Hobart
I stayed in Montgomery’s Hotel/Hostel in Hobart’s CBD. It is close to Constitutional Dock and Salamanca Place.
Hobart is physically quite an attractive place. Mt Wellington towers over the city and the river/harbour is quite spectacular. The dock and Salamanca Place area have some interesting old buildings and cafes and bars. The rest of the place is a bit naff to say the least.
Bruny Island
On the second day I decided to take a tour to Bruny Island which is to south of the city. It is known for its beaches, lighthouse and food – including cheese, whiskey and seafood. The tour was on a small mini-bus. The others on the tour were all ‘mainlanders’ . As always you end up chatting to others on such a tour.
A couple from Perth were particularly interesting. He was a South African that been in Perth for over 20 years, working in the mining industry. He had some interesting comment to make about the opposition to the Mining Tax. In short he thinks that the absolution of the tax is the greatest rip-off of the Australian taxpayer. He also thinks that the WA economy will be hugely impacted when the construction work related the latest mining boom comes to an end. Apparently the lastest mines are so mechanized that they hardly need anyone to operate them.
The scenery on the island is pretty good. Check out the photos.
MONA
The next day I took the ferry to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). This is a must see. Check the URL and the link to piece about its founder and owner.
http://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2010/december/1360112582/amanda-lohrey/high-priest
The best exhibit was a sculpture of the digestive system. At the end there is pile of the what comes out of humans. It smells appropriately.
Monday was Hobart Cup Day. I spent the day in town, including a late lunch in Salamanca Place. Apparently the races were called off due to storm. A lot of the patrons ended up in the restaurants in Salamanca Place.
The next day a spent some time wandering around the inner city area including a visit to the Wrest Point Casino. This was that first legal casino in Australia. It is a seriously depressing place.
Old Hut and Old Ship
I also checked out the replica of Douglas Mawson’s Hut. That is well worth a visit.
I also took the opportunity to board the HMAS Trobuk which was in town. I last saw that ship when I was working for Foreign Affairs. I was on a trip through the South Pacific in May 1986 when Cyclone Namu hit the Solomon Islands. HMAS Trobuk was part of the Australian disaster relief effort. It provided supplies and actually powered Honiara until the generators of the island could be restored.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Namu
Up and Down Mt Wellington
I could not be in Hobart and not ride up Mt Wellington. I did that on my last day. Check out the Garmin link and the photos.
Garmin Link
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/443700983
Flickr Link
billrider2013 