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Top 10 Things to Do in Hobart Tasmania

Discover where to Eat, Sleep and Play in Tasmania's Capital

Hobart Tasmania

Australia’s southernmost capital city is a real charmer, nestled between the scenic River Derwent and majestic kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Discover the natural beauty, hip restaurants and bars, eclectic art, historic gems, and friendly locals.

We’ve listed a few of our favourite things to do (in no particular order). If you’re flying in, catch the SkyBus into the city. For help with travel plans, pop into the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre.

Discover the Top 10 Things To Do in and around Hobart, southern Tasmania

1. See the sights with Red Decker

Get your bearings in style on board Red Decker Company’s fun double-decker bus. There are 20 different stops, showcasing the best cultural sights and attractions in and around the city.

Hop on and off at your leisure, or kick back on the top deck and enjoy the full 90-minute city loop tour. Their audio guide is available in eight different languages.

Red Decker Company. Image Credit: Tourism Australia
Summit of kunanyi / Mt Wellington. Image credit: Paul Fleming
Summit of kunanyi / Mt Wellington. Image credit: Paul Fleming

2. Head up the mountain

Travelling up to the very top of kunanyi/Mt Wellington is a must-do (the kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus can take you there). The views from the summit are spectacular, and sunrise and sunset are absolute magic! If you have more time, get to know the mountain on one of Wellington Park’s stunning walks or mountain bike tours!

3. Catch the ferry out to Mona

The Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) is an eclectic, odd, surprisingly delightful adventure that you simply must embark upon.

The ferry departs Hobart regularly from the Brooke Street Pier and takes around 25 minutes (choose a Posh Pit ticket if you’re feeling fancy).

Plan to spend a good few hours at Mona—it’s a frenzied feast for the senses. Have an actual food feast and enjoy their Moorilla wines at one of the fantastic restaurants and bars onsite. It will fuel your soulful, artistic journey.

Mona Ferry. Image Credit: @thebakerymedia
Cascade Brewery. Image Credit: @edwardtcjames
Cascade Brewery. Image Credit: @edwardtcjames

4. Tour Australia’s oldest brewery

Australia’s oldest brewery can be found in South Hobart, nestled on the foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Take a tour of the Cascade Brewery (c. 1824) to learn the secrets behind the brews. Settle in at the bar and restaurant and taste the delicious range of beer and cider, enjoying top views of the brewery’s charming historic facade and lovely Heritage-listed gardens.

5. Discover our convict history

Another interesting place in South Hobart is the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site.

Take a guided Heritage Tour and discover the compelling stories of some of Australia’s female convicts and their babies. Alternatively, join the ‘Her Story’ Dramatised Tour and let a roaming theatre show take you back to harsh and unforgiving 1833. To delve into Hobart’s 19th-century history, visit the Hobart Convict Penitentiary.

Exploring Hobart Waterfront. Image Credit: Dearna Bond
Exploring Hobart Waterfront. Image Credit: Dearna Bond

6. Explore on foot

Hobart is a fantastic city to explore on foot. With very visible landmarks in kunanyi/Mt Wellington and the Derwent River, it’s hard to get too lost. Wander around the CBD, do some shopping, and fuel up in the cafes. Visit the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery to learn about Hobart’s history, people, environment and wildlife, and admire some art, then pop across the road for a tipple at Lark Distillery’s cellar door.

Stroll around the scenic waterfront, watch the boats, and munch on some fresh fish and chips. Pop into the shops, galleries, and bars along Salamanca, then explore historic Battery Point on the Sculpture Trail.

7. Bar and Restaurant hop

Hobart’s restaurant and bar scene keeps improving, and Tasmania’s fresh, local produce is the star.

Some of our tips on hip places to dine include:

Mures Upper DeckPearl + CoHenry Jones, Aura Hobart, The Point Revolving Restaurant, the Old Wharf Restaurant at MACq01, the Orient Bar & Dining Room, and The Lounge by Frogmore Creek

Other excellent bar options include the new Telegraph Hotel, Evolve Spirits Bar, Lark Distilling Co, Cascade Brewery Bar, Gold Bar Hobart and Mary Mary

Pancho Villa Restaurant and Bar. Image Credit: Osborne Images
Pancho Villa Restaurant and Bar. Image Credit: Osborne Images
Wrest Point Hotel and Casino. Image Credit: @mjb_photography2020
Wrest Point Hotel and Casino. Image Credit: @mjb_photography2020

8. Enjoy a night out at Wrest Point

Wrest Point Hotel & Casino offers a fun night out, with a range of entertainment on throughout the year. Enjoy regular live music as well as special events featuring international performers. There are a range of restaurants and bars to choose from: feel fancy and get the highest high tea in Hobart at The Point Revolving Restaurant; enjoy the scenic water views at Pier One Restaurant and Bar; and treat yourself to a cocktail at the Birdcage Bar. You can also stay in their comfortable hotel rooms.

