I was down in Hobart a couple weeks ago for PyCon AU 2013, a Python programming conference organised by a friend of mine. Whilst I don’t do that much in Python currently, it was just a good excuse to go hang out with a bunch of interesting people and friends for a couple days and to get out of Sydney for a bit.
I’ve been to Hobart before, it’s a nice place for a visit, with a very NZ-like climate and fauna and an interesting mix of small town with a blend of great coffee, bars and distilleries mixed in.
mmm, cool fresh air – just like back home!
Soaking up some fresh air and sun before retreating into a dark room with my laptop for the rest of the day.
This Hobart pub has a better beer selection than most of the places near my home and work in Sydney’s CBD – it’s like being back in New Zealand again!
One of my other big motivators was to go and visit MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, a massive underground museum created by an eccentric wealthy Tasmanian who has built an amazing collection of contemporary art.
It’s an absolutely stunning collection, worthy enough of making a weekend visit to Hobart purely to check it out. Sadly I only had a couple hours allocated to explore it, but I could have possibly spent a whole day there – particularly with them having a bar in the museum!
I am the data lord!
Is that the source up there?
Where old art and new art meets.
It’s easy to get out there with a short ferry trip from the town, so sit back with a craft beer or go and admire all the street art around the boat whilst it whisks you past Hobart.
Art! And not just me, the stuff on the wall!
Upon arrival, iPod-based guides are handed out, which were actually much more useful than the traditional approach of having everyone crowding around a small plaque on the wall, as it allowed you to select and read in your own space and time.
One of the nice things about MONA is how they manage to not take themselves too seriously, with easter eggs and other playful pokes at themselves around the place.
Love it!
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to MONA and certainly recommend it as a must-see if you visit Hobart and a worthy contender to be a reason for making a trip to MONA solely for it in particular.
