GATEWAY TO THE ANTARCTIC

Hobart may be Australia’s smallest capital city, to the nation’s smallest state, but it holds many surprises.  It was originally established as a penal colony in 1804.  It was a leading international whaling port in the 1830’s.  It has a population of just over 225,000 and, if you are old enough to remember the actor Errol Flynn, he was born in Hobart in 1909.  It is also the Gateway to the Antarctic.

Hobart - Gateway to the Antarctic. Photo by City of Hobart

Arial of Hobart. Photo by City of Hobart

The Sun Princess docked in Hobart at 8:00am on Wednesday, November 8^th 2017.  Marci and I were able to step off the ship by 8:15am.  You will be routed through a warehouse where several local vendors have set up their booths set to display their goods.  You will find some very unique items, expertly crafted and at a good price.  

Sun Princess docking in Hobart

Vendors set up to sell goods

I had purchased online tickets for the 10am Red Decker Hop-on Hop-off bus.   Arriving over an hour early, I presented my email confirmation to the driver but was told I could only board with a paper ticket.  With no immediate access to a printer, I was referred to the owner of the company.  She was very understanding and accommodating, using her phone to take a photo of my Viator email confirmation.  You gotta love modern technology.  She handed me 2 tickets for boarding.  Phew. . . . now for a short walk, returning to board at 10am.    

Tip:  Be sure to print a paper ticket for the Red Decker Hop-on Hop-off bus.  It will save you time and energy.

As we left the boarding area we made our way along the waterfront past Brooke Street Pier to Salamanca Place.  This area consists of rows of sandstone warehouses that have been converted into a lively hot spot of restaurants, galleries, craft shops and offices, as well as housing an art community.   Should you find yourself in Hobart on a Saturday, Salamanca Place hosts a popular street fair.

A walk along Brooke Street Pier

Walk along Brooke Street Pier

Salamanca Place

Coming back past Salamanca Place

From Salamanca Place we walked toward Battery Point. Along the way we stumbled across Lenna House. This sandstone building is located on the corner of Salamanca and Runnymede Street and was built by convicts in 1874.  The site was originally owned by Captain James Bayley. He subsequently sold the property to Alexander McGregor who was his partner in the whaling trade and whose daughter, Miss Harriett Bayley, became his first wife. 

Approaching Lenna House

Entrance to Lenna House

Inside Lenna House

Inside Lenna House

We obtained permission to climb the narrow steps up to the lookout that sits atop Lenna.  It housed a semaphore for signaling ships in the Derwent River.  One of Alexander McGregor’s main trade routes was between London and Hobart and when his ship, the Harriet McGregor, was some 80 days out of London, sailing via The Horn, he would head up to his lookout, stand with telescope to eye and watch for her appearance into the bay.  Early photographs, prints and paintings of Alexander McGregor’s ships are throughout the hotel. An original oil painting of his favorite ship, the Harriet McGregor, painted in 1878, is a feature of the collection.

Observation Tower at Lenna House

Photo of the Harriet McGregor. Photo by City of Hobart

After a hurried tour of Lenna it was time to head back to the boarding area for the hop-on hop-off bus.  Stop A of the City Loop starts at the Travel Centre, located on the corner of Davey and Elizabeth Street.  If you elect to remain on the bus for all 20 stops, the entire loop will take 90 minutes.  

Hop-on Hop-off in Hobart

20-stop City Loop for Hop-on Hop-off bus

Marci and I were scheduled to meet a friend, Trina, at the Botanical Gardens stop S, at 11:30am so we would not be getting off at any stop along the route.  Trina lives in Hobart and was scheduled to take the 22-day Trans Pacific cruise with us on the Explorer of the Sea but sadly, was forced to cancel at the last minute due to a family emergency.   As had been pre arranged with her, there she was standing at the bus stop, all smiles and car keys in hand.

Trina was so accommodating.  First was a drive to the top of Mount Wellington, rising 4,170 feet above sea level.  The most distinctive feature is the cliffs of dolerite columns known as the Organ Pipes.  

Mount Wellington Photo by City of Hobart

Organ Pipes of Mount Wellington Photo by City of Hobart

As we started the climb up Mount Wellington the skies were clear and blue but just as we were pulling into the parking lot at the top, the clouds quickly began rolling in.  

At the top of Mount Wellington

View from Mount Wellington

The drive to the top took 35 minutes.  On the way down we made a couple photo stops. 

Photo stop at Mount Wellington

Next Trina headed North to the city of Richmond, a 20 minute drive.  An example of the city’s wealth can be found in this historic town.  Lying just across the bay, this beautifully preserved Georgian village was the first area granted to free settlers from England for farming.  Many of Australia’s oldest buildings were constructed here by convicts, including the jail and the Roman Catholic Church.  

Time for a little shopping in Richmond

Tasting station at a store in Richmond

Church in Richmond

Inside the church

Inside the church

Inside the church

Convicts were also used in the construction of the Richmond bridge, Australia’s oldest bridge.  Made from sandstone quarried from Butcher’s Hill and hauled to the site by convicts using hand carts, the foundation stone was laid in 1823 and construction continued until 1825.

Richmond Bridge

With time quickly slipping away, it was time to head back to the ship.  Thanks again Trina for your hospitality and for making the visit to Hobart so meaningful.   

Myself on the left with friend Trina Barrow