This picturesque row of four-storey sandstone warehouses is a classic example of Australian colonial architecture. Dating back to the whaling days of the 1830s, Salamanca was the hub of Hobart’s trade and commerce. By the mid-20th century many of the warehouses had fallen into ruin, before restorations began in the 1970s. These days Salamanca hosts myriad restaurants, cafes, bars and shops, and the unmissable Saturday morning Salamanca Market .
The development of the quarry behind the warehouses into Salamanca Sq has bolstered the atmosphere, while at the eastern end of Salamanca the conversion of four old wheat silos into plush apartments has also been a hit.
Operating behind the scenes is a vibrant and creative arts community. The nonprofit Salamanca Arts Centre occupies seven Salamanca warehouses, home to 75-plus arts organisations and individuals, including shops, galleries, studios, performing-arts venues and versatile public spaces. Check the website for happenings.
To reach Salamanca from Battery Point, descend the well-weathered Kelly’s Steps (1839), wedged between warehouses halfway along the main block of buildings.
