posted by Traveller on Jun 25

Flights to Hobart Tasmania : Here is the answer. Port Arthur is Tasmania’s most popular attraction. It is one of Australia’s most significant heritage sites with more than thirty buildings, ruins and restored homes. Port Arthur is located about 60km south east of Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. This place was first established as a timber station and a prison settlement. The prison was in operation until 1877. Later, the ruins were restored through a conservation program. Port Arthur’s main highlights include the Penitentiary, Commandant’s House, Church, Government Cottage, Trentham Cottage, Hospital and Asylum.

The Penitentiary was originally a flour mill, which was later converted to into a penitentiary, housing near to 500 prisoners in dormitories and cell. The building was gutted by fire in 1897, but had undergone a conservation program which started in1960s.

The Commandant’s House is one of the first houses at Port Arthur. It started as a simple wooden cottage. After the close of the convict period in 1877, the building became a hotel and later a guest house which operated until 1930s. This cottage was restored and furnished in early 19th century style. This beautiful cottage was separated from the rest of the settlement by some high masonry walls.

The Port Arthur’s Church was built in 1836 and used by all denominations. It could accommodate a prison population of about 1,000. The building was once gutted by fire, but the ruins had been fully preserved through several conservation efforts. The Government Cottage was formerly used by visiting dignitaries and government officials. The Trentham Cottage was decorated with the early 19th century furnishings.

Completed in 1942, the Hospital was built with only four wards, having 18 beds in each ward. It also has a kitchen, baking room, laundry and morgue. The hospital was burnt in two fires. Today, the remains of sandstone building is a piece of architectural piece.

Another place to visit is the Port Arthur’s Asylum. Previously it housed more than 100 mentally ill patients. However, when the settlement was closed, it was converted to be the town hall. Currently, it is used as a museum and café.

Today, Port Arthur remains one of Australia’s most significant heritage sites.  If visiting a heritage site is you passion, then you will appreciate Port Arthur.
 
Copyright : Rose Mary

posted by Traveller on Jun 23

Brisbane Australia : Brisbane Australia is the capital of Queensland and is the third largest city of Australia. With its scenic beauty, friendly atmosphere and fine temperate climate, Brisbane Australia draws many tourists both from Australia and around the world. Brisbane Australia is known to be a cosmopolitan place with superb food and a vibrant, lively arts scene. In Brisbane the city, although there are modern high-rise buildings with steel structures and glass components, you can still find traditional wooden cottages as well as historical buildings. Due to the city’s beginning as a port, most of the historic buildings are found near the river. Brisbane Australia has some world-class galleries, museums, theatres and art centres. Besides lovely gardens and parks, there are also plenty of open-air spaces for eating and drinking. Tables and chairs are commonly seen spilling onto the sidewalks. Some fine restaurants and classy cafes are located here too.

Some of the popular parks and gardens tourists love to visit are the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The Brisbane Botanic Gardens is located at the foothills of Mount Coot-tha Forest Park, which is about 8km from the city centre. The Botanic Gardens has more than 20,000 specimens from 5,000 species of herbs, shrubs and trees. Popular attractions include a Japanese Garden, a Tropical Display Dome, a Lagoon and Bamboo Grove, Fern House, National Freedom Wall and eucalypt groves. The Aboriginal name of Mount Coot-tha Forest Park means “place of wild honey”. This name is given to it because of the tiny bees found in the area. The park has remarkable views of the surroundings and it offers good walking trails and wonderful picnic areas for strollers and picnickers.

The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is the second oldest botanic gardens in Brisbane Australia. It consists of a mass of green lawn towering Moreton Bay figs, bunya pines, macadamia trees, etc. The garden provides paths for strollers, joggers and cyclists. Many water birds love to settle at the lakes of the gardens. If you are looking for a tranquil refuge from the bustling activities of the city, this place will be able to provide a wonderful spot to meet your need.

