Tasman Island, Tasmania

I had no idea what to expect, it definitely wasn't the spectacular scenery we experienced on our cold trip out to Tasman Island.

We did this as part of a day trip from Hobart, which also included a side trip to Port Arthur.

We even got to wear these dry suits, which even though aren't that attractive were more than welcome in the wet, windy and cold conditions.

The three hour boat ride takes you up the coast, stopping at major points for pictures and an explanation by the boat crew.





The trip ends with spectacular views of Tasman Island, before heading back to the starting point.

Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia

I love history  even though my Convict history is poor I've always wanted to visit the Port Arthur site and to be honest I had no idea what to expect.



We did a day tour which included a boat trip out to Tasman Island, and unfortunately promised three hours at Port Arthur, but there was only less than two.



To me it had a very similar feel to Williamsburg in the US. I don't know if it was the weather  the green scenery or just that it was a similar time period.



We only had a couple of hours to spend and really it would be easy to spend the whole day here, we missed most of the museum and we didn't get out to the boys prison or the Isle of the Dead (I love checking out old cemeteries).

Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

On another early flight for a long weekend in Hobart, Tasmania.

Friday in Sydney had been over 30C and we arrived into a crisp and cool, but sunny Hobart.

Notice the snow on the hills?

We checked into the Islington Hotel and then headed down the hill to the Salamanca markets. We enjoyed some hot donuts and hot coffee, while walking around the different market stalls.

We took a quick walk to Battery Point, before the rain came down.

We had an early lunch at Tricycle in the Salamanca Arts Center, before heading back to the hotel to spend the afternoon.

That night was a seafood dinner in Mures, which showcased Tasmanian salmon in multiple ways, Bruny Island oysters also in multiple ways and a variety of other seafood.

Stay
We wanted to stay at the Henry Jones but it was booked out, so we stayed just out of town at the gorgeous Islington Hotel

Eat
Coffee and Donuts at the Salamanca markets
Lunch at Tricycle





Seafood dinner at Mures

Do
Day trip to Tasman Island and Port Arthur (post to follow)
MONA (post to follow)
Salamanca markets
Salamanca Arts Center

Travel Quotes

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain 

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener

"Life is a journey, not a destination"  - Unknown

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover" - Mark Twain

"Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." -Miriam Beard

"Tourists don't know where they've been, travelers don't know where they're going." - Paul Theroux

"Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time." - Stephen Wright "The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it."- Rudyard Kipling "To awaken alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world."  - Freya Stark "Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world." - Gustave Flaubert

What's your favourite travel related quote?