Hobart Things to Do Tips by xuessium Top 5 Page for this destination

Highlight of Saturdays: Salamanca Market! Salamanca Markets. Review

If you are in Hobart over the weekends, you must stay in town on the Saturdays to fully enjoy the biggest event there is: Salamanca Market at Salamanca Place!

Shopaholics - you're in for a time of your life, as all walks of life descends onto Hobart on this particular day, selling the you-needs and the you-don't-needs. Worm your way through the labyrinth of stalls selling anything from arts and crafts, T-shirts, cosmetic jewelries, furnitures, fresh produces, soaps and aromatic oils and plenty others. Exercise your stomach by snacking on the many varieties of food up for grabs - hot dogs, curry puffs, ice creams, waffles etc. Enjoy the exuberant atmosphere where musicians serenade the crowd with long and happy melodies. Kick off your weekends to a brilliant start!

Join the crowd of be seen and to be seen.

Starts 8:30am and ends at 3:00pm.

Directions: Salamanca Place.

Visit Port Arthur (Night) for the Ghost Tours! Forestier, Tasman Peninsula / Port Arthur. Review

Came back to Port Arthur a second time for the Ghost tours via Bruny Island Ventures.

It turned out me & my mate were the only folks who signed up for the tour. (Adult A$65, circa 2004) The driver took us to some view points along the Tasman Peninsula before we actually reached Port Arthur just after sunset and we set down to dinner with our driver/guide.

We were then transferred to the local guide and after sorting out volunteers for lamp bearers (which my mate was one) we began our journey through the grounds, visiting all the places/buildings/sites claimed to exhibit paranormal activities. The guide revelled us the stories of encounters that staff and visitors had claimed to come in contact with the nether world in a light-hearted fashion manner, though that had not stopped one of the lady in my group from being totally spooked out and she had to be escorted back to the centre, totally frightened.

The tour was very entertaining and I was glad I did it. However, that did not stopped me from having an "encounter" of my own. While listening to the stories of the guide at the old morgue, I could have sworn I heard faint moanings coming from what used to be the 2nd storey wards (now totally burnt away) above. I looked up and only see a sea of stars above my head. Was it real? Was I imagining it? My mate who was beside me, heard nothing.

Each of us received a certificate at the end of it, certifying that you had completed the Ghost Tour with bravery & courage. Rather interesting momento!

Bruny Island Ventures departs Hobart 6pm and return 11.30pm (approx) for this tour.
Every Tue, Thu & Sat all year round.

Directions: Forestier Peninsula (the same highway that goes to Port Arthur) - North East of Hobart

Phone: 61-3-62297465

All the chocolate in the world @ Cadbury's Breweries and Confection visits. Review

Founded in 1824 by a young Quaker, John Cadbury, in Bull Street Birmingham (then Cadbury Limited) and now one of the world's largest producers of chocolate. (Cadbury Group Ltd merge with Schweppes Ltd to create Cadbury Schweppes Plc in 1969)

A tour of the famous Claremont Chocolate Factory is a rewarding experience. All you ever want to know about chocolates! You can see how delicious chocolates are being made and enjoy free samples. The Factory Tour includes entry to the Visitor's Centre. You will encounter fascinating insights into the history of Cadbury Claremont - and some of the characters and products that have made Cadbury a part of growing up in Australia. On the tour, you will see how some of your favourite Cadbury products are created, and learn the secret of "that great Cadbury taste".

As well as being a modern facility with computerised and robotic production lines, the Cadbury Claremont Factory has 18 heritage-listed buildings. The historic Conching Machines, featuring solid granite rollers, were installed sixty years ago and still operate daily.

And chocolate lovers rejoice: You can purchase slabs of chocolate at factory prices!
There is also a cafe and a gift shop selling t-shirts and souvenirs.

NOTE: Cadbury Schweppes Claremont is a working factory. Workplace health and safety standards mean that fully enclosed footwear and suitable clothing are compulsory and no jewellery can be worn inside the factory. Cameras, video and mobile phones are not permitted on the Factory Tour. The Tour includes some stairways, but wheelchair access is available.

Tours operate from 0800 Monday to Friday: 0800*, 0830*, 0900, 0930, 1000, 1030, 1100, 1200, 1230, 1300, 1330, 1430*, 1500* & 1530* (* only on demand).

