Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, holds two records. One as the Southernmost capital city in Australia the other as the 2nd oldest capital city. The city offers both history in its Georgian buildings and harbour, and modern elements. It is surrounded by Derwent River and Mt. Wellington.
The city began as a town of tents and huts with a population of 262, but was named a city in 1842. Important industries included whaling, shipbuilding and export of corn and wool.

The population of the city is relatively stable. There were 164 400 people in 1976 and this had risen by less than 10 000 by 1983 when the population was 173 700 and less than another 10 000 to 183 500 in 1990. The stability and smallness of the population means that house prices, unlike every mainland city, have remained relatively low. Equally job opportunities in the city are limited.
Tasmania is the most non-urbanised of all the Australian states with only 40.2 per cent of its population living in, Hobart, the capital city. This compares dramatically with New South Wales, where 74.7 per cent of the state's population live in Sydney, Wollongong or Newcastle and even the Northern Territory where 46.6 per cent of the population live in Darwin.

The city is fairly small with the streets laid out in a grid, with the Elizabeth Street Mall being the centre. You'll also find a further shopping area along Elizabeth Street. For history visit the Georgian warehouses along the waterfront and the colony district of Battery Point. The university and casino are further along the river on Sandy Bay. To the north of the city is The Domain, a recreation centre, including the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. There is also a bridge crossing to the east and the airport.