Tasmania Holiday

DAY ONE HOBART

After considering many holiday destinations both overseas and in Australia, we decided on a Tasmanian family holiday over the Easter school holidays, 2014. My husband and I have two kids, a 16 year old son and 11 year old daughter. We all seem to enjoy history and nature so figured Tasmania could offer fun for all. 

 

We arrived in Hobart, and loved the cooler crisp air. Picked up our hire car from Europcar and headed off to our first port of call. Europcar were friendly but a little slow, had to wait around for a while for the car to be cleaned and fueled.

 

I had pre booked the car and all accommodation prior to arrival and had a rough idea of things we wanted to visit along the way. 

Mount Wellington as we head over the Derwent river into Hobart

We booked two nights in Grand Chancellor Hobart, a great position, in the middle of town, overlooking the harbor with lovely water views.

VIEW FROM OUR ROOM

I did book part of this holiday with a travel agent, to be honest, as soon as I started to spend time researching accommodation and itinerary suggestions, I realized I would have saved  more money doing the bookings myself.

Lovely indoor pool and gym facilities

Our bags were delivered promptly to our room. All staff friendly and helpful, rooms comfortable and tastefully decorated. Lovely bathroom amenities with fluffy towels and comfy beds.

Salamanca Market area

I would highly recommend the Grand Chancellor, walking distance to restaurants and bars. Only a short walk to the Salamanca markets and across the road from the harbor. 

 

 

From the harbor there are many cruises available, including cruising up the Derwent river to the famous Mona art museum.

Historic IXL jam factory, now full of arts, cafes and restaurants. Directly across from Grand Chancellor Hobart.

Day one, we decided to go exploring on foot,  in and around the town, I would suggest walking up behind the Salamanca market area, the old houses are so beautiful, rose gardens and all back dropped with beautiful Mount Wellington.

 

Our $5 lunch - Telegraph Hotel

We stumbled across an old pub, The Telegraph Hotel, a sweet old building, serving up $5 lunches and a range of local beers. We gave it a go, and were rather impressed, not bad at all.

We caught the end of the Salamanca markets, this precinct and large market boast shopping, arts and craft, dining and music. Walking  past beautiful sandstone buildings and on the cobblestone road ways, just adorable.

 

If you love your seafood, the harbor and town area teaming with seafood restaurants. There are so many choices its a bit confusing.

Over by the IXL jam factory building directly opposite the Grand Chancellor there is a restaurant "The Drunken Admiral"that has been run by the same family since 1979. They pride themselves on delicious seafood, and I could only find good reviews about this place. It looked very original (very nautical 70's) and I soooo wanted to go there for dinner, but my hubby and son are not into seafood at all and so we ended up at Elizabeth pier. We decided on dining at the restaurant "42 Degrees"  I did get a salmon dish, that was okay. The rest of my family felt their meals were average.

Salamanca Markets

 

Hobart is just a gorgeous, historic and very scenic township. My whole family enjoyed exploring this town. I will do my best to add DAY TWO's adventures soon, as we head up to the Huon Valley.