Things To Do In Hobart

In my experience, there are so many fantastic things to do in Hobart that you’ll need several trips before you can tick them all off your list! I believe that Hobart is Australia’s hidden gem; it’s beautiful, packed full of history, easy to get around, and boasts high quality, local food, wine, and handicrafts. Come with me as I guide you through my favourite activities in Australia’s southern-most capital city!

What to do in Hobart

If you’re thinking about a trip to Tasmania, but don’t know what to do in Hobart, I’m more than happy to help you out! For me, Hobart is just a short flight from home, so I try to make the most of good fares when they come up. After several visits, these are my top rated things to do in beautiful Hobart:

1. Mt Wellington/ kunanyi

Stand almost anywhere in Hobart and look up to see the majestic kunanyi/ Mt Wellington peering down at you. It’s a beautiful backdrop to a fabulous city and well worth exploring. From the lookout, you get fabulous views over Hobart and surrounds, the mighty Derwent river and out to the Tasman. Whether you catch the bus up, or hike, the views from the top are amazing and really help to orientate you on your visit to Hobart.

2. MONA (Museum of Old and New Art)

If you’ve seen any of the media attention that MONA attracts (seeks!), you might know that MONA pushes boundaries and strives to be quirky. And it’s succeeded! Set in a stunning natural location, even the building itself (which is mostly subterranean) is a work of art. Then inside, be prepared to be shocked and awed in equal measure. Almost as much fun as the museum itself is the ferry ride to and fro. MONA’s two dedicated ferries are artworks in themselves, featuring James Bond-style women woven into the camouflage, and sheep or tigers on the decks for passengers to sit on. I found myself saying, “OMG!!” more at (and on the way to) MONA that I probably ever have!!

3. Salamanca Market

Each Saturday, rain, hail or shine, the Hobart riverfront area throbs with an influx of artisans, makers, producers, sellers, locals and visitors to the hugely popular Salamanca Market. Whether you’re after Tasmanian handicrafts including leather goods, woodwork or knitted items, or art pieces, brunch, souvenirs or clothes, there is something for everyone. Personally, I love the Malano candles, Tasmanian pepperberry spices, and local honey.

4. Battery Point

Again around the riverfront area there is a lovely (and easy) walk from the Salamanca Market area east to Battery Point and then south along the ‘sculpture trail’ down to Sandy Bay. It’s a lovely 2km (a little over 1 mile) stroll that passes nine large numerical sculptures. Each number represents an historical event, so prepare to learn about Tasmania!

5. Hobart’s Waterfront Precinct

In my opinion, the waterfront is the jewel in Hobart’s crown. It’s where the city’s bars and restaurants meet with museums and markets and magic happens! Hobart’s waterfront precinct is PACKED with so many things to do that you could spend your whole visit here!

6. Cascades Female Factory Historic Site

A ten minute car trip from the centre of Hobart – at the base of Mt Wellington/ kunanyi – is the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site. It’s a great spot to explore Hobart’s early industrial and convict history – and so well preserved. If the walls could talk they’d tell you about the mistreatment of convict women and girls, and how they helped to shape Tasmania.

There are a few tours available. You’re best off to look on the Cascades Female Factory website to find a tour that suits you. I really enjoyed the combined ‘Convict Women’s’ + ‘Notorious Strumpets and Dangerous Girls’ tour.

7. Cascade Brewery

Australia’s oldest brewery in continuous operation (200 years!) sits at the foot of Mt Wellington/ kunanyi. It’s a well known and well loved Hobart institution at this point!

Cascade Brewery offers either history tours or brewery tours (the brewery tour includes a tasting paddle), and both are good value.

There is also a fantastic bar and beer garden that serves up scrumptious pub classics, sometimes with a beer-y twist. My favourite a chocolate stout cake that somehow manages to combine chocolate, caramel, cream and crumble. (Hint: don’t offer to share your cake!)

8. HAG (Hobart Art Gallery)

While MONA is shocking and takes up a lot of ‘air time’, my personal favourite gallery is the HAG, located inside the Hotel Grand Chancellor at Constitution Dock. There are loads of gorgeous artworks to look at, and the gallery encourages exhibitions that examine social justice and environmental issues.

