Along the Dark Path

Dark Path is the most public, accessible and free event of Dark Mofo 2019. Where in previous year, a number of large-scale art installations have been concentrated, with bars and food outlets, at an area of Macquarie Point off Evans Street, this year sees the installations installed at various locations on Hobart’s Domain.

Heading over the Bridge of Remembrance and along the Dark Path

Hobart’s new Bridge of Remembrance marks the start of the Dark Path

Fire cans light the way along the Dark Path

Starting at the Regatta Grounds, the path leads over the new Bridge of Remembrance and along tracks lighted by fire cans.

The Dark Path route across The Domain is lit by fire

The old Beaumauris Zoo site is full of installations by Tony Oursler.

A little further along, a bar has been thoughtfully provided, complete with open fires to warm the chilled flesh.

Dark Path at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

The forecourt outside the main entrance of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is full of food vans, and when I visited on Friday evening, they were doing a roaring trade.

Inside the Gardens, more installations are interspersed with bars that welcome patrons of all ages.

Naomi Blacklock – Limbic Resonance at RTBG

Government House from Dark Path at the Botanical Gardens

A pathway at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is momentarily lit up as part of Tony Oursler’s Beyond the Spectrum during Dark Path

Observation decks at the lily pond, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens during Dark Path

Observation decks at the lily pond, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

The Roundhouse at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens set up as a bar during Dark Path

A giant Tesla coil creates lightning at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens during Dark Mofo 2019 – a highlight of Dark Path.

With all the high-falutin conceptual art and the excitement of getting around without tripping and breaking any bones, it can be easy to forget that one is in a botanic garden. But as I explored the top end of the lily pond, I found myself surrounded by a heady, sweet scent of something that was in full bloom, despite it being the dead of winter.

I fumbled for my torch to see that it was Luculia pinceana that perfumed the cool night air so beautifully. So take a moment and smell – if not the roses, then the numerous other botanical delights of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.