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Hobart is the capital of the island state of Tasmania and the southernmost state capital of Australia. Although it is much smaller and less densely populated than Melbourne and Sydney, it has no shortage of interesting tourist attractions and fun things to do.
From fascinating historic sites to stunning natural beauty spots, Hobart has plenty to offer curious travelers. If you’re planning your Hobart sightseeing itinerary, be sure to add some of these 19 top attractions to your list.
1. Mount Wellington
Mt. Wellington, also known as Kunanyi, lies just a few miles inland and serves as Hobart’s rugged backdrop. It sits within Wellington Park, a 44,000-acre stretch of bushland that is lined with hiking trails.
If you have a sense of adventure, you could walk to the summit of Kunanyi, but at a gentler pace, take the Kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus from Hobart waterfront to the peak. You can expect incredible views across Derwent River, Bruny Island, and Tasmania’s southwest wilderness.
2. Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
- Website: gardens.rtbg.tas.gov.au
- Address: Lower Domain Rd, Hobart TAS 7000
- Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily
If you love spending time in nature, be sure to visit the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, which lie in the hilly bushland area of Queen’s Domain on Hobart’s border. These were established 200 years ago and are the second-oldest Australian botanical gardens, which means they boast some interesting historic specimens. Highlights include the fuschia house, the traditional herb garden, the peaceful Japanese garden, and the Antarctic plant house.
3. Salamanca Market
- Website: www.salamancamarket.com.au/Home
- Address: Salamanca Pl Hobart TAS 7001
- Opening hours: 8.30 am – 3 pm Saturday
Salamanca Market is one of Tasmania’s best-loved events, and it takes place every Saturday. It has been in operation since 1972, and over the decades, it has grown to more than 300 stalls where Tassies (Tasmanians) and visitors alike can pick up local produce, arts and crafts, jewelry, homewares, collectibles, and more.
The market is set within scenic Salamanca Place, which is known for its Georgian properties and trendy restaurants, cafes, bookshops, and boutiques.
4. Museum of Old & New Art (MONA)
- Website: mona.net.au
- Address: 655 Main Rd, Berriedale TAS 7011
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm Friday to Monday
The Museum of Old and New Art contains an enormous collection of artworks and antiquities. The building is a work of art in itself, and its architecture and maze-like internal structure are an important part of the experience. You can expect to see a huge variety of artworks from throughout history, including ancient Egyptian sarcophagi and contemporary technology-driven installations.
5. Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery (TMAG)
- Website: www.tmag.tas.gov.au
- Address: Dunn Pl, Hobart TAS 7000
- Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Sunday / Monday closed
The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is the second-oldest museum in Australia, established in 1848. The collection covers a wide variety of fields, including botany, zoology, geology, Tasmanian decorative arts, and fine art. There’s an exhibition on Tasmania’s role in Antarctic exploration and another that focuses on Tasmanian Aboriginal history and culture.
6. Hobart Convict Penitentiary (Campbell Street Gaol)
- Website: tasmania.com/hobart-convict-penitentiary
- Address: Campbell St & Brisbane St, Hobart TAS 7000
- Opening hours: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm Wednesday to Sunday
Campbell Street Gaol lies right at the heart of Hobart CBD (central business district) and is an important piece of Tasmania’s early history. It dates back to 1821, when it was built as a place of custody for male convicts who were transported to Tasmania from Britain. Take a guided tour to learn about the grisly history of the jail and some of its most notorious inmates.
7. Constitution Dock
- Website: tasmania.com/points-of-interest/constitution-dock
- Address: 1 Franklin Whrf, Hobart TAS 7000
Constitution Dock is one of the most popular parts of Sullivans Cove which is the main waterfront portion of Hobart CBD. It is famed as the finishing point of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race which kicks off on Boxing Day every year. The rest of the year the dock remains busy with visitors admiring the docked boats and enjoying delicious fresh fish and chips from the marina’s small selection of seafood restaurants.
8. Battery Point Sculpture Trail
The Sculpture Trail at Battery Point begins in Salamanca Place and continues for 1.2 miles along the Derwent Estuary to Short Beach on Sandy Bay. There are nine sculptures along the way, each one representing a time, date, distance, quantity, or other measure linked to Hobart’s history. You’ll see some lovely old Georgian cottages along the way, as well as fabulous views over the port and across to the estuary’s east bank.
9. Cascade Brewery
- Website: tmag.tas.gov.au
- Address: 140 Cascade Rd, South Hobart TAS 7004, Australia
- Opening hours: 12 am – 7 pm Sunday to Wednesday / 12 am – 9 pm Thursday to Saturday
Cascade Brewery is the oldest in Australia, having been brewing in the foothills of Mount Wellington since 1832. The lager, pale ale, stout, and blond beer produced by Cascade are made with Tasmanian-grown hops and barley and water sourced from a mountain stream.
