january-2010

HOT SPOT
HOBART
tour of Rod’s best bits, which includes a good
look at the Tasman Bridge and the full story of
how part of it came crashing down in 1975. In
the middle of a story about a pod of dolphins
jumping clear out of the water across the stern
of his boat, he cries, “Look over there!” I turn
just in time to see a magnifi cent sea eagle
spread its huge metre-long wings and pluck an
unsuspecting fi sh from the river just metres
34 JANUARY 2010
from our little craft. I’m gobsmacked and Rod
is grinning like he’d planned it all along.
Four jam-packed days later I’m rounding out
my time in Hobart as it began — with another
look at what is surely one of Australia’s most
picturesque capitals from Mount Wellington’s
1,200m peak. I haven’t driven a car, had to
chew my air, or fi lter my water for four days and
feel all the better for it. What’s more, everything
From 1,200m to
sea level with
Mountain Descent
FIND IT
Hobart Rivulet Tours
Tasmanian Travel and
Information Centre, cnr
Davey and Elizabeth Sts,
tel: 1800 990 440
Hobart Paddle
Marieville Esplanade,
tel: +61 (3) 6257 0500
Bruny Wildlife
Adventure
Hobart Cruise Centre,
Brooke Street Pier,
Sullivans Cove,
tel: +61 (3) 6231 5115
Hobart Yellow Water Cab
Watermans Dock,
tel: +61 (0) 407 036 268
I’ve done has been walking distance from a
waterfront hotel. I tip my helmeted head to the
people of Hobart before zooming down to sea
level on my mountain bike.
Jetstar flies to Hobart from Melbourne and
Sydney. Book online at Jetstar.com.
Earn points to pay for your flights with
every purchase on your Jetstar MasterCard.