We got up this morning with no other plan than to wander around the city. Then we came across the Red Explorer bus, and sitting on a bus tour seemed more appealing than walking. This is one of those buses where you can hop off at any point and then hop on the next bus. We just stayed with this one, though. We saw sights such as the Cascade Brewery, the Female Factory and the Wharf. Well worth the money.

All over the country people took part in the March for Australia today. Hobart’s was in Salamanca Place just down the road from our hotel. The lefties, of course, organised a counter protest, hoping to provoke violence, and it was also just down the road from the hotel.

After the speeches and songs, they moved on to do the actual marching, which (surprise, surprise) took them towards the counter-protest, as they headed towards Parliament House.

We heard part of the speeches at the counter-protest. It was the usual leftist talking points about “fascism”, the evil landlords and capitalists and supporting the workers, all delivered in a private school/ university accent. Meanwhile the real workers were the ones carrying the flags at the March for Australia. That disconnect is what is driving the marches.

After the excitement died down, all the marchers dispersed, and after we had a nap, we went to a different park for a short walk before it got too cold. In the soft cool climate grass there are masses of alpine daisies.

Our Tassie holiday has come to an end. We fly out of Hobart at 11.35 tomorrow morning, arriving at Sydney about 1.35. From there we leave about 3.30, arriving in Tamworth about 4.30. Then it’s just a short 2 hour drive home.