Introduction
Tasmania, Australia, is a state rich not only in natural beauty but also in history, art, and culture. And a wonderful meeting place for all of these is Salamanca Place. Although I live in Melbourne, I sometimes find time to travel to different parts of the country. In this article, I am sharing a beautiful and humorous travel story from one day when I visited Tasmania with my dear classmate, Tiasa. Our experience, food and drink, costs, photo spots, hidden places—all in all, this guide will give you a dazzling real experience to explore Salamanca Place.
Our Day of Laughter: Stories of Travelling to Salamanca Place
Tiasa and I both live in Melbourne. I am a classmate, and we make a perfect pair to roam around with. Wherever we go, we come back with laughter, jokes, and lots of fun memories together. This time I decided to visit Tasmania in one weekend. And one day we went to visit the much-heard, much-praised Salamanca Place.
Road trip start: Car rental and journey.
From Melbourne to Hobart by plane, we first hired a small car. Booked online in advance, read around AUD 65-70 per day. Picked up the car at Hobart Airport and headed straight to the city centre—checked into the hotel, had a cup of coffee, and headed to our destination: Salamanca Place.
Getting to Salamanca Place: History and Environment
As soon as I stepped on it, I felt as if I had entered another world. Salamanca Place is a place where the old sandstone buildings tell the story of history, and the streets are alive. Shops, cafes, and people strolling around—all in all, a very lively atmosphere.
This place used to be the warehouse area of the port. Now it houses art galleries, restaurants, handicraft shops, and the famous Salamanca Market. If it’s a Saturday, it’s a no-brainer—the sound of music, the smell of food, and the stalls of local artists.
Funny moment
Tiasa is a photography insect. Each was standing in front of the wall and taking a pose, as if a magazine photo shoot for Instagram was going on! I was walking around like an idiot with a camera in one hand, a map in the other, and sunglasses on my head. It was not clear who among us was the guide and who was astray.
Where to take pictures?
If you want to take pictures, Salamanca Square, Kelly’s Steps, and the wooden benches next to the port are ideal places. One photo Tiasa took with the Hobart mountains in the background—it’s still my phone wallpaper!
Hidden Place and Market
We went on a Saturday, so we luckily found the famous Salamanca Market. Here, in a corner, an old lady was selling her handmade soap, the scent of which I still remember. At another store, we found hand-bound leather diaries, which Tiasa bought immediately.
Tiasa rushes into an alley and finds an art gallery inside—a hidden gem! I don’t remember the name, but seeing some modern works of art there, both of us stood silently.
Food bills and fun experiences
In the afternoon, I went to eat at a restaurant—the name was “Machine Laundry Café.” Strange name, but the food inside tasted great! Tasmanian salmon, sauce-soaked hot chips, and passionfruit juice—in one word, awesome. The bill was about AUD 55 for two.
Tiasa had mistakenly sat down at someone else’s table. When the waiter says, “Excuse me, this table is reserved,” you can’t stop smiling when you see his face!
Need a guide?
We didn’t think we needed a guide. Salamanca Place is very self-explanatory. But if one wants to know the history, local guides are available from the Salamanca Arts Centre, charging around AUD 30–40 per hour. But apart from the guide, you can easily navigate by looking at the map.
Tips for newbies
- Go on Saturday, because the market is on.
- Don’t forget to venture into the small alleys—there are hidden cafes and art shops.
- If you like photography, go in the morning or afternoon—the light is better.
- Carry some cash—not all stores take cards.
- Check the price and order the food; some places may be a bit expensive.
What is free?
Walk Around (No Entry Fee)
Watching street performers
Some art gallery exhibitions
taking pictures
Live Music (During Market Period)
Salamanca Place: attractions at a glance
Salamanca Market (open on Saturdays)
Salamanca Arts Centre
Kelly’s Steps—Steps up the hill
Battery Point—old heritage area, walkable
Modern cafe and pub—inside the old building
Last word
Salamanca Place is not just a tourist destination; it is a priceless memory of our trip from Melbourne to Tasmania. Tiasa and I still laugh when we talk about that day—photos, coffee, getting lost, and leather diaries are all part of our story.
If you visit Tasmania, do not miss Salamanca Place. You will witness history, markets, and art together. more
