Introduction

The Hobart Rivulet was critically important to 19th century colonial Hobart both as it’s water supply and for a number of industrial purposes. Today the 2.7 km walk beside the rivulet which wends through the suburb of South Hobart provides many insights into the city’s past. It also affords excellent views of kunanyi/Mt Wellington before concluding at the Cascade Brewery, Australia’s oldest brewery, established 1824.

The Walk

The walk can be done by starting at either the city end or the brewery end. We started in the city, parking in Molle Street adjacent to the Hobart Linear Park. The walk is well signposted, and the path paved at this initial section. Click here to access the map and notes provided by the Greater Hobart Trails site.

Interpretive signs explain the historic uses of the rivulet, which included leather tanneries, flour and woollen mills, and distilleries.

The track passes a Korean War Memorial.

The track surface then shifts to hard unpaved and passes a series of flood mitigation structures which make for an interesting feature to photograph.

The track is shaded by willows and gums. It is a multiuse path, so cyclists, strollers and dog walkers are all welcome.

If you need a rest, there are various seating options along the way.

Continuing on the path we were treated to some pretty impressive views of kunanyi/ Mt Wellington. We really didn’t feel that we were walking in a busy city suburban environment.

The track passed some old tannery buildings with more interpretive signage.

It then took a wide arc around one side of the C3 Convention Centre.

Dogs need to be kept on leads to avoid interfering with the resident wildlife. Apart from ducks there is a well-documented platypus living in the rivulet. Though it kept itself well-hidden when we recently visited.

The residential area on the other side of the rivulet includes some impressive old buildings that have been restored, including an old mill.

Further on a steep escarpment appeared on our right. This is a popular rock-climbing site.

Just short of the Female Factory we came to a section the track damaged by storm flooding in May 2018. Even though we were doing the walk almost a year on, the damage had still not been repaired.

We then skirted around the rear of the Cascades Female Factory. This World Heritage Listed Site was where hundreds of convict women and their children were housed from 1828 to 1856. Conditions for inmates were appalling. A visit to the Female Factory is a worthwhile excursion. Click here if you’d like to know more.

Continuing on we enjoyed more expansive views of the mountain.

more views of kunanyi/mt wellington from behind the female factory

After crossing McRobies Road we entered the precinct of Cascade Gardens, a great spot for a picnic or barbeque.

We walked through the gardens and concluded our walk at the Cascades Brewery.

Conclusion

We returned via the same path. If you want a diversion and a bit more huffing and puffing, as the track is pretty flat and undemanding, there is a section called Hill Track which provides a short, steep climb, then down again to rejoin the main track. This can be done in either direction.

The walk is 2.7 kms one way, so 5.4 kms if you do there and back. We had excellent weather and really enjoyed how the track changed constantly revealing different features.