Hobart, Australia: travel guide
Tasmania's waterfront capital of markets, art and wilderness
Tasmania's Sophisticated Capital — a waterfront city known for MONA museum, Salamanca markets, and gateway to wilderness.
About Hobart
Hobart sits on the Derwent estuary beneath Mount Wellington, and it is Tasmania's capital and main gateway. Old sandstone warehouses line the waterfront at Salamanca Place, and the city feels more like a harbour town than a metropolis.
Things to do in Hobart include the Saturday Salamanca Market, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) upriver, and the drive up Mount Wellington for views over the water. Local seafood, cheese and whisky feature on many menus, and the Tasman Peninsula, Bruny Island and Port Arthur are all reachable on day trips.
Hobart suits food lovers, art fans and walkers. The best time to visit Hobart is the warmer months from late spring to early autumn, though winter has its own appeal around the city's midwinter events.
- Country
- Australia
- Currency
- AUD
- Time zone
- Australia/Hobart
- Nearest airport
- HBA
Last updated
Top places to visit in Hobart
Salamanca Market
market · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Tasmania's famous Saturday street market along the Georgian sandstone warehouses of Salamanca Place — crafts, produce and food.
MONA (Museum of Old and New Art)
art-gallery · about 4 h · entry $35 (≈ ₹2,330)
Australia's largest private museum — a subterranean labyrinth of provocative ancient and contemporary art, reached by ferry.
Battery Point
historic-district · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Hobart's best-preserved colonial village of narrow lanes, cottages and the Arthur Circus green, above the waterfront.
kunanyi / Mount Wellington
mountain · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The mountain looming over Hobart — drive or ride to the 1,271 m summit for sweeping views, alpine walks and snow in winter.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
garden · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic 14-hectare gardens by the Derwent with the unique Subantarctic Plant House and a Japanese garden — free.
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
museum · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Tasmania's state museum on the waterfront — Aboriginal culture, colonial art, Antarctic and natural-history galleries, free.
Constitution Dock & Waterfront
waterfront · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Hobart's working harbour heart — moored fishing boats, floating punts selling fresh fish and chips, and the Sydney-Hobart finish.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
wildlife-sanctuary · about 2 h · entry $34 (≈ ₹2,260)
A rescue-focused sanctuary near Hobart to meet Tasmanian devils, wombats, quolls and hand-feed free-roaming kangaroos.
Port Arthur Historic Site
historic-site · about 4 h · entry $47 (≈ ₹3,130)
A UNESCO-listed former convict penal settlement on the Tasman Peninsula — haunting ruins, gardens and ghost tours.
Richmond Bridge
landmark · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Australia's oldest stone-arch bridge (1825), the centrepiece of the historic convict-era village of Richmond.
Bruny Island
island · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A rugged island of wild beaches, The Neck lookout, lighthouse, and gourmet cheese, oysters and whisky — reached by car ferry.
Cascade Brewery
brewery · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Australia's oldest continuously operating brewery (1824), a striking Gothic sandstone building at the foot of the mountain.
Things to do
- MONA Ferry & Museum Entry Tour · 4 h · from AUD 75 per person
- Bruny Island Wilderness & Gourmet Day Tour Tour · 10 h · from AUD 235 per person
- Port Arthur Historic Site Day Tour Tour · 10 h · from AUD 165 per person
- kunanyi / Mt Wellington Summit & Bike Descent Adventure · 3 h · from AUD 105 per person
- Tasman Island Wilderness Cruise Cruise · 3 h · from AUD 165 per person
- Hobart Twilight Food & History Walk Food · 3 h · from AUD 120 per person
Day trips and tours
- Bruny Island Gourmet & Wilderness 10 h · from AUD 235
Where to stay in Hobart
- City Center about AUD 2,500 per night
Tasmania capital with accommodation
- Battery Point & Salamanca about AUD 230 per night
Colonial-era village of narrow lanes and cottages beside the Salamanca warehouses and docks.
Hotels
- MACq 01 Hotel 5-star · AUD 300 to AUD 650 per night
- The Henry Jones Art Hotel 5-star · AUD 290 to AUD 620 per night
- Salamanca Wharf Hotel 4-star · AUD 210 to AUD 400 per night
- Hobart Central YHA 3-star · AUD 40 to AUD 150 per night
- Grand Chancellor Hobart 4-star · AUD 180 to AUD 340 per night
Where to eat
- Franklin Modern Australian · about AUD 80 per person
- Fico Italian, Modern Australian · about AUD 180 per person
- The Source Restaurant Modern Australian · about AUD 150 per person
- Aloft Asian, Modern Australian · about AUD 85 per person
- Fish Frenzy Seafood · about AUD 30 per person
- Jackman & McRoss Bakery, Cafe · about AUD 20 per person
Getting to Hobart
Airport: Hobart (HBA)
How visitors arrive in Hobart
- Flights to Hobart Airport By air from Melbourne / Sydney · common · unconfirmed
Hobart Airport is the primary airport for southern Tasmania, with flights from mainland capitals and Auckland. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry to Devonport, then road By ferry from Melbourne · common
Drivers cross Bass Strait to Devonport by ferry from Melbourne and continue by road. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Coach or drive from Launceston By road from Launceston / Devonport · common
Intercity coaches run from Devonport via Launceston; National Highway 1 links Launceston. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Cruise ship By ferry · possible
Large cruise ships dock at Macquarie Wharf. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- SkyBus airport shuttle
SkyBus meets arriving flights and serves most Hobart accommodation. No reservation is needed into the city, though the return trip to the airport needs one. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Taxi from the airport
Taxis run direct from the airport to the city and are described as the more direct option. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Book your SkyBus return to the airport in advance. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus
Metro Tasmania buses serve central Hobart and its suburbs, with the main interchange on Elizabeth Street in front of the GPO.
- Car Rental Self useful for some trips
Hobart is the usual starting point for exploring Tasmania, and a hire car is the most convenient way to reach rural and scenic spots.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Backpacker job-deposit
Major tourist zones
Online "casual work" offer demands $50–200 deposit for "uniform/training"; job doesn't exist.
How to avoid it: Never pay deposit for a job before starting. Use official jobactive portal.
Best time to visit Hobart
- Jan 23°C
- Feb 23°C
- Mar 21°C
- Apr 18°C
- May 16°C
- Jun 13°C
- Jul 13°C
- Aug 14°C
- Sep 16°C
- Oct 18°C
- Nov 20°C
- Dec 21°C
More in Australia
Frequently asked questions about Hobart
- What are the main places to visit in Hobart?
- Places covered in our Hobart guide include Salamanca Market, MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), Battery Point, kunanyi / Mount Wellington, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
- Where should I stay in Hobart?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Hobart: City Center, Battery Point & Salamanca.
- How do I get around Hobart?
- Ways to get around Hobart covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Hobart?
- Scams reported to us for Hobart include Backpacker job-deposit. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Hobart?
- Average daytime highs in Hobart run from 13°C in Jul to 23°C in Jan.
- Which airport is nearest to Hobart?
- The nearest airport to Hobart has the code HBA.