Take a guided tour of the brewery to learn about the brewing process, from malting to bottling. Combine your visit with a walk along the Cascade Track through the lower region of Wellington Park to make a full day of it.
10. Parliament House
- Website: parliament.tas.gov.au
- Address: Parliament House, 1 Salamanca Pl, Hobart TAS 7000
- Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily
Tasmanian Parliament sits in this imposing Georgian building that dates back to 1840 and once served as the city’s customs house. You can learn about its design and construction when you join a public tour; they take place at 9.30 am and 2.30 pm on days when parliament isn’t sitting.
11. Lark Distillery
- Website: larkdistillery.com
- Address: 14 Davey Street, Hobart, TAS 7000
- Opening hours: 11 am – 7 pm daily
Lark is the oldest whisky distillery in Tasmania and one of Australia’s most popular luxury whisky brands. Tasmanian barley, peat, and mountain waters are used to produce the award-winning Lark whiskies.
You can learn more about the ingredients and process when you take a tour of the Pontville Distillery, or you can drop into The Still in Hobart which is the brand’s whisky bar; it serves the full range of Lark whiskies and hundreds of other domestic and international spirits, beers, and wines.
12. Farm Gate Market
- Website: farmgatemarket.com.au
- Address: 104 Bathurst St, Hobart TAS 7000
- Opening hours: 8.30 am – 1 pm Sunday
Farm Gate Market is the quieter alternative to bustling Salamanca Market, and it’s one of the best places in Hobart to pick up delicious produce and to-go dishes. You’ll find many stalls selling artisanal wine, spirits, cheese, coffee, jams, and preserves. If you’re feeling hungry, grab a hot dish like wood-fired pizza, wallaby burrito, or grilled octopus.
13. Bruny Island
Bruny Island lies in the Derwent Estuary, and it’s the perfect place for a day trip to see some of Tasmania’s best natural beauty spots. South Bruny National Park is a great place to spot native wildlife, and it’s home to some incredible beaches and coastal views. Head to Cape Bruny Lighthouse for epic ocean views from its balcony.
You can reach Bruny Island within a couple of hours from Hobart when you drive down to Kettering to catch a vehicular ferry. Alternatively, take a day tour from Hobart with a local operator, some of which include guided walking tours through the bushland.
14. Richmond
Richmond is a colonial-era town some 20 miles northeast of Hobart in the Coal River Valley, an area renowned for winemaking. Wander through the charming streets to take in meticulously restored Georgian buildings, many of which are now home to lovely cafes, restaurants, and art galleries. Highlights include Richmond Bridge, built in 1825, and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, built in 1837.
15. Port Arthur Historic Site
- Website: portarthur.org.au
- Address: Historic Site, Visitor Centre, Port Arthur TAS 7182
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
Port Arthur Historic Site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most intact convict site in Australia. It covers 100 acres on the Tasman Peninsula and has more than 30 historic buildings to explore. Tours are self-guided with site talks taking place at various locations throughout the day, but you can pay for additional guided tours for more insights.
16. Salamanca Arts Centre
- Website: www.sac.org.au
- Address: 77 Salamanca Pl, Battery Point TAS 7004
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday
Salamanca Arts Center is a vibrant hub for the arts community in Hobart and is just a short walk away from the CBD. It comprises studios, galleries, retail outlets, performance spaces, and events venues housed within historic warehouses. Visit anytime throughout the week to see the art on offer, or book tickets for scheduled live music and theater events.
17. King Island
King Island is renowned for its delicious beef, cheese, and seafood, and although you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample it in Hobart, a visit to the island is an experience like no other. Dine in its incredible restaurants, golf on its beautiful courses, or go surfing on its wild waters. You can fly to King Island from the northern Tasmanian city of Launceston, but you’ll probably want to spend at least a night or two there to make the journey from Hobart worthwhile.
18. Huon Valley
Huon Valley is a 40-minute drive away from Hobart and is the perfect place for a day trip for those who want to see some of Tasmania’s most beautiful scenery. You can expect to pass through rolling farmland, vineyards, and fruit orchards and drop into quaint towns like Huonville and Cygnet, where antique stores and art galleries await. Be sure to swing by some cellar doors to try delicious local wines.
19. Tasman Bridge
If you’re flying into Hobart International Airport, you’ll almost definitely pass Tasman Bridge, a huge five-lane, 4,500-foot-long structure connecting the Derwent River’s east and west banks. You can walk across the bridge to enjoy fantastic river and city views or get great views of the bridge itself when you visit Rosny Hill Lookout.
Find Your Favorite Hobart Attractions
These are some of the top attractions in Hobart, but there’s even more to explore when you visit this lively region of Tasmania. What will you discover on your visit to Hobart?
