We wake to the sound of the church bells ringing at the Cathedral down the street. A quick breakfast and we head off to the farmers market.
Rain is threatening on and off for the day, so we’ll see how it goes. Seven years back, the Sunday Farmgate market began with an honest and simple philosophy, that if you couldn’t eat it, drink it, grow it or meet the producer, then you wouldn’t find it at the market. Dick spots a guy grilling octopus and decides he must have some, it comes hot right off the grill and is served with a small shot of ouzo. I find an almond croissant that would have been at home in Paris.
Next, we wander down to the wharf to the Mawson’s Hut museum, a recreation of the hut built during the Australian Antarctic Explorations by Mawson. This explorers story is truly amazing.
The day clears a little and we decide to head over to Bonorong Sanctuary, a refuge for injured and orphaned wildlife. They rehabilitate and return to the wild the ones they can, otherwise they will live out their life in the sanctuary. Lot’s of Kangaroos some with joeys, several Koala bears and many others, they also care for birds here as well.
On the way back to Hobart, we stop at two wineries, Puddleduck and Frogmore Creek. This area is in the Coal River Valley wine region. We also visit the Cascade Brewery and find a wedding reception is about to start. The bride was glowing.
A short nap, then decide to head to the Drunken Admiral for dinner. The rain is getting ready to start, so we make sure we have our quick dry clothes on and rain jackets. We get drenched walking, but are able to get the last table available at the restaurant. I had a mixed seafood grill; salmon, scallops, whitefish and octopus. It came on a sizzling hot stone to continue cooking at the table. Dick had the scallop special of the day. It doesn’t get much fresher than this.
Mary
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It’s raining in Hobart today – first big rains we’ve really had. The Farmer’s Market is pretty cool and it’s evident that everything is very fresh and natural. It appears to be very popular with the locals (and tourists) and has a ‘hippy’ vibe which reminds me of Boulder Colorado.
The Antarctic explorer Mawson is featured at a Museum on the wharf. What an incredible story of perseverance and survival. Inspiring.
North of town is the Bonorong Sanctuary where most of the critters run free. They also freely take dumps on the walkway. On entry you are given feed for the wandering kangaroos who are totally unafraid of humans and literally eat out of your hands.
We were able to locate the iconic ‘Cascade Brewery’ in West Hobart. Alas, a private function closed the guest area. We were still able to get some samples at a small public bar on the grounds. The mystery of why we saw so many taps of ‘Goose Island IPA’ while in Australia – it’s brewed at the Cascade plant in Hobart!
Dick
2 thoughts on “Hobart and Surrounds (Tasmania)”
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I hope you guys are enjoying Tassie. As you know, we really loved the place. It just has a feel, you know.
‘Too cool for school!’ You’re spot-on WRT the vibe. We’re working our way up the east coast now and it just keeps getting better. We’re not coming back.