Did you know that Hobart seems to have a disproportionately high number of female bus drivers? And during December they change all the signs to Ho Ho Hobart? Well, I’ll throw in a few more facts along the way…
So a small taste of the small state of Tassie where it was refreshingly cooler and cloudier than the bushfire weather up north. It’s a cute little place, reminds me very much of Wellington, New Zealand and perhaps it’s more than a coincidence that it is dominated by Mount Wellington. Then there is the quay area which is a bit like the Barbican in Plymouth!
Nearby is Salamanca Place, which is a series of old sandstone warehouses converted into all sorts of gift and craft shops and bars and cafes. Totally out of character with the gentrification of the area I had a meat pie. Just up from Salamanca Place is a pretty neighbourhood called Battery Point – all old cottages and roses and flowers.
Later on I managed to negotiate possibly the most confusing bus network on Earth and somehow got on a bus to Mount Nelson. The journey through the suburbs on zig-zagging roads was scenic, with views down to the bay and across to Mount Wellington. I spent all of five minutes at the summit of Mount Nelson as the bus back down left then or it was another two and a half hour wait. Shame I didn’t get to linger and soak up the views.
The journey back down included an impromptu guided tour by the delightful female bus driver. Apparently Hobart was the first place in Australia to have street lights. Canberra still seems to be missing a few even now.
And it has the oldest casino and was the first to run a lotto. So you may lose all your money but at least you can see where you’re going when you can’t afford the cab ride home at night.
With that in mind I headed to the casino, which is just south of the main centre. I didn’t particularly go there to gamble but I was craving a bit of a casino all you can eat buffet! Nearby was this pretty little bay.
The casino wasn’t exactly Las Vegas and neither was the buffet, although the desserts were pretty darn good. Not a bad view from down here though.
So a small taste of the small state of Tassie where it was refreshingly cooler and cloudier than the bushfire weather up north. It’s a cute little place, reminds me very much of Wellington, New Zealand and perhaps it’s more than a coincidence that it is dominated by Mount Wellington. Then there is the quay area which is a bit like the Barbican in Plymouth!Nearby is Salamanca Place, which is a series of old sandstone warehouses converted into all sorts of gift and craft shops and bars and cafes. Totally out of character with the gentrification of the area I had a meat pie. Just up from Salamanca Place is a pretty neighbourhood called Battery Point – all old cottages and roses and flowers.
Later on I managed to negotiate possibly the most confusing bus network on Earth and somehow got on a bus to Mount Nelson. The journey through the suburbs on zig-zagging roads was scenic, with views down to the bay and across to Mount Wellington. I spent all of five minutes at the summit of Mount Nelson as the bus back down left then or it was another two and a half hour wait. Shame I didn’t get to linger and soak up the views.
The journey back down included an impromptu guided tour by the delightful female bus driver. Apparently Hobart was the first place in Australia to have street lights. Canberra still seems to be missing a few even now.
And it has the oldest casino and was the first to run a lotto. So you may lose all your money but at least you can see where you’re going when you can’t afford the cab ride home at night.With that in mind I headed to the casino, which is just south of the main centre. I didn’t particularly go there to gamble but I was craving a bit of a casino all you can eat buffet! Nearby was this pretty little bay.
The casino wasn’t exactly Las Vegas and neither was the buffet, although the desserts were pretty darn good. Not a bad view from down here though.
So that was Tassie. I saw a little more at 5am the next day travelling to the airport and it struck me how very beautiful the place was. There were river valleys and hills to the North tempting me to tell the taxi driver to take a left turn. I could turn into one of those weird Tasmanians who grows a little shovel beard and wanders the wilderness. But today the Ashes starts and I am needed in Canberra so that people can call me a bloody Pom!
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