The Ultimate Hobart City Staycation

Hobart has so much to offer. From excellent cafes and restaurants to funky bars, art galleries, wildlife encounters and much much more.

Pack your bags, fuel up the car and hit the road on your next mini-vacation to the state’s capital.

Where to Eat

When it comes to restaurants and cafes in Hobart, you are spoilt for choice. The city prides itself on its foodie scene with fresh Tasmanian local produce gracing a majority of the menus. Whether you are after something quick and budget-friendly or something a little fancy, you should find something here to suit your style.

Quick Eats

• Be sure to visit The Standard in the city or The Burger Haus in North Hobart for delicious gourmet burgers. 
• Pizza lovers will be right at home at Solo Pizza and Pasta in Sandy Bay or the famous Da Angelos in Battery Point. For something a little funkier (think disco balls and pink walls), head to Ti Ama in Salamanca. 
• If you are after something a little lighter, try Sush Train for fresh, quick Sushi. 

Gastropub

• The Winston in North Hobart offers a great range of pub grub and their Southern Fried Chicken Burger is perfect for a hungry mob. 
• Head to The Brunswick Hotel for their huge range of chicken parmigianas. 
• The Tasmanian Inn is a great option for steak-lovers, they also have great specials if you are visiting mid-week. 
• For a modern take on pub-style classics, visit Tom McHugos or New Sydney Hotel. 
• For the Salamanca experience head to Jack Greene for delicious burgers or Cargo Bar for gourmet pizzas.  The Brick Factory also offers a great range of pub-style classics.
• When the sun is shining, enjoy a burger in the beer garden at Preachers.

Restaurants

• For a fancy night out, be sure to visit Aloft, The Lounge by Frogmore Creek, Landscape or Mures Upper Deck. 
• Templo and Fico are a must for local flavors and unique experiences with their seasonal chef’s menus.
• Seafood aficionados will love Fish Frenzy, Blue Eye or the Drunken Admiral, all located on Hobart’s Waterfront. 
• For a hearty Argentinian feast, head to Frank – their slow-cooked meats are amazing – or for Asian flavors, visit Suzie Lucks for a southeast Asian twist or Kosaten for some Japanese delivered by train.
• For modern Australian dishes and great steaks Rockwall Bar and Grill, Astor Grill or the Ball and Chain Grill are musts.

Brunch

• Jackman and McRoss in Battery Point is a local hit and offers great coffee and pastries, while Daci and Daci offers French-inspired treats with decor to match.
• Enjoy a range of dishes at West Hobart’s Pigeon Hole Cafe or some eggs Benedict at Smolt Kitchen.
• Down in Salamanca Place the Machine Laundry Cafe serves up big plates full of flavour and Harbour Lights Cafe is a favourite for tasty egg dishes.
• The hip North Hobart strip has some great brunch options including Room for a Pony, Born in Brunswick and Raincheck Lounge.
• When enjoying a stroll around the CBD visit Berta, Straight Up Coffee and Food, Small Fry or Dandy Lane for great brunch menus.

Where to Drink

After a long day exploring Hobart, there’s nothing quite like kicking back and relaxing with a fine Tasmanian tipple. 

• For a casual pub-style affair visit The Whaler, Preachers or Brick Factory in the Salamanca strip or Hobart Brewing Co in Macquarie Point. 
• A trip to North Hobart is always fun with Boodle Beasley, The Winston and the Tasmanian Inn providing great drinks lists.
• For a sophisticated tipple, head to The Glasshouse, Evolve Spirits Bar or The Lounge by Frogmore Creek.
• Those who love to sip on a colourful cocktail will enjoy Botanica Bar, Rude Boy and Society Salamanca.
• For great wine and boutique brews Cargo, The Den, Jack Greene, New Sydney, or The Brunswick are a must. Post Street Social is also great for some bubbles overlooking the water.
• Boutique wine bars are popular in the capital city offering limited seating but a big range of wines. Sonny, Lucinda and Willing Brothers Wine Merchants are all great options.
• Boutique, small whiskey bars are also a popular choice with Lark Distillery, Gold Bar, Institut Polaire and the Salamanca Whisky Bar all worth taking some time to enjoy.

