Hobart, Tasmania
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Hobart, the state capital of Tasmania, is Australia's second-oldest city and its southernmost capital. It was founded as a penal colony in 1803 and is Tasmania’s largest city with a population of over 200,000. It is spread over seven hills between the banks of the Derwent River and the summit of Mount Wellington, which dominates the skyline at 1,271 metres high, in the south-east of the state.
Hobart has many attractive, well- preserved Georgian sandstone buildings which make it a very charming city. There are more than 90 buildings classified by the National Trust and 60 of these are on Macquarie and Davey Streets in the centre of town. Trendy restaurants line the wharves but Hobart remains a working port, bustling with fishing boats, cruise boats, ferries, visiting yachts and naval vessels, and it is the home port for both Australian and French Antarctic operations.
The city centre is fairly small and easy to get around, with its streets arranged in a grid pattern around the Elizabeth St Mall. Most of Hobart's main sights are in or near the city centre and waterfront area, largely within walking distance of each other. On the waterfront Battery Point is a well-preserved early colonial district. Following the river south from Battery Point is Sandy Bay, the site of Hobart's university and the Wrest Point Hotel & Casino. This was the first legal casino in Australia and was opened in 1973. At 17-storeys it is still the tallest building in the city, despite being several kilometres out of the CBD.
Hobart's weather has four distinct seasons, although storms can bring wintry conditions at any time of year. In summer the days are generally warm rather than hot, with mild nights. After March the temperature drops, and autumn is characterised by cool, sunny days and occasional frosty nights. Winter is wet, cold and stormy and overcast days are common. Mt Wellington is often snow-capped in winter. Spring is windy, but sunny.
Hobart is well-known for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race which starts in Sydney on Boxing Day. The arrival of the yachts is celebrated as part of the Hobart Summer Festival, a food and wine festival beginning just after Christmas and ending in mid-January. A major part of the festival is the Taste of Tasmania, where locals and visitors can sample fine local and international food and wine.