As the world sank into the dark years of World War II, Tasmania's, and one of Australia's, finest hotels - Wrest Point Riviera - opened its doors in Hobart.

Those opening festivities were the culmination of the work of one man - Mr Arthur Drysdale, a prominent Hobart businessman and hotelier. Drysdale had a vision for a truly international class resort hotel in Hobart. A wealthy businessman and the owner of Hadleys Orient Hotel in central Hobart, he set his sights on a superb setting on the banks of the magnificent Derwent Estuary, now known internationally as Wrest Point.