What to Do

There is plenty to see and do in Hobart. The river provides an array of activities and scenic tours, while the mountain is always fun to explore. There is also no better place to enjoy some great art, galleries and cultural delights.

• A visit to Hobart isn’t complete without a visit to kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Leave the car behind and head up the mountain with the Explorer Bus and enjoy those mountain views. Further, enhance your Hobart bus adventure with a Red Decker tour of Hobart – the bus is currently running a limited service so please enquire ahead.  
• Hobart’s famous Salamanca Market is always worth a wander, the market is currently running Tasmania’s Own Market – a smaller market featuring your favourite stallholders – each Saturday from 8:30 am – 1:30 pm. For fresh produce and breakfast specials, be sure to also visit Hobart’s Farm Gate Market on Sundays from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.
• Enjoy the pretty Hobart cityscape from the skies with a scenic tour in Above and Beyond’s unique seaplane. Their flight routes also include a scenic journey over Port Arthur and the Tasman’s Three Capes. 
• If you love to fly, Par Avion offers scenic flights to the rugged Southwest Wilderness where you can explore the remote waterways and dramatic southern coastline. For the more adventurous types, stay over the night for the ultimate wilderness experience. 
• Enjoy a cruise around Southern Tasmania with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys and enjoy that Tassie coastline. Cruise the dramatic cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula and out to Tasman Island or explore the waterways in and around Bruny Island.
• Why not enjoy a leisurely cruise on the Derwent with Hobart Historic Cruises. For something a little different enjoy their Dinner Cruise and take in sunset views of the city from the water. 
• Another great way to explore the harbour is with a paddling tour with Roaring 40s Kayak. Enjoy a 2.5-hour paddle on the Derwent or a full day trip with a paddle around Hobart’s cliffs, caves and beaches. 
• Hobart is home to some beautiful art galleries and museums. Visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) for their amazing exhibitions or visit Mawson’s Hut Replica Museum and learn about Douglas Mawson and his Antarctic expeditions. Battery Point’s Narryna Museum offers a rich experience of Tasmania’s social history, art and design traditions. The 1830s Georgian house is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10am – 3pm. Of course, a visit to Hobart wouldn’t be complete without experiencing MONA, a subterranean museum offering all kinds of weird and wonderful things.
• For art lovers, browse the many galleries around the city including Despard, Colville Gallery, Bett Gallery, Handmark Gallery and the Salamanca Arts Centre. Further out of town and the Moonah Arts Centre has a great range of exhibitions and events for visitors to enjoy.
• There are a great range of History experiences in and around Hobart. Tour the Cascade Brewery and learn about the history of the brewery and its Tasmanian brew. While you are in the region, visit the Cascades Female Factory, built-in 1828. Operated as a convict facility workhouse until 1856, the Female Facility is now a World Heritage Listed site and operates as a museum and tourist attraction. 
• Take a trot through time with  Heritage Horse Drawn Carriages and enjoy a unique tour of historic Hobart.
• Visit the Shot Tower Historic Site.

Where to Stay

Hobart is home to a great variety of hotels, B&B’s and unique stays. Relax and enjoy your next city staycation with some of these lovely places.

• For those after something that won’t break the budget be sure to check in to Alabama Hotel in the city or enjoy some apartment-style accommodation at St Ives Motel Apartments, Bay Hotel Apartments or Graham Apartments. 
• Holidaymakers bringing the whole family will enjoy the large rooms at  The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Salamanca Inn and RACV Hobart Hotel also offer spacious apartment-style accommodation that the family will love. 
• Wake up to beautiful views of Mount Wellington from Crowne Plaza Hobart or for those who are keen to relax with waterfront views, Wrest Point or the Hotel Grand Chancellor offer great views of the Hobart waterfront and Derwent River. Lenna of Hobart also has beautiful views of the waterfront and the local Princes Park.
• Try something a little different, take step back in time and enjoy a touch of Hobart history at Hadley’s Orient Hotel.
• For those after for a touch of luxury or looking to treat themselves for a special occasion, The Islington Hotel, Macq 01 Hotel, Henry Jones Art Hotel or Moss Hotel will certainly make you feel like royalty.