{"id":4230,"date":"2017-10-06T11:18:27","date_gmt":"2017-10-06T15:18:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventurousretirement.com\/blog\/?p=4230"},"modified":"2019-11-20T14:37:11","modified_gmt":"2019-11-20T19:37:11","slug":"tasmanian-gems-tasman-island-the-mona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventurousretirement.com\/blog\/tasmanian-gems-tasman-island-the-mona\/","title":{"rendered":"Tasmanian Gems – Tasman Island and The MONA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coastal Gem, Tasman Island, and a City Gem, MONA<\/h1>\n

\"Tasman<\/a>After leaving Freycinet<\/a>, we headed to Hobart with 2 goals in mind:
\n1) See the famous MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) in Hobart, Tasmania\u2019s Capital, and 
\n2) A tour of Tasman Island off of Port Arthur and the south coast of the Tasman Peninsula<\/p>\n

Hobart<\/h2>\n

Hobart <\/a>is Australia\u2019s second largest city after Sydney and was founded in 1804 as a penal colony. What an auspicious beginning for one of Lonely Planet\u2019s \u2018top 10 destinations worldwide.\u2019 Tourists come to Hobart not only for the MONA, but for the \u2018foodie scene.\u2019 There is a walkable waterfront filled with great restaurants. And, ferries leave from the waterfront to go to the MONA.<\/p>\n

MONA<\/h2>\n

\"MONA<\/a>The MONA<\/a> is touted a controversial macabre Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), and Hobart\u2019s biggest tourism draw. It is a privately funded museum that helped put Hobart on the map. The museum is 11 km (7 miles) outside of town and can be accessed by ferry, car, express bus, metro bus, or taxi.<\/p>\n

\"MONA <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"MONA <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

This extremely unusual subterranean museum is home to David Walsh\u2019s $110 million private collection of art and antiquities, and it hosts various exhibitions of contemporary art, art with social statements and some with historical significance. The MONA appears to be one level; however, there are 3 levels underground. Upon entering, you descend into ominous darkness to galleries with no windows. The descent down endless stairs invokes a feeling of danger. Walsh thought the descent into the dimly lit space would enhance the art viewing. For me, it diverted my focus; I wondered why we descended into museum caverns, and why the galleries are so dark when we are here to view art. I was not sure if I could figure out how to get out, which took several tries when we were finally ready to leave.<\/p>\n

\"MONA<\/a>There are exhibits from crazy to bizarre, experimental to scientific, like techniques of copying the work of Dutch masters. We viewed several interesting exhibits, and at least one that is controversial \u2013 a series of 151 porcelain vulvas sculpted from real women. No labels appear on any of the work, which requires visitors to use the electronic device, the \u2018O,\u2019 to read about the art or to listen to interviews with the artists.<\/p>\n

\"MONA <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"MONA <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

Overlooking the harbor, the outdoor grounds are lovely, with big lawns and places to sit or lie on the grass. Interesting sculptures are set around the grounds. There are a few places to eat and drink, both indoors and out. They serve local and global wines and beers, and locally procured food.<\/p>\n

If you find yourself in Hobart Tasmania, don\u2019t miss the wild and wacky thought-provoking MONA.<\/p>\n

Tasman Island from the Sea<\/h2>\n

\"Tasman<\/a>Tasman Island and the southern coast off of the Tasmanian Peninsula is definitely a coastal gem. The coastline with its volcanic dolerite and sandstone layers of rock, black cliffs, and vertical towering rocks are extremely dramatic. It is like none I have ever seen.<\/p>\n

\"Tasman <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Tasman <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Tasman <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

Some of the coastline is stepped, providing enormous sundecks for the vast number of fur seals hanging out here. Some of the male fur seals are as much as 360 kilos (800 lbs.). From youngsters to grown males, seal behavior abounds for the curious observer, and can only be seen up close by boat.<\/p>\n

\"Tasman<\/a>A multitude of sea life is all around for visitors to view. Sea birds include Albatross, Black-faced Cormorants, Gannets, and more can be seen here. Likely you\u2019ll see dolphin; we were treated to the company of Bottlenose Dolphin, and had a short visit from Common Dolphin.<\/p>\n

We did not see many boats out in the wild Southern Ocean. Pennicott  Wilderness Journeys <\/a>runs several different boat tours for tourists to experience the rare treasures of Tasman Island, the surrounding sea, and sea life.<\/p>\n

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys<\/h2>\n

Disclaimer: While we were invited guests by Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, this is a totally independent and honest review based on our experience.<\/em><\/p>\n

When we checked in at Pennicott Wilderness Journeys<\/a>‘ office, we learned that there are 3 choices for afternoon activities with the Tasman Island tour. We had to choose from:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Visit a cave, a chocolate maker, and a lavender farm. After all of our touring the previous two months in New Zealand, these 3 seemed commercial except for the cave.  We opted for this because of the cave, but the cave was not special compared to what we had seen in New Zealand.  This was the only option that did not add cost to the tour.<\/li>\n
  2. Port Arthur Historic Penal Colony \u2013 While very historic, we were not interested in seeing the jail. When we picked up everyone who went to the Penal Colony, they were quite enthusiastic about their tour, and said it was fantastic.<\/li>\n
  3. \n

    Tasmanian Devil Park \u2013 If we had not already done a nocturnal Tasmanian Devil Park experience at Cradle Mountain, this would have been our choice.<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Pennicott Wilderness Journey Tour<\/h5>\n
    The Ride to Port Arthur<\/h5>\n

    Once the whole group boarded the bus, our bus driver, Phil, started his verbal commentary. Phil told us the history of Hobart and the towns as we drove through them. He talked about when and how castles \u2013 the Governor\u2019s Castle, bridges, like the Tasman Bridge, and other structures were built; most were built by the prisoners brought to Tasmania by the English. We learned more about the \u2018food culture\u2019 of Hobart, like local produce, wineries, olive groves for olive oils, fine cheeses, mussels and oyster farming, and fishing for crayfish (Americans call these lobster). Phil explained that Tasmania is part of Australia\u2019s food chain, providing wheat, barley, and oats to mainland Australia.<\/p>\n

    Stewart Bay to Tasman Island<\/h5>\n
    \"Tasman <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
    \"Tasman <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

    We arrived at Stewart Bay Lodge for our morning tea; they served us tea and scones before boarding our boat in Stewart Bay.<\/p>\n

    \"Tasman<\/a>Several boats were being boarded with different Pennicott Wilderness Journeys groups. Our open motorboat held 32 passengers and 2 crew for our 3-hour cruise between Port Arthur and Tasman Island. Once aboard and seated in theater-style rows, the crew offered sea sickness medicine, given big red rain ponchos and seat belted in for our wild ride. Apparently we had a sunny calm day compared to most, and we still bounced off the waves and had walls of water soak us. It was worth it to see the unique dolerite and sandstone coastal formations and sea life.<\/p>\n

    \"Tasman<\/p>\n

    Our boat captain, Tim, is a local who enthusiastically shares his vast knowledge about the area history, the coastal rock formations, and the animals who live there. We motored between coastal walls and Pinnacle Rock. Tim took the boat up close to view the soaring coast rising at some points to plateaus a thousand feet above sea level; it is incredibly awesome. On some of these highlands, we could see hikers and climbers at the top.<\/p>\n

    \"Tasman <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
    \"Tasman <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
    \"Tasman <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
    \"Tasman <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

    Back closer to sea level, watch the antics of Black-faced Cormorants (they are camouflaged to look like Penguins), the fur seals playing, sunning, fighting, and Gannets diving and feeding. We enjoyed the dolphins surfing our bow wake.
    \n