Tasmania’s Salamanca Market Attracts Thousands Annually
Every Saturday throughout the year, the infamous market at Salamanca
Place draws thousands of visitors. Arriving with expectations of
fabulous food, fresh baked spuds, warm croissants, and incredible arts
and crafts, visitors are never disappointed.
People start arriving before the doors open at 8:30 in the morning,
prepared for wonderful breakfasts of hot scrambled eggs, fresh squeezed
orange juice, an amazing selection of coffees and the aroma of baked
bread waffling through the air.
Strolling the hundreds of stalls, visitors from around the globe and
around the Hobart area meet the wonderful people who grow the fresh
fruits and vegetables they sell. The stallholders also make a huge
variety of arts and crafts such as hand blown glass, ceramics,
incredibly beautiful jewelry, and carvings made of Tasmania timbers.
Buskers will entertain the masses as they wander from stall to stall,
meeting the local people who are always friendly and happy to discuss
what they make or grow and how they got into their particular passion.
On any Saturday, except Christmas Day or Anzac Day, you are likely to
hear blues guitars, Irish harps, classical violins and the music of the
Andes.
The heart of Hobart’s cultural hub, the Salamanca Market is the most
popular outdoor market in Australia. What began in 1972 very humbly with
less than a dozen stalls has grown into a shopping experience of a
lifetime. There are multiple child friendly attractions for the
youngsters to enjoy. Children of all ages can learn arts and crafts,
participate in workshops and learn the history of this fabulous area.
Everyone will want to take a look at Kelly’s Steps. Built in 1839, James
Kelly, the legendary sealer and whaler built these steps to link
historic Battery Point to Salamanca Place. The old Georgian warehouses
that were once home to whalers, workmen and sailors has become home to
theatres, restaurants, cafés, galleries and craft shops.
Set on the historic waterfront of Hobart, the backdrop is awe-inspiring;
the atmosphere is electric and alive with the sites and sounds of music
and laughter. The outdoor market begins to close up around 3:30 in the
afternoon, but that does not mean that the fun has to stop. Salamanca
Place boasts itself as Tasmania’s number one lifestyle precinct with the
surrounding area as Tasmania’s entertainment hotspot. The plaza boasts
dozens of restaurants, nightlife pubs, and plenty of places to unwind
and relax after a busy day of shopping and strolling. You simply cannot
visit Hobart, without a Saturday stop at the Salamanca Market and find
out what the Tasmanian lifestyle is truly all about.
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