But my favourite thing to do at the HAG is much more hands-on. The gallery offers a number of 2.5 hour classes with a local master artist. The classes are for everyone, regardless of your skill level, and you can choose to paint a landscape, seascape, snowscape, or abstract piece. All for under AUD$80. Grab some food and drinks from the hotel’s bar and away you go – it’s great fun and an excellent way to engage with art.

9. Derwent River Cruise

There are several cruise companies that each offer various options to explore the areas around the Derwent River. My favourite cruise was a lunchtime cruise with food provided as well as interesting commentary about what we were passing. And even though I love all things food related, my least favourite cruise was a dinner cruise because it was more about the food than the scenery. I felt I could have been anywhere in the world. (Having said that, the food was amazing!)

Please read below (#6 under ‘Things to do in Hobart without a car‘) for a more comprehensive guide to Derwent River Cruises.

10. Day Trips From Hobart

I’ve done a bunch of awesome day trips from Hobart, my favourites being to Bruny Island, the Port Arthur Historic Site, and the beautiful Tasman peninsula. Read all about the Bruny Island ferry in my comprehensive guide.

In a nutshell, day trips by bus (and ferry) to Bruny Island depart from Hobart each morning around 7:30am from various providers. It’s less than 45 minutes to the pretty little port town of Kettering, then a 15 minute ferry ride across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Bus tours will stop at a number of scenic spots on Bruny Island, including The Neck, Cape Bruny Lighthouse and Adventure Bay. You will also stop for a selection of food tastings like artisan cheese, chocolate and fudge, oysters, berries, whisky, wine and beer. It’s a pretty amazing day!

Similarly, day trips to the Port Arthur historic site are run by various tour companies. It takes 1.5 hours from Hobart, but the scenery along the way is pretty. I’ve done a couple of different tours to Port Arthur – one was just the bus tour there and back, with nothing else included. That suited me well enough because the Port Arthur Historic Site ticket (not included in the tour price) covers a 45 minute tour and a 20 minute ferry ride. The other tour was much more inclusive and covered morning and afternoon tea. The Port Arthur tours are really interesting for visitors of all ages because they’re quite interactive. (For example, you’ll receive a playing card from a deck, and it will have the face and name of someone who used to live at Port Arthur – maybe a convict, keeper, or cook!)

Things to Do In Hobart Without A Car

Do you know what one of my favourite things about Hobart is? You don’t need a car to do/ get to most places! If you’re staying in the city or by the harbour, you can walk (or get a bus or ferry) to pretty much anywhere. I always stay around Elizabeth Street Pier; I love the sweeping water views and watching the boats. However, there are also great accommodation options in the city, so any of those areas will work for you if you don’t have a car.

Here are some activities that are easily walkable from the city and harbourside:

1. Hobart’s Waterfront Precinct

There is so much to see, do and explore around Hobart’s beautiful waterfront area. There are countless restaurants – a number of which serve some of the country’s freshest and finest seafood – as well as cafes and bars aplenty. You can also find parks, playgrounds, beaches, and free gym workout stations scattered around.

2. Salamanca Market on Saturdays

Hobart’s famous Salamanca Market is the best street market I’ve been to. It’s HUGE! There are over 300 stall holders each week and you can find absolutely anything you could ever want or need.

If you’re looking for breakfast, brunch, lunch or coffee while you stroll, you’ll be fuelled for hours. If you’re looking for artisans and makers, this is your place. And if you wan to buy some fresh produce, including arguably the best honey and spices on the planet (!), you’ll find it here. Truly, don’t leave Hobart without spending a Saturday at Salamanca.

3. Battery Point/ Sculpture Trail

Beginning at Salamanca Place, the Sculpture Trail runs for about 2kms (just over 1 mile) and passes nine large numerical sculptures depicting historical dates. The Battery Point area is integral to Hobart’s history, housing the first industrial and commercial operations in the area. Additionally, because of Battery Point’s strategic geographical location, it’s where the city’s port activities centred, bringing fishing and trade links to the island. The Sculpture Trail is an eclectic journey through time as you wander and learn about the significance of the artworks.

4. Tasmania’s Parliament House

The Tasmanian State Parliament House is a beautiful historic sandstone building from 1835. It’s open to the public so you can visit and watch lively political debate from the public galleries during sitting weeks. Alternatively, public tours of Parliament House are available during non-sitting weeks.

