Down in Salamanca Place on market day in Hobart, amongst the colourful stalls, bustling crowds and lively buskers, an old man with a weathered face and a stockman’s hat leans on a hand-carved wooden lectern and recites with a lilting cadence:
I’m in the Tasmanian capital of Hobart, not Mount Kosciusko in the Snowy Mountains, but he brings Banjo Paterson’s famous verse alive for a transfixed crowd. You don’t get much more Australian than this!
Salamanca Market is one of the best I’ve been to around the world and here’s a snapshot of what is one of Hobart’s top attractions:
The produce is fresh and delicious, I know because we bought a load and ate it over subsequent days as we explored Tasmania’s Western Wilderness, got up close to cute Tasmanian Devils and relaxed on the East Coast beaches.
The food stalls are full of ethnic variety, the goods for sale are good quality and the people are friendly. As well as the above-mentioned folk reciter an Irish band had toes tapping and children dancing.
All this against the elegant backdrop of Hobart’s waterfront maritime industrial architecture.
Tasmania is well known as a hotbed of, I don’t know how to say it, “alternative” or “hippy” activity. I just mean people who think it’s important not just to sit on your comfortable arse but to actively live your life in a way that will positively impact our world. A world which, let’s face it, could do with some saving.
So there’s plenty of that at the Salamanca Market.
Combining the save-the-world ethic with Hobart’s maritime heritage – one of the Sea Shepherd ships was in dock and the crew could be spotted around Salamanca Market enjoying the atmosphere.
As well as maritime friends of another sort.
Tucked away behind the market is Salamanca Square, where you’ll find the Arts Centre, more cafes, buskers and this lovely fountain:
It’s all full of colour and character, there is truly something for everyone.
By Natasha von Geldern
Salamanca Market is one of my favourites; what is the best market you’ve visited in the world?
It looks a bit like a quiet day in Camden Town mixed with an Italian food festival. So nice and friendly.
Love these photos, they convey an image of a lively place, and of course yet another reason to visit Tas. Glad to see the Aussies are political still, buttons and all. Years ago, I saw a man in Mooloolaba wearing a “McShit”-tshirt. Never seen it for sale anywhere.
Hobart is such a great town! I love Tasmania. We actually never got to go to the Salamanca market even though we’ve been there twice – timing was off. So thanks for sharing this!
Love these picks in particular those of the flowers! This market looks amazing…to be honest I love markets in general! Aas regards may favourite ones, I love Brick Lane market in London at the matket in Jerusalem!
I too love Tasmania. My twin sister lives there and it is my plan to move to the Apple Isle in the next 5 years. I love your pooths they are so nice. I have never been to Port Arthur as my sister is in Devonport and we usually spend most of our time around that area. Next time I go I’m off to see Port Arthur. Love your blog.
I think Camden town is my favourite market. The food is epic, it is just huge, and you can go every day! A bit busy.. but fun all the same 😀
Yeah Camden is great, I do love London markets. As you know Australian markets have a different vibe; the weather in Tassie is probably not disimilar to London tho 😉
I think generally there’s alayws something you miss about your home state & Tassie can be frustrating at times. If I won the lottery, I would buy a house back in my previous state but realistically I would prob miss my Tassie country lifestyle, to go thru with it. Sometimes the cold weather is annoying but then at least there’s rainfall & just when it’s driving you crazy, it changes again to sunshine. I’ve definitely chilled out, slowed down & truly relish connecting with people. I have less money but am time rich!!
We love Tasmania, we both have family down there and love taknig our road trip and driving down with the kids, catching the boat over and spending new year’s over there, the scenery is beautiful and every year hubby and I talk about moving down there, to buying a beautiful old house and living the quieter life… one day we might actually do it!