Best things to do in Hobart Tasmania

Are you planning a visit to Tasmania Australia and wondering what to do in Hobart? Look no further as we are here to show you the best things to do in Hobart Tasmania.

Hobart is the jewel of Tasmania, an alluring city filled with historical charm and surrounded by a harbour of breathtaking beauty. The city is a steppingstone to the picturesque scenery of kunanyi/Mount Wellington, the pretty village of Richmond and the famous convict site of Port Arthur.

So come along with us as we take you on a journey to discover why Hobart should be on the top of your list of Australian destinations as we visit a superb assortment of Hobart attractions and unique day trips from Hobart Australia.

Where is Hobart Tasmania?

Hobart is the largest city in Tasmania, the island state of Australia. It is the capital of Tasmania, and it is located near the bottom of Australia making it the most southerly Australian capital city.

Hobart city was founded in 1804 as a British penal colony and is Australia’s second-oldest capital city after Sydney.

Before European settlement, the Hobart region was home to the Mouheneener people, who lived in the area for thousands of years.

Hobart lies in a beautiful landscape hugging the shores of the mighty River Derwent and sits under the majestic slopes of Mount Wellington which towers above the city.

Choosing what to do in Hobart

When we travel, we like to mix it up with a combination of tour and independent travel. We like the information and convenience of a tour and enjoy the freedom of discovering a new destination on our own.

We understand that every traveller has their own style of travel, each of which comes down to personal preference, length of stay and budget. With this in mind, we strive to show you the best range of independent and tour experiences of Hobart.

Spending a weekend in Hobart

To get the most out of Hobart make sure to plan your visit to coincide with a weekend. This will ensure that you get to see one of the most popular Hobart tourist attractions, the Salamanca Markets.

This iconic Hobart venue is Australia’s largest outdoor market and stretches from Salamanca Place to the top of Davey Street.

Here you will get to sample and purchase a host of handmade arts and crafts, locally grown fresh Tasmanian produce, artisan distillers and delights from over three hundred stallholders.

The Salamanca Markets are framed by rows of attractive 1840’s Georgian warehouses which line Salamanca Place. These former warehouses are home to a vibrant collection of art galleries, boutiques, cafes, restaurants and bars, a fabulous place to relax and enjoy your time in Hobart.    

The Salamanca Markets are held every Saturday between 8.30 am to 3 pm.

Free things to do in Hobart

If you are looking for free things to do in Hobart, you will discover a good range of activities that convey the true character of Hobart’s past and present.

For those looking for things to do in Hobart without a car there are a selection of places to visit in Hobart which are perfectly located within walking distance of each other in the CBD.

Sullivans Cove

Sullivans Cove is the birthplace of Hobart and stretches from Salamanca Place to Hunter Street. Along its waterfront you can explore the old Georgian warehouses of Salamanca Place or watch ferries leave from Brooke Street Pier.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll around Constitution Dock and take a photo of Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum or stop off for lunch at one of the many seafood restaurants.

Admire the colourful fishing boats moored at Victoria Dock and visit the Heading South Sculpture on Franklin Wharf.

St. David’s Park Memorial Walls

St. David’s Park is a beautiful park which is shaded by tall leafy trees, has a pretty rotunda and contains an assortment of historical monuments.

These peaceful park grounds were once the site of Tasmania’s first cemetery which dates from the beginning of European settlement in 1804. At the time around nine hundred people were buried in the park and some of their headstones can be found embedded into the St. David’s Park Memorial Walls.

As you read the headstones you get a sombre glimpse into the early days of the colony, a story more compelling than any found in a history book.

Battery Point

Battery Point is Hobart’s most historic suburb and was named after the battery of guns that were once used for Hobart’s defence.

When you explore the streets, you will be transported back to the 1830’s as you pass the grand mansions and quaint fisherman’s cottages.

While there make sure to visit St. George’s Anglican Church, “The Mariners’ Church” which is built in the Neo-Classical style with a tower that has been a landmark for sailors since 1847.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is a combined museum, art gallery and herbarium which houses an interesting collection of artifacts and artworks that embodies Tasmania’s natural and cultural heritage.

Best attractions in Hobart

When looking for things to do in Tasmania, Hobart delivers with a fabulous range of Hobart sightseeing that will please both independent and tour lovers alike.

We begin our list of the best things to do in Hobart with one of our favourite Hobart activities, the Hobart Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. This tour is a great way to orientate yourself to the city and is perfect for those on a tight time frame as you can tick off many of Hobarts iconic attractions in one go.

