Tasmanian reflections: Hobart and surrounds

This is the last Tasmania-focused post, with the exception of a cafe review that will appear at some stage.

Suitably, this Bite, which is rather a big one, also touches on some of my favourite sights and experiences from the trip.

After nearly a week in small towns or national park areas, arriving in Hobart in the afternoon sun was beautiful.

We headed straight to Salamanca Markets, which are held every Saturday in the waterfront area below Battery Point...

And enjoyed taking in the architecture that makes Hobart city so attractive...

Hobart also provided us with the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), which I had heard wonderful things about. It didn't disappoint. If you get a chance to visit - do. 

The entrance to MONA. The museum is built into the side of a cliff: enter at the top (through the black doors pictured) and descend down for art. It's bigger than it looks!

I wouldn't hesitate to deem this the best collection of art in Australia. For some inside shots, cityhippyfarmgirl presented a delightful summary a few weeks back. 

We also went up Mount Wellington, which overlooks Hobart, where I got very cold...

This photo doesn't show the wind. It was vicious.

...and visited a nearby wildlife park, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where I got even colder. Intense, I think I might faint, I can't feel my feet cold.

At least the Tasmanian Devils were cute. Sadly, these were the only live ones we saw on the trip. The native population is seriously threatened by the currently incurable Devil Facial Tumour Disease, as well as traffic (we saw a number of dead ones on the sides of roads).

From Hobart, we visited Port Arthur, which was the largest penal settlement in Australia from 1833 to 1853. We spent a night there and absorbed culture and sad stories...

We also did the evening ghost tour at Port Arthur, which provided me with an opportunity to wear a large proportion of my clothes simultaneously. My outfit included tights under jeans, two pairs of socks, a long-sleeved thermal top, a long-sleeved fitted top, a zip-up sports jacket, another black jacket, my brother's ski jacket, gloves, and scarf.

I also wore the ski jacket hood. I'm sure I looked very trendy. But after the wildlife park experience I wasn't taking any chances!

Of course, Hobart also provided us with food choices. After self-catering and/or having limited eating out options, this was bliss.

Metz, in Sandy Bay (north Hobart), provided an amazing sweet blue pear, walnut & honey pizza. It would usually come with gorgonzola, but they helpfully omitted it for me - albeit after double checking that I really didn't want any cheese. I think the chef struggled to grasp the concept of a cheese free pizza :P

He did himself proud though.

It may have taken the Best Pizza Ever award.

We also ate Thai, Indian and Italian (no pictures I'm sorry), thereby navigating the world whilst skipping over Australia. I was disappointed to discover that Sirens, the acclaimed vegetarian / vegan eatery, had closed - apparently just in May this year. I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer to experience a dedicated vegetarian restaurant.

Jackson & McRoss Bakery in Battery Point, a 5 minute walk from where we stayed, went some way towards making up for the loss of Sirens. Bustling with customers and showcasing amazing breads and cakes, it was a delightful hybrid of bakery and cafe.

Of course, Hobart offers so much more than that mentioned here. But I think visiting is required in order to absorb it all, and that I would unhesitatingly recommend.

Previous Tasmanian posts: Launceston, Cradle Mountain, and the West and East Coasts.

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