Salamanca Place is at the heart of Hobart’s vibrant cultural and artistic scene. The district’s distinctive large sandstone warehouses have attracted many galleries and artists, keen to exploit these perfect spaces. Spend the day browsing the different exhibitions, as well as exploring the many boutiques, quirky cafés and gourmet restaurants.
The warehouses date back to the 1820s and 1830s, built from sandstone quarried by convicts. At the time, they housed products from the whaling industry along with wool, timber and fruit. Head to Salamanca Square and you’ll still be able to find the giant cauldrons that were used to boil up the whale blubber, a short distance from the wharf where the boats docked.
The private galleries and shops now showcase mainly Australian art and crafts. Admire the mixture of paintings, sculptures and photography, as well as handmade jewellery, textiles and glasswork. This is the perfect opportunity to pick up a unique souvenir of your trip. The Salamanca Arts Centre also runs festivals of film and writing and puts on frequent dance and music performances.
If you are in the city on a Saturday, don’t miss the famous Salamanca Market. This extremely popular market has been running since the 1970s and now draws hundreds of stall-holders selling crafts, fashion, antiques and delicious local produce and gourmet treats. The earlier you arrive, the more chance you’ll get to browse, as crowds of shoppers numbering over 20,000 are not uncommon.
Salamanca Place is also well known for its night life. Explore the many bars and restaurants around the square which serve delicious cocktails and fresh Tasmanian seafood. Head to The Courtyard on Friday nights for free live music and dancing.
Salamanca Place is in the centre of Hobart, located between Parliament Square and Princes Park, a short distance from the waterfront. Metered parking is available on the streets and there are also a number of car parks. Salamanca Place is closed to traffic on Saturdays, but you can take the free HobartHopper shuttle bus instead.
