Alisa Fleming Hobart is the largest city on Tasmania, but it’s still home to only about 200,000 people. It does boast good transportation, a diverse restaurant scene, and plenty of sites, but life moves at a less hurried pace than Melbourne or Sydney. Hobart is also far from overrun, and shows no signs of modern opulence. In fact, the city and suburbs are still filled with pretty yet humble buildings and homes from the Colonial and Victorian eras. And there are many fun things to do in Hobart! I’ve included details on our top picks in this post, along with ample travel information.
Basic Info for Visiting Hobart Tasmania
When to Go
December through February is when the highs in Hobart hit a comfortable 70 degrees (21ºC), but Australian school holidays can make attractions a little busier from mid-December to the end of January. February is truly an ideal travel month for Tasmania if you want the best weather with fewer people. However, all of March to mid-April and mid-October to mid-December are great shoulder season periods. The temperatures are still comfortable for hiking, the tourists are few, and the prices are better. Since it is an island, extreme temperatures aren’t common in Hobart. However, the winter does get chilly, and they can get snow on the local mountains.
Where to Stay
The greater Hobart area extends to the other side of the Derwent River. But the vast majority of hotels are in the Hobart CBD (central business district) on the west side of the river. Staying between the Elizabeth Street Mall and the Wharf or in the Battery Point neighborhood is ideal for easy walking to restaurants, shops, car rentals, and local transit. North Hobart is a trendy area for restaurants, but it’s a bit more warehouse-like and removed in terms of walking. If you opt for an AirBnB type situation, Sandy Bay is worth considering. Like Battery Point, it’s quieter, but still has good amenities and is on main transit lines. You can walk from Sandy Bay to the CBD via the main roads, or via the waterfront and Battery Point.
How Long to Stay
If you are a fast traveler, and not planning any excursions beyond greater Hobart, three full days will allow you to hit most (maybe all) of the things to do in this post. But I recommend at least 7 days to enjoy just two to three of these spots per day, and to fit in one or two day trips from Hobart. To really cover some ground, do several hiking tracks, and feel relaxed, I prefer two weeks. Hobart is a great base for exploring southern Tasmania. And let’s face it – if you’re even considering Tasmania as a destination, you probably prefer nature and a less hurried pace on your travels. But whatever the length of your trip, you can easily group together the following destinations from this post:
- Battery Point; Hobart Waterfront; Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
- Cascade Brewery; Mount Wellington; Waterworks Reserve
- Bellerive; Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
- Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary; Richmond
- Mount Nelson; Shot Tower
Getting Around – Renting a Car
Before you decide on your Hobart transit, be sure to read this post: Should I Rent a Car on Tasmania? It offers pros and cons, plus it covers car rental tips and recommended car rental agencies. If you opt to rent a car for your full trip, there are car rental agencies on-airport and just off-airport with shuttle service. There are also several car hire companies right in Hobart CBD, making day rentals easy. Parking isn’t typically a big issue in Hobart, but definitely check in advance with your lodging on parking if you plan on having a car overnight at any time.
Getting Around – Without a Car
I have included transit guidance sans car with all of the recommended places to visit in this post, and in my Day Trips from Hobart post. But I have a quick overview for understanding all of the transportation options before you go.
Public Transit in & around Hobart
For such a small city, Hobart Metro has an excellent transit network. It includes buses and the ferry from Hobart to Bellerive, and is clean, efficient, and friendly. In fact, it’s customary to wave or say thank you as you get off the bus. And the routes are quite expansive, going well beyond the urban metro area. Buses travel all the way south to Gordon and Dover, west to Fern Tree, north to New Norfolk and Brighton, and east to Richmond and Nubeena/Port Arthur. See Tassielink for information on the full network.
You can pay cash on Hobart Metro, but you need exact fare. Instead, get a GreenCard. This is a local metro card that costs $5 AUD to buy, and then you load it with credit to use on the transit. You tap it when you board the bus or ferry, but there is no need to tap off (like in Sydney). It gives you a 20% discount on regular fares, free 90 minute transfers, and low daily fare caps. Currently, the GreenCard daily cap is just $4.80 AUD for weekday starts after 9am or on weekends/holidays. That’s less than one round-trip bus ticket. But please note that the daily caps only apply for Urban Fare Zones (which does include the Bellerive ferry).
