HOBART, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA FROM THE M/S OOSTERDAM

Oceania » Australia
February 26th 2014

Published: February 27th 2014

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CHUCKYV

COOK CHANNEL

CHANNEL BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND AND NORTH ISLAND

We left Dunedin for three sea days to get to Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. However, there was a major storm in the southern Tasmanian Sea, so an alternative route to Hobart was selected. We went through the Cook Channel separating the South Island from the North Island of New Zealand. After leaving the channel we encountered seas that caused the boat to rock and roll and slap down due to high swells, nowhere near as significant as what was happening south of us, but significant enough that the liquor bottles were put away and the elevators displayed sea sickness bags. Most passengers were able to deal with the discomfort, but everyone seemed to be happier when we arrived in the shelter of Hobart.

Because of the rough sea we arrived in Hobart three hours later than anticipated. Several tours were cancelled and the lines to clear Australian immigration were terrible. It was amazing to me how well passengers endured the chaos. Once ashore, however, things brightened. It was nice to be on solid ground and the weather was good. My ship tours were scheduled so I signed with the Gray Line for a highlights tour and saved enough money

HOBART AIRPORT?

JUST KIDDING

to buy lunch at a seaside restaurant, Fish Frenzy. It was a great lunch with two different local fishes, three scallops, two calamari pieces (large enough to look like onion rings), and a substantial serving of good chips (French fries) washed down with a local Tasmanian beer, Moo.

The tour took me to several areas of interest, including one of the famous World Heritage Convict Sites, the Cascades Female Factory remains. Tasmania was the site of 11 Australian convict sites very well used between approximately 1830 and 1867. There were more than 5000 female convicts at this site, some as young as eleven, between 1828 and 1856. Another highlight was the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. I didn’t have enough time to see all the gardens, but the ones I did see were well done and interesting.

Hobart was a great place to visit. Friendly people and laid back atmosphere contribute to the good feelings about being here. The overnight trip to Melbourne and a sea day tomorrow should be much calmer as much of our day will be spent in sight of the Australian coastline off the port side of the ship.

ILYS

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