The things you find in Hobart… I’m just back from a few days exploring the city’s links with the icy south in the lead-up to the first Antarctic Festival in mid-September. Great place.
L’Astrolabe (above) is an Antarctic veteran. Owned by P&O Maritime, and chartered by the French Govt to service its bases, this ship has done countless trips to Antarctica over the years.
Moored just a few metres away along Franklin Wharf is the Aurora Australis, Australia’s Antarctic work horse, photographed here with Antarctic Festival director Paul Cullen. It carries supplies and scientists to our base at Casey while conducting research along the way.
Faces of the Antarctic. Pic taken at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, which has a permanent Antarctic exhibition – Islands to Ice – featuring great insights into both Antarctic exploration and wildlife.
Meet “Antarctic legend” David Johns. He first went to Antarctica in 1954 and has been awarded Polar Medal. He was in charge of the cosmic ray telescope, whatever that is.
A highlight was the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum, an exact replica of the two small timber buildings which housed the 1912 expedition led by Douglas Mawson. Here’s a sample of their provisions. Who knew Uncle Toby’s has been around so long.
This is David Jensen, photographed in the Mawson’s Huts replica. David founded the Mawson’s Huts Foundation, which is committed to preserving the actual huts in Antarctica and also maintains the Hobart installation.
A quiet achiever, this ex-AAP journalist is clearly a very persuasive man. He is also the instigator of the Antarctic Festival, the major sponsor of which is Chimu Adventures, a client of Mr & Mrs Kelly, the PR company I run with business partner Angie Kelly.
Near the Hobart Docks is Battery Point. It’s one of Australia’s most historic suburbs and a great place to wander, even when it’s about 0 degrees, as was the case when this photograph was taken. Note snowy Mount Wellington looming in the background.
This is the following day when the clouds cleared and the sun came out. Still cold though.
Jackman & McRoss in Battery Point. Great bakery and cafe, really worth a visit, if only for their vanilla slice.
I really like the look of this place. It’s a budget hotel built in 1922 but has a certain style, I’m sure you’ll agree.
Poster wall around the corner from Hotel Astor. This particular ‘Aussie’ iamge is being plastered all around the country.
Glass half-full at Smolt, one of Hobart’s better restaurants, where we had a really nice lunch.
There’s a pretty good food scene in Hobart, though it is small and rather quiet in winter.
For example, one well publicised restaurant, Aloft, was 3/4 full on Friday night while we could find only one buzzy bar after 10.30 on Thursday.
Winter light and bare trees in Davey St, downtown Hobart. Such beautiful light on this particular morning.
Of course no trip to Hobart is complete without a visit to MONA and the best way to get there is by boat and with a glass of champagne. Great way to start the day. Loved MONA btw.
Finally, the most incredible thing I saw during the trip. A non-chain garage offering driveway service. Yes, either Bob or Tom will fill your car for you. Only in Hobart.
PS: Check out Chimu’s Antarctic Festival packages.