They give you the option to buy GreenCards online, but we found it easier just to go into a shop that sells GreenCards. You can add money to the card at one of those GreenCard agent shops or when you get on the bus.
Note: Google isn’t the best for Hobart urban bus planning. When you know exactly where you want to go, use the Tasmania Metro Trip Planner instead. We found that Google “hid” some of the bus routes, and wasn’t always up to date on services. But the Metro Trip Planner doesn’t seem to work well when planning non-urban bus trips. For that, Google is a good option.
Other Transit Options in & around Hobart
There are no metro buses that go all the way to the airport. If you aren’t renting a car from the airport, you have three options: taxis (parked in the pick-up area), ride share services (they do have Uber in Tasmania), or the SkyBus Hobart City Express. The first two options can be worth it if you have two or more people.
Aside from the city run buses, taxis, and ride share services for daily transportation, there is a hop-on-hop-off bus company called Red Decker. They offer 24-hour and 48-hour tickets with 20 stops by prime tourist sites in Hobart. They also run an extended bus service to Richmond, and they run the Explorer Bus that goes up to the top of Mount Wellington.
Local Food
Tasmania raises a lot of their own food, so the cuisine is excellent and the produce does change seasonally. Coles and Woolworths are the large grocery stores in town, and are great options if you will have access to a kitchen. If you won’t, I’d still recommend stopping in for snacks and desserts. The grocery stores offer a great range of Australian bites and treats, like lamingtons, anzac biscuits, and heaps of seasonal fruit. They also sell small loaves of fresh baked breads, which can be great for breakfast and picnics.
At restaurants, local seafood is a highlight. Nearly everyone offers fish and chips, but salmon, oysters, abalone, and the infamous Tasmanian curried scallop pie are also favorites. Tasmanian farms are also highlighted on finer menus with dishes including honey, berries, lavender, olive oil, cheese, lamb, or black truffles as ingredients. See the Australian Traveler for some top Hobart restaurant picks.
For eats-on-the-go, we loved the Tasmanian chain Liv-Eat (healthy bowls, wraps, snacks, and special diet options) and grabbing sushi rolls (our favorite was Sushi Hub). Local bakeries, like Jackman & McRoss, Daci & Daci, and Pigeon Whole offer amazing breads and popular Tasmanian pastries. And Banjo’s (an Australian chain) is a quick stop for guilty pleasures, like sausage rolls and meat pies. You’ll also find several fish and chips stalls, but Mures is a popular one. They actually run three restaurants in one building (ranging from take out to finer dining) on Constitution Dock.
Wildlife
Yes, you can see Tasmanian wildlife within the greater Hobart area! Birds and marsupials (mammals with pouches for their young) cover most of the creatures, but they have a wide range species within these two categories. I wasn’t much of a bird watcher until we visited Tasmania. The array of unique and beautiful birds in Hobart won me over – from odd Native Hens to big exotic Cockatoos. Around Hobart, you might spot kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, possums, echidnas (pictured below), and some other marsupials. But there are no koalas on Tasmania.
12 Best Things to Do in Hobart Tasmania (with or without a car!)
Mount Nelson
It’s a hill compared to Hobart’s Mount Wellington, but this mini mountain is easier to reach (from various directions) and still offers wonderful views, peaceful trails, and good wildlife spotting opportunities. On our treks around Mount Nelson, we spotted wallabies, an echidna, and various birds. At the top you’ll find the Mount Nelson Signal station (pictured below), which is a good viewing spot and tiny museum. The Signal Station restaurant is also there, but it is quite pricey. We prefer to bring lunch and enjoy it on the benches overlooking the Derwent River.
While You’re There: Don’t miss the observation deck, which is slightly hidden and across the lawn from the signal station. Just behind the Signal Station Restaurant you’ll find the start of the Truganini Track. It does a little figure-eight loop at the top of Mt. Nelson for a nature walk. We saw a couple wallabies hopping around on one visit.
