Hello, Hobart!

It’s been far too long since my last blog, I know. I’ve been putting off editing my Hobart photos for a while because my camera and I had a bit of a falling out. The sensor got scratched, which is pretty much a death knell for a camera, since it can cost more to fix than the camera body costs to replace. The scratches unfortunately show up in most brightly lit photos, so this batch took about ten times longer to edit than normal. At least I got some practice with removing flaws from photos in Lightroom, though! I’ve since ordered a used replacement camera body (Nikon D7100 just like my current one), so I should be back in action before too long.

Anyway, on to Hobart! Andy had a conference there for a week in early October, so I had decided to tag along for the latter half, meaning I could finally step foot in Australia. I made the flight to Tasmania early on a Wednesday. Hobart isn’t all that far, but there are no direct flights, so you have to connect through Melbourne on the mainland. Here’s a map to give you an idea of where things lie. Not sure where that flight time comes from, a prop plane?

Hobart is slightly south of Wellington, and the climate is fairly similar. Both are subject to the “Roaring Forties,” winds that often batter places with a latitude in the 40s, subjecting these lucky locales to some truly wild weather. Sounds about right!

Hobart is two hours behind Wellington, so I arrive just after noon, with plenty of the day left to explore. I met Andy at the hotel, which was certainly not a disappointment. There are definitely some perks when piggybacking onto conference accommodation. Check out this view!

Although it may see like the ocean, Hobart is actually located on the banks of the Derwent River. The river does empty into the Tasman Sea not far downstream, though. Besides that difference, Hobart and Wellington are similar in a lot of ways.

For my arrival, Hobart even graced me with a rainbow.

When Andy’s conference ended for the day, we visited a local craft beer bar to sample some Australian brews over dinner.

The next morning, I planned to tour Hobart on foot. Before even leaving the hotel, fabulous sunrise views (thanks, time difference) greeted me from our room.

Mount Wellington rises in the background of this next one. I hoped to climb it while I was there, but didn’t end up having time. Next trip!

I hardly even needed to leave the hotel with vistas like this.

My first stop on my self-guided walking tour was Salamanca Place, a historic part of central Hobart known for its weekend market and old sandstone buildings.

I climbed the Salamanca Steps up to the neighborhood of Battery Point. As you may have guessed, it was once home to a gun battery, but it’s now better known for its charming boulevards and historic homes dating back to the first European settlement of Hobart.

After a rainy and chilly first day, it was lovely to wander this beautiful neighborhood in the sunshine. It didn’t hurt that everything was in bloom.

I couldn’t resist soaking up some sun (and applying sunscreen) on a park bench overlooking the Derwent River.

Who wouldn’t love a park with an entrance like this?

Since I didn’t have to stick to much of a schedule, I spent some time wandering around Battery Point with the loose intention of making my way to Sandy Bay.

I felt bad for this poor fenced in T-Rex. People shouldn’t be allowed to own dinosaurs if they don’t take proper care of them!

Poor little guy.

I made it to Sandy Bay in late morning, and even managed to find some sea glass, although most was just regular glass that had to be thrown back.

There were great views of Mount Wellington from the waterfront.

Not bad looking across the harbor, either.

Since I planned to be back at the hotel around noon to see Andy’s toxicology presentation, I made my way back uphill to Battery Point.

I was lucky enough to pass a couple of my favorite subjects too – an old decrepit building and a door.

If I lived in Hobart, this would definitely be the best spot to find a house. Sadly, I doubt I could afford it!

Wandering back down the byways of Battery Point, I came across some more great old buildings.

And even a cute furry friend.

He wasn’t too bothered by my presence, clearly.

I cut back down the Salamanca Steps and through Salamanca Place, where I just so happened to come across a sleeping Cerberus.

Ok, maybe it was just three old, similarly-colored pups.

Before I close this blog out, I couldn’t pass on sharing this AWESOME cafe name.

Definitely a fan of Hobart!

Up next, further wanderings and some botanic garden glory!