Admission (circa 2004):
Adult $ 12.50, Child $ 6.50 (Child age from 5 to 15)
Concession $ 9.00 Pensioner/Concession Cards
Family (2 adults+4 children) $31.50

Address: Cadbury Road, Claremont, Hobart 7011

Directions: Getting there: Take Metrobus's Claremont services Route 37, 38 & 39. Stop at Stop E - Bus Stop at the factory.

Other Contact: Fax: 61-3-62490334

Phone: 61-3-6249 0333

Website: http://www.cadbury.com.au/

Mini Old Hobart Town in Richmond Richmond Review

Richmond has a model village named "Old Hobart Town" that has been largely reconstructed from original plans that depicts Hobart as it was in the 1820's. Feel like a giant as you weave yourself through the maze of exhibits. Thought it was cheesy but it turned out quite fine.

Extracted from the website:
..."This unique Historical Model Village is a result of three years full time work by John and Andrew Quick who are the owner operators. The model itself has been largely reconstructed from original plans of the era thus depicting Hobart as it was in the 1820's. The authenticity of this model makes it unique in Australia. There are other model villages but all are English, make believe or not done from original plans and maps. With a great eye for detail John and Andrew have not only built the sixty odd buildings but have also made some four hundred period figurines which all tell their stories of the cruel times of our forebears"....

Entry fee is a few A$. Can't remember the exact amount but it should not be more than A$5 per pax (circa 2004).

Address: Old Hobart Town, PO Box 127 Richmond, Taz 7025

Directions: How to get to Old Hobart Town:
As you travel along Bridge Street (the main road of Richmond) Old Hobart Town can be found on the corner of Henry and Bridge Street. Situated at the information centre.

Other Contact: oldhobarttown@optusnet.com.au

Phone: 61-3-6260 2502

Website: http://www.oldhobarttown.com/

Free Entry: The Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery Museums. Review

I confess: I have NEVER been inside this museum. I always tell myself I will go see the place but something else always take my attention away.

The museum was established by The Royal Society of Tasmania. This is the oldest Royal Society outside England and was established by Sir John Franklin, the explorer.

If you are ever in Hobart and likes visiting museums and galleries, give this place a whirl.
The architecture itself is worth a look.

Opening hours (entrance 40 Macquarie Street):
10am-5pm daily except Good Friday, ANZAC Day (25th April) and Christmas Day (25th December)

General Admission is FREE.
Charges are made for some special exhibitions.

Address: 40 Macquarie Street, GPO Box 1164, Hobart

Directions: Right by the jetties/docks.

Other Contact: email: tmagmail@tmag.tas.gov.au

Phone: 61-3-62114177

Website: http://www.tmag.tas.gov.au/

Visit Port Arthur (Daytime)! Forestier, Tasman Peninsula / Port Arthur. Review

Day tour via Bottom Bit Bus Tours when there was still an option for you to start the tour early and opt out of the night ghost tour.

You will get to see Port Arthur Historic Site, the Tasman's Arch, the Devil's Kitchen (which is a blowhole) and The Tessellated Pavement on the day tour.

Port Arthur was a penal colony and a place associated with grievance, violence and sadness. It began life as a small timber station in 1830 and quickly developed into a major penal settlement by the 1840s. The hey days of Port Arthur were in the 1850s-1860s before eventual decline set in and Port Arthur ceased to be a penal colony by 1877.

Despite fires that destroyed the original structures in 1895 and 1897, the site did not disappear from people's memory. The early 20th century welcomed the first tourists to the region, curious about life in a former penal colony and helped to begin Port Arthur's new lease of life.

No one could visit Port Arthur without remembering the shocking tragedy of 28 Apr 1996 when a man rampaged through Port Arthur, leaving behind a trail of death and injuries. In cruel irony, it added another chapter to the sad history that Port Arthur had carried since the day of its founding.

While you are in Port Arthur, besides roaming and snaking your way through the many wonderfully restored historical buildings, you may also take a boat ride to the Isle of the Dead where many of the officers and convicts were buried. In fact, practically every inch of the entire isle had been dug up and used as graves. Officer's are marked while convict's were forever lost to the earth.

Port Arthur Historic Site is open every day from 8.30am until dusk. The Visitor Centre is open from 8.30am until the close of Historic Ghost tours at night. The first thing most visitors will take note of is the exhibit of visitor's photos exhibiting paranormal activities captured at Port Arthur - don't miss it!!

Directions: Forestier Peninsula (the same highway that goes to Port Arthur) - North East of Hobart

Other Contact: bookings@portarthur.org.au

Phone: 61 3 6251 2300

Website: http://www.portarthur.org.au/

That Little Cottage Town Called Richmond Richmond Review

This was the first place outside of Hobart I visited in 2000. I returned for a second visit (and a better look) in 2004.

