Tasmania — lutruwita

Hobart, Tasmania's Historic Capital

Australia's second-oldest capital city — convict-era sandstone, a world-class gallery carved into cliff, and Mount Wellington rising straight up behind it.

This is a starting point for our Tasmania coverage, not a full state guide yet — see it as the anchor for Hobart, with more of the state to follow. Correct as of {{LAST_MODIFIED_DISPLAY}}.

Hobart sits on the Derwent River in Tasmania's south-east, founded in 1804 as Australia's second-oldest capital city after Sydney. Mount Wellington (kunanyi) rises directly behind the city, often snow-capped even in the warmer months, giving Hobart one of the most dramatic capital-city backdrops in the country.

The city's convict-era sandstone architecture is genuinely well preserved, particularly around the Salamanca Place waterfront — and since 2011, Hobart has also been home to MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, which put the city on the international art map almost overnight.

1804
Founded, Australia's 2nd capital
kunanyi
Mount Wellington, behind the city
Sat
Salamanca Market, weekly
MONA
Museum of Old and New Art
Highlights

What to See & Do

Art

MONA

David Walsh's Museum of Old and New Art, built into sandstone cliffs on the Derwent — provocative, unconventional, and reachable by a purpose-built ferry from the city.

Market

Salamanca Market

A Saturday institution along the historic Salamanca Place warehouses — food, crafts, and produce from across Tasmania.

Nature

kunanyi / Mount Wellington

A short drive from the CBD to the summit, with sweeping views over Hobart and the Derwent Estuary — genuinely cold at the top even in summer.

Heritage

Battery Point

A beautifully preserved colonial-era neighbourhood of cottages and merchants' houses, a short walk from Salamanca.

Acknowledgement

Traditional Owners

Cooee Tours acknowledges the palawa / pakana people as the Traditional Owners of lutruwita (Tasmania), including the muwinina people of the Hobart area, and pays respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Planning a Tasmania trip?

Get in touch and we'll help plan your Hobart visit — more of the state's guides are coming soon.

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