HOBART
Hobart was founded in 1803, is the Capital City of Tasmania and has a population of approximately 210,000 people. Tasmania is separated from the rest of Australia by Bass Straight, one of the most treacherous pieces of water in the world. It is on the Southern side of Tasmania, some 35 Klms (20Mls) up the Derwent River. There are ferry services from Hobart & Launceston (on the Northern side of Tasmania), to Melbourne and Sydney.
Tourism is a large part of Tasmania’s economy, with people wanting to witness the historic inner suburbs and the penal colony first hand, as well as rafting and hiking on the Franklin River. Cradle Mountain is a great draw card for hikers and wilderness lovers alike. Hobart is renowned the world over for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race which starts on the 26th December each year from Sydney, attracting entries from the around the world. Just a few kilometres from Hobart is Port Arthur which has historical significance. Port Authur is the site of Australia’s best preserved convict settlement and an essential place to visit for anyone wishing to engage with Australia’s history and culture. <!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:”Cambria Math”; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –> There is also a high speed Catamaran Ferry Factory which exports around the world and Cadbury Chocolates have their Factory in Hobart and is a popular attraction.
The temperatures, due to the fact that there is no significant land between Tasmania and the Antarctic, are some of the lowest in Australia with a range from 5-25 degrees, occasionally rising to 30 degrees. Because Tasmania is so close to the Antarctic, all Australian and French expeditions emulate from Hobart.
Tasmania is classified by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, as a Regional Area. This fact alone has been having a significant effect on hopeful emigrants. Those with skills, who may be nearing the 45 year age cut off, or lower scoring skilled occupations (40-50 points), have an opportunity of achieving their migration goal. The majority of emigrants have come from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands.
Housing prices have been through a slump, but unlike most of the other Capital Cities, Tasmania is experiencing a resurgence of 3.8%, with units for $100,000 and houses from $200,000 upwards. These prices will be for the outer suburbs, with houses in the inner suburbs and over- looking the Derwent River from $500,000 up.
The Education system has Public (Government run) and Private (Fees paid by parents) schools. There are a large number of Child Care facilities (0-5yrs), Pre-school (4-5yrs), some Pre-Prep (4-5yrs) and then years 1-12. There are many Private Colleges (girls only, boys only as well as mixed), TAFE Colleges, Universities, Museums, Art Galleries, Performing Arts, Live Theatre and Music Academy.
Sports are too numerous to mention, but include Cricket, Soccer, Rugby (both codes), AFL (similar to Gallic football), Swimming, Surfing, Sailing,Tennis, Horse Racing, Harness Racing, Basketball and Netball.