A quick history: First explored in 1803 by Lieutenant Bowen, the area was called "Sweetwater" after the arrival of settlers. The discovery of coal along its banks caused the river to be named the Coal River, and the town itself (officially named by Lt Gov. William Sorell on February 23, 1824), was so called as the 90 acres on which it was established had once been part of a property called "Richmond Park". During the early years, Richmond was an important police district and the first part of the Gaol was built in 1825, five years before port Arthur. The bridge, built in 1823 (now the OLDEST standing bridge in Australia), enable easier movement of military, police and convicts between Hobart and Port Arthur, as well as the transport of goods. When Sorell Causeway opened in 1872, this traffic no longer passed through Richmond and helps to preserve the town as it was one hundred years ago.

Richmond is a genuine (BUT BE-WARNED: TOURISTY) village of slate and cobbles, handmade brick and mellow stone, cottages and manors. Set aside your prejudices and wander streets lined with sandstone buildings that now serve as showplaces for the best of Tasmania's fine art and crafts. There are quaint tearooms serving Devonshire teas and all kinds of delicacies, old fashioned sweets and baked delights, while a Georgian mansion offers fine fare.

Go to the Tourist Office and get a walking map of Richmond. Most folks will eventually made their way to the Bridge and the River. Feed the ducks or spend some quiet time lying on the grass, nary a care for the world.

Directions: Richmond is 24kms from Hobart.
You can reach here by taking the Richmond Shuttle Bus from Hobart.

Free beer courtesy of Cascade Breweries! Breweries and Confection visits. Review

Founded by Peter Degraves in 1824, Cascade Brewery is Australia's oldest continuously operating brewery. Set in the rolling hills of South Hobart, the historic brewery is set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Wellington. Degraves had vowed to produce "genuine beer... beer that cannot be excelled in this colony."

One-and-a-half hour tours are conducted by guides several times per day, 7 days a week (except on public holidays). Tours include the chance to see some of Australia's best loved premium beers brewed in the historic brewery and a walk through the famous Woodstock gardens. Allow half an hour at the end of the tour for tastings, which are included in the tour price.

$18 for adults, $7 for children and young people under the age of 18, $14 for seniors/students (with cards) and family $42 (two adults and up to four children). Please note that children under 5 years of age are unable to attend due to safety reasons.

NOTE:
Visitors must wear flat shoes. Thongs and sandals are not permitted - covered shoes are essential. Long trousers must be worn - shorts or skirts are not permitted. The tour is not suitable for people who use a walking aid as considerable climbing is involved in the tour.

Address: 140 Cascade Road, South Hobart

Directions: The Cascade Brewery is located 10 minutes by bus or car from the centre of Hobart. Take Metrobus Route 43, 44, 46 and 49 from Franklin Square & Elizabeth Street and stop at Bus Stop 17.

Phone: 61-3-6224 1117

Website: http://www.cascadebrewery.com.au/

Take a stroll along Franklin Wharf

Hobart is essentially a port. Franklin Wharf is Hobart's waterfront where fishing and sailing boats dock and where you may find an abundance of seafood cafes and restaurants.

Walk the entire length of Franklin Wharf and smell the saltiness of the air. Fill your lungs with the freshness of marine zest. Watch (and watch out) from gulls flying high over your head, screaming away at each other. Take your camera and pry out breathtaking photos. Gaze silently at the many yachts and boats bobbing away with the tides. A good place to get away for some quiet moments, pack in your thoughts and chew upon your ideas. Or grab a love one and share some intimate moments together.

Directions: Just walk to the water!

Website: http://www.waterfront.tas.gov.au/index.html

A breather in the City: Franklin Square Parks / Gardens / National parks. Review

There are plenty of parks and greens in Hobart, big & small.
A central feature of this site is a statue of the great explorer, Sir John Franklin, serenaded by a majestic fountain.

Located in the centre of Hobart and surrounded by Macquarie, Elizabeth and Davey Streets.
This was the site of the first Government House.

Magnificent oak trees provide shade for visitors who have come to enjoy the area. A great place to rest some tired feet or catch a breather before you continue your exploration of Hobart.

There is ample seating and public convenience facilities are located on the Elizabeth Street frontage of the Square.

Directions: Surrounded by Macquarie, Elizabeth and Davey Streets.