Hobart Travel Guide: Top Things to Do, See, Eat & Experience
Historic buildings in Salamanca Place, Hobart.
Hobart is the kind of place where one minute you’re wandering cobblestone streets with a mulled wine in hand, and the next you’re standing on a mountain with icy wind on your face, looking out over river, city and sea, all at once. It’s historic, creative, and quietly beautiful.
This Hobart travel guide brings together the unmissable experiences, local favourites, food spots, day trips and practical tips to help you experience Hobart like a traveller… not just ticking off the highlights.
Getting Your Bearings: Where Hobart Sits
Hobart is Tasmania’s capital, tucked along the Derwent River and backed by Mount Wellington / kunanyi. It’s compact, walkable and incredibly easy to base yourself in, whether you’re staying for a weekend or using it as a launchpad for southern Tasmania adventures.
Salamanca Place & Salamanca Markets
Salamanca Place is at the heart of Hobart… lined with beautiful sandstone warehouses, colourful doors, creative spaces and cafes that spill out onto the footpath. On Saturdays, it transforms into Salamanca Market, one of Australia’s most loved markets.
Wandering here feels slow and joyful. There are stalls selling local produce, handmade goods, art, flowers and food that smells so good it’s impossible not to stop.
Just beyond the market stalls are historic buildings, distilleries, cosy bars and the waterfront.
Traveller tips:
Arrive early to avoid peak crowds
Bring cash for market stalls
Plan your parking in advance (we found parking easily in Battery Point)
Layer up. Hobart mornings can be chilly, even in summer
Salamanca Markets are the perfect start to your Saturday morning in Hobart.
Cascade Brewery & The Female Factory
This part of Hobart surprised me, in the best way. The history is fascinating.
Cascade Brewery
The original Cascade Brewery sits across the road from the modern bar. While it’s tempting to just grab a drink, I highly recommend doing the historic brewery tour.
Walking through the old buildings adds so much context, and the tour includes tastings. Just be sure to check tour times in advance. Stay for a drink or two after the tour and enjoy the beautiful grounds.
The historic Cascade Brewery.
Cascades Female Factory
Just nearby is the Cascades Female Factory, a former women’s prison that offers a powerful insight into Tasmania’s convict history.
You can do this via audio guide, but I highly recommend a guided tour… it adds depth and context that’s worth it. Tour times can finish earlier than expected, so plan ahead.
Traveller tip: Do these two together, starting with the Cascades Female Factory. They’re close and balance history with something lighter.
Mount Wellington / kunanyi
Mount Wellington is completely weather-dependent, and absolutely worth waiting for the right day. On a clear day, the views are breathtaking. On a bad day? You might barely see a few metres ahead. We went up in late November and there was still melting snow at the top. It was windy, cold and stunning.
There are short walking tracks at the summit, multiple lookouts and endless photo opportunities.
Traveller tips:
Check the weather before you go
Bring warm layers, even in summer
Don’t rush, take time to explore the lookouts
The views from Mount Wellington.
MONA (Museum of Old and New Art)
MONA is one of those places people either rave about or feel deeply confused by… sometimes both.
Even if you’re “not a museum person,” MONA is worth experiencing. From the ferry ride along the Derwent River to the underground galleries, it’s bold, immersive and completely unique.
Traveller tip: The ferry ride alone is part of the experience, grab a drink and enjoy the views.
Where to Eat & Drink in Hobart
Hobart’s food scene punches well above its size. With fresh seafood, cool-climate wines from nearby vineyards, craft beer, and small hidden bars… Hobart is fast becoming a foodie destination.
Local Favourites
Waterfront cafes around Salamanca & Constitution Dock
Distilleries serving whisky and gin
Cosy bars offering mulled wine in cooler months
If you’re exploring the CBD, you’ll stumble across incredible spots just by wandering… that’s half the fun.
Top Cafés & Breakfast Spots
Start your day with some of the best coffee and pastries in Hobart:
Six Russell Bakes - A local favourite for beautiful pastries, seasonal bakes and top-notch coffee.
Machine Laundry Café - Quirky and beloved; big breakfasts and breakfast boards.
The Stagg Midtown - A cool, modern café serving quality coffee and creative brunch dishes in a relaxed city setting.
Pigeon Whole Bakers - One of Hobart’s most popular bakeries. Incredible sourdough, pastries that sell out early, and a lively atmosphere. Go early.
Baked Gluten Free - A standout for coeliac and gluten-free travellers. Everything is indulgent, and genuinely delicious… no compromises here.
Abercrombie Coffee - Minimalist, specialty coffee done exceptionally well. Perfect for a quick caffeine hit between exploring Hobart’s historic streets.
Skip the café on Saturday’s and grab your coffee and breakfast fresh at Salamanca Market.
