Hey. So you're looking into heading down to Tasmania. Good call. Honestly, Hobart is probably going to be your base, and it's a completely different vibe from mainland Australia. It feels a bit slower, a bit colder, and way more artsy. You won't find the massive skyscrapers of Sydney or the crazy traffic of Melbourne. Instead, you get old sandstone warehouses, lots of fishing boats, and a massive mountain looking down at you from pretty much everywhere in town.
When you start planning out the things to do in hobart australia, your brain is probably going to melt a bit because there is just so much packed into a relatively small area. And I get it, trying to figure out the best itinerary is annoying. Let's break it down so you don't waste your time or your money.
First up. You have to go to MONA (Museum of Old and New Art). Look, even if you hate art museums, you will probably like this place. It's weird. Really weird. It was built by a local millionaire and it's mostly underground. You take a camo-painted ferry from the main docks (it costs about $25 for a standard ticket, or you can pay $60 to sit in the "Posh Pit" with free drinks). When you get there, you go down this massive spiral staircase into the earth. There's a machine that literally mimics the human digestive system (yeah, it smells). There's ancient Egyptian stuff mixed with totally bizarre modern installations. It's easily one of the top hobart attractions, and you'll easily kill three or four hours down there. Just grab a beer at the brewery on site afterward to process what you just saw.
But maybe you want something outside? Let's talk about Kunanyi, also known as Mount Wellington. You literally can't miss it. It sits right behind the city. Driving up there is one of the best activities to do in hobart. The road is super twisty and takes about 30 minutes from the CBD. A fair warning though: it gets cold up there. Like, freezing. You could be wearing a t-shirt in town, and by the time you reach the 1,271-meter summit, you'll need a heavy jacket and a beanie. Sometimes it even snows in summer. But the view? Crazy good. You can see the whole city, the Derwent River, and out to the ocean. Most tourists just drive up, take a photo at the windy observation deck, and leave. Their loss, honestly. There are miles of walking tracks up there if you want to stretch your legs.
If you happen to be in town on a Saturday, you are legally required to go to Salamanca Market. Okay, not legally, but you should. It runs right along the waterfront from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Yes, it gets crowded. Expect to bump into people. But it's worth it. You'll find over 300 stalls selling everything from weird wooden crafts to local gin. Do yourself a favor and buy a scallop pie. It sounds gross if you aren't used to it, but a hot pie filled with curry sauce and local scallops is practically a Tasmanian religion. They cost around $10 to $12. Grab one, sit on the grass, and watch the buskers.
Right behind the market is Battery Point. If you're compiling a list of places to see in hobart, put this near the top. It's one of the oldest suburbs in Australia. The streets are super narrow, and the cottages are tiny and adorable. It feels like you accidentally walked into a 19th-century English village. Stop by Jackman & McRoss bakery while you're wandering around. The coffee is strong and the pastries are huge.
Traveling with kids? That changes things a bit, but not in a bad way. There are plenty of hobart attractions for families. The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is a solid choice. It's free to enter, huge, and gives the kids a place to run around without bothering anyone. They have this sub-Antarctic plant house where they pump in freezing cold air. Kids usually think it's hilarious. Another good spot is the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG). It's right on the waterfront, admission is free, and they have an entire exhibit on the Tasmanian Tiger (thylacine) which is actually pretty sad but super interesting. Plus, there are lots of interactive screens and buttons for younger kids to push.
If you want a bit more history without driving all the way to Port Arthur, check out the Cascades Female Factory. It's just a short drive or bus ride from the city center. It was a workhouse for female convicts back in the 1800s. Honestly, the stories they tell on the guided tours are pretty brutal, but it gives you a lot of context about how the city was actually built. After that, you can walk right over to the Cascade Brewery. It's literally right down the road. It's the oldest continually operating brewery in Australia. A standard tour costs around $30, and you get to taste some pretty great beers at the end. Win-win.
Let's talk food because you are going to eat a lot here. If you are wondering where to eat in hobart, start with the seafood. You can literally walk down to Constitution Dock and buy fish and chips from floating punts. Flippers is a popular one. For about $18, you get a massive piece of battered blue grenadier and a pile of chips. Watch out for the seagulls though. They are aggressive and they will steal a chip right out of your hand if you aren't paying attention. If you want something a bit fancier, head into North Hobart (the locals call it NoHo). Elizabeth Street is packed with restaurants. Italian, Thai, burgers, pub grub—you name it.
Oh, and if you are around on a Sunday instead of a Saturday? Don't worry about missing Salamanca. Just head over to the Farm Gate Market on Bathurst Street. The street gets entirely blocked off to cars. It's all about fresh food. No crafts or souvenirs, just local farmers selling apples, cheese, artisan breads, and hot street food. Grab a breakfast burrito and a coffee, and just sit on the curb. It's what the locals do.
If you like a drink, you're in the right place. Tasmania makes some of the best whisky in the world. Drop into Lark Distillery by the waterfront. A tasting paddle isn't cheap (usually starts around $30) but it gives you a great introduction to the local stuff. Or just find a quiet corner at the Preachers pub in Battery Point. They have an actual bus parked in the beer garden where you can sit and drink a pint of local craft beer.
Now, where do you find out about the boring logistical stuff? You can always drop into the official center for hobart tourist information near the waterfront if you need physical maps or want to book a bus tour. Honestly though, getting around is pretty easy. The city center is highly walkable. You only really need a rental car if you plan on doing some hobart day trips.
Speaking of day trips, you should definitely squeeze one in if you have more than three days. Bruny Island is a popular one. You drive about 40 minutes south to Kettering, catch a 15-minute car ferry, and suddenly you're on this wild, rugged island. You can eat fresh oysters right out of the water at Get Shucked, or check out the lighthouse at the southern tip. Just keep an eye on your fuel gauge, because there isn't much out there. Another option is Port Arthur. It's about a 90-minute drive away. It's an old convict settlement, and it's massive. It's a bit grim, considering its history, but it's totally fascinating.
When mapping out your hobart things to see, remember that the weather basically does whatever it wants. The best time to visit hobart is usually between December and February. Summer temperatures usually sit around 22°C, which is pretty comfortable. Winter gets chilly, mostly around 12°C during the day, dropping close to freezing at night. But honestly, even in January, carry a jacket. You might get four completely different seasons in a single afternoon.
So yeah, skip the massive resorts up north and spend a few days down here instead. You've got amazing food, weird art, a huge mountain, and lots of history. It's weird, it's wonderful, and it's totally worth the flight.