Getting There: The 457 city bus goes right up to the top of Mt. Nelson. But if you feel like hiking, there are a couple easy tracks that will take you too the top. My favorite is the Truganini Track, which is a quiet trail that goes right from Sandy Bay Road (on the small Truganini Track half-circle road) to the Signal Station. You can hike the trail out and back or as a loop. There are several buses that stop by the start of the Truganini Track. Another option is to take the Lambert Rivulet Track at the Bicentennial Park sign on Churchill Ave in Sandy Bay. It’s near stop 14 for the #401 bus. The signs taking you up to Mt Nelson and the Signal Station are hard to miss.
The Lambert Rivulet Track heading up to Mount Nelson Signal Station has a few boarded tracks, but is mostly dirt.
Hobart Waterfront
It’s hard to find a town with a more charming waterfront than Hobart. The south end is anchored by the lovely Parliament and gardens. Heading north there are piers filled with restaurants (fish and chips galore!), shops, ferries (to Bellerive and to MONA), and often a visiting ship or two. We were lucky enough to hit a day when the Royal Australian Navy had a warship docked and open for touring. At the north end of the harbor, you’ll find a working fishing dock, a couple more popular museums, several unique sculptures, and the old IXL Jams factory (now housing a hotel, restaurants, and shops).
While You’re There: If MONA (Museum of Old & New Art) intrigues you, their camo-patterned ferries leave from the Brooke Street Pier to make the 25 minute trip up to their property. You can drive or take the city bus instead, but the ferry ride (a little expensive and not covered by GreenCard) does add to the experience. If you have your walking shoes on, head away from the waterfront to enjoy an array of architecture in the CBD, starting with the Post Office and Town Hall. Theater buffs might also want to head over the the Theatre Royal for a tour. It’s Australia’s oldest working theater.
Getting There: This is part of the Hobart CBD. It’s very walkable if you are staying anywhere near the center. If you need to drive into the city, see the Hobart City Parking Guide.
View from the Elizabeth Street Pier toward Macquarie Wharf in Hobart
Waterworks Reserve
This peaceful reservoir is a great spot for nature walks, bird watching, wildlife spotting, picnics, and as a starting point for longer hikes. We visited twice on our recent time in Hobart, and saw a whopping total of two other people at the reservoir. There’s an easy nature trail that loops around the upper and lower reservoir that’s about 2.6km (1.6 miles). On it, we spotted several large pademelons, wallabies, and a sleeping brushtail possum. We also watched various pretty birds and flocks of big white cockatoos. It’s best to visit earlier in the day (it opens at 8am) to spot more marsupials grazing. They can be hard to see, since they blend in with the forest floor, so keep a close eye.
While You’re There: At the north end of the upper reservoir, you can veer off on a track pointing to Gentle Annie Falls. The “falls” are small, and completely dried up in summer, but it’s still a pleasant loop. The Pipeline Track starts at Gentle Annie Falls, which you can continue on (instead of looping back to the reservoir). This portion of the Pipeline Track is a relatively easy and interesting 2.8km (1.7 mile) hike up to Fern Tree. At Fern Tree, there are several more trails that head up to Mount Wellington. You can even continue on the lush Pipeline Track, which goes for another 24km (14.9 miles). Or you can catch the bus back to town at the bus stop opposite the Fern Tree Tavern.
Getting There: There isn’t a bus that goes all the way up to the Waterworks Reserve, so some walking is involved if you don’t have a car (or ride share). Fortunately, most of it is via quiet trails. Take the #448 bus to stop 10, at Davie and Romilly streets (use the Hobart Metro Planner, not Google for getting there). Walk up Romilly street and turn right onto the Sandy Bay Rivulet Track. It will take you straight up to the track around the reservoirs. Alternately, you can take the bus to Fern Tree, and walk the Pipeline Track down to the Waterworks Reserve. If you’re driving, the Waterworks Reserve is just 10 minutes uphill from downtown Hobart, and there is plenty of parking.
The Upper Reservoir at the Waterworks Reserve in Hobart
Mount Wellington
You’re going to see this mountain top on every single “to do” list for Hobart. And for good reason. It’s pretty amazing. We’ve visited many mountain tops, but neither of us was prepared for how high Mount Wellington climbs straight up from Hobart. From the center of town it looks like a pretty backdrop. But atop Mount Wellington, the air is notably thinner, the winds howl, and the city below looks more like a satellite image. There aren’t many places where you can be nearly on top of a small city from such a high vantage point.