Lunch & Dinner Standouts
From seafood to modern Aussie, these places are crowd-pleasers:
Franklin (Franklin Wharf) - A contemporary favourite with seasonal Tasmanian produce.
Aloft - Tasting menus that highlight local flavours (advance bookings recommended).
Templo - Small, communal tables and creative, ever-changing Italian-inspired menu.
Fico - Chic Mediterranean vibe with beautifully curated wine lists.
Dier Makr - Bold, modern and experimental.
Frogmore Creek - A winery restaurant just outside Hobart with sweeping vineyard views.
Ti Ama - Relaxed Italian with some of the best pizza’s in town.
Landscape Restaurant - Seasonal degustation-style dining with a strong focus on Tasmanian produce.
Best Bars & Distilleries
Hobart shines after dark. Think fire pits, moody basements, heritage pubs and world-class whisky, all within easy walking distance.
Preachers - Industrial-chic bar with fire pits and mulled wine (seasonally iconic).
Mary Mary - A stylish, tucked-away wine bar that’s perfect for easing into the evening with a Tasmanian drop.
Hope & Anchor - Australia’s oldest continually licensed pub. Historic, welcoming and great for a classic pub experience.
Sonny - Dark, intimate and effortlessly cool. Known for creative cocktails and a late-night vibe.
Lark Distillery – Hobart Wharf - One of two Lark locations in Hobart. Whisky tastings right on the waterfront make this an easy add-on to a harbour walk. (Both Lark venues are worth visiting.)
Manky Sally’s - Cosy, music-led and unapologetically local. A great spot for strong drinks and relaxed energy.
Gold Bar - A hidden speakeasy-style bar that feels like a secret. Intimate, moody and perfect for a quiet nightcap.
Void Bar - Underground, eclectic and a little edgy. Ideal if you love discovering places you’d otherwise walk straight past.
Lucinda - Elegant and wine-forward, with a focus on seasonal, local pours.
La Sardinia Loca - Lively Spanish-inspired bar with great energy, wine and small plates. Perfect for starting (or ending) the night.
Lark have multiple locations where you can sip your way through their whisky.
Where to Stay in Hobart
Hobart’s accommodation ranges from historic boutique charm to waterfront luxury. What you choose can define the vibe of your trip… whether you want heritage aesthetics, a cosy hideaway, or a central hub for exploring the city on foot. Hobart offers great options for every travel style.
Salamanca / Battery Point: Historic charm, walkable and atmospheric
CBD: Convenient and central
Sandy Bay: Quiet, scenic and great for longer stays
Traveller tip: Stay central if it’s your first visit (Salamanca, Battery Point, or CBD). Hobart is best explored on foot.
Salamanca / Battery Point - Iconic & Walkable
Perfect for first-time visitors who want heritage streets, cafes at your doorstep and sunset strolls along the water.
Great Options:
Islington Hotel & Apartments - Stylish, modern with balconies and views close to Battery Point.
Salamanca Inn - Classic choice steps from the markets and lively dining scene.
Moss Hotel - The perfect blend of history, art, and modern touches.
Hobart CBD - Central & Convenient
Close to shops, restaurants, tours and transport links; ideal for shorter stays or first nights.
Great Options:
The Henry Jones Art Hotel - Converted warehouse with suites, on-site bar and art installations.
Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart - Reliable, great views and location.
MACq 01 Hotel - Story-driven hotel with sea-views and incredible breakfast options.
Best Day Trips from Hobart
One of Hobart’s biggest strengths is how much you can see without moving accommodation.
Richmond
A beautiful historic town filled with sandstone buildings, old churches, Australia’s oldest bridge, and ducks everywhere. Oh, and did I mention the Pooseum? Richmond is incredibly photogenic and easy to pair with nearby wineries like Pooley Wines.
Port Arthur Historic Site
Larger and more moving than expected, Port Arthur takes at least half a day. Your ticket includes a short harbour cruise, and the surrounding area offers dramatic coastal formations like blowholes and Tasman Arch.
Nearby towns, including the delightfully quirky Doo Town, add a lighter note to the day.
Huon Valley & Tahune Airwalk
Walk among towering trees and across suspension bridges at the Tahune AirWalk, then warm up by the fire with cider at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed.
Bruny Island
From bread fridges and dramatic lookouts to wild coastlines, Bruny Island is a must-do Hobart day trip… just arrive early for the ferry.
How Long to Spend in Hobart
2-3 days: City highlights + Mount Wellington + MONA
4-6 days: Add Port Arthur, Richmond or Bruny Island
1 week: Use Hobart as a base for southern Tasmania
Hobart feels like a big country town, with all the perks of a big city. Enjoy the history, food, landscapes and moments you didn’t plan. Stay curious, watch the weather, and leave space in your itinerary. That’s when Hobart really shines.
Planning a trip to Tasmania? Discover Unmissable Things to Do in Tasmania.