17 BEST Things to do in Hobart [December 2024]

Set on the island of Tasmania, Hobart is the capital of Australia’s smallest state. Here you’ll find a whole wealth of history and heritage, making it a fascinating place to explore.

However, there’s much more to this compact city than just looking back in time. Staying here, you will find yourself on the doorstep of a whole load of nature, from mountains and forests to offshore islands that sparkle and pop with wildlife!

There’s more to Hobart than meets the eye, so to make sure you get to see below just the surface of this city we have compiled this extensive list of the very best things to do in Hobart. You’ll be able to get a balanced picture of nature and history.

So, without further ado, let’s see what there is to do in the Tasmanian capital!

Our favourite places to stay in Hobart!

Hobart is a city, but it’s not a huge city. Even so, it can still be a little tricky to sift through all the different types of accommodation and somewhere that’s right for you. We’ve narrowed down the choice for you to make life easier, however…

Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse

The Best Hostel in Hobart

• High end hostel
• Communal kitchen

Serving up cute interiors that are filled with specialist furnishings and bright, airy spaces that look totally Instagram ready – this hostel is on a mission to prove that cramped, dingy hostels are a thing of the past. A really cool place to stay in Hobart.

Alabama Hotel Hobart

The Best Budget Hotel in Hobart

• Onsite bar
• Outdoors terrace

Securing its spot as the best budget hotel in Hobart, this hotel is inviting, clean and comes with its own bar – all that and it’s in easy reach of the centre of the city. What’s not to love?

Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart

The Best Luxury Hotel in Hobart

• Waterfront locations
• Swimming pool and gym

Located right on the water front, this large, modern hotel has all the amenities you could ever need in a hotel, a bar and restaurant, gym and pool and stunning views of the harbor and mountains.

• The 17 Best Things to Do in Hobart •

#1 – Stroll around Battery Point

• Easy to explore
• History to learn about
• Interesting architecture

Settled in the early days of Hobart town in the 1800s, Battery Point has an interesting history and is named after the battery guns placed here in 1818 as a form of coastal defence.

Today the area is known for its extravagant homes and apartment blocks along the water’s edge, the most significant being Arthur’s Circus. Perfect for a lazy afternoon of exploring the city.

Trying to plan ahead? Start with the basics with our favorite neighborhoods in Sydney!

#2 – Visit the Mt. Field National Park

• Picnic areas
• Good for day trips from Hobart
• Visitors centre

Situated 64 kilometres of northwest of Hobart, Mt. Field National Park is a cool place to explore for nature lovers. Including the famous Russell Falls, there’s a whole lot of trails in amidst the diverse vegetation of this place.

Fun fact: Mt. Field National Park is actually the oldest national park in Tasmania (it’s pretty beautiful too!)

 

Not sure where to say? We’ve put together a list of Sydney’s best hotels!

#3 – Go Gourmet

• Breakfast at the Margate Train
• Try award winning cheese
• Pick up some local gin

Why not take a dive into the scenery and the food scene of the area by taking a drive along the coastline of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel? Why not indeed!

Here you will find rich landscapes, farmlands, stunning views and places to pick up specialist – locally grown, of course – food products.

 

Do you have an open schedule? Figure out the best things to do in Sydney before you visit!

#4 – Head out on a Heritage walk

• Hit up the local government for information
• Tour yourself around the history of the city
• Look out for wildlife as you go

One of the best free things to do in Hobart has got to be taking yourself on a self guided tour around some of the best of the city’s heritage and history.

There’s a lot of different trails you can decide upon, from the Heritage Highway Trail to the Belle Rive Heritage Walk.

 

#5 – Cruising down the Derwent River

• Catch a boat from Franklin Walk
• Cruise takes 2.5 hours
• Stop off at secluded beaches

One of the best things to do in Hobart for couples simply has to be cruising along the Derwent River. The waterway has had a big influence on Hobart and features some amazing views.

It’s a good way for you and your partner to see well known landmarks, including the Iron Pot – Australia’s oldest lighthouse.

#6 – Visit the Royal Tasmania National Botanical Gardens

• Cool nature
• Open 7 days a week
• Dates back to 1818

If you’re in town with your family, one of the best things to do in Hobart for you is definitely going to be checking out the Royal Tasmania National Botanical Gardens.

Spread out over 14 hectares, there’s a ton of different gardens to see here, from tropical greenhouses to a Japanese garden.

 

#7 – Discover Mount Wellington

• Over 1,270 metres above sea level
• Good for a hike
• Amazing views

Southeast of Hobart you’ll find Mount Wellington. This kilometre-tall hill mountain is a great spot to soak up breathtaking views across Tasmania.

You can hike to the top yourself on well marked trails and make your way to the Springs Lookout for more awesome landscape views. Bonus: there’s a cafe if you forget your picnic.

