September 7, 2015

Dodgy as a District Constable

The case of Constable McQueen and the notorious Mrs Saunders. Policing in colonial Hobart was a matter of contention for many years, as it was for every British colony. Hobart, however seems to have been the stand-out example of how not to do it. Under Governor Arthur (1824 – 1837) the colony of Van Diemen’s Continue reading →

Convicts, History

August 11, 2015

Robyn Everist

Grisly and Grim – the Hobart gallows and gibbet

We stop at many interesting locations on our walking tours and one place that consistently alarms and amazes guests is the location of the gallows, which was in use in the British colony from 1806. This site today is marked by the monument to our First Fleeters, at what is now the intersection of Hunter Continue reading →

Convicts, History

January 22, 2015

Robyn Everist

St David’s Missing Clock

Hobart’s first public clock was requisitioned by Governor Davey in 1816 in order to “better regulate the hours and habits of the inhabitants of Hobart.” It was installed in the new tower of the old St David’s church, corner of Murray & Macquarie Streets in 1825. This is what the original tower of St David’s Continue reading →

Building, History

January 22, 2014

Robyn Everist

Behind the Red Awnings – 26 Murray St

As we tour Hobart on the History Walking Tour, many people are capitvated by the bright red awnings on the old Savings Bank building at 26 Murray St. If you have always wanted to know what it looks like inside, here is your chance:

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Buildings, History

December 5, 2012

Robyn Everist

Where was Australia’s first vineyard?

This is it!

Well, ok – Australia’s first vineyard wasn’t quite this big, they didn’t have plastic buckets and it didn’t actually produce any grapes. But it was the first! And you won’t believe who planted it. Think back to 1788 – lots of maritime exploration happening, especially around the south of Tasmania, in particular Continue reading →

Alcohol History, Flora & Fauna, History

November 21, 2012

Robyn Everist

What has Captain Bligh got to do with Mt Wellington?

Most of us know about Captain Bligh and his reputation for being a bully which landed him in troubles with the crew of the Bounty. What most of us aren’t told about is the early years of his career which saw him busy navigating his way around the sountern end of Tasmanian in company with Continue reading →

Famous People, History, Mt Wellington

June 29, 2012

Robyn Everist

Rocky Whelan – MURDERER ON THE MOUNTAIN!

Ok, I know, this doesn’t look like a convict – but it’s the closest I could get to Rocky – Rocky Whelan, that is. In 1855, the notorious bushranger John Rocky Whelan had one of his hiding places on the east face of Mount Wellington, as well as another bolt hole near Kingston. Continue reading →

Famous People, History, Mt Wellington

March 10, 2012

Robyn Everist

What do you know about Mt Wellington?

Without a doubt, Mt Wellington is the most dominant feature of Hobart. So much so that many people forget to notice it and think about it. Here is some interesting information about Mt Wellington in the early years of the British colony. 1798 – The first record of a European climbing Mt Wellington – was Continue reading →

History, Mt Wellington