The Lone Pine Sanctuary is the oldest Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane Australia and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Brisbane Australia. It has more than 100 koalas, as well as kangaroos, emus, possums, dingoes, wombats, etc. Besides, there are Australian birds as well.

Brisbane Australia has a lively arts scene and this is reflected by the existence of some fantastic museums, art galleries and art centres in the city. Queensland Cultural Centre is regarded as the hub of Brisbane’s arts scene. It comprises the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and State Library of Queensland. The Queensland Art Gallery has a fine collection of European art and Asian art. Besides this collection, it also has art pieces on Australian art as well as Aboriginal art. The Queensland Museum is a natural history museum, which is filled with full-scale exhibits. The exhibits include various mega fauna and endangered species. The Queensland Performing Arts Centre has a main concert hall and three theatres. The centre holds well-acclaimed operas, classical music as well as theatrical productions. The Queensland Maritime Museum displays relics from early shipwrecks as well as shipbuilders’ models. Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Traveller on Jun 20

Darling Harbour Sydney : Darling Habour Sydney is one of Sydney’s popular attractions for both locals and tourists. The Darling Harbour Sydney was named after Ralph Darling, the seventh governor of New South Wales. It was originally called Cockle Bay due to the discovery of molluscs by early settlers here. The Darling Harbour Sydney has a mixture of hotels, museums, shops, restaurants, cafes and entertainment spaces. The main highlights in Darling Harbour Sydney include the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium, Powerhouse Museum and the Chinese Garden.

The Darling Harbour Sydney complex is opened in 1988. It has many restaurants, cafes and a wide range of shops selling unique gift items. Before 1988, Darling Harbour Sydney was a rundown collection of wharves and warehouses. Currently, it is one of Sydney’s best attractions and bustling with activities. There are regular free outdoor entertainment shows such as music performances, singing, etc. As there are many great restaurants and cafes, you can enjoy delicious and tasty food here. The hotels in darling harbour Sydney are popular as most of them provide rooms with remarkable good views overlooking the bay.
 
In the Australian National Maritime Museum, you will find exhibits depicting Australia’s long maritime history. The exhibits show the enduring Aboriginal maritime cultures, history of significant sea explorations, waves of migration, and various waters sports and activities. In the museum, there is also a number of art galleries with a variety of kinds of artwork to cater to different interests.

The Sydney Aquarium has a great collection of exhibits which provides a comprehensive overview of Australian aquatic life. In total, it has about 11,500 animals from about 650 species. Many visitors enjoy walking through the floating oceanarium, which has a total span of about 145m. From underwater viewing through acrylic panels, you can have the opportunity of observing huge sharks and rays as they swim pass you. Besides, you can also have the chance of watching seals both above and below water in a special seal sanctuary. In this Aquarium, there is a pool where visitors can touch the crustaceans and molluscs that live in the shoreline.

The Powerhouse Museum displays mainly Australian works and creations. The exhibits include the  state’s first train engine, planes, bush kitchens, craft and fashion items, space shuttles, furniture, etc. There are many “hands-on” displays which visitors are urged to participate in them.

The Chinese Garden is located at the southern end of the Darling Harbour Sydney complex. This lovely traditional Chinese garden was built in 1984 and is said to be the largest of its kind outside China. The garden serves as a peaceful refuge from the city’s bustling activities. There are small mountains, waterfalls and lakes in the garden. Waratah, the floral symbol of New South Wales, grows around the beautiful Twin Pavilion and is carved in its woodwork. A tea house serving Chinese tea and cakes is located at the top of the stairs in the Tea House Courtyard.

As you can see above from the above, Darling Harbour Sydney is a wonderful place to visit. There are many interesting activities to do. The highlights described above are popular attractions many tourists have visited. If you would like to go for a holiday in Sydney, you can consider visiting these places in Darling Harbour Sydney. Besides, there are many excellent hotels in Darling Harbour Sydney for you to select for your stay. Consider Darling Harbour Sydney your next destination today.

Copyright: Rose Mary