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Hobart Travel Guide - Things to Do & Best Day Trips in Southern Tasmania
- Sep 1, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 31
Hobart Travel Guide - Things to Do & Best Day Trips in Southern Tasmania
Welcome to our Hobart Travel Guide, your starting point for exploring Tasmania’s charming and historic capital city. Set along the banks of the Derwent River and framed by the dramatic slopes of Mount Wellington / kunanyi, Hobart blends heritage, culture, nature and food into one beautifully compact destination.
From sandstone buildings and waterfront precincts to world-class museums, bustling markets and unforgettable day trips, Hobart offers the perfect balance of city experiences and outdoor adventure. This guide covers the best things to do in Hobart and the top day trips to help you plan an unforgettable visit to southern Tasmania.
Mount Wellington/kunanyi - Hobart's Iconic Lookout
Rising 1,271 metres above sea level, Mount Wellington / kunanyi dominates Hobart’s skyline and offers spectacular panoramic views across the city, the Derwent River and beyond. On clear days, you can see as far as Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula.
You can drive the steep, winding road to the summit, stopping at several scenic lookouts along the way, or catch a convenient bus tour if you’d prefer not to drive. At the top, short walking tracks, alpine scenery and ever-changing weather make every visit unique.
👉 Click here to book a bus tour to Mt Wellington
Salamanca Markets in Historic Salamanca Place
Salamanca Place, located at Sullivans Cove on Hobart’s waterfront, is one of the city’s most vibrant and historic precincts. Its beautifully restored sandstone warehouses now house cafés, galleries, boutiques and bars.
Every Saturday from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, the area comes alive with the famous Salamanca Market, featuring more than 300 stalls selling Tasmanian produce, handmade crafts, local art, street food and live music. It’s a must-visit for soaking up Hobart’s creative energy.
👉 Click here for more information about the Salamanca Markets
MONA - Museum of Old & New Art
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is Hobart’s most talked-about attraction and Australia’s largest private museum. Owned by David Walsh, MONA is carved deep underground across three dramatic gallery levels and showcases ancient, modern and often provocative art.
Beyond the galleries, MONA also features two wineries, a brewery, bars, restaurants and luxury accommodation. One of the best ways to arrive is via the MONA ferry, which adds a scenic river cruise to your visit.
Enjoy the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Just minutes from the city centre, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are a peaceful oasis set beside the Derwent River. Spanning 14 hectares and open every day of the year, the gardens are perfect for a relaxed stroll.
Highlights include the Japanese Garden, Subantarctic Plant House, Cactus House, Arthur Wall and colourful seasonal displays — all with views back toward Mount Wellington.
👉 Click here for more information about Royal Tasmania Botanic Gardens
Wander around Hobart's Waterfront
A wander around Hobart’s waterfront is one of the simplest pleasures in the city. Constitution Dock, just a five-minute walk from the CBD, is lined with fishing boats, yachts and waterfront eateries serving fresh seafood.
You can also cruise the Derwent River aboard Lady Nelson or join a Hobart Historic Cruise to learn more about the city’s maritime past.
The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) sits nearby and offers free entry to fascinating exhibitions covering art, Aboriginal heritage, natural history and Tasmania’s colonial past.
From Salamanca Place, climb Kelly’s Steps into Battery Point, one of Hobart’s oldest neighbourhoods. Its narrow streets, cottages and colonial architecture make it one of Australia’s most charming historic precincts.
Cascade Brewery - Australia's Oldest Brewery
Nestled in the foothills of South Hobart beneath Mount Wellington, Cascade Brewery is Australia’s oldest operating brewery. The historic buildings, gardens and mountain backdrop make it one of Hobart’s most scenic places to stop for a drink.
The Cascade Brewery Bar & Café is open daily, and guided tours offer insight into the brewing process and the brewery’s long history.
More things to do in Hobart
Other highlights include the Hobart Penitentiary, where you can explore Tasmania’s convict past, and Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum, which tells the story of Antarctic expeditions.
The Cascades Female Factory, a World Heritage–listed site, is Australia’s most significant historic place associated with female convicts and offers a powerful insight into colonial life.
👉 Click here to book the Cascades Female Factory tour
To visit Bruny Island, you drive 32 kilometres from Hobart to Kettering. Then, catch the Sealink Ferry to Bruny Island. The ferries run every 20 minutes, from approximately 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the journey takes about 15 minutes.
On Bruny Island, you can enjoy fantastic views at the Neck Lookout. You can hike to the Fluted Cape, a 4-kilometre hike that starts at Adventure Bay.
At Cape Bruny Lighthouse, you can wander around yourself or join a tour to climb up inside and learn about this historic site.
Bruny Island is also known as a food haven, so try some of the great products that are available, including cheese, oysters, honey and much more. At Adventure Bay, you may even see a white wallaby.
Richmond & Bonorong Sanctuary Day Trip
Richmond is a charming historic village in the Coal River Valley, 25 kilometres from Hobart, where you can see the lovely Historic Bridge.
Wander around the village admiring the heritage buildings and browse in the shops. You can also visit the Richmond Goal, Australia’s oldest convict goal is open seven days a week from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is located 20 kilometres from Richmond. At Bonorong, you can get up close to the Tasmanian devils, wombats, quolls & and hand-feed the kangaroos.
Mount Field National Park is located 82 kilometres from Hobart. It is one of Tasmania’s oldest national parks and is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
The highlight of this national park is Russell Falls; this stunning waterfall is only a short 10-minute walk from the Visitor Centre along a flat treelined track. There are other more challenging walks to Horseshoe Falls, Lady Barron Falls and the Tall Trees.
Port Arthur Day Trip
The Port Arthur Historic Site is located 90 kilometres from Hobart on the Tasman Peninsula and is the best-preserved convict settlement in Australia.
After purchasing your ticket, you can wander the 40-hectare landscaped grounds and learn more about this historic site. There are over 30 buildings and ruins, including a large penitentiary and a roofless church.
The Tasman Peninsula also has a beautiful rugged coastline and fantastic Natural Attractions, including Remarkable Cave, Tasman Arch, and the Tessellated Pavement.
Huon Valley Day Trip
The Huon Valley, with its lovely green rolling hills and picturesque countryside, starts at the Mount Wellington Range and continues down to Cockle Creek, Australia's most southern point.
In the Huon Valley, you can explore Hastings Caves, a fantastic Dolomite cave system, which is a labyrinth of chambers, richly decorated and cleverly lit to highlight these incredible formations.
At the Tahune AirWalk, you can wander along the 30-metre elevated walkway above the forest floor and venture out onto the narrow cantilever section that juts out 50 metres over the Huon River. Then you can walk along the river and over the swinging bridges.
At Hartz Mountains National Park, there are stunning walking tracks with dolerite mountains, glacial lakes and a large variety of alpine plants.
Apples have been grown in the Huon Valley in Tasmania for over 170 years. At Willie Smiths, Apple Shed, you can try the organic apple cider and delicious apple pie and then wander around the cellar door and museum.
Cockle Creek is at the bottom of the Huon Valley, 120 kilometres from Hobart, and it is as far south as you can drive in Australia. Located in the Southwest National Park, it is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, and this remote stretch of white sandy beach is stunning.
Why You Should Visit Hobart in Tasmania
Hobart is a city that rewards curiosity. With its rich history, creative spirit, stunning natural setting and easy access to unforgettable day trips, it’s the perfect base for exploring southern Tasmania.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or planning a longer adventure, Hobart invites you to slow down, explore deeply and discover something memorable around every corner.
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