2. Hobart, Tasmania

Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, and a port of departure for leisure and eco-cruises to Antarctica. There is a lot to see and do in Hobart, as would be expected of most capital cities.

There are cultural festivals held in town throughout the year, a large museum, botanical gardens, and nationwide sporting events that come to Hobart for both home and away games. There is always something going on down under the “land down under” in Hobart, Tasmania.

Hobart was founded in 1804 as a penal colony for British convicts. However, it has come a long way since these rough beginnings. It is now the center of finance and administration for Tasmania. It has a bustling sea port which mainly serves cruise lines going to Antarctica.

However, it has some import and export business going on there, too. According to a 2008 article in Lloyd’s List Australia, the port also serves Antarctica by sending 2,000 tons of cargo a year there for Australia’s own Antarctic research ship, the Aurora Australis.

Other thriving industries within the city include catamaran factories, ore refiners, zinc smelters, large breweries, and plenty of boutique retail shopping. Hobart is also the home of the Cadbury factory, which is famous for producing Cadbury chocolate for the whole southern hemisphere.

The wine industry has begun to thrive in Hobart over the past two decades, with vineyards producing local wine springing up all the time and performing very well.

Tourism is also important in Hobart. The city has some internationally acclaimed restaurants and a thriving nightlife with lots of clubs and music venues.

There is a well-shopped weekly farmer’s market, and plenty of historic sites to see from Hobart’s founding and other important events in the city’s history. Visitors often make Hobart their home base for travel throughout Tasmania, always coming back to one of the many hotels in the city after a day of sightseeing.