Hobart is built alongside the Derwent River, a natural deep-water port and the river at one time even saw whaling and sealing. Hobart was a penal colony and in time developed several industries such as ship building and meat processing. Hobart continued to grow and although isolated, became an important centre for shipping and the whale industry.
Administration
Hobart, the state capital of Tasmania and the southernmost capital in the world, is a very friendly city. Due to its strategic position and port, Hobart is the base and administrative centre for French and Australian Antarctic voyages. This has generated a number of steady jobs at the port including:
- Commercial managers
- Contract administrators
- Project managers
- Builders
- Stevedores
- Maintenance mechanics
- Accountants
- Truck drivers
- Sales representatives
There are many other types of jobs that are also available in the Hobart area.
Transport
In the early 1900s, a tram service managed and run by the Hobart Electric Tram Company helped make the suburbs of Hobart easily accessible. Hundreds of people used the trams daily to travel to and from work. The trams were later replaced by electric trolley buses. These were believed to be the best transport solution for Hobart but were soon abandoned as well. The Metropolitan Transport Trust capitalised on this and introduced motor bus services. The service opened up Hobart even more since they were not limited to overhead power cables. In the wake of the 20th century, the reintroduction of trams was again suggested but it appears that buses will likely remain the main type of public transport in the city.
Economy
The economy in Hobart has remained on a steady upward trend for some years. Many processing and manufacturing industries have been established, with some of them becoming the leading producers in the southern hemisphere. Hobart is home to the largest Cadbury chocolate-making factory in the southern hemisphere and is an interesting place to visit. Cadbury is also involved in community events such as the Cadbury Marathon. It supports organisations like Foodbank, Clown Doctors and Conservation Volunteers. It bases its corporate social responsibility in three main areas:
- Education
- Health and welfare of society
- Environment
As a tourist to Hobart, there are many places that are a must visit. One of these is the Cascade Brewery. It has been around for well over 150 years and is still going strong. It is the pride of Hobart and tours of the old brewery are available. Tours end with a sampling of Cascade’s finest beers, which is an opportunity you will not want to miss. Hobart also has a successful history in wine production. Breweries and vineyards in Hobart include:
- Cascade Brewery
- Bream Creek Vineyard
- The Lark Distillery
- Hood Wines (although it was only established in 1990 it has managed to be the largest contract maker of wine in Tasmania)
- Pembroke Estate Vineyard
- Moo Brew
- Moorilla Estate Vineyard
- Craigow Vineyard
The tourism industry ranks as the second-largest income-generating industry in Hobart and is surpassed only by the production of zinc. Its total net income is around $US1.3 billion. Tourists are attracted to many of Hobart’s historic attractions including:
- Penitentiary Chapel Historic Site: Built in the 1800s, it served as a prison, supreme court and a worship centre.
- The Playhouse Theatre: One of Australia’s oldest theatres, it is conveniently located near good restaurants and pubs and is known for its intimate atmosphere
- Salamanca Market: This market is filled with a myriad of smells from all the spices, fruits and foods being sold and is very popular with locals and tourists alike
- Maritime Museum of Tasmania: This museum is used to preserve Hobart’s sea heritage
Industry
Zinc smelting was established in the 1900s when a plant was set up on the Derwent River near Hobart. The city offered all the facilities required to produce zinc on a large scale. These included:
- Deep waters that enabled the docking of ships near the factory
- Energy required for smelting zinc
- Close proximity to Hobart where most of the labour force lived
Zinc production was made easier as technology improved. Nyrstar Hobart Smelters employs more than 600 people directly and many more benefit indirectly. Zinc produced at the plant is 99.9 per cent pure. Sulphuric acid, copper sulphate and cadmium are also produced. Annual income from zinc production is about $US2 billion.
Conclusion
Hobart is a wonderful place to visit, invest in or live. It has a cool, temperate climate and its scenery and national parks are second to none. Hobart is one of Australia’s most picturesque cities. Even though it is only a small city, it is a thriving and busy centre for industry and commerce.
