HOBART, TAS
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia - a place where time moves as slow as the waves.
Known as Tassie to the locals, Tasmania is the little isolated island state off the south coast of the mainland.
While I'm on summer vacation between semesters, my dearest mother is an angel who made the trip from Canada to come visit a country she's never seen before - with a broken arm I must add. I took some time off work to show her around Melbourne for a week or so: taking her to all the restaurants and cafes I can't afford, walking through my favourite parks and spending time in my secret beach spots. She quickly immersed herself (a little too comfortably) with the Australian slang and way of life. She also never went one meal without trying a new Australian wine. Then, with an hour flight from Melbourne, we were very lucky to explore the capital city of Tasmania for a few days - Hobart. Before arriving in Australia, I told my mom to pack light and only bring functional summer clothing since it's been between 30-40 degrees here. Much to both of our surprise, Hobart was cold. Nothing compared to back home this time of year, but definitely chilly and my poor mother wore sundresses as we hiked up mountain tops while everyone else wore jackets and toques.
As much as I love the hustle and bustle of a city like Melbourne, Hobart was something else. As soon as we stepped foot off the airplane, it was as if everything started to move in slow motion. I wasn't in a race with a fellow pedestrian or I didn't have to squeeze my way onto a train or worry about getting in anyone's way. Maybe this was because I was probably the only person under 35 in Hobart. From the locals, I've heard it's a popular place to retire so nobody has anywhere to be. I loved it. The downtown area only consisted of a few streets with surrounding suburbs that have been there forever. The town is filled with old sandstone houses and cafes with historic buildings and narrow lanes. Farmers markets everywhere! We stayed right on the wharf where we watched the sun rise over the water every morning as the fishermen got to work. And yes, everyone wears Blundstones.
One of my favourite qualities about my mom is how in awe she is of the world around her. Everywhere we went and everything we saw in Tasmania, her jaw did not leave the floor. Phrases like, "Ryley I'm melting I can't believe this is real life" or, "That is just spectacular I want to stay here forever" were repeated every hour or so. One day during our time in Hobart, we took a trip out to the famous picturesque Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. Our tour guide would explain something as simple as, "That bridge was built in 1936." and Debby Campbell Remedios would be the only one to react with a resounding "WOOOOOOOOOW! That is just... WOW!" I just kept shaking my head - not of embarrassment, but just because yep - that's my mom. Like a kid in a candy store. Only a few times I had to tell her to tone it down. Although, I love the fact we share the same appreciation for how beautiful the world is - it's like we're related or something. 5 days in Tasmania and not once did she pull out her phone to take a photo, because she just wanted to take it all in (also because she lost it at a music festival the day before we left). That's where I come in - here's a glimpse of what we saw.
Yes, I'm going to be that person and say these photos do not do it justice. TELL me these don't look like paintings. You had to be there. So go and see it for yourself and prepare to have your mind blown. Tasmania is a wonderful place to be.
If you ever make it to Hobart, here's my top 6 must sees and do's. If you don't, it's okay - but really try to because I said so.
6. MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) - arguably the world's best modern art gallery. Located on the Berridale Peninsula, it's only accessible by ferry which is pretty cool. There's an outdoor trampoline right over the water and with rather interesting and questionable pieces housed in the museum.. it's definitely "art." There's an inflated Porsche, a huge Yves Klein floor piece and a wall of vagina casts. My personal favourite: The Defecation Machine
6. Book a tour. Unless you want to rent a car, probably get lost and figure it out on your lonesome, be my guest. However, I'm a little navigationally challenged so a guided tour was so worth it. I love learning all the weird facts and history behind a place. Plus, I got to meet some cool people on the tour as well. My mom and I befriended everyone and some didn't want to be friended but that's okay too. Tours are fun. We got to see places we would have never thought of visiting on our own that became the highlights of our trip. I used to be against guided tours because I wanted to be a free spirit and do it on my own - but I'm so glad I didn't. At least in Tasmania.
6. Hike up Mount Wellington - or take a 40 minute bus ride to the top. 1270m above sea level, the mountain was 10 degrees colder than the town below. I thought I was going to blow away. Make sure to go on a clear day or early in the morning before the clouds roll in. Rookie mistake.
6. Salamanca Farmers Market on Saturdays / Farm Gate Market on Sundays
6. Collide Wholefoods - 8A Criterion Street, Hobart
6. Hike the Three Capes Track and tell me how it is - something I would have loved to do