16 Best Things to Do in Hobart

Hobart is the vibrant capital city of the island state of Tasmania, Australia. This fabulous, friendly place offers mouth-watering cuisine, fascinating historic sites, and some of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the country.

Whether you’re planning a family adventure, a romantic retreat, or a special weekend with friends, you’ll have no trouble finding plenty of exciting activities to keep you entertained. Here are the best 16 things to do in Hobart during your next visit.

1. Shop ‘til You Drop at Salamanca Market

This bustling market is located in Salamanca Place and is an idyllic way to spend a Saturday. The market was established in the 1970s and has grown to around 300 stalls since then. It’s one of the best spots in the city to purchase artisan jewelry and crafts, clothing and homeware, and local wine and spirits. Refreshments are also offered by several sellers, so bring your appetite and grab a bite while you shop.

2. Learn About Australia’s Infamous Convicts

Between 1788 and 1868, more than 162,000 convicts were transported to Australia for crimes committed in Britain and Ireland. Three main sites around Hobart can be visited to gain a deeper understanding of what life was like for the prisoners who made that journey:

• Cascades Female Factory – a UNESCO World Heritage site in South Hobart. Visit this historic site to learn the stories of some of Australia’s most infamous female convicts.
• Hobart Convict Penitentiary – take a guided tour of the site and trace the lives of the 75,000 convicts that were transported to Tasmania in the first half of the 19th century.
• Port Arthur Historic Site – join the Escape from Port Arthur tour or stay after dark for a spooky ghost tour of this former penal colony.

3. Go Whisky Tasting

Tasmania is home to some of the most exciting distilleries in Australia, and connoisseurs worldwide now recognize the excellence of the whisky produced here. You can see for yourself what all the buzz is about by doing a tasting while in Hobart. These are three of the best spots to sample a nip or two:

• LARK – the Davy Street Cellar Door was once LARK’s distillery and bond store. Try a tasting flight to help select which bottle to take home.
• Battery Point – the only working distillery in the Hobart Central Business District (CBD). Interactive, educational tours are available and include tastings.
• Killara – a modern, compact distillery located in Richmond. Be sure to try the brand’s ‘bush liqueur’ made from foraged Tasmanian pepperberries.

4. Enjoy Dinner with a View of Hobart Waterfront

Hobart waterfront is a gorgeous, glamorous part of the city where locals and visitors flock for dinner and drinks with a view. There are several superb eateries to choose from, and these three come highly rated:

• Pearl + Co. – a seafood restaurant specializing in freshly shucked oysters. Book a table at the front of the restaurant for unobstructed water views.
• The Black-footed Pig – tapas inspired by Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Muslim Mediterranean. Spanish wine is also available.
• Frank – food made for sharing. Choose from a la carte small plates and four and five-course set menus.

5. Explore the Coal River Valley

Coal River Valley is just 20 minutes by car from Hobart and is the perfect location for a charming day trip. This area is well-known for its wine, history, and nature, and there’s plenty to do here.

Don’t miss these three activities in particular:

• Visit a vineyard – Puddleduck Vineyard is a popular choice. Local wine is also available in most bars and restaurants if you don’t have time for a vineyard tour.
• Stroll over the Richmond Bridge – this bridge dates back to the 1820s and is the oldest in Australia. It makes a great spot for a picnic.
• See Old Hobart Town – a miniature model village that replicates Hobart in 1820. It was built from original plans to ensure complete historical accuracy.

6. Embark on a Day Tour of Bruny Island

Bruny Island is located off the coast of Hobart and is a must-visit spot for foodies and beach lovers. There’s plenty to see and do here, so you could easily spend several days exploring. However, if you only have one day to spare, here’s what you shouldn’t miss:

• Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Co. – fuel up with a tasting and take panoramic photos from the viewing platform.
• Adventure Bay – stroll along the white-sand beach, try some watersports, or do a spot of fishing.
• Cape Bruny Lighthouse – take a tour to learn about this heritage-listed 1830s lighthouse.

7. Meet Tasmanian Devils at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Tasmanian devils are synonymous with this part of Australia; no trip is complete without meeting one. Bonorong is the best place to do so — this wildlife sanctuary is working hard to protect endangered native species, including tassie devils, forester kangaroos, blue tongue lizards, and ringtail possums.

8. Explore Hobart’s Art Scene

Hobart is home to a thriving art scene, and culture vultures should add a day of gallery hopping to their itinerary. Here are four galleries not to be missed:

• Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery – part museum, part gallery. Learn about the history of Tasmania’s natural wildlife and see interesting art pieces.
• The Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) – David Walsh’s $110 private art collection. Catch a ferry to Mona from Brooke Street Pier for an even more exciting adventure.
• Hobart Art Gallery – this gallery showcases work by some of Tasmania’s finest established and emerging artists. Exhibitions explore themes of environmental and social justice issues.
• Art Mob – Tasmania’s premier Australian Aboriginal art gallery. Some pieces are available for purchase and shipped home.

