Bursting with history and charm, dynamic yet tranquil, there is no other city in Australia quite like Hobart. Upon arrival, you will find yourself immersed in the beauty of the elegant sandstone buildings while at the same time hardly noticing the seamless transition from old to modern.

Salamanca Place

One place which emphasizes this fusion is Salamanca Place. Down by the waterfront, Salamanca consists of a long line of historic 1800's sandstone buildings which were originally warehouses, built to service the wharf area. These buildings have now been converted into galleries featuring the works of local artists, restaurants, bars and shops selling Tasmania art, crafts and other products.

Behind Salamanca Place lies a peaceful square consisting of a striking fountain and various shops and restaurants. You can play a game on the giant chess set, a permanent feature of the square.

Salamanca Market

On a Saturday, in Salamanca you can experience the hustle and bustle of the popular Salamanca market which has been run since 1972. Be sure to stock up on Tasmanian leatherwood honey and try some delicious locally made fudge.

As you meander your way through the crowd to the tune of live folk music, take in the aroma of fresh coffee, sizzling sausages and the unforgettable fragrance of huon pine as it emanates from the handcrafted wood products available for purchase.

On a sunny day, looking along the strip of market stalls, above the multi coloured canopies, you will notice how the vivid blue sky contrasts with the bright sandstone buildings while a sombre Mount Wellington looms ever present in the distance.

Battery Point

During your visit to Salamanca Place, you may find yourself ascending Kelly's Steps, completed in 1840, curious to see where this historic sandstone stairway leads. It links the residential area of Battery Point to the wharf and Hobart itself. The sight of the beautiful Georgian and Victorian houses in Battery Point will take you back to the 1800's. You can almost picture the original inhabitants of the cottages walking out the doors, the women seeing the menfolk off to the docks while small children play in the street.

The residences come in an array of colours, mostly pastel. Some residences are humble cottages, some are grand and impressive houses. Materials in the main consist of sandstone, brick or weatherboard. As one of Hobart's earliest residential areas you will find architecture spanning approximately 100 years from the early 1800's to the early 1900's, with a few modern additions.

In Arthur's Circus you can enjoy the bursts of colour in the gardens of the cute little cottages with their picket fences.

Indulge in a scrumtious pastry or two at Jackman and McCross Bakery while looking out at the Victorian era streets of this picturesque residential area.

The Waterfront

After enjoying the delights of Battery Point it is only a short walk back through Salamanca and along to the waterfront. Yachts and fishing boats bob in the waves of the sheltered Sullivan's Cove, only a short walk from the the heart of the city.

After a dinner of local seafood, Take a stroll through Franklin Wharf, Constitution Dock and along to Hunter Street.

Take a photo with the Bernacchi Tribute Sculptures at Franklin Wharf. These sculptures commemorate Tasmanian born Antarctic Explorer, Louis Bernacchi, featuring the explorer and his dog. Several lifelike sculptures of seals and penguins are framed perfectly by the piers on either side and make for a memorable photo.

Afterwards you can enjoy a locally made ice cream from one of the punts moored in Constitution Dock.

More warehouses lie to the north of the wharf on Hunter Street, including the old IXL Jam Factory, now a Hotel, bar/cafe and events space. The streetscape almost resembles a muted, pastel version of the famous waterfront strip of Nyhavn, Copenhagen.

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

Another delightful place to visit in Hobart is the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. This diverse site transports you from the serenity of the Japanese garden, complete with the soothing sound of trickling streams, to the invigorating chill of the Sub-Antarctic House. The garden also features a fernery and a picturesque lily pond complete with resident ducks. The exquisite sandstone conservatory was built in 1939.

At the Anniversary Arch, with its beautiful leaf pattern, many people pose for photos to mark significant events in their lives.There are also two noteworthy walls in the botanical gardens, both of which were constructed by convicts. One was originally heated to protect certain plants from frost but it was quickly found to be unnecessary. The bricks in the walls range from a sandy yellow colour to rich orange with some verging on red, much like a deciduous tree in autumn. They paint a perfect backdrop to the gardens. I can imagine one of the ladies in my artwork enjoying this setting as she looks out over the rose garden.

I am also particularly enthralled by the beautiful magnolias in the gardens with their exquisite petals adorning a bare tree, sturdy yet at the same time delicate.

The Japanese Garden in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

Government House

This grand building rivals any of its contemporaries. Sitting majestically on the hill adjacent to the botanical gardens, it has an almost castle-like appearance. If you ever get the chance to tour this impressive site you will no doubt be amazed by the opulence of its interior, especially the French Room with its hand painted wallpaper. It is truly an interior fit for royalty. Visitors may be surprised to see cows grazing in the paddocks of Government House so close to the centre of Hobart.

Historical Buildings

Some of Hobart's oldest buildings include the Theatre Royal, built in 1837 and the Comissariat’s Complex, now incorporated into the Tasmanian Museum and Art gallery complex. This building is believed to be one of Hobart's oldest, completed in 1810.

No visit to Hobart is complete without a trip up kunanyi/Mount Wellington. As you wind your way up to the summit the thick forests give way to boulders and twisted-wind shaped trees which have completely yielded to the harsh elements.

If travelling in the colder months, you may be fortunate enough to experience the electric excitement as you ascend, waiting for your first glimpse of snow between the jagged boulders. Once you reach the summit, take refuge in the lookout building and on a clear day survey the city and beyond.

Hobart is a beautiful and diverse place with something for everyone. It is full of places that mean alot to me and have shaped much of my art. I hope you have a chance to visit soon!
Sources and useful websites:

https://www.salamancamarket.com.au/Home
https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/what-to-do/heritage-and-history
https://www.batterypointwalk.com.au/locations/kelly-street/
https://tasmania.com/things-to-do/walks/battery-point-historic-walking-tour/
https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/science/display/70392-louis-bernacchi
http://www.discoverhobart.com/hobart/historical_buildings.html
https://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/11/29/3643936.htm
https://gardens.rtbg.tas.gov.au/
https://gardens.rtbg.tas.gov.au/visit/top-locations/
https://www.govhouse.tas.gov.au/