The southern Australian state of Tasmania is renowned for its rich history, beautifully restored buildings and stunning scenery, with over twenty percent of its area listed as Tasmania Wilderness World Heritage Area. The state’s capital of Hobart - one of the best places to visit in Tasmania - plays host to popular attractions and activities that make the most of its natural charms, many of which are accessible from the city centre. No matter what area you stay in Hobart, you'll never be short of activities. From the spectacular views on offer at the top of Mt Wellington to the markets, museums and historical sites in and around the city, there’s something for everyone visiting Hobart.
Stop in at Salamanca Place
The bustling waterfront precinct of Salamanca Place forms part of Hobart’s historic docks area and provides visitors with insight into the origins of the city, with its sandstone waterfront sheds used by early Tasmanian merchants for storage of a range of goods. This rich history provides the perfect foundation for Hobart’s Art Centre, the cultural heart of the city which is home to a range of artistic professionals, galleries and theatres.
Meander through markets
Salamanca Place is also home to the Salamanca Markets, Hobart’s most famous markets which are held each Saturday. Visitors can wander the three hundred stalls, pick up some fresh local produce and a gourmet treat or shop for arts and craft. The Farm Gate Markets are held on Sundays, where you’ll find seasonal local produce sitting side by side with fresh artisan products, and locally roasted coffee beans. For something a little different, the Museum of Modern Art hosts the MoMa (MONA Markets) on each Sunday from January to March while a little further afield, the Cygnet Markets are open for business on the first and third Sundays of each month.
Marvell at museums
Beautiful and significant exhibitions await discovery in the museums of Hobart. Catch a ferry up the Derwent River to the Museum of Modern Art or MONA, which houses the largest private collection of modern art and antiquities in the world. The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is centrally located and offers visitors a glimpse into Tasmania’s unique and diverse natural and artistic history, while close by on the waterfront, the Maritime Museum of Tasmania explores the state’s strong connection to its maritime past, including examples of watercraft used by the state’s first peoples all the way through to European settlement.
Enjoy the views from Mt Wellington
Glorious, panoramic views of Hobart and beyond await at the top of Mt Wellington, Tasmania’s highest peak. Accessible by car or on foot via one of the many hiking trails through Wellington Park, visitors can experience the diverse range of flora and fauna that call the park home. For those braving the hike, be sure to check out climbing conditions and experience levels required for your chosen route.
Whiskey and brews
Tasmania’s claim to having some of the purest water in the world makes it the perfect place for creating high-quality sprits. Many world class whiskey, gin and vodka distilleries can be found in Hobart or within easy driving distance of the city; get started with a visit to Lark Distillery, Nonesuch Distillery or Sullivan Cove Distillery.
Hobart is also home to some outstanding brewing companies, like the iconic Cascades Brewery, which calls South Hobart home and is Australia’s oldest continuously operating brewery. Craft brewers are also jumping on the bandwagon and taking advantage of the pure water and locally grown barley. Leading the city’s charge in the craft brew stakes are Moo Brew, Shambles Brewing Co and Hobart Brewing Co.
History hotspots
Hobart is a history lover’s paradise, with numerous attractions easily accessible from the CBD. In stark contrast to the region’s natural beauty, many of Hobart’s most notable historic landmarks once housed the area’s earliest convicts. The Cascades Female Factory Historic Site is the most significant female convict site in Australia, where women prisoners were subject to brutal conditions. There’s also the Port Arthur Historic Site, Australia’s most intact convict site and the Hobart Convict Penitentiary, which was well-known for its particularly harsh treatment of inmates.
History buffs can also take a stroll along the water front to take in the historic buildings in and around Salamanca Place, Victoria Dock and Battery Point, or drive out to Oatlands for a self-guided tour of Callington Mill, which was first built in 1837 and is the only fully restored and working Lincolnshire wind driven flour mill in the Southern Hemisphere.