9. Do a day cruise from Hobart

Jump aboard the Peppermint Bay Cruise for a wonderful day out. Enjoy city and harbour views from the water. Sip a glass of Tasmanian bubbles as you cruise down the stunning D’Entrecasteaux Channel to peaceful Peppermint Bay. Enjoy lunch at the Peppermint Bay Hotel, walk it off with a stroll around the quiet village of Woodbridge, then cruise back up to Hobart.

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ Iron Pot Cruises are another fantastic way to see Hobart from the water. Cruise down the Derwent River, visit Australia’s oldest lighthouse, circumnavigate Betsey Island, and discover Hobart’s rich maritime past.

Peppermint Bay Cruises. Image Credit: peppermint_bay_hotel
Salamanca Markets. Image Credit: -@iam_kingvergel
Salamanca Markets. Image Credit: @iam_kingvergel

10. Visit the Salamanca Market

The popular Salamanca Market is held every Saturday from 8am to 3pm in Salamanca Place. 

The market is popular with both tourists and locals alike, with over 300 market stalls lining the street. You’ll find everything from local produce, and arts and crafts through to buskers, wines and distilleries.

With so much to see, give yourself plenty of time to browse, enjoy the buskers and musicians and soak up the atmosphere.

BONUS:

11. Explore Battery Point

Initially established in the early 1800s as a coastal defence, this area evolved from housing colonial whalers and dockworkers to becoming a vibrant Hobart suburb, preserving its unique heritage. Today, Battery Point welcomes visitors with charming cafes, distinctive boutiques, and contemporary art galleries, making it a must-visit destination for tourists exploring Tasmania.

kunanyi / Mt Wellington. Image Credit: @jakelangeneggerphotography
kunanyi / Mt Wellington. Image Credit: @jakelangeneggerphotography
Hobart. Image Credit @christopher_ingham
Hobart. Image Credit @christopher_ingham
Hobart waterfront . Image Credit: neil_mccarthy_photography

Hobart Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Start your day with a visit to Salamanca Market (if it’s a Saturday) or explore the historic Battery Point. Take a mid-morning drive to the summit of Mount Wellington for breathtaking views. Afternoon activities could include a visit to MONA or a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. End the day with a delightful dinner at one of Hobart’s renowned restaurants, perhaps focusing on local seafood.

While two days in Hobart may feel somewhat rushed, it’s still enough to experience key attractions. Focus on highlights like Salamanca Market, Mount Wellington, MONA, and a stroll around the waterfront. However, if time permits, extending your stay allows for a more leisurely exploration of the city and its surroundings.

Day 1: Explore the historic Salamanca Market and nearby Battery Point. Day 2: Take a scenic drive to the top of Mount Wellington and visit the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Day 3: Immerse yourself in art and culture at MONA, then unwind with a stroll along the Hobart waterfront and enjoy fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants.

Consider day trips to Port Arthur Historic Site to delve into convict history, the picturesque Bruny Island for wildlife encounters and delicious local produce, or the Huon Valley for scenic landscapes and charming towns. Wine enthusiasts can explore the Coal River Valley wine region just a short drive from Hobart.

Hobart boasts a rich cultural and natural landscape. Don’t miss the iconic Salamanca Market, the historic Battery Point, the stunning views from Mount Wellington, the captivating MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, and a visit to the convict-era site of Port Arthur.

Hobart is accessible by air, with flights landing at Hobart International Airport. Additionally, you can reach Hobart by sea, with cruise ships docking at the Macquarie Wharf. If you prefer driving, Hobart is well-connected by road to other major towns in Tasmania, or take the Spirit of Tasmania departing Melbourne.

Explore Hobart, Tasmania

Greater Hobart, Tasmania

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