Tucked away on the southeast coast of Tasmania, Hobart feels a world away from the mainland, in the best way possible. The best things to do in Hobart include visiting Mona, shopping & grazing at the Salamanca Markets, exploring quaint Battery Point, visiting Lark Distillery’s cellar door, indulging in fresh Tasmanian seafood, and making day trips from Hobart to the Huon Valley, Peppermint Bay or historic Richmond.
A weekend in Hobart is one of the best small city breaks in Australia, with enough great things to do in Hobart to keep you entertained for a 2-3 day trip. After visiting Hobart twice, I’ve rounded up the best things to do in Hobart, and will keep adding to this list after future trips!
Map: The Best Things to Do in Hobart
Hobart, Tasmania
Nipaluna/Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, Australia’s island state. Hobart is Australia’s second-oldest city, with a well-preserved and very walkable historic centre brimming with some of Tasmania’s best restaurants & bars, galleries and tasting rooms.
Australia’s smallest state capital is earning a reputation as one of the coolest cities in Australia, brimming with some of Tasmania’s brightest ideas and best produce, which can be found on restaurant tables and bar tops around the city. Hobart is the second-oldest city in Australia, with well-preserved historic architecture that is complemented by its picturesque setting on the Derwent River – next stop, Antarctica!
Sandwiched between kunayani/Mt Wellington and the River Derwent, nature never feels far away in Hobart, and it’s the gateway for wilderness such as on Bruny Island, Maria Island and Tasman National Park.
Located in southern Tasmania, Hobart is easily accessible via direct flights from major Australian cities, making it a popular weekend destination.
Best Things to Do in Hobart
Visit Mona
Mona, the Museum of Old & New Art, put Hobart back on the map when it opened in 2011. Owned by eccentric and arguably visionary local billionaire David Walsh, Mona is not your garden variety art museum. It’s the most talked about art gallery in Australia, and is designed to get tongues wagging.
Even if visiting a museum or gallery isn’t usually at the top of your list, it’s worth keeping an open mind and making a trip out to Mona. There are a few ways to reach Mona, but the absolute best is the Mona Ferry, which leaves from Brooke Street Pier in Hobart. The sleek catamarans cruise down the stunning Derwent River, which makes for a dramatic arrival at Mona’s secluded art fortress.
Salamanca Market
The Salamanca Market is one of the best things to do in Hobart, and is one of the most popular attractions in all of Tasmania. The large, open air markets pop up in Salamanca Place every Saturday from 8:30am-3pm, rain, hail or shine. Visit the Salamanca Market for great coffee, a grazing breakfast, meet local Tassie producers, makers and craftsmen. It’s the perfect spot for a high quality souvenir, including the best souvenirs – edible ones.
Lark Distillery Whiskey Tastings
Lark Distillery is one of the most awarded whiskey distilleries in Australia, and it’s no surprise that some of the country’s finest whiskey comes from Tasmania, famed for its pristine air, water and produce. You can visit the Lark Distillery Cellar Door in Hobart, which is located on the waterfront in the historic distillery & bond store. Whiskey tasting options include flights, side-by-side tastings or you can ask their friendly team to curate a tasting for you. Walk ins are welcome, there’s no need to book for tastings.
Battery Point
Battery Point is Hobart’s oldest and prettiest neighbourhoods, with well preserved heritage architecture, overlooking the Derwent River. Reach Battery Point from the Kelly Steps at the end of Salamanca Place, and explore the neighbourhood. Stop in at Jackman & McRoss, one of Hobart’s most beloved bakeries, for one of their famed croissants or their curried scallop pie, a twist on the classic Tasmanian scallop pie.
Moorilla Winery
While you’re at MoNA, take a break from the avant garde and drop into Moorilla Winery’s cellar door, located behind MoNA. Bookings for tastings are essential. Moorilla is also owned by David Walsh, who purchased the winery and gave up and coming “wild child” winemaker Conor van der Reest free range with Moorilla. The results are pretty spectacular.
The Telegraph Hotel
In prime position on Hobart’s waterfront, The Telegraph Hotel is a historic Hobart pub that has recently been restored to its former glory. The beautiful art-deco facade is a local landmark, and the new rooftop offers lovely water views – and importantly, heating during the cooler months!