While You’re There: There are a few great viewing spots atop Mount Wellington. You can walk down to the north east viewing platform for unobstructed views and photos of Hobart. Just above that is the Pinnacle Observation Shelter, which is a great reprieve from heavy winds. Also head toward the big pile of rocks in the center of parking area. Here you’ll find the short Pinnacle Walk, where you can climb around on the rocks and get some more photos. In 2024, the Zig Zag Track was reopened, which can take you from the mountain top parking to the Organ Pipes Track if you’re up for a hike.
Getting There: The city bus doesn’t go all the way up Mount Wellington, but the Mt Wellington Explorer Bus does. It does cost more, but they offer a tour option or a hop-on-hop-off option if you want to explore. There are several great hiking trails on Mount Wellington, but the Organ Pipes Track is a favorite. If you’re on a budget and like to hike, you can take the local bus (#448 at last check) up to Fern Tree. At Fern Tree, there are several hiking tracks, including ones that link up to the Organ Pipes track. If you do rent a car for any adventures beyond Hobart, Mount Wellington is an easy venture to tack on once you get back to town.
The Pinnacle Walk at the Top of Mount Wellington in Hobart
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
We did see a good range of creatures in the wild, especially during our day trips from Hobart. But Tasmanian devils are elusive, so we decided to go to Bonorong to round out our Tasmanian wildlife experience. Bonorong is a sanctuary, not a zoo. They rehabilitate and release animals when possible, help population recovery, and offer refuge for animals that can’t be released back into the wild. Consequently, there are animals that call Bonorong home, and others that rotate in and out. You can always count on a healthy population of wallabies and kangaroos freely lounging or bouncing around. We also saw various resident birds, a few Tasmanian devils (named for their glowing red ears that you can see in the picture below), an echidna, and a few other marsupials. It’s a small, relatively open sanctuary, but we still found it amply fun and educational.
While You’re There: Try to time your visit with one of their daily tours. They’re included in the price of admission, and the staff has many interesting facts and fun stories to share. When you enter, there is a dispenser with kangaroo food. You can hand feed them – they aren’t shy. Bonorong offers more experiences, but these are outside of the admission price and musts be booked in advance.
Getting There: The city bus does go to Brighton, but the walk from the stop to Bonorong is long and mostly without shade or a sidewalk. However, there is a round-trip shuttle that you can purchase. If you do opt to rent a car to go on any day trips from Hobart, you can easily tack Bonorong onto your day. It’s an easy stop if you visited Mt. Field National Park early in the day. Or do a local road trip with Richmond Village, Bonorong, and possibly Mount Wellington.
Kangaroos and wallabies hop and lounge all over Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.
Bellerive
Skip the Saturday market crowds and hop on the pedestrian ferry to Bellerive. It’s a scenic 15-minute boat ride that takes you to one of the prettiest little marinas. There are some restaurants next to the ferry dock, and a few more options on the next street over. But we visit to enjoy the Clarence Foreshore Trail. It’s a 15km (9.4 mile) path that travels along the Derwent river for pedestrians and bikers. It runs north and south from the ferry dock with views and interesting stops in both directions.
While You’re There: On the southern portion of the Clarence Foreshore Trail, not too far from the ferry dock, take the stairs or road up to Kangaroo Bluff Reserve. This is an old battery (fort) from the 1800’s with cannons and all. It was created to protect the area from Russian warships, but is now a hidden historical spot. Heading north from the ferry dock, you can detour up to the Rosny Hill Lookout. Head further north on the Foreshore Trail, and stop at the Tasman Bridge Memorial to learn the interesting story surrounding Hobart’s key transportation link.
Getting There: Even if you have a car, we think it’s fun to take the ferry. The best time to visit is Saturday, when the ferry runs hourly midday. It doesn’t run on Sundays, and on the weekdays it has a commuter’s schedule (morning and late afternoon times). The Foreshore Trail literally crosses over the ferry dock on the Bellerive side. The ferry departs from the Brooke Street Pier on the Hobart side. It is part of Hobart’s public transit system, so it’s cheap and included in the daily maximum if you’ve purchased a green card. If you miss it, don’t worry. Hobart buses do service Bellerive regularly.