5. Museums and Art Galleries

There are HEAPS of great museums and art galleries in Hobart, so depending on your taste and preference, these are my suggestions:

• Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery. The TMAG is Australia’s second oldest museum and boasts a diverse collection, ranging from fine art to ancient fossils. TMAG focuses on showcasing Tasmania’s history, culture and what it means to be Tasmanian.
• Maritime Museum of Tasmania. Learn about Tasmania’s maritime history and how it was shaped by being girt by sea. Discover writers who have focused on sea voyages including tales of shipwrecks and pirates. Visit displays showcasing Indigenous watercraft, early European explorers, Tasmania’s old whaling industry, and the role shipping played in Tasmania’s development of industry.
• Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum. The only full-scale replica of the Antarctic base of Sir Douglas Mawson and the Australasian Antarctic Exhibition in the early 1900s. The replica museum is a not-for-profit outfit that raises money to fund the ongoing conservation of the historic huts in the East Antarctic region.
• Narryna – the Merchant’s House. This historic merchant house and garden steps you back in time to the 1830s and early colonial life in Hobart.
• IXL Tasmanian Art Gallery. I love the old harbour-side IXL building and love that it’s been restored, repurposed, and is accessible to the public. The gallery showcases local Tasmanian artists who create a range of artistic objects. If I’m honest, it’s not really my cup of tea, but it may well be yours.
• Despard Gallery. A contemporary fine art gallery with ever-changing exhibitions. The Despard is one of my favourite galleries in Hobart because the art feels accessible, relevant, and very un-pretentious.
• Salamanca Arts Centre. This arts hub combines mini-galleries, theatre space, art studios, live music and retail outlets in gorgeous old sandstone warehouses right on Salamanca Place. Wander through at your leisure! Galleries inside include: Wooby Lane, Handmark Gallery, Off Centre, Nolan Gallery, Quoll Artists’ Gallery, Spacebar Gallery. Also a cafe and bar!
• Bett Gallery. I haven’t been here but it is in Hobart city so it’s on my list to check out next visit! Check their website for details. If you go, please let me know how you enjoy it.
• Plimsoll Gallery. Part of the University of Tasmania, the Plimsoll showcases local, national, and international art and design as well as the University’s School of Arts and Media students’ work. It’s a not-for-profit gallery located in the School for Creative Arts on Hunter Street.
• TAG Art Gallery. The Tasmanian Art Gallery exhibits bold contemporary artworks from renowned and prominent Australian and Tasmanian artists. Contemporary art really isn’t my thing, but if you’re into it, you’ll love it!
• Museum of Old and New Art. See MONA info above and below.

6. Derwent River Cruise

Exploring Hobart via a cruise on the mighty Derwent River is a fantastic way to get your bearings, and see the harbour city from a different perspective. There are various reputable cruise companies that offer outings from 1 hour to 7.5 hours. I’ve done a handful of cruises with Pennicott and recommend them, but all the operators are similar. I suggest you find a cruise destination and length that best suits your schedule. Most cruise operators offer lunch and dinner cruises, too. I prefer the lunch options because I can see my surroundings and take better photos. However, the dinner cruises tick the box if you’re after a romantic evening, or if you want to party with a group of friends.

Cruises start from about AUD$30 per person for a 1 hour cruise, but prices quickly rise the longer you’re on the boat. Also if you choose a meal option, of course. The 7.5 hour cruises that include a delicious seafood meal are around AUD$800.

7. Bus to Mt Wellington/ kunanyi

There are several private bus companies that operate tours from Hobart up to Mt Wellington/ kunanyi. You should look into which tour suits you best because there are several options including hop-on-hop-off services, and one-way services. The tours start at around $30 per adult, but the price depends upon the tour company and the length/ type of tour.

There are metro bus services that run from Franklin Square up to Fern Tree. This is a much cheaper option, but does not get you all the way to the top. From Fern Tree, it’s a moderately challenging 2.5 hour hike to the summit.

Summary of Things To Do In Hobart

Hobart is a beautiful, compact and vibrant little city! Whether you have your own transport or not, there are tonnes of things to do, places to go, people to see, and fresh seafood to eat. I’ve been several times – and have another trip planned soon! – and I just can’t get enough of the little powerhouse that is Hobart. Enjoy!