As the capital of Australia’s southern island state of Tasmania (aka Lutruwita in the Aboriginal language of the palawa peope), Hobart is a picturesque city of about 250,000 residents situated on the undulating inlets of the moderate-sized island’s south-eastern edge. Among being coined as Australia’s infamous Antarctic-gateway port city, Hobart is a resoundingly historic place in Australia’s settler origins with having been founded by the British in 1803 – making it Australia’s second oldest capital city.
Although it’s a capital city, it gives off a comfortable, but classy, small-town feel. Here, you’ll find beautiful colonial architecture, historic buildings, a scenic waterfront, and a workout for your legs with its many hills. I’ve personally visited this city twice now and thoroughly enjoy it every time! With every visit, I find something new and interesting, so although it’s relatively small compared to other cities, it has a lot of nooks and crannies sought to be discovered and something for everyone!
So, if you find yourself in Tasmania’s endearing capital city of Hobart, these are the top 6 things to do:
- Sullivans Cove
- Salamanca Market
- Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery
- MONA
- Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
- Mt. Wellington / Kunanyi
Sullivans Cove
Sullivans Cove is the main historic waterfront area in Hobart’s CBD (central business district). Situated on the brackish River Derwent which flows into the Tasman Sea, it’s the original arrival site of early European settlers back in the 1800’s. Grab a delicious latte and wander down Franklin Wharf soaking in the nautical sights and sounds of the Victoria and Constitution docks. You’ll see large-masted old-style ships intermingled with beautiful, sleek yachts, all while breathing in the fresh, sea air. The cove has various little restaurants and eateries along Elizabeth St. Pier and Brooke St. Pier. If you’re lucky, you might even spot Australia’s state-of-the-art Antarctic icebreaker science ship in port at the Macquerie Wharf – the RSV Nuyina!
Salamanca Market
Every Saturday throughout the year, you can find the Salamanca Market streets lined with tent-covered booths featuring everything from fruits & veggies, to novelty drinks & food, clothing, knickknacks, trinkets, artwork… literally anything artisanal! There’s even sections of antiques and thrifted goods. If you’re visiting on a weekend, you’ll absolutely need to check it out, but beware, throughout the summer, the market crowds can be jampacked and a little overwhelming. Beyond the tents are beautiful cobblestone streets, cute alleyways, historic sandstone buildings, and even a courtyard featuring a nice fountain.
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Whenever I visit a new place, I like to learn about the region’s natural science and history, and this museum did not disappoint in either! It’s got everything from Antarctic exploration and animals, Tasmanian geology and biology, Indigenous history and culture, and even an exhibit on the extinct Tasmanian tiger (the Thylacine) which features an actual taxidermized specimen. The museum also has art exhibits featuring various mediums, such as pottery, paintings, and sculptures.
MONA
The Museum of Old and New Art is a Hobart tourist staple. This place is known for its whacky featured art and constantly changing exhibits. Even the museum itself is a piece of art – with uniquely designed rooms, tunnel-carved pathways, and no prescribed outline for how to explore it. Most of it is actually underground along slick exposed rock walls, which I found to be pretty cool! (but perhaps not recommended if you’re claustrophic). Eitherway, this place is a must-see! You can catch a ferry from Sullivans Cove, or you can drive here. In addition to the museum, there’s restaurants, accommodations, and much more!
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
These gardens are a perfect mini representation of Tasmania – elegant sprinkled with a penchant for the wild. You’ll be greeted by sprawling manicured lawns and an abundant selection of Tasmania’s unique flora, old conifer trees, an arid plant collection, a Japanese Garden, rose archways, and much more! Before even walking into the main gardens, from the parking lot, you’ll be greeted by humongous trees – I seriously spent at least 10 minutes wandering around these majestic trees before officially entering the gardens, much to the demise of my sister.
One of my favourites was the Tasmanian Flora Collection – it features mini waterfalls and an abundance of beautiful, lush ferns. It also has several well-placed benches throughout, so you could sit here and take some time to relax and enjoy your surroundings.
The Subantarctic Plant House was also a nice surprise! After walking through double doors, you’ll find yourself in a small, frigid room with various types of mosses and small plants to replicate Macquerie Island. Not only is it a neat introduction to subantarctic flora, but it’s also a great place to go if you need reprieve from the sun’s heat on a hot day. The room’s walls are painted with murals depicting the island, and there are speakers throughout featuring sounds of the island’s wildlife. Plus, there’s refreshingly cold mist intermittently sprayed into the air to simulate the island’s environmental conditions.
The Conservatory is definitely not to be missed! It’s a beautiful glass-ceiling-ed building with an elegant centre piece fountain and 214 species of exotic plants.
These botanical gardens also have a Pinetum which has a collection of conifer trees – with some species being rarely found in Australia. This particular garden was established in the mid-1800s, so some of these trees are very big, old, and definitely worth seeing!
Mt. Wellington / Kunanyi
At 1,271 meters high, this mountain towers over Hobart and its surrounding landscapes. You’ll be able to easily spot it from anywhere down in the city if you look up. The summit offers stellar panoramic views of southern Tasmania’s natural landscape and of the sprawling city below. The summit can easily be reached via car as it’s only a half hour’s drive form the Hobart CBD. If you don’t have access to a car, you can take a bus, with buses making the trip daily, multiple times a day.
Alternatively, you can go an adventurous hike following various trails to reach the coveted mountain top views. The first time I visited this mountain, I hiked to the summit starting at Fern Gully and then followed the Pinnacle Track and the Zig Zag Track up to the summit. Unfortunately at the time, the famous Organ Pipes trail was closed, which is a hiker-favourite given its cool and unique towering rock features. If you decide to hike up, make sure to take lots of water with you! The only feasible place to replenish your water on this hike is at The Springs. There’s nowhere to fill your water bottle at the summit – something I learned the hard way… Also make sure to check the weather before you go, due this mountain’s high altitude, it can be quite cold and windy on a seemingly hot summer’s day (or full of snow in the winter).
