Walking in Hobart City

Hobart is the capital city of the Australian state, Tasmania. With a population of around 127 000, it is Australia’s second oldest city, after Sydney. It is situated on the mouth of the Derwent River, and is dominated by the 1200 m high Mt Wellington behind it. The city centre is small and compact with all major services around the main hub, which is the Elizabeth St Mall. Hobart is serviced by major airlines, several times a day from the mainland states, and has good public transport within the city itself. It is small enough to get around by foot, especially down to the harbour area, which is where the 2 walks described below are situated. The walks have many cafes and restaurants en route suitable for a short or prolonged rest in between the fresh air exercise. Both walks start from the Elizabeth St Mall.

Walk 1
Elizabeth St Mall -Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery-Maritime Museum-Mawson Place-Consititution Dock-IXL buildings-Sullivans Cove

This walk starts in Elizabeth St. From the Mall head in a general easterly direction towards the harbour down Elizabeth St. Turn left into Macquarie St, and and you will see the Post Office on your left as you turn and the Town Hall on the opposite or eastern side of the street. Both these buildings are imposing in their own right.

Continue along Macquarie St for a short distance and you will come to the entrance pf the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. This museum is situated in the original area of Hobart Town which was founded in 1804. The museum has an excellent display on Aboriginal history, Tasmanian animals including the sad history of the now extinct Thylacine, and relics from the original town. It also houses a collection of the states colonial art. You need a minimum of an hour to visit.

Retrace your steps to the corner of Macquarie and Argyle St’s and then turn left into Argyle St. A short distance on the right of the street is the Maritime Museum of Tasmania. As an island state, the ocean, exploration and industries built around the sea, including shipping, fishing, transport, and Aboriginal hisrory all played an important part in making what Tasmaina is today. This is a great little museum which also has the Carnegie Gallery for special exhibitions highlighting Tasmanian artists. It is worth at least an hour of your time.

After leaving the Musuem continue down Argyle St, (you will cross over Davey St) until you come to Mawson Place, named after the famous Antarctic scientist and explorer. This is one of many named streets, places and specially installed sculptures which pay homage to the part Hobart played as the departure point of many an Antarctic Voyage in the early 20th century. This Antarctic relationship continues to the present day in the scientific and tourist arenas. To the left of Mawson Place is Constitution Dock, the finish for one of the world’s toughest ocean sailing races, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. It leaves Sydney on Boxing Day (26 Dec) and yachts start arriving in Hobart in the early hours of 29 Dec. Coinciding a visit to Hobart with this event is an exciting time and you often see the city as its very best.

Continue along Davey St, to the Victoria Dock. This has many seafood cafes in this strip as well as local fishing boats with their various lines and traps (for Tasmanian crayfish). On the harbour side is another memorial to the Antarctic connection, this time, the Australian photographer and physicist Louis Bernacchi, who accompanied Carston Borchgrevink on the first overwinter on the continent during the expedition 1989 – 1900. There are also some seal sculptures adjacent to this down on the rocks.

From this point continue along towards the large set of buildings with the logo, “H. Jones and Co. Pty Ltd” and “IXL” jams. IXL has been a famous Australian owned icon, very well known to many Australians as the jam, sauce and fruit supplier, throughout most of the 20th century. IXL is from his personal motto “I excel at everything I do”. Henry Jones set up the company in 1891. Other Australian companies have bought and sold IXL, but unfortunately it was bought out in 2005 by Coca-Cola Amatil and is no longer Australian owned.

IXL and Henry Jones not only provided the domestic market, but also exported many of the products made at this site. It provided a great deal of employment and a had a positive flow on effect to other businesses. While the company is no longer in business, the ‘jam factory’ continues to be restored as an arts and restaurant/café centre, and it is worth taking the time to look through the many sections of the factory.

November 1898 saw the first electric current to the city. This building housed the first reticulated electricity supply generation in Hobart, andwas in use from 1898 to 1917. Later use as a booster/exhauster and boiler house for the gasworks, constructed of solid brickwork with unusual rendered brick parapets, plinths, palsters and rendered cornice with different style gables at each end.

The project developed smoothly and the first gas-lighting of Hobart streets on 9 March 1857 was a gala occasion.

Sullivan’s Cove

n 1807 the docks were across the road, so when this tavern first opened it is easy to imagine that sailors and whalers would make it a favourite drinking spot. The licence has not lapsed since, making this Australia's oldest pub. Today the decor reflects the colonial past. Antiques, old prints and interesting pieces of maritime memorabilia make for a a fascinating visit. A full menu starts with entrees at AUD7 and main dishes around AUD14.50. Steaks come in two sizes, grilled to your preference. Cheaper bar meals are offered, or just pop in for a drink.

Maritime Museum of Tasmania in Argyle St, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, 40 Macquarie St

© 2007 - Sharon Fulcher - WalksAustralia.com