9. Hop Aboard the Sightseeing Bus

A sightseeing bus is the most efficient way to see the highlights of Hobart’s CBD. The beauty of a hop-on hop-off bus like the Red Decker is that, unlike on a walking tour, you can see the city’s points of interest at your own pace and skip the sights that don’t appeal to you.

There are 20 stops on the 90-minute city loop, including:

• Battery Point
• Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
• Victoria Dock
• Salamanca Place

10. Sample a Brew at Australia’s Oldest Brewery

Head to the foothills of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington in South Hobart to discover the oldest brewery in Australia. Cascade Brewery dates back to 1824 and brews a tasty range of beer and cider. Enjoy a tipple and a bite to eat in the brewery gardens, or buy a bottle or two to enjoy back at your hotel.

11. Enjoy a Serene Stroll Around the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

These spectacular gardens encompass 14 hectares of lush landscape and offer a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Be sure to stop by the Abundance Cafe during your visit to treat yourself to fresh and delicious drinks, snacks, and meals.

Three of the most fascinating areas in the gardens are:

• Subantarctic Plant House – a unique collection in a climate-controlled environment. The immersive soundscape adds to the illusion of being in Antarctica.
• Japanese Garden – designed by Kanjiro Harada, a landscape architect from Yaizu, Japan. Visit in spring for the cherry blossoms.
• Tasmanian Native Plant Collection – see over 140 species collected from the greater Hobart region, including Richmond and the River Derwent.

12. Go on an Adventure in Mount Field National Park

Mt. Field is known as the park for all seasons, and its ever-changing landscape is the perfect setting for an adventure—no matter when you visit.

Here’s what to see during each season:

• Spring – make the most of the comfortable spring weather by tackling long day hikes around Lake Dobson.
• Summer – enjoy the shade of the towering tree ferns and eucalypts on a short walk to Russell Falls.
• Fall – head to Tarn Shelf to see the ‘fagus’ (deciduous beech) turn beautiful shades of orange and red.
• Winter – ascend Mount Mawson Ski Field for some of the best skiing in the area.

13. Grab Fresh Produce at Farm Gate Markets

Farm Gate Markets is a foodie paradise and a popular spot to shop or enjoy a casual lunch in a vibrant setting. The market’s ethos, which began in 2009, is that if you can’t eat it, drink it, grow it, or meet the producer, you won’t find it at Farmy. The market champions seasonal, sustainable produce and practice, and there’s no better place to spend a sunny Sunday.

14. Dance the Night Away at Hobart’s Best Live Music Spots

The city of Hobart comes alive after dark, and the live music scene rivals Melbourne and Sydney. If you’re looking for a night to remember during your time in Tasmania, check out these venues:

• Grand Poobah – offering live bands, cabaret, and comedy. No two nights are the same here, which is why locals come back time and again.
• Republic Bar & Cafe – live music is available every night of the week. Although many genres are available, jazz and blues are the specialty.
• Altar – live music, electronic DJs, and dance parties. This is also the only venue in Hobart where you can see heavy metal acts.

15. Hike in Wellington Park

This rugged park is an outdoor lover’s dream, with dramatic cliffs, spectacular waterfalls, and lush fern glades all waiting to be explored.

Walkers can hike the trails that snake up Kunanyi/Mount Wellington or ascend by shuttle bus. No matter how you head up the mountain, don’t miss stopping off at the many lookouts and observation decks for stunning views of the east coast and southern Tasmania.

16. Indulge in Retail Therapy at Battery Point’s Boutiques

The quaint suburb of Battery Point is just ten minutes from Hobart Center and is home to some of the best shopping in the city. Hampden Road is the main strip of Battery Point and is where you’ll find many of the area’s best boutiques, art stores, and cafes. Some of our favorite establishments on and around this street include:

• Suffragette Records – a record store celebrating music by women. New and pre-loved vinyl records, cassettes, and CDs are available to buy.
• Habeo – a trendy boutique selling homeware, accessories, skincare, and gifts.
• Jackman and McRoss – refuel after a busy day of shopping with cakes, pies, and pastries in a charming location.

Uncover the 16 Best Things to Do in Hobart

Whether you’re a passionate foodie, a culture vulture, or a lover of the great outdoors, you’re certain to fall in love with all there is to do here in the city of Hobart. Which must-do attractions and activities will you add to your travel itinerary?