Hobart

A pretty packed day today.

I got up feeling decidedly average – no doubt a result of the beer, pinot noir and muscat I'd had the previus evening!

After checking out of the motel I got a flat white, filled up my car with petrol and then set off, with Hobart as my final destination.

I headed North first and then in land and then picked up the 'Heritage Highway' South. Along the way I stopped at these places:

Lake Leake – this got it's own little section in the LP Guide. Not sure why as it wasn't really worth the little detour of the main road. It was basically just a lake.

Campbell Town – A pretty vibrant town on the 'Heritage Highway'. There is a convict built brick bridge from 1838 which hasn't 'required any repairs or maintenance' since. I got lunch from a place called Zeps (a toasted chicken and pesto panini).

Ross – The highway doesn't go through Ross anymore. There are some heritage buildings, another convict bridge which is a couple of years older than the one in Campbell Town and a crossroads known as the 'Four Corners of Ross' because your soul could go in four directions – temptation, salvation, recreation or damnation (represented by a pub, church, town hall and old gaol at each corner).

Moorilla Estate – This very flash winery is about 10kms or so North of Hobart. The 'cellar door' and attached restaurant looked very impressive. I tasted four wines – a riesling, sauvignon and two pinot noirs (I ended up buying the Praxis pinot). Also I tasted their Moo Brew beer – a pilsner, weissbeer, pale ale and dark ale. All were very drinkable apart from the dark ale. I also tasted some specially brewed stout which, I guess, tasted a bit like Guinness.

Mount Wellington – I actually drove through Hobart to get to the summit of Mt. Wellington, which overlooks Hobart and the Derwent River estuary. Really good views.

Finally it was time to go into Hobart properly.

I found my hotel fine, unloaded my car and headed out. The whole waterfront area was pretty lively with Friday evening drinkers. I got a beer from the Knoppswood Retreat. For dinner I had some fish (and calamari) and chips from a floating 'fish punt' – literally a floating fish and chip shop.

At the Moorilla Estate I'd been told about the beer festival that was taking place in Hobart this weekend. On my way to fish punt I'd walked past where it was taking place, so decided to have look after I'd eaten. The guy at Moorilla had said it was a trade day today, but it turned out anybody could actually go in. Which is what I did. The entrance fee was $10 which got me four 'tasting' vouchers. I started on my tasting session!

After expanding my beer experience it was time to get some sleep.