#8 – See a show at Theatre Royal

• Great for photos
• Apparently has a ghost (called Fred)
• Historic building

Though seeing a show at the Theatre Royal (1837) definitely counts as one of the more artsy and creative things to do in Hobart, it’s a beautiful building that anyone keen on design will be happy to sit in.

It’s the oldest theatre in continuous operation in Australia. The interiors are decidedly decadent. Fun fact: early performances weren’t as arty, with boxing and cockfights popular!

 

#9 – Historic Richmond Village

• Georgian architecture
• Unique shops and restaurants
• Historic place to visit

Richmond Village is an easy day trip from Hobart, making for a good excuse to get out of the larger city and see a slice of quaint, countryside history.

Amongst other things here, you’ll a historic church, a brick-built bridge and Richmond Gaol (Jail), which has founded in 1826.

#10 – Shop at the markets

• Very local
• Great weekend activity
• Foodie favourite

Hobart doesn’t just have one market, guys: it’s got a few. On Saturdays you’ll find Salamanca Market going on, featuring local products and second-hand books.

There’s more local produce at Farmgate market every Sunday, as well as the popular “Twilight Market’ held at Long Beach and Macquaire Point. Keen shoppers will love these places, of course.

 

#11 – Fly over Maria Island

• Incredible views
• Bucket list kind of thing
• 3 hour flight (value for money)

It certainly be cheap, but booking yourself a flyover of the stunning Maria Island is easily one of the best day trips from Hobart you could take.

You’ll get to fly over the Freycinet National Park, and its many islets, as well as Wineglass Bay and – of course – Maria Island. Get ready for dramatic pink-granite mountains, gleaming beaches and sparkling seas.

#12 – Soak up the history of Port Arthur

• Learn about Australia’s roots
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Get out of the city

Port Arthur was once a penal settlement but is now an open air museum. This is the place to see parts of Australian heritage, such as a ruined penitentiary and convict-built church.

The sights are a good way to learn more about the early history of Australia in its early days of being a colony; Port Arthur was where the most dangerous criminals were sent.

#13 – Sample some beer at Cascade Brewery

• Historic brewery
• Award winning beer
• Beautiful setting

Beer fan? Then you’ll love this thing to do in Hobart. Visiting the Cascade Brewery isn’t just a chance to visit a historic brewery (and sample beer, of course), it’s in a beautiful natural setting, too.

Dating back to 1824, it’s Australia’s oldest brewery and is set in a scenic location at the foot of Mount Wellington. Beautiful.

 

#14 – Visit Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park

• Informative staff
• Get out into nature
• Animals free to roam

If you’re looking for something cool to do in Hobart, then you should take a visit to the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park. Touting itself as an “unzoo” you’ll find the endangered Tasmanian devils themselves, as well as other species endemic to Tasmania.

Learn from knowledgeable guides, how the conservation effort has been undertaken, and catch a glimpse of the devils themselves.

#15 – Catch an art show

• Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
• Soak up local creativity
• Entrance is free

If you’re looking for something creative to do in Tasmania, look no further than Contemporary Art Tasmania. This art gallery supports local contemporary artists and is a good chance to see some cool artwork.

In operation for over 20 years, this incubator of creativity is a good insight into the local art scene. Check online for exhibitions and other events.

#16 – Listen some live music at The Republic

• Historic building
• A range of different music going on
• Good food and drink

Set in a historic 1920s hotel, The Republic is a pub where you can drink (obviously), sample some hearty pub fare, and also catch a set from a local band or DJ.

It’s one of the more unique things to do in Hobart since we guarantee this isn’t where tourists will be. Rub shoulders with locals and stick around for the live music. Best at the weekend, obviously.

 

#17 – Take a tour of Bruny Island

• It’s good all year round
• So much seasonal nature to spot
• Lots of great eateries and cafes

Making up 362 square kilometres, Bruny Island is located just off the southeastern coast of Tasmania. You can catch a ferry over here for an easy day trip from Hobart. Why? Because it’s awesome.

There’s local communities to say g’day to, whales to spot, fairy penguins to snap, and numerous hiking trails to embark on to explore the beautiful nature that this island has to offer.

Final thoughts on the best things to do in Hobart

There you have it folks: this marks the end to our list of the best things to do in Hobart. There are so many cool things to do here that it was hard to pick our favourites!

Hobart is the jumping off point to exploring the rest of Tasmania, so making sure that you have your itinerary down to a T when you visit this city is crucial to making sure your journey goes without a hitch.

It doesn’t matter if you’re more of a history buff than a nature lover – there is literally something to occupy (and entertain) everyone in Hobart.

Been before and think we’ve missed out a local gem or two? Please let us know about it in the comments below!

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