World Australia Tasmania Hobart

Funchasers Travel Homepage Our Journey Down Under - Australia & New Zealand

Hobart, Australia Feb 2, 2009

We pulled into port in Hobart, Australia around 8:00 a.m Monday morning. The weather was quite cool, cloudy, and with occasional light rain. Everyone was excited, however, for the opportunity to explore Hobart and the surrounding countryside. Hobart is the capital of the state of Tasmania, and has a lot in common with Sydney. Founded just a few years after Sydney, Hobart owes its beginnings to a penal colony. Mount Wellington looms in the backgound above the sprawling Hobart skyline. Our group went in several directions, visiting beautiful Russell Falls, deep in a magnificent rain forrest, walking on swinging bridges high above the tassie tree tops, and sampling the local wines at various wineries. Some also visited a working sheep farm where there was a sheep herding demonstration by Bill, the half Smithville/half Border Collie sheep dog. He loves his job! Then several watched a sheep shearing and were amazed at how it is done. Everyone enjoyed lovely lunches at wineries or local inns, then a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Park completed the day. Nothing says Australia like getting your picture made feeding a kangaroo and petting a soft cuddly Koala Bear!