HOBART, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA


February 11, 2023

We had a short stay in Hobart, Tasmania.  Not long enough.   Tasmania is an island State of Australia, about the same size as West Virginia with a population of about 550,000 and nearly 40% of those folks live in Hobart, the Capital.   So outside of Hobart the rest of the country is sparsely populated.


Tasmania’s climate is not too hot (average high in the 70’s in the summer) and not too cold (average in winter in the 50’s).   They almost never get any snow except at the very highest mountain elevations.  The temperate climate is surprising because it is only 1200 miles from Antarctica.  


England began populating Tasmania by exporting convicts to the country in 1803.  The convicts did a lot of the early infrastructure work and many became successful farmers, whalers and business people.  Most of the 5 to 10 thousand indigenous people died off while fighting the Europeans and succumbing to diseases introduced by the foreigners.


The landscape is lush and beautiful.  They have some world-renowned National Wilderness areas that hikers love.   Tasmania is a rich Provence in terms of natural resources.   Agriculture, wine making and tourism are main economic drivers.  


We took a tour around Hobart, out to a beautiful vineyard (for 9:30 AM wine tasting!) and a small picturesque village.   Then we visited a historic house, called Runnymede, built in the early 1800’s and was owned for over 100 years by the family and descendants of Captain Charles Bailey, a highly successful whaler.   His hobbies included scrimshaw carving and making ornate furniture which have been preserved in the house.


Because of our short stay we weren’t able to  go to the in-water wooden boat festival just adjacent to our dock.  Looked like a lot of fun.  We’d love to spend more time in Tasmania.  


                        Hobart with marina in foreground where wooden boat show is taking place

                                           Another view of Hobart from our ship


                                               Coal River Vineyard


                                                       Daring duo


                                               Bridge built in 1800s by convicts. Church in background


                                             Hotel in Richmond

                                              Awwww

                                                       Norfolk Island Pine - Majestic!

                                              Scrimshaw that Whaler carved

                                              Leaving Tasmania

                                             Tasmanian sunset


 





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