Hobart Fun Facts to Know Before You Visit
On the island state of Tasmania, the capital of Hobart/Nipaluna is a city that is brimming with a rich history and incredible culture. A unique corner of Australia, Hobart is a city that despite its size, has so much heart. Discover a piece of its heart in the myriad of exciting adventures on offer, many of them with their own interesting backstories. Explore this quirky city in your Ace rental and you’ll discover that there’s more to Hobart than meets the eye.
A City With A Rich History
While Hobart is often thought of as a city that is vibrant with life and culture, this capital also has an interesting past. Established in 1804 as a British penal colony, prisoners and convicts were transported by the British settlers to this island south of mainland Australia to separate them from the rest of the population. Since then, Hobart has seen various levels of growth and decline, but ultimately today continues to be a popular destination for visitors both from other parts of Australia and all over the world. Hobart is Australia’s second oldest capital city, placed behind only Sydney/Eora, which was established in 1788. Nowadays, Hobart is known for its lush surrounding bushland, exciting city culture, and as the gateway to Antarctic exploration. The city’s proximity to Antarctica also means that it boasts an incredibly clean quality of air, sometimes being called the city with the cleanest air in the world. To experience just how pristine the air quality is, head out to Mount Wellington and hike up the mountain among bushland and greenery. The summit provides not only a breath of the freshest air, but also stunning panoramic views of Hobart city that you’ll never forget.
The Home of Eccentric Art
You can’t visit Hobart without visiting the renowned Museum of Old and New Art. Also simply known as MONA, this museum can be reached either on a fifteen minute drive in your Ace rental car, or by MONA’s ferry, departing from Brooke Street Pier. Officially opened in 2011, MONA is the brainchild of professional gambler, art collector and businessman David Walsh. The largest privately funded museum in the Southern Hemisphere, MONA boasts ancient, modern and contemporary art in a uniquely designed underground museum space. From the outside, the museum may seem like it’s a single storey, but upon entrance you’ll discover that stairwells lead you down and down, seemingly to the centre of the earth. MONA has become famous for its tendency to lean into the outrageous elements of art, hoping to shock or surprise viewers as they traverse the spaces. Needless to say, there’s no other gallery or museum like it in Australia. Recently, MONA has been a key figure in news events after the Hobart-based American artist and curator Kirsha Kaechele revealed that a series of Pablo Picasso paintings that were being displayed in the Ladies Lounge section of the museum were in fact not the real deal. These pieces weren’t painted by Picasso, but by Kaechele and her friend. This story caught international headlines and brought in interest from all over the world—exactly as shocking as all the other art pieces that live in MONA are.
Discover the Oldest Brewery
The city of Hobart is famously home to Australia’s oldest operating brewery. Cascade Brewery Bar, located in South Hobart just 15 minutes out of the CBD, continues to pour pints even now, two hundred years on from when the brewery first opened its doors. They also hold the distinction for serving Australia’s oldest continuously brewed beer, having made the Cascade Pale Ale since 1832. The deep history of this brewery can be felt in the architecture of the building and the foothills of Mount Wellington which it sits at. Enjoy a cold beverage outside as you breathe in that fresh Tasmanian mountain air and watch the sunset over the horizon of the landscape that stretches out and around you.
Explore Towns with Funny Names
While the name ‘Hobart’ is friendly and welcoming, take a day trip out of the city and you’ll discover some towns with names you might struggle to believe are true. As a small island state, it’s not hard to explore the communities and areas that surround the capital city—many of these only require a short drive. Check out the adorably sounding town of Snug. Situated half an hour’s drive north of Hobart, Snug is a small coastal town on the Channel Highway that boasts beaches that stretch out from the bush and into the tumbling infinite horizon of the ocean. If you’re heading in the direction of Orford from Hobart on a day trip, make sure to also look out for Bust-Me-Gall Hill and Break-Me-Neck Hill. Although locals aren’t quite sure where the names come from, you can be assured that they’re still providing laughs to this day.
A city as unique in its contemporary culture as it is in its history, Hobart is best discovered behind the wheel of your Ace rental car.
