Hobart

Hobart’s a city of fun, festivals and entertainment, from classical to contemporary, from pub bands to opera.

The Derwent has shaped the city, which becomes evident when you hop on a river cruise or drive to the summit of Mt Wellington or Mt Nelson for spectacular views. River cruises offer morning tea, afternoon tea, lunch or dinner.

Apart from the leisure yachts, the harbour is also a shelter for Antarctic supply vessels, catamarans, ocean racers, cray-fishing boats, square-riggers, dinghies and kayaks. The docks are at their busiest in December and January (Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and Hobart Summer Festival).

Top Five

1. Antarctic Adventure Centre
2. Sullivans Cove
3. Salamanca Market (Saturday)
4. Antarctic Adventure Centre
5. Theatre Royal

Suggestions

Sullivan’s Cove, the waterfront area, is probably the best spot to begin exploring the city. Here you’ll find Parliament House and the old sandstone warehouses of Salamanca Place, a great place to get a feel for Hobart. Sit with a coffee under one of the striped, sun umbrellas. Take a walk through the 1830s warehouses, now home to galleries, studios, restaurants and cafés. The Salamanca Market on Saturdays is also a delight. Nearby is the historic Theatre Royal, Australia’s oldest continually operating theatre.

A walk up Kelly’s Steps from Salamanca Place leads to many historic buildings at Battery Point, including Arthur’s Circus, a settlement of quaint and charming workers’ cottages.

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is home to a variety of native and exotic plants. Other worthwhile parks and gardens include St David’s Park, Fitzroy Gardens and Waterworks Reserve.

There is an excellent collection of colonial art and natural history at the nearby Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. (Everything in Hobart is pretty much ‘nearby’ compared to most cities!) Also nearby: the Transport, Maritime and Allport Museums, and the Narryna Heritage Museum.

The Old Hobart Gaol in Campbell Street will take you back in time, especially if you opt for the Ghost Tour, and for an interactive jump back into Australia’s past, check out Time Warp House.

For a variety of fine restaurants, head to Salamanca Place or Elizabeth St in North Hobart and, for those who like a flutter, Australia’s first casino at Wrest Point recently had a facelift. You can also give the tastebuds a treat at the Cascade Brewery in South Hobart, the Island Produce fudge factory and the Cadbury chocolate factory in Claremont. Claremont also has a fine golf course, with the added attraction of the waft of chocolate. There’s a challenging but rewarding 18-hole public course at Rosny and the championship Royal Hobart is 20 minutes east of the city.

To explore the Antarctic (without the hardship of going there), visit the Antarctic Adventure Centre in Salamanca Place and the Australian Antarctic Division in Kingston.

Bonorong Park Wildlife Centre, near Brighton, has Tasmanian devils, echidnas, wombats, koalas and other native fauna.

Richmond is another town a short drive from Hobart and every visitor to Tassie should include this historic town in their itinerary. It’s 25 kilometres and 100 years away from the city. The town is full of fine Georgian architecture and has Australia’s oldest preserved convict gaol, Australia’s oldest bridge, Australia’s oldest Catholic church, Old Hobart Town Model Village, and wonderful antique shops, art and craft galleries, and tea rooms. Take time out for some freshly baked hot scones and soak in the atmosphere of the freestone cottages. Imagine yourself as a convict in chains in the gaol’s narrow cells – which may well have been considered luxurious compared to Port Arthur!

More Information

For more information about Tasmania:

• Events And Festivals
• Accommodation
• To See And Do
• Southeast
• Derwent
• Midlands and North
• East Coast
• North-West
• South-West Wilderness
• The island's Other islands

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