Hobart is Australia's southern-most capital city and the second oldest city in the country.
Tasmania was first settled by Europeans in 1803 at Risdon Cove on Hobart's eastern shore. However, this spot didn't work out too well, so the settlement moved over to Sullivan's Cove and founded Hobart Town (also called Hobarton) in 1804.
Greater Hobart's modern-day population is about 219,287 (from 2008 census data).
Hobart is often said to be the gateway to Antarctica and Hobart's port is used as the home servicing port for the Australian and French Antarctic activities.
Water and mountains are prominent in Hobart, with the city built on the banks of the Derwent River and spreading up the side of Mt Wellington (known as The Mountain to the locals). This means you can be up in the snow on top of Mt Wellington one minute, and down on the beach getting ready to go sailing in just a short drive. The climate is a mild temperate oceanic climate, bringing average temperatures of around 21 degrees Celsius in summer and about 12 degrees in winter.
Hobart's waterfront has always played a vital role in the economy and lifestyle of the city, from the days of the whalers and traders to today's summer festivals and the famous weekly Salamanca market, but there's far too much good stuff going on in and around Hobart and southern Tasmania to mention it all here. You'll have to come and see us to find out more.