Australia’s Second-Oldest City
Hobart sits at the foot of kunanyi / Mount Wellington, spilling down to the broad Derwent estuary in a tangle of Georgian sandstone, converted warehouses, and colonial-era lanes that have barely changed in a century. It is the smallest of Australia’s state capitals — population roughly 240,000 — and almost certainly the most interesting one. The city produced MONA, David Walsh’s audacious underground museum that has reset global expectations for what a regional art institution can be. It has a Saturday market (Salamanca) that is genuinely extraordinary. It has a restaurant and bar scene that by any reasonable metric outperforms cities ten times its size. And behind it all, kunanyi rises to 1,271 metres — a mountain accessible by car or on foot, visible from almost anywhere in the city, and capable of dropping a metre of snow in December.
These guides cover the experiences that make Hobart worth the journey: how to visit MONA properly, what to do at Salamanca, which trails to walk up kunanyi, which restaurants to book, and the best day trips within two hours of the city. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week based in Hobart, this is where to start.
7-Day Tasmania Itinerary 2026 — Starting in Hobart
Days 1 and 2 of our tested self-drive itinerary are entirely Hobart-based: Salamanca Place, Battery Point, MONA by Roma ferry, and kunanyi at sunset. The complete circuit continues to Freycinet, Bay of Fires, and Cradle Mountain with all driving distances and booking tips.
Read Full Itinerary →Hobart Travel Guides
Individual guides for every major Hobart experience — in-depth, locally researched, updated for 2026.
MONA Hobart: The Complete Visitor Guide
How to book tickets, which ferry to take, how long to allow, what not to miss, Dark Mofo vs Mona Foma, and where to eat on site. The only MONA guide you need before you go.
Coming Soon
Salamanca Market: What to Buy, Eat & Do
The 300-stall Saturday morning market at the sandstone warehouses of Salamanca Place. Fresh oysters, leatherwood honey, handmade fudge, and the best local roasted coffee. Where to go first and what to skip.
Coming Soon
kunanyi / Mount Wellington: Walk, Drive & Summit Guide
Walk from the city (13 km return), drive to the summit car park, or combine both. What to expect at 1,271 metres, best times for views, how to dress, and where Hobart looks most extraordinary from above.
Coming Soon
Battery Point Heritage Walk: Hobart’s Colonial Village
A self-guided walk through Australia’s best-preserved colonial precinct — Arthur Circus, Narryna Heritage Museum, St George’s Church, and the lanes of a maritime community frozen in the 1840s. Allow 90 minutes.
Coming Soon
The Best Day Trips from Hobart 2026
Bruny Island (ferry, oysters, white wallabies), Port Arthur (90 min drive, convict history), Richmond (Australia’s oldest bridge), the Huon Valley (apple orchards, cider), and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. All within two hours.
Coming Soon
Dark Mofo Festival Guide: Hobart in Winter
MONA’s winter festival transforms Hobart every June — fire, darkness, live music, extraordinary food events, and art installations that take over the entire city. How to book, what to see, and why winter is the best time to visit.
Coming Soon