Hobart, A Splendid Vacation Hotspot

Hobart, tucked away on the island of Tasmania right at the bottom of the Australian continent (or is it an island), is Australia"s second-oldest city

. The long-established state capital has a long history, cooler climate and an abundance of beaches, shops, restaurants and culture which make it a fascinating and fun place to visit.

Founded as a penal colony in 1804, Hobart has come a long way from its criminal roots! Free settlers and prisoners alike built the city as a defensive outpost and port to a centre for whaling and shipbuilding in the 19th century. Later, mining and agriculture were the key industries. Hobart lost many young men to the world wars, but saw an influx of immigrants from all over the world post-war. A relaxed way of life and temperate climate continues to attract both visitors and new residents to Hobart.

History is an important aspect of tourism in Hobart. Salamanca Place is home to seafront warehouses dating back to the days of whaling in Tasmania. It is also home to Saturday morning markets which are a very popular occasion, and many of the numerous arts and culture festivals which take place in Hobart. Nearby is the historical Maritime Museum of Tasmania, which chronicles the island"s very rich and full seafaring past. Another historical point of interest is Battery Point for the sandstone architecture.

For a bit of Tasmanian flora and fauna, the Botanical Gardens are a short walk from central Hobart. Mount Wellington overlooks the city and the summit is attainable by a scenic drive or a nice hike, and another reason to get out of urban Hobart are the surrounding wineries. Hobart"s climate produces grapes suited to the lighter varieties of wine, so head into the countryside if you like rieslings and sauvignon blancs!

Arts and culture are thriving in Hobart, and to get amongst it, the aforementioned Salamanca Place is a good place to start. You will find crafts at the markets, the Salamanca Arts Centre and often festivals and events happening. The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is also nearby on Argyle Street.

Hobart is surrounded by water, located on the River Derwent. Beaches are abundant, from estuary beaches on the river to coastal ones a bit further out of town. In the central Hobart area, Sandy Bay is home to several beaches. Bellerive and Howrah on the eastern side of the river face into the wide rivermouth and both have beaches to swim at, and Opossum Bay and Kingston are closer to the open ocean. Open surf beaches are around a 35 minute drive from the city- Park Beach and Clifton Beach are the closest.

Enjoy the splendid surroundings of Hobart while travelling in a comfortable but inexpensive Australia motorhome. Find out about cheap Australia campervan hire rates and the best Australia motorhome rental deals for an extraordinary camper vacation in this lovely city.

by: David Robinson

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