferocity of the wind!! Fortunately, there is a viewing shelter so it was possible to get out of the wind. And what a magnificent view it is. Hobart is a really lovely city. We went out of the shelter to the open air viewing platform, but it was almost impossible to hold the camera still in the strong winds. The photos can't do justice to the view - spectacular.
After a fish and chip lunch on the wharf, we headed out of Hobart again to New Norfolk. This is a nice little town further up the Derwent River. We parked (coincidentally!) beside the public libray. So that has given me another photo for my Public Library set!! There are a number of gift and antique shops in the town, and we wandered up the main street. We spent some time in an antiques and 20th Century collectibles shop. I have never seen so many pianola rolls in one place before: three shelving bays packed with them! But the biggest surprise that this store had to offer was in a little side room. I stumble upon the Tardis in the most unexpected places - the last time was on the Historic Wharf in Portsmouth.
The day's sightseeing finished on the riverfront in New Norfolk, where we came across some very friendly ducks (possibly because they were being fed by a local child and her mother!). It is a very picturesque part of the Derwent - but then, I am yet to see a part that isn't!
We started off near Constitution Dock, where the boats dock after the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Looking across to Macquarie wharf, we could see two Sea Shepherd ships were in port, although they were made to look tiny by the P & O cruise ship beside them!!
We stopped to look at the "Heading South" sculptures, by Stephen Walker. There are two sculptures "The Bernacchi Tribute" and "Seals and Penguings", commemorating the port's role in Antarctic exploration. The "Seals and Penguins" sculpture is on the rocks in the water below the wharf. It shares the rocks with local bird life, which seems entirely appropriate! Also visible in the water were many starfish.
I love the way Hobart has preserved its building heritage. We noticed it on Saturday at Salamanca, and each time we been into Hobart we have been struck by it again. This morning we saw a lovely row of buildings along Hunter Street, beside Macquarie Wharf.
Our next stop was at the pinnacle of Mount Wellington. We expected it to be cold and windy, but were not expecting the ferocity of the wind!! Fortunately, there is a viewing shelter so it was possible to get out of the wind. And what a magnificent view it is. Hobart is a really lovely city. We went out of the shelter to the open air viewing platform, but it was almost impossible to hold the camera still in the strong winds. The photos can't do justice to the view - spectacular.
After a fish and chip lunch on the wharf, we headed out of Hobart again to New Norfolk. This is a nice little town further up the Derwent River. We parked (coincidentally!) beside the public libray. So that has given me another photo for my Public Library set!! There are a number of gift and antique shops in the town, and we wandered up the main street. We spent some time in an antiques and 20th Century collectibles shop. I have never seen so many pianola rolls in one place before: three shelving bays packed with them! But the biggest surprise that this store had to offer was in a little side room. I stumble upon the Tardis in the most unexpected places - the last time was on the Historic Wharf in Portsmouth.
The day's sightseeing finished on the riverfront in New Norfolk, where we came across some very friendly ducks (possibly because they were being fed by a local child and her mother!). It is a very picturesque part of the Derwent - but then, I am yet to see a part that isn't!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
First Day
We travelled overnight from Melbourne to Devonport on the Spirit of Tasmania I. Our departure was delayed by about an hour, and we finally left Port Melbourne at around 9.30.
The trip over was relatively smooth. We had a cabin, and so after a late dinner (and a few drinks in the bar!) we turned in. There were some roughish seas as we came through the heads, but nothing too "unsettling!!" Neither of us had to resort to travel sickness pills :)
We were due in to Devonport at 6.45 this morning, and so we woke early to be ready and to see our approach to the port. It was so windy on the starboard side of the boat that I couldn't hold the camera still enough for photos, but Gavan got some video which we will post later. I got a few pictures from the port side, which was more sheltered.
Once we left the boat, we went back across the Mersey River into the town centre for breakfast, before driving down to Hobart.
It was a 270-odd km trip through the centre of Tasmania from Devonport to Hobart, but it's a straightforward drive and so it didn't take too long. We were surprised after all the rain that we have had on the mainland this summer, to find that the countryside still looks very dry in Tasmania. Speaking to a local in Hobart, we were told that although it has been a cool summer, they have not had a lot of rain. They are preparing themselves for a very cold winter.
We got to Hobart in time for lunch, and took a stroll through the Salamanca Market. This was one of my "must see" places for this trip, and Saturday was the only option for it! It didn't disappoint. Loved the laid back, country feel of the market. Plus, of course, all the lovely goods for sale!! Salamanca Place, where the market is held is a fascinating street. A quick Google search informed us that the buildings along the street are Georgian, and were originally warehouses.
Later in the afternoon, we crossed the Tasman Bridge and headed to our accommodation at Seven Mile Beach. It's been a fairly tiring day so it's time for some quiet book time I think.
The trip over was relatively smooth. We had a cabin, and so after a late dinner (and a few drinks in the bar!) we turned in. There were some roughish seas as we came through the heads, but nothing too "unsettling!!" Neither of us had to resort to travel sickness pills :)
We were due in to Devonport at 6.45 this morning, and so we woke early to be ready and to see our approach to the port. It was so windy on the starboard side of the boat that I couldn't hold the camera still enough for photos, but Gavan got some video which we will post later. I got a few pictures from the port side, which was more sheltered.
Once we left the boat, we went back across the Mersey River into the town centre for breakfast, before driving down to Hobart.
It was a 270-odd km trip through the centre of Tasmania from Devonport to Hobart, but it's a straightforward drive and so it didn't take too long. We were surprised after all the rain that we have had on the mainland this summer, to find that the countryside still looks very dry in Tasmania. Speaking to a local in Hobart, we were told that although it has been a cool summer, they have not had a lot of rain. They are preparing themselves for a very cold winter.
We got to Hobart in time for lunch, and took a stroll through the Salamanca Market. This was one of my "must see" places for this trip, and Saturday was the only option for it! It didn't disappoint. Loved the laid back, country feel of the market. Plus, of course, all the lovely goods for sale!! Salamanca Place, where the market is held is a fascinating street. A quick Google search informed us that the buildings along the street are Georgian, and were originally warehouses.
Later in the afternoon, we crossed the Tasman Bridge and headed to our accommodation at Seven Mile Beach. It's been a fairly tiring day so it's time for some quiet book time I think.
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