Brooke Street Pier
Brooke Street Pier, a light-filled glasshouse on the Hobart waterfront, is a great place to browse some of Tasmania’s best local producers. Grab a coffee inside & meet the makers, try a tasting and pick up something beautiful or delicious to take home with you. The MoNA ferry departs from Brooke Street Pier, so arrive early to spend some time here before your ferry.
Try fresh Tasmanian seafood
Tasmania is renowned for its beautiful seafood, so try it fresh from the source at some of Hobart’s best restaurants, like waterfront Aloft.
Day Trips from Hobart
Huon Valley
The rolling hills of the Huon Valley make a perfect day trip or half day trip from Hobart. Tasmania is known as the Apple Isle, and the Huon Valley was once the hub of the apple industry. Visit Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, for a casual lunch & apple cider tasting in a relaxed environment.
How to get to the Huon Valley from Hobart: The Huon Valley is a 30 minute drive southwest of Hobart
Richmond
Located in the Coal River Valley, Richmond is one of Tasmania’s most picturesque and best-preserved historic towns with more than 50 Georgian buildings. Today, many of these buildings are cafes, restaurants, galleries and bakeries, making it a pretty place to stop for a wander & a bit to eat. Nearby, there are a handful of wineries with cellar doors to visit, like Puddleduck Vineyards.
How to get to Richmond from Hobart: Richmond is a 25 minute drive north-east of Hobart.
Where to stay in Hobart
The best areas to stay in Hobart are near Salamanca Place and the waterfront, or in the historic Hobart CBD. I’ve stayed at Somerset on the Pier in Hobart (a hosted stay), which was great apartment-style accommodation overlooking the water. I’ve also been hosted at Hadley’s Orient Hotel, a refurbished historic hotel in the Hobart CBD, with large and very comfortable rooms and a beautiful old-world atmosphere.
How to get to Hobart
Fly to Hobart airport, which has direct flights to several major Australian cities, including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast & Adelaide, as well as direct flights from Auckland in New Zealand.
Getting around Hobart
If you’re staying within Hobart, you don’t need a car. We walked around Hobart easily during our stay, and taxis and ubers are available. You don’t need a car to reach MoNA, as you can take the scenic route on the MoNA Ferry, but you will need a car for day trips from Hobart.
When to go to Hobart
Hobart is not famous for its warm or sunny weather, but it does have four distinct seasons. Every time I’ve visited Hobart it has been winter, and it’s only added to the atmosphere – even though it has been very cold!
Summer (December – February)
Not surprisingly, summer is the peak season and is regarded as the best time to visit Hobart. Being the southernmost city in Australia, summers here can be very mild, and are likened to an Irish summer. January & February are typically the driest and the warmest. Be warned, you can still get very sunburnt in summer in Hobart, and many visitors get deceived by the cooler climate. Daily average temperatures are 11.5 – 21°C (52.7 – 69.8°F)
If you visit in late December, you’ll catch the tail end of the famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race, which is one of Australia’s most famous races. The race starts on 26 December in Sydney, with the winner reaching Hobart in 48 hours and the rest of the participants arriving 3-4 days after leaving Sydney.
Autumn (March-May)
I’d like my next visit to Hobart to be in Autumn, when the summer crowds have eased but before the winter chill sets in. Hobart has a true autumn, unlike northern parts of Australia, and the leaves will begin to change colour during this time. Daily average temperatures are 8.9 – 17.3°C (48 – 63.1°F)
Winter (June-August)
Hobart is one of the chilliest cities in Australia in winter, with icy Antarctic breezes. Daily temperatures are between 5 – 12.3°C (41 – 54.1°F). You’ll need to dress for the weather, and it might not be the best time of year to plan to spend lots of time outside, but I’ve found plenty of things to do in Hobart in winter on both of my visits!
Spring (September-November)
Hobart is still fairly cool in spring, with daily averages between 8 – 17°C (46 – 62°F). Spring can bring rain, but Hobart is the second-driest capital city in Australia, so your odds aren’t too bad.