There is a choice of 24 hour and 48 hour tickets, with some including a kunanyi/Mount Wellington tour which you must do in Hobart when you visit.

kunanyi/Mt Wellington Tour & Hobart Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

During our visit to Hobart, we chose to take a combined 48 hour tour of both the kunanyi/Mt Wellington Tour and the Hobart Hop-On Hop-Off Bus tour.

We begin with the kunanyi/Mt Wellington Tour & Hobart Hop-On Hop-Off Bus tour which takes you to a massive range of Hobart tourist attractions. Here are just some of the places you can visit along the Hobart Hop-On Hop-Off Bus route.

• Brooke Street Pier
• Salamanca Place
• Battery Point
• Wrest Point Casino
• Cascade Brewery
• Female Factory
• Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
• Maritime Museum
• Hobart Convict Penitentiary
• Botanical Gardens
• Victoria Dock

I can highly recommend taking the 48 hour tour as there is so much ground to cover. Included in the ticket is a bus tour up to kunanyi/Mt Wellington lookout which gives fabulous views overlooking Hobart and the surrounding region.

Click here to buy tickets for the kunanyi/Mt Wellington Tour & Hobart Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Here are just a few of the attractions you will see when you take the Hobart Hop-On Hop-Off Bus tour route.

Brooke Street Pier

The Brooke Street Pier is the departure point for the MONA Ferry and Peppermint Bay Cruises. The MONA Ferry takes you on the twenty five minute journey to MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art. This highly controversial museum will shock and delight with its collection of ancient, modern and contemporary art.  

Brooke Street Pier is also home to the Glass House waterfront restaurant and cocktail bar. This popular restaurant features a menu of locally sourced Tasmanian produce, an introduction into the taste of Tasmania. The Glass House is a fabulous place to unwind with a cocktail and spectacular 280 degree views of the River Derwent.

Salamanca Place

Step back in time as you wander through the galleries and boutiques that are hidden in the squares and alleyways of Salamanca Place.

Salamanca Place is fronted by attractive Georgian sandstone warehouses which in their heyday stored whale oil, apples and grain. Today Salamanca Place has a new energetic vibe as it has been transformed into a lively entertainment hub of restaurants and pubs.

This is the perfect spot to while away a sunny afternoon with a long lunch in one of the many restaurants or shop for a treasure trove of unique gifts within the art galleries and boutiques tucked away within the Salamanca Arts Centre.

Of course, Salamanca Place is also home to Hobarts much loved tourist attraction, the Salamanca Markets which are held each Saturday from 8.30 am to 3 pm.

Battery Point

Battery Point is Hobart’s oldest suburb and home to a stunning collection of Georgian mansions and fishermen’s cottages which were built by Hobart’s former merchants and mariners.

If you would like to see inside one of these beautiful mansions visit Narryna, a fine Greek Revival town house which was built by Captain Andrew Haig in 1840.

Narryna is open between Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm for self-guided tours.

As you explore Battery Point make sure to stop off at Jackman & McRoss coffee shop, which is famous for its pies and baked goods, a great place to relax with a coffee and soak up the historic atmosphere.

Top Tip
If you want to learn more of the history of Battery Point, make sure to download “In Bobby’s Footsteps” a self-guided walk of Battery Point.

Wrest Point

Wrest Point is a pretty harbourside location and home to the West Point Hotel Casino where you can enjoy a host of vibrant casino entertainment, restaurants and bars.

Wrest Point Hotel Casino is famous for being Australia’s first legal casino and is Hobarts tallest building.

One of the top things to do in Hobart is to dine at The Point revolving restaurant which is on the seventeenth floor and has revolving views of the River Derwent, Tasman Bridge and kunanyi/Mount Wellington.

Sandy Bay Village

If you love shopping stop off at Sandy Bay Village to explore a stunning range of designer clothing stores and independent boutiques. The village is also home to homewares shops, restaurants and coffee shops, the place to be seen in Hobart.

Cascade Brewery

Cascade Brewery is Australia’s oldest brewery and one of Hobarts best loved attractions. Here you can sample a selection of Cascade beers or enjoy a fabulous choice of bar snacks, tasting plates and main meals at the Cascade Brewery Bar.

One of the most popular things to do in Hobart is to take a Cascade Brewery Tour. To book your Cascade Brewery Tour and table at the Cascade Brewery Bar click here.

The Cascades Female Factory Historic Site

The Hobart Rivulet Walking Track takes you on a downhill walk from the Cascade Brewery to the Female Factory. The walk takes you through the leafy green Cascade Gardens and along the Hobart Rivulet which was once Hobarts main source of fresh water.

The Cascades Female Factory Historic Site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which tells the story of convict women and their contribution to the colonisation of Australia. Here you will learn about the daily life of the convict women and children imprisoned within this notorious facility.

