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Mount Nelson: Hobart’s Best Kept Scenic Secret

Discover the Mount Nelson Signal Station

  • Mount Nelson Hobart 📷 Darren Wright

Perched in the hills above Hobart, Mount Nelson offers one of the most stunning lookout points in Southern Tasmania.

From its elevated position, visitors can take in sweeping views of Hobart city and the River Derwent and gaze as far as Bruny Island on clear days. This vantage point is not only a visual treat but also a site steeped in history, thanks to the Mount Nelson Signal Station

Mount Nelson Signal Station 📷 Darren Wright
Mount Nelson Signal Station 📷 Darren Wright

Established in 1811 as Tasmania’s first signal station, Mount Nelson played a vital role in maritime communication.

Originally, signals were conveyed using flags, but by 1831, a more advanced semaphore system was introduced. This three-armed semaphore could manage 666 code signals, which was later upgraded in 1838 to a six-armed semaphore capable of handling over 900,000 different signals.

This system was crucial for early shipping and communication in the Hobart area, making Mount Nelson an integral part of Tasmania’s maritime history.

Today, visitors to the Mount Nelson Signal Station can explore this fascinating history and learn about the life and work of those who once manned the station. The original head signalman’s house, built in 1897, now serves as the Signal Station Brasserie. This charming eatery offers both indoor and outdoor dining, allowing guests to enjoy the breathtaking 180-degree views while savoring dishes made from quality seasonal produce. Whether you choose to dine at the Brasserie or enjoy a picnic with barbecue facilities at the lookout, Mount Nelson promises a uniquely Tasmanian experience.

Mount Nelson Hobart 📷 Darren Wright
Mount Nelson Hobart 📷 Darren Wright
Mount Nelson Signal Station 📷 Darren Wright
Mount Nelson Signal Station 📷 Darren Wright
Mount Nelson Hobart 📷 Darren Wright
Mount Nelson Hobart 📷 Darren Wright
Mount Nelson Hobart 📷 Darren Wright
Mount Nelson Hobart 📷 Darren Wright

For those seeking a blend of history, breathtaking scenery, and a delightful dining experience, Mount Nelson is a must-visit destination in Hobart.

DIRECTIONS: Mount Nelson Signal Station is just a short 10-minute drive from Hobart’s city centre. Follow the Southern Outlet (A6) and take the exit towards Mount Nelson, continuing along Nelson Road (C643) until you reach the end. (Google Map)

For those who prefer a more adventurous approach, you can also reach the signal station on foot by hiking through the picturesque Bicentennial Park or the Truganini Conservation Area. These trails offer a scenic route to the summit, making the journey just as rewarding as the destination.

The Signal Station Restaurant

The Signalman’s cottage built in 1897, which is now the established restaurant, capturing stunning 180 degree views across Southern Tasmania, from the city of Hobart to the Tasman Peninsula and beyond.

Signalman’s cottage
Mt Nelson and Truganini Reserve

Here you’ll find sweeping views of Hobart and Storm Bay from the quaint little signal station – the next best views of Hobart and the surrounding waterways after Mt Wellington.

Mt Nelson and Truganini Reserve
Mount Nelson Hobart 📷 Darren Wright
Mount Nelson Hobart 📷 Darren Wright

📷 All images supplied by Darren Wright Photography, Instagram and Facebook

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We acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour 40,000 years of uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement. As a destination that welcomes visitors to these lands, we acknowledge our responsibility to represent to our visitors, Tasmania’s deep and complex history, fully, respectfully and truthfully.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands. We respectfully ask that tourism be a part of that future.

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