Strategic location: Both Port Dalrymple and Hobart were chosen due to their strategic geographic locations. Port Dalrymple is situated at the mouth of the Tamar River on the northern coast of Tasmania, providing access to the Bass Strait and the Indian Ocean. This made it an ideal location for a port and a base for exploration and trade. Similarly, Hobart's location on the southeastern coast of Tasmania, near the entrance to the Derwent River, offered a natural harbor and access to the Southern Ocean.
Economic opportunities: The regions surrounding Port Dalrymple and Hobart were seen as having potential for economic development. The fertile lands around Port Dalrymple were suitable for agriculture, particularly grazing for sheep and cattle. Hobart, on the other hand, had potential for both agriculture and whaling. The Derwent River and surrounding waters were known to be rich in whales, making Hobart an attractive location for whaling operations.
Transportation and trade: Port Dalrymple and Hobart were intended to serve as transportation hubs and trading posts. Port Dalrymple was envisioned as a port of entry for ships traveling between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, while Hobart was positioned to facilitate trade with Europe, Asia, and other regions.
Penal colony: Both Port Dalrymple and Hobart were also established as penal colonies. The British government sought to alleviate overcrowding in British prisons by sending convicts to these remote settlements. The harsh conditions and the isolation of Tasmania were seen as deterrents to crime and a way to rehabilitate convicts.
These factors combined to make Port Dalrymple and Hobart suitable locations for British settlements in the early 19th century. The settlements eventually grew into thriving cities and became important centers of trade, agriculture, and industry in the region.
