Visiting Hobart and part of Tasmania Australia

Hi Dear Steemit community,

Today my post bring you to Tasmania tha island situated in the south east of the Australian mainland. If you look in the map looks small but it is around approximately 450 km from north to the south. As I was saying in my previous post I flew from Cairns and had landed in Hobart after a layover of few hours in Melbourne. It is an authentic and crazy changing of climate and temperature.

(Photo taken from the window of the aircraft before landing)

Well to be honest I expected it was colder. I found also some warm and sunny daytime which let me wear off of my jumper and my pullover. But once I landed it was the early morning and cold enough.

From the airport I went to the hostel and then my visit around Hobart had begun.

Hobart is located in the eastern part of the island. Compared to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is very small. It was founded in 1804 as a penal colony.

(The monument dedicated to 150 years foundation of Hobart)

Before the British settlement Hobart was occupied by nomadic tribes named Mouheneener and Nuennone, around 35000 years ago. Its area covers both banks of the large estuary of river Derwent.

(These last two photos were taken in Franklin wharf and dedicated to the Tasmanian governor namesake)

Hobart central business district is different to the largest cities of Australia it does not have any skyscrapers.

What absolutely should not be missed is the Salamanca place and its market held only on Saturday morning. The largest market in Tasmania located close to the waterfront. A wide range of local stallholders, producers and designers.

I enjoy tasting the scallop pie a delicious example of Tasmania culinary tradition if you like seafood, do not miss it. For further information check this following link https://www.salamancamarket.com.au/Home.

In my hostel I found a guy with whom accordingly we rent a car for just three days. Unfortunately he had to come back to Melbourne. For the first time I drove on the right side. In the beginning it was funny because I confused the indicator and windscreen wiper becaue they are in opposite side. I think it is easy to make this funny mistake for anyone used to drive in the left side of the car.

Renting a car gave us the possibility to discover part of this attractive island. The first we drove to the top of the closest Mount Wellington approximately 1200 m. the only location I found the snow in whole Australia. Even if there was some snow and the road was still wet,it was not very difficult to drive in those road to reach the top.

(Hobart from almost the top of Mount Wellington)

On the top it was a bit cloudy only from some spots it was possible to see a beautiful view of Hobart like in my last photo. In following one show a plaque found with a short history in local language translated into English.

The amount of snow was enough to see also a snowman. To be honest I did not expect that and such cold I did not have any gloves. My hands were freezing.

In the early evening we came back to Hobart, we parked the car and walking around the city.

The following day we have been to Frecynet National park (I have already written a post about it here: https://steemit.com/travel/@philfreetotravel/my-top-5-favorite-location-in-australia-n-5-freycinet-national-park-tasmania ).

On the way we found some very interesting spot and lookout. I was impressed to not have found any cars for around many decades of kilometers. We just stopped to take some pictures and locations which were completely empty.

Even we did not find any local animal crossing the road which is unfortunately common around the countryside.
On the way back we stopped also to Eaglehawk Neck the gateway to the Tasman National Park eastern penisula from the Greater Hobart. And visiting its remarkable cave a Tasmania's map shaped among rocks by the strength of the ocean.

And in the followint photo the reason why it is considered remarkable

Even though the weather was windy and cloudy this place was attractive. Well we had to walking up and down many stairs and following the walking track beside the rocks but we were happy to see such natural beauty.

Another reason why we rent a car was the will of watching the southern lights out of hobart during the night. We followed up this website: http://www.aurora-service.net/aurora-alerts/

The southern lights or Aurora Australis are a phenomenon which happens as close as possible to poles.

Tasmania is not very close to Antartica but there is the ocean which divide the two continents. According to experts the magnetic effects of the lights can reach also this island. One reason why I came to this island in the end of August which is still considered winter season and the best time to have chance to see southern lights. We travelled in some of the closest spots indicated by the forecast of that website but actually we were not able to follow the phenomenon. One was close to Cygnet (town situated on the south of Hobart).

We were waiting till around midnight but we did not experience any of them. Even if we saw one we could not be able to take any picture due to our low quality cameras.

However I feel glad to have visited part of this beautful island. My travelmate with whom I rent the car, he caught the flight to Melbourne so we had to give back the car. My stay in Tasmania was short due to the fact of no having a car. Another reason to come back again.

Hope you like it and have chance to visit it.

Thanks for your attention

(All photos are mine and they were taken with my camera Casio EX-Z60 except from the last one)

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