Top Things To Do in Hobart

Things To Do in Hobart

Hobart is the capital of Tasmania and one of the oldest capitals in Australia. With a skyline dominated by Kunanyi, or Mount Wellington, the city serves as the focal point for the state of Tasmania and all its heritage and natural wonders. Spend your vacation in Hobart exploring the historic reaches and modern marvels of the city, seeing sights like the Salamanca Market, Tasman Bridge, or Museum of Old and New Art. Venture beyond the city to discover even more exciting things to do, including visits to colonial Richmond, explorations of the former convict settlement of Port Arthur, and encounters with native Australian wildlife.

Areas & Neighborhoods

Hobart is full of and surrounded by exciting hotspots of heritage and culture. Take advantage of Hobart's central location to visit other areas in Tasmania and broaden your perspective of the Australian state.

Salamanca Place - Salamanca Place is a bustling precinct within Hobart, popular for its many bars and eateries near the water. The area is most famous for the Salamanca Market, a historic street market that was first held in 1972 and is now a local attraction every Saturday. Salamanca is also home to the Salamanca Arts Centre, a major arts hub composed of theaters, galleries, and performing arts venues including Peacock Theatre, Sidespace Gallery, and the Tasmanian Theatre Company.

Bruny Island - Located off the southeastern coast of Tasmania and home to South Bruny National Park, Bruny Island is lauded for its natural beauty. You can take a boat around its dramatic coastline to discover sea cliffs and deep-sea caves, catching sight of the Cape Bruny Lighthouse along the way. Bruny Island is also a foodie destination, known for its superb chocolates, cheeses, and wines.

Kunanyi/Mount Wellington - The majestic ridge of Mount Wellington, which defines Hobart's skyline, is known as Kunanyi to the Palawa Aboriginal Tasmanians. The mountain is a popular spot for hiking, featuring a lookout near the summit for views over Hobart and the surrounding region. On a visit to the top, be sure to see the Organ Pipes, a distinctive rock formation of columnar cliffs.

What to See in Hobart

Rich in nature, history, and culture, Hobart is full of exciting landmarks and parks to explore. Visit the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens to stroll among plants and trees dating back to the 19th century, or stop by in spring for the annual Tulip Festival. The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), is the largest privately funded museum in Australia and showcases antiques, modern, and contemporary works from the David Walsh collection. The MONA also hosts the annual MONA FOMA, or Festival of Music and Art, which draws visual and performing artists from around the globe. The city of Hobart is also known as the finish of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, with yachts arriving into town from Christmas to mid-January.

Things to do, Landmarks & Attractions

There are countless things to do in Hobart and outside the city limits too. The Hobart Summer Festival celebrates food and wine in the city, with the Taste of Tasmania acting as its major event. Historic Battery Point is a must-see for history lovers interested in checking out some of the oldest residences in the city. Take a day away from Hobart by visiting Port Arthur, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites. The current open-air museum was formerly a convict settlement, and the nearby Isle of the Dead acted as a mass grave for the settlement. For a look at another piece of the past, head to Richmond, a charming colonial village that's steeped in heritage and full of preserved Georgian architecture. The true natural allure of Tasmania is apparent in the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can meet and even hand-feed native Australian critters like koalas, kangaroos, sugar gliders, and the famous Tasmanian devil.