I left my heart in Tasmania
Written: Oct 14 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The people, the scenery, the history, the animals - did I miss anything?
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: Hobart is a capital city with a small town atmosphere where everyone has a friendly g'day for you in a wonderful setting. It's the perfect time-out on a fast-paced tour.
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| judithnorman's Full Review: Hobart |
Just for a bit of background, this was my husband's and my second trip to that wonderful country called Australia. The first time we did the regular "tourist triangle" visiting Sydney, Ayres Rock, and Cairns. It was a wonderful trip but certainly to say that we had now "seen" Australia is a bit like a foreign tourist thinking they had "seen" the US in 12 days.
Thus we drew up our own itinerary for our return visit this fall and at top of my list was a visit to Hobart,Tasmania. I was not to be disappointed. After flying from busy Sydney, we entered a whole new world where the pace was slow and the entire atmosphere very was "layed back". This city's main idea of a "tourist trade" is the influx of mainlander Australians who vacation here during the hot summer months. They really don't claim to attract many foreign visitors and, to be truthful, they like it that way.
During our short 4 day visit, we elected to stay at the Grand Chancellor Hotel right down in the docks area. This was a good choice for aging non-hikers like we since Hobart is built on the very steep hillsides leading up to Mount Wellington and all the other hotels we saw were quite a trek up from the shore.
We were within easy (and flat) walking distance of the many wonderful seafood restaurants of which Hobart can boast as well as the famed Salamanca Market. One of my requests upon booking this trip was that we be in Hobart on a Saturday of the outdoor market. We arrived early even though rain was still threatening and found it a delightful event. Unlike the markets we had visited in Sydney, this one was made up almost entirely of craftsmen selling actual handmade local crafts. I fear my suitcase gained a great deal of weight after packing away all the treasures I just could not do without.
During our stay we opted for two excursions out of town. The first half-day tour took us to the Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary where the guide not only brought those varmits up close and personal by feeding them chunks of rabbit meat (bones and all). Despite their fierce appearance and terrible reputation, we were to learn that these critters are actually quite slow and clumsy and have very poor eyesight. They are incapable of catching live food and are rather avid scavangers who benefit the island by keeping the highways free of "road-kill". We were also introduced to the nearly extinct Quoll as well as doing the touristy things like feeding the wallabys and petting a koala. As an aside, it should be noted that this sanctuary like all those we were to visit in Australia serve a more real purpose than just the entertainment of the tourist. There is not a predatory animal native to this country. It was the arrival of the white man and his introduction of such animals as rats and cats that has upset the balance of nature and put these defenseless animals at risk of extinction.
Our second full-day tour took us to Port Arthur to visit the original penal colony on the island. On the way there, we were given a report of the 1996 tragedy when 35 people were murdered by an insane shootist. We were then asked not to bring this up with guides or workers there as nearly all in this small community had lost a friend, neighbor or loved-one in the massacre. The tour itself was extremely informative. Hard to imagin that some of the "criminals" sent here from England were as young as 7 and guilty only of stealing a loaf of bread (punishment for such a "crime" was a mere 7 years but it was a life sentence for stealing a horse!).
Too fast the days of our stay went by and we were counting up with dismay all the things we DIDN'T get to do. If we are fortunate to actually have the "next time" we keep talking about, we will stay longer and travel more widely in this beautiful state and selfishly hope it maintains its "undiscovered" status until then. In fact, now that I think about it, maybe I shouldn't be writing this epinion at all, as I would love to keep it all for myself:-)
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May
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Epinions.com ID:
judithnorman
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Member: Judith Norman
Reviews written: 45
Trusted by: 5 members
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