Note that entry fees apply to enter the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site.

Things to do Hobart CBD

If you are looking for a little retail therapy or just wanting to sample a little coffee culture, make sure to stop off at Elizabeth Street Mall. While there visit the Cat & Fiddle Arcade and watch the cow jump over the moon just as it does in the nursery rhyme when the clock strikes the hour.

Explore the department stores and specialty shops or try a variety of international cuisines in the small restaurants that line the street.  

Maritime Museum of Tasmania

The Maritime Museum of Tasmania tells the story of Tasmania’s maritime heritage. Inside you will find a large collection of historical marine memorabilia displaying indigenous watercraft, ship-building, convict transportation, whaling, global trade and migration.

*Note that entry fees apply to enter the Maritime Museum of Tasmania

Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum

Across the road from the Maritime Museum of Tasmania you will find Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum. This fascinating small museum is a replica of the huts used by Sir Douglas Mawson and the men of the 1911-1914 Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Entry fees to Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum go towards funding the conservation of the huts and future expeditions to Antarctica.

Note that entry fees apply to enter Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum.

kunanyi/Mt Wellington Tours

As you drive into Hobart the first thing you will notice is how Mount Wellington towers over the Tasmania capital. Visiting the spectacular views from its impressive summit is one of the top Hobart things to do.

We took a kunanyi/Mt Wellington tour in conjunction with our 48 hour Hobart Hop-On Hop-Off Bus tour and were happy with our choice as it allowed us to see so many Hobart attractions.   

Of course, if you want to take a separate kunanyi/Mt Wellington tour, you have a choice of a two hour tour from Hobart to the summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington or a one way option that allows you to visit the summit and enjoy a three hour walk down the mountain.

kunanyi/Mt Wellington Tour Highlights

The kunanyi/Mt Wellington tour begins at Brooke Street Pier and climbs from city to summit with five hop-on and hop-off stops along the way. Pick up points within Hobart are Brooke Street Pier and the Travel & Information Centre. Here are the Hop-On Hop-Off points along the route.

• Brooke Street Pier
• Travel & Information Centre
• Fern Tree Park
• The Springs
• The Chalet
• Big Bend
• The Pinnacle

As you climb the mountain you will stop off at the Springs Lookout which has stunning views of the coastline and Bruny Island.

Once at The Pinnacle head over to the Mount Wellington Observation Shelter to learn more about the mountain, its ecosystem and animals. Walk along the boardwalk and admire breathtaking views of Hobart and beyond.

Explore the rocky moonlike landscape and marvel at the unique flora of the summit. Learn about the importance of kunanyi (Mount Wellington), to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, a sacred place of creation.

Mount Wellington has a variety of bushwalking trails ranging from easy to hard. If you want to explore the bushwalking trails, make sure to get a free Wellington Park Bushwalking Map from the bus driver.

If you choose to go on a bushwalk, tell the driver and depending on which trail you take, he may pick you up at the next Hop-On point along the route.

Top Tip
Dress warmly because the weather on top of Mount Wellington is 10 degrees Celsius cooler than Hobart and there is a wind chill factor that can have you feeling cold even on a summer’s day.

Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

During our visit to Hobart, we explored Hobart harbour with a cruise of the Derwent River. This is a fabulous way to see the beauty of the river and learn about the history of Hobart from a river perspective.

Historic Harbour Cruises give a choice of cruising options from morning and afternoon cruises on either the northern or southern routes of the river. Or enjoy both southern and northern river routes with a relaxing lunch or dinner cruise.

The lunch cruise includes a one course meal, and the dinner cruise offers a three course meal and complimentary drink.

Hobart Historic Lunch Cruise

We chose to take a lunch cruise of the River Derwent and it gave us a chance to see superb views of Mount Wellington and the Wrest Point Hotel Casino from the water.

As we passed the pretty riverside suburbs and beaches, we learnt that the river is the deepest sheltered port in the Southern Hemisphere and was once so crowded with whales that you could almost step from one side to the other on their backs.

For lunch there were a choice of dishes including a vegetarian option. I chose the Waterman’s Steak and Alan chose the Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon Fillet which were served with potato and salad.

For an additional cost you can indulge your sweet tooth with a selection of desserts or unwind with refreshing beverage from the bar service during lunch.

We continued cruising along the northern route under the impressive Tasman Bridge and learnt how Hobart is the gateway to Antarctic expeditions.

We had a wonderful time during our lunch cruise and can highly recommend it as one of our most memorable things to do in Hobart.

Click here to book a Derwent River lunch cruise.

Things to do near Hobart

For those wanting to swap the Hobart Tasmania city landscape for the countryside you will find a great variety of places to visit in Hobart regional areas. We take you to two of our favourites, Richmond and Port Arthur.

