Hobart is the capital of Tasmania and one of Australia´s oldest cities and is similar to European cities in its tightly clustered buildings. In the centre is its old town - Battery Point, which looks exactly as it did a hundred years ago is St. George´s Church, topped by a soaring colonial turret. Next to Salamanca Palace there are old warehouses along the wharves which once served as a trading stop for merchants.

Hobart is also a university town. The University of Tasmania was founded in 1890 and is one of only four nineteenth century universities in Australia.

Hobart has mild summers and rather sharp winters. It is the only Australian state capital where it may, though rarely, snow.

Hobart is getting more lively every year. On Christmas Day one of the world´s most prestigious regatta events, the Sydney-Hobart Regatta, takes place. The competition has been running ever since 1945. Participants compete over a 630 mile route from Sydney, through the dangerous Bass Straits to Hobart.