Kangaroo Bluff Historical Battery Site in Bellerive near Hobart
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
This sprawling garden offers 14 hectares (35 acres) to explore. It’s broken into collections, many of which show the various types of fauna found in Australia. But they also have a Tasmania-specific section, plus collections for Japan, China, and Australia’s only Subantarctic Plant House (it’s small but chilly!).
While You’re There: If you’re feet aren’t sore yet, wander over the the Queen’s Domain for some more tracks.
Getting There: The city buses don’t have convenient drop offs at the gardens, but can get you closer to make the walk shorter. See their visitor’s map for the garden entrances. If you’re up for a pleasant 40 minute walk, head north along the waterfront to the Centograph. Take the Bridge of Remembrance over and you’ll find walking tracks that will take you through the Queen’s Domain and to the gardens. Another option is to get a day of the Red Decker Bus hop-on-hop-off service, which does stop at the gardens. If driving, they do have plenty of parking at the Royal Botanical Gardens entrances.
Lily Pads and Sleeping Ducks in the ponds at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
You’ll likely spot this old sandstone building while walking along the docks in Hobart. It’s just as stunning on the inside, and houses some wonderful exhibits for learning about different facets of Hobart, Tasmania, and Antarctica. If you’re interested in wildlife, the small room on the very unique and now extinct thylacine (nicknamed the Tasmanian tiger) is a must visit. This isn’t a huge museum by big city standards, but it’s perfectly sized for Hobart. And the entry is remarkably free.
While You’re There: If you’re looking for good quality souvenirs, definitely visit their gift shop. Whoever manages it is very selective with their curation. They also have a Courtyard Cafe on site that has reasonable prices for casual lunch items and a full case of savory pastries and desserts.
Getting There: It’s located right behind Constitution Dock right along the waterfront in downtown Hobart. It’s hard to miss.
The Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery along the waterfront in Hobart (stock photo)
Battery Point
Start your tour of this historical suburb at Salamanca Place (pictured below). This beautiful row of sandstone buildings offers a collection of art galleries, shops, and trendy eateries. Then head up Kelly’s Steps to follow In Bobby’s Footsteps – a self-guided historic walking tour that brings this quaint neighborhood to life. Loop back to the front of Salamanca Place, and check out the water side of the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). Sometimes they have impressive Antarctic Research Boats docked. IMAS is also where the Battery Point Sculpture Trail starts. You won’t find traditional sculptures on this 2km (1.2 mile) walk. It’s more like a numerical scavenger hunt to learn more about Hobart’s history. This Sculpture Trail Guide is very helpful.
While You’re There: In the heart of Battery Point, Jackman & McRoss is an attractive bakery that’s hard to miss. It buzz’s with customers and is stuffed with breads and pastries. The local Tasmanian scallop pie is one of their most popular items. In the Salamanca Place courtyard, Machine Laundry Cafe is a hip spot that’s become a breakfast institution. On Saturdays, the Salamanca Market runs from morning to mid-afternoon. Go early, as the crowds get overwhelming by 10am. The dizzying array of vendors offer a smorgasbord of food and local souvenirs.
Getting There: Battery Point is the heart of Hobart, and right next to the CBD. It’s very walkable if you are staying anywhere near the center. If you need to drive into the city, see the Hobart City Parking Guide.
Paparazzi Dog and Marilyn Rabbit Sculpture at Salamanca Place
Shot Tower
Though it’s no longer the tallest structure in Tasmania, the Shot Tower is still the tallest cylindrical sandstone tower in the Southern Hemisphere. And for an entry fee, you can walk up the winding, rather sketchy staircase to the top. At the bottom of the stairs, there is a wee little museum that explains how the tower was used to make lead shot for shot guns. It’s quite interesting.
While You’re There: They have a tea shop at the base of the tower that typically serves very popular house-made scones. You can burn off a pastry or two on the Alum Cliffs Track, which heads south from the Shot Tower. It’s a quiet 8km (5 mile) out-and-back trail along the river. It does start out going down and then back up several stairs through a gully, but the ups and downs are modest after that.