Richmond Historic Afternoon Tour from Hobart

Richmond could easily be mistaken for an English village as it is filled with elegant Georgian buildings which date back to the 1820’s.

The town’s most famous landmark is Richmond Bridge which is the oldest bridge in Australia still in use. Nestled within this picturesque town are a collection of heritage buildings that tell the story of Richmond’s convict days.

As you stroll through the village you will find a host of specialty shops, galleries and café’s housed within the quaint cottages that will have you instantly falling in love with this beautiful area.

This tour takes you to Richmond Bridge and allows you to explore at your leisure. While visiting Richmond you may like to visit the historic Richmond Gaol, see artworks at the Peppercorn Gallery, stop off for an afternoon tea at Czegs’ Café or relax with a refreshing beverage at The Richmond Arms hotel.

If you would like more information on Richmond, see our Hobart to Launceston Drive article.

Grand Port Arthur with guided Isle of the Dead tour

You can’t visit Hobart without taking a side trip to Port Arthur. Australia’s most notorious penal settlement tells the story of Tasmania’s convict past, and this tour offers plenty of time to explore the grounds.

The Grand Port Arthur with guided Isle of the Dead tour takes you to the following attractions.

• Richmond Bridge
• Pirates Bay/Eaglehawk Neck
• Port Arthur Historic Site

Along the way the tour stops in Richmond to see historic Richmond Bridge before stopping off for spectacular views overlooking the intriguingly named Pirates Bay Lookout.

Once at Port Arthur visit the numerous buildings that dot this beautiful landscape, take a cruise of Carnarvon Bay and learn the heart breaking stories of those buried on the Isle of the Dead.

Click here to book the Port Arthur with guided Isle of the Dead tour.

If you would like more information on Port Arthur, see our 10 Best Hobart to Port Arthur Tours Tasmania article.

Accommodation in Hobart

When looking for accommodation Hobart has a good range of hotels and apartments that will suit a variety of needs. During our stay we chose two different accommodation options, hotel and apartment style accommodation.

Hobart Hotels

Hobart has a great choice of hotels that range from luxury to budget. When planning your trip to Hobart It is important to book accommodation early as hotels book out quickly.

During our visit to Hobart, we stayed at the Crowne Plaza Hobart, an IHG Hotel and can highly recommend it.

Crowne Plaza Hobart Review

The Crowne Plaza sits in the heart of the Hobart CBD and is a short seven minute stroll to the attractions of Sullivans Cove and Salamanca Place.

The hotel has a fresh modern décor which features the essence of Tasmania. You will find a variety of rooms and suites which have a choice of city and harbour views. For the ultimate Crowne Plaza experience make sure to choose a Club room which has complementary access to the exclusive Club Lounge

The Crowne Plaza Hobart has a choice of restaurants and bars including The Deck for casual dining, the Core Restaurant and Bar for a menu highlighting the finest Tasmanian produce and the Aura rooftop lounge bar for ambience and views of Hobart

The hotel is in the shopping hub of the city and is surrounded by a fabulous array of shops. The area is dotted with restaurants and the place to sample some of the best Asian food Hobart.

Click here to book the Crowne Plaza Hobart

Apartments in Hobart

If you are looking for holiday apartments Hobart has a good selection of apartments within the CBD and further afield. Make sure to book your Hobart apartment accommodation early as they book out fast.

During our visit to Hobart, we had an enjoyable stay at Salamanca Suites. This apartment is steps to Salamanca Place and the attractions of Sullivans Cove.

Salamanca Suites Review

You can’t beat Salamanca Suites for location, you just walk out the front door and you step out onto Salamanca Place.

The Salamanca Suites have an assortment of modern studio, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom apartments with lounge area, desk and a light airy balcony.

Studio rooms feature a refrigerator and microwave, kettle and toaster, kitchenware, a washing machine and tumble dryer. One to three bedroom apartments feature a full kitchen and laundry facilities, which is perfect for families wanting a self-catering holiday.

Click here to book the Salamanca Suites Hobart

Last Words on Best Things to do in Hobart Tasmania

Like many Australians I always wanted to visit Hobart and now that I have, I regret not visiting sooner. The city is one of the prettiest in Australia and there are plenty of things to do in Hobart that impart the history and spirit of Australia’s second oldest city.  

If you have dreams of seeing Hobart and Tasmania, do it sooner rather than later, I’m sure it will be the beginning of your love affair with this beautiful part of the world.

Have you been to Hobart? What was your favourite attraction and activity? We would love to hear from you so feel free to comment.

PIN THIS TO YOUR TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS ↓

Sharing is caring!