Kings Around Oz: Hobart and Surrounds

Well as the weather turned sour we headed for the comfort of a caravan park in Hobart. While staying here we have certainly experienced all four season in 1 week and on may occasions in 1 day. The first day we spent exploring the markets that Hobart has to offer. We saw everything from bric-a brac to art, craft to cooking. The markets had a little bit of everything. The next day we headed down the Tasman Peninsula on our way to Port Arthur. While travelling down the peninsula we stopped at the Tessellated Pavement which is a section of coastline that has been eroded by the waves to make it look like it has been tiled. We didn't get to see the full effect as it was a high tide when we got there. We spent a lot of the day walking around the ruins of Port Arthur Penitentiary and the restored houses. As Haydan liked to put it all the houses were broken and there was lots of damage because the bushfire burnt the buildings and they fell down. The history of the place was quite interesting and it was hard to imagine it as a thriving town bustling with people back in the day. One thing is for sure you didn't want to be a convict in those days. When we left Port Arthur we went to Remarkable Cave where you can walk down and see through the cave that has been worn away over time. On our way home we stopped off at the blowhole at Doo Town but this time it was not blowing water into the air as it was now low tide!!!!! We also stopped to look at the Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen which are features carved into the rocks due to the waves and types of rocks on the coast line. After such a big day we then had a quiet day and had a little look in the city and walked around Constitution Dock and looked at all the boats. That afternoon we then went to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory. Unfortunately this was a bit of a let down as you can no longer go into the factory so you just get to watch a movie about how they make the chocolate and the history of the company. It was just lucky they handed out quite a few samples. The shop was also good to have a wonder through and we may have bought a few things!!!! The next trip into the city saw us go through the Hobart Art Gallery and Museum. There was an Antarctica Exhibition on at the moment so the kids love looking at 'Happy Feet' as they kept calling it. The next morning when we got up it was clear blue skies so we raced up to the top of Mt Wellington. Only problem was as we got there the clouds rolled in so we didn't get a great view of Hobart but they cleared enough to see a bit by the time we left. It was quite an experience up the top of the mountain as it was a balmy 4 degrees when we got out of the car. I would hate to know what the wind chill factor was as it just cut straight through you. In Haydan's words he said "Mummy it's a bit fresh here" Talk about understatement!!!!! We then did another big road trip this time to Mount Field National Park. Here we did the 6km Lady Barron Falls Walk that took in Russel Falls, Horseshoe Falls, the Tall Trees Walk and Lady Barron Falls. The rainforest was just spectacular and it was great to see some amazing waterfalls again. To finish up our stay in Hobart we went to the Salamanca Markets. This market is huge and really does have everything. We did one last walk around Constitution Dock and we found the boat called the Emmalisa. This boat was named after the Captains daughter who is also called Emmalisa. As we walked back to the car we were lucky enough to see a great Ariel display by the Rouletts. Haydan loved watching them as they did loop the loops and barrel rolls over the tops of the city buildings.

It was a big week in Hobart and now we will attempt to freeze even more and head further south to complete the south of Tasmania.