Getting There: The Shot Tower is right on the two-lane Channel Highway, with a bus stop right in front. It’s regularly serviced by the #426 and #429 buses from Hobart heading south. If you want to do the Alum Cliffs Track one way, you can walk up to the Channel Highway from the end of the track. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the end of the Track to the nearest bus stop. If driving, the Shot Tower is about 15 minutes south of Hobart’s center.
Looking up the Sketchy Shot Tower Spiral Stairwell near Hobart.
Richmond Village
This quaint little town was once an important military staging post and convict station between Hobart and Port Arthur. Now it’s a low-key destination with boutique shops, restaurants, tea houses, and dozens of restored buildings with beautiful Georgian architecture. Key strolling sites include the oldest bridge in Australia, St John Church, the Old School House, and the Richmond Gaol (entry fee required).
While You’re There: Wander onto the back streets to see some other cool old buildings, including The Dispensary (now a residence) and St Luke’s Church. This is also the heart of Tasmania’s wine country, so there are several farms and tasting rooms to visit on the road between Hobart and Richmond Village. Coal River Farm is also a good stop for free chocolate, cheese, and berry tastings. If you don’t have a car, you can still walk to Pooley Wines (they offer tastings). It’s just 10 minutes on foot from the southern edge of Richmond. Or you can use one of the bus / tour options below.
Getting There: The #726 bus runs between Hobart and Richmond a handful of times during the day. Plan carefully since the times are spread out, and the last bus returns in the late afternoon. If you want to add Coal River Farm (cheese and chocolate tastings) and Puddleduck Vineyard to your venture, the Explorer Bus takes you to Richmond with some optional stops. For a wine tasting adventure, look for tours from companies like Drink Tasmania. If driving, Richmond Village is just 25 minutes from the Hobart city center. You can pair it with a trip to Bonorong Sanctuary or stop in when returning from one of the eastern day trips from Hobart.
The Richmond Riverbank Park in Richmond Village.
Cascade Brewery
At the foot of Mount Wellington sits the oldest operating brewery in Australia. As of this year, it’s officially 200 years old. They offer historic tours and brewery tours with tastings midday. Whether you take a tour or not, you can enjoy a pint and some classic pub food at their brewery bar, which is across the street. Be sure to check their website for hours and specials. They usually have some deals Wednesday through Friday.
While You’re There: You can work up an appetite with some light or heavy hiking before your tasting. On the road behind the brewery, you’ll find the start of the Cascades Track. This is an easy 2km (1.2 miles) trail through the forest. At the end, you can link up to a couple other trails, which then connect with various Mount Wellington trails. If you aren’t visiting Port Arthur, the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site is popular and right by the brewery. It’s a former Australian workhouse for female convicts, but is on the pricey side of museums and is more about stories than artifacts.
Getting There: From the center of Hobart, you can walk to Cascade Brewery via the Cascade Gardens on the Hobart Rivulet Track. It starts at the Hobart Linear Park by Molle Street. Alternately, there is a bus stop right outside the Cascade Brewery and Bar, that is serviced by the 446, 447, and 448 buses. If you’ve opted to use the Red Decker Bus hop-on-hop-off service, they do have a stop at the Cascade Brewery. If you are driving, the Cascade Brewery is at the foot of Mount Wellington, and they do have plenty of parking.
The Cascades Track in Hobart. A Trail that starts behind the Cascade Brewery.
Bonus: Watch the Sunrise & Sunset over Hobart
If you’ve traveled to Tasmania from the East, you might find yourself waking up before dawn. Take advantage of this early rising to enjoy some of the most amazing sunrises on the planet (in my opinion). If you’re an energetic morning person, you can head up Mount Wellington or Mount Nelson at the crack of dawn. But if you prefer to laze with tea or coffee, like us, simply step outside and awe as the sun casts an array of colors. Later in the day, the sunset rages over Mount Wellington, providing a brilliant show. Remember that Tasmania is quite far south, which means the amount of daylight hours swings widely between the winter and summer solstices (from 9 to 16 hours). Check the sunrise and sunset times during your visit.
Colorful sunrise view over the Derwent River in Hobart
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