Hobart Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Hobart
Hobart showing a marina
Hobart featuring signage and heritage elements
Mt. Wellington which includes a sunset, general coastal views and views
Hobart which includes food

Hobart Travel Guide Video

Explore the rich culture of this beautiful waterfront capital where the vibrant atmosphere belies the city’s harsh origins.

Hobart, Tasmania’s capital city, has come a long way since its origins in 1804. The first settlers were British and its population was made up of convicts and soldiers, but over the next century, wealth poured in from the lucrative whaling and boat-building industries. This legacy is still visible today in the city’s impressive Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian buildings. The original settlements were located at Sullivan’s Cove on the Derwent River. This area is now downtown Hobart, a busy and vibrant district best explored on foot or by bike, with popular bars, cosy pubs and eateries that reflect the diversity of Hobart’s inhabitants.

Lovers of drama and entertainment will be impressed by the programme of plays, opera, live music and cabaret on offer at the city’s historic theatres. Take a tour of the Theatre Royal to stand on the stage graced by stars such as Lawrence Olivier, explore Vivien Leigh’s dressing room and get under the skin of this “dream of a theatre”, as Noel Coward described it. The performers at the Playhouse Theatre may not be from Hollywood, but you never know – they might end up there! This repertory theatre offers great performances at a great price and hosts an annual festival of original one-act plays “oneFest”.

Tour the fascinating Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery for insights into the indigenous Tasmanian history and culture. The exhibition features artefacts, stories and displays bringing to life the rich heritage, as well as charting the devastating conflicts between this people and the European settlers.

Tasmania’s historic connection with the water, stretching all the way back to the indigenous aboriginals who fished from wooden canoes, is explored at the Maritime Museum of Tasmania. See artefacts from the boatbuilding industry and hear tales from fishermen and women across the years. The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is also just a short ferry ride away, and its lively and provocative exhibitions make this a must-see attraction.

Explore Tasmania’s natural beauty with an excursion to Mount Wellington in Wellington Park. Spend the day hiking, mountain biking or horse riding surrounded by picture-postcard scenery. This vantage point will give you some the most spectacular views across Hobart and the ocean beyond.

Jump on the free HobartHopper shuttle bus from the city centre and spend a few hours in Salamanca Place. This area has a thriving arts community with plenty of galleries to explore. Visit the popular markets held every Saturday to browse the huge selection of arts, crafts, fashion, gourmet food and locally grown produce.

Hobart is the base for many Antarctic explorers, and the community of scientists here has brought plants back to the world’s only subantarctic plant house at the beautiful Royal Tasmania Botanical Gardens. Classic garden design from Asia and Europe sits alongside Tasmania’s natural beauty, and the focus on conservation means you’ll discover some rare specimens from this unique environment.

Round off your day with dinner in one of Hobart’s many restaurants, which serve some of the most innovative cuisine in the country. The quality of the locally produced food, along with the beer and wine, is renowned throughout Australia.

Where to stay in Hobart

Salamanca Place featuring night scenes, a city and street scenes

Hobart Central Business District

4.5/5(2,762 area reviews)

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Hobart Central Business District. Make a stop by Parliament House or Hobart Town Hall while you're exploring the area.

Hobart Central Business District
Battery Point which includes street scenes and a house

Battery Point

5/5(1 area review)

The ample dining options and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Battery Point. A stop by St. George's Anglican Church or Narryna Heritage Museum might round out your trip.

Battery Point
Default Image

Sandy Bay

The ample dining options and casino gaming are top of the list for many visitors to Sandy Bay. A stop by Wrest Point Casino or Long Beach might round out your trip.

Sandy Bay
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery featuring interior views and art as well as an individual male

Sullivan's Cove

Sullivan's Cove is known for its captivating waterfront views, and with sights like Constitution Dock and Franklin Wharf, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Hobart.

Sullivan's Cove
Richmond

Richmond

Unique features of Richmond include the historical sites and gardens. Make a stop by Old Hobart Town Model Village or Richmond Arms Hotel while you're exploring the area.

Richmond
Default Image

Kingston

You'll enjoy the restaurants and shopping in Kingston. You might want to make time for a stop at Kingborough Sports Centre or Denison Street Reserve.

Kingston
Doubletree By Hilton Hobart

Doubletree By Hilton Hobart

4 out of 5
179 Macquarie St, Hobart, TAS
The price is NZ$167 per night from 19 Aug to 20 Aug
NZ$167
19 Aug - 20 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Hobart. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Salamanca Market and Salamanca Place are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (282 reviews)
"nice and clean. location is good. breakfast is excellent. staff very friendly. shower was not good. water temperature changes everytime someone else use the water"

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

Doubletree By Hilton Hobart
Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart

Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart

4.5 out of 5
1 Davey St, Hobart, TAS
The price is NZ$185 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$185
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Hobart. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,009 reviews)
"Property was in a perfect location. Lovely view from the window in our room. Room was well equipped with all we needed. Staff very friendly and helpful. We think it was a little cold in the atrium as it is all glass. Maybe a couple of gas fires would have been nice."

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart
Mövenpick Hotel Hobart

Mövenpick Hotel Hobart

4.5 out of 5
28 ELIZABETH STREET, Hobart, TAS
The price is NZ$157 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
NZ$157
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Hobart. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (680 reviews)
"I loved that it was located in the middle of everything that you could go and see. Perfect location for shopping and walking to the wharf."

Reviewed on 20 Jul. 2025

Mövenpick Hotel Hobart
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel

The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel

4.5 out of 5
1 Macquarie St, Hobart, TAS
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Hobart. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,250 reviews)
"Very comfortable hotel. We had a washer and drier in our room, great when you’re travelling. Excellent restaurant. The staff are very pleasant and helpful."

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel
Salamanca Inn

Salamanca Inn

4.5 out of 5
10 Gladstone Street, Hobart, Battery Point, TAS
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Hobart. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,439 reviews)
"Great family friendly property! We’ve stayed here so many times and will keep on returning!"

Reviewed on 19 Jul. 2025

Salamanca Inn
St Ives Apartments

St Ives Apartments

4 out of 5
67 St Georges Terrace, Battery Point, TAS
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Hobart. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,077 reviews)
"Friendly staff, easy walk to markets and Salamanca precinct, wharf etc!"

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

St Ives Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Cities near Hobart