We effortlessly booked into our hotel and went to our rooms.
The card for our room wouldn’t open our door. After many attempts and a slight argument I went downstairs to reception to ask for the card to be fixed. The receptionist recoded the card and I went back up stairs. Again, it didn’t work and again I went down to reception. This time the receptionist came up with me but it didn’t work.In the end we went out for a walked and the receptionist promised that the issue would be rectified when we returned.
Hunter Street
Walked around Hobart and stumbled down Hunter Street. I thought of my nephew when I saw the sign hence the photo.
Hunter St has a row of fine Georgian warehouses (including the old IXL jam factory) that have recently been restored and now house the super-swish Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hobart's new hot spot, plus affiliated restaurants and a couple of art galleries.
While this development has remained true to the heritage of the area and retains much of its original facade.
IXL Factory & No Lunch
Here we discovered the IXL factor restaurant (http://www.archmedia.com.au/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=200601&article=13&typeon=2) where we’d decided to have lunch.
The restaurant opened out into an internal courtyard which was tastefully decorated with the odds and ends from the factory.
We sat down and ordered. We watched the very young staff (approx 16 or 17) flounder around for approx 15mins before seeing the girl that took our order appear to leave. Another 10mins passed and not even our drinks were delivered.
We managed to hail the youngest waitress who couldn’t find our order. We were finally told that the order hadn’t been put into the system.
We all stormed out only to hear another customer complaining that they hadn’t been served either. We were extremely disappointed as the menu and layout were sooo promising.
Seafood Lunch
We wondered around a bit more and enjoyed the views of Sullivans Cove. Whilst enjoying the moored boats we stumbled across Mures (http://www.mures.com.au) seafood restaurant and fishmongers.
As it was pleasant but windy we sat inside but next to the large glass panels. The view was of the small dock.
We ordered various baskets (fish & chips, oysters & chips, etc) and a few drinks. It was quite busy yet their service was prompt. Everyone enjoyed their meals.
Wandering Around Town Centre
This is a picturesque row of sandstone warehouses on Sullivans Cove, is a classic example of Australian colonial architecture dating from the 1830s, it was the hub of Hobart Town's trade and commerce.
By the mid-20th century, many of the buildings had fallen into ruin.
Since the 1970s these buidings have become the warehouses as home to restaurants, cafes, bars and shops.Battery Point
To reach Battery Point from Salamanca Place we climbed up Kelly's Steps, which are wedged between two warehouses about halfway along the main block of buildings.
An empty rum bottle's throw from the once notorious Sullivans Cove waterfront, the old maritime village of Battery Point is a nest of tiny lanes and 19th-century cottages, packed together like shanghaied landlubbers in a ship's belly.
Its name derives from the 1818 gun battery that stood on the promontory, protecting Hobart Town from nautical threats both real and imagined.
During colonial times this area was a colourful maritime village, home to master mariners, shipwrights, sailors, fishers, coopers and merchants.
The houses reflect the occupants' varying lifestyles, ranging from tiny one- and two-room houses, such as those around Arthur Circus, to mansions. While most houses are still occupied by locals, many are now guesthouses.
Battery Point's pubs, churches, conjoined houses and narrow winding streets have all been lovingly preserved and are a delight to wander around, especially when you get glimpses of the harbour between the buildings. Highlights of the area include Arthur Circus, a circle of quaint little cottages built around a village green, and St George's Anglican Church (Cromwell St).
Throughout our wandering we found it quite odd that it was very quiet. I understand that its summer holidays but even so it’s like a sleepy town even on a business day at home time. We noticed the ‘rush hour’ traffic at 5pm was a delight as it only lasted 15 mins and was very light.