In an era before air transport, the port of Hobart was the city's 'gateway to the world' including Antarctic and subantarctic regions.

Waterman's Dock was a hub of port activity from the mid-19th century for many decades. Here, goods and passengers ferried to and from larger vessels moored in the Derwent River were loaded and landed.

When the Dock was built in 1854, people, timber and food were being shipped every week out of Hobart to gold rushes in mainland Australia and California, so it quickly became a centre of city life.Today it is a reminder of the city's strong and enduring economic links with the Antarctic and Southern Ocean.

If you have a fast broadband internet connection, you can also view the media-rich version of this Pathways site, which includes an audio narrative and slideshow.