second oldest city after Sydney. Hobart is small and intimate compared to larger mainland

Australian cities, reflecting the small size of the state. The metropolitan area stretches

north and south along the Derwent River, crossed by several bridges. It has a mild temperate

oceanic climate, with four distinct seasons.

Walking is the best way to explore the downtown area. It is easy to walk between the city

centre, Salamanca, and the port/harbour area. If you are staying in the Salamanca area,

you may not need any other form of transport. Between the City Centre and Sandy Bay via

Battery Point is only half an hour to walk (although there are some hills).

Founded in 1804 by Colonel David Collins, Hobart is the second oldest city in Australia.

It grew out of the penal settlement on the island at Risdon Cove, eight kilometres up

river, which was founded in 1803 and abandoned five months later for the present site of

Hobart. The city has many beautiful historic buildings and precincts, especially in the

area around the river. There are many fine examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture,

such as Salamanca Place, which has a terrace of warehouses dating back to the whaling days

of the 1830s. Nearby Battery Point, the original seamen's quarters of the city and Macquarie

and Davey Street offer more than 60 buildings classified by the National Trust.

Hobart is one of the most easily accessible places to view the Southern Lights or Aurora

Australis. Your chances depend on the space weather, and to have a good chance of seeing

the aurora you'll want a K-Index above 6. You can see the current K-Index at the Australia

Space Weather Services. They have forecasts there for space weather for the next several days.