Discover Hobart
Hobart's rich colonial heritage is perfectly complemented by the city’s laid-back attitude, cultural facets and natural charms.
Adventurers, history buffs, nature lovers, culture enthusiasts and foodies are all catered for with a variety of extraordinary things to do and see.
Built by convict labour, Hobart was originally founded as a penal colony in 1803. Today, the city has shaken its dark past to become a hub of culture and activity.
Despite being Australia’s smallest capital, Hobart is the country’s second oldest and most historic city.
A snapshot of Australia’s European history can be explored through a number of local buildings and communities. Salamanca Place is dotted with warehouses that date back to 1830’s whaling days. Settlers' cottages can be found in nearby Battery Point. While Parliament House and Government House present great examples of 19th-century architecture.
Just under an hour and half's drive south east of the city, the former convict settlement of Port Arthur is a one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and Tasmania's official top tourist attraction. Two and a half hours' drive north of Hobart, Australia’s third oldest city, Launceston flaunts a myriad of historical drawcards, including a vibrant Georgian streetscape.
Hobart's rich colonial heritage is perfectly complemented by the city’s laid-back attitude, cultural facets and natural charms.
It's no secret that Hobart is a foodie and cultural hotspot. Salamanca Place’s historical 19th-century waterfront warehouses host exceptional cafes and restaurants, and the galleries and art studios of Salamanca Arts Centre. The square also provides a great opportunity to sample local harvests straight from the farmer, every Saturday at Salamanca Market.
Art and 'museuming' has been redefined at the world-famous Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in nearby Rosetta. A hard day’s seeing the sites can be capped off with a tipple a Cascade Brewery, Meadowbank Estate vineyards and the Lark Whisky Distillery.
The Tasmanian capital and its surrounds also provide the perfect playground for nature lovers. Within just a few hours of the Hobart, visitors can walk among some of the tallest trees in the world in Mount Field National Park; meet the famous Tassie Devils of Bonorong Wildlife Park; or stand atop Mt Wellington and enjoy wonderful panoramic views of southern Tasmania.
Celebrated natural environments like Cradle Mountain, Bruny Island, Wineglass Bay and the Bay of Fires can all also be reached with within easy driving distance of the capital.
Discover Hobart
- Virgin Australia operates flights to Hobart daily, direct from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
- Our partner, Virgin Australia Holidays offers great Hobart holiday packages.
