Best Things To Do in Hobart

Hobart, located on Tasmania's south coast, is a destination that combines natural beauty with historical excursions, as you'll find not only protected parks, but also museums and the old Port Arthur Penitentiary, which for years made the state capital famous as one of Australia's convict sites.

Some of the best things to do in Hobart include taking a tour of Mount Wellington, discovering the Derwent River on a river cruise, visiting Salamanca Market, touring the Tasmanian Maritime Museum, seeing Wineglass Bay on a scenic flight, taking a tour on the local historic tram and taking a boat ride around the Iron Lighthouse.

A tour to Mount Wellington is an experience that will allow you to discover Tasmania's premier natural wonder and rich history. From this mountain you'll see panoramic views of Hobart and the surrounding area, as well as the scenic beauty of the region with its snow-capped peaks and dense vegetation.

When you reach the summit, which is more than 1,200 metres above sea level, you'll have a sweeping view across Hobart's city centre to the Derwent Estuary, the city's most popular river. Mount Wellington also has a series of trails that allow visitors to explore the native flora and fauna. Along the way you'll come across wallabies and kangaroos, common species in the area.

Mount Wellington is also a natural wonder deeply rooted in local lore, as it is a site that was once inhabited by Aboriginal people and occupied by early European settlers. That's why the best Hobart tours not only take in the panoramic views, but also learn about the region's past.

Hobart is a port city and as such, its history is intimately linked to the Derwent River that meanders along the waterfront, blending perfectly with the surrounding mountain scenery and island architecture of this destination. While you can view the tributary from the estuary, one of the best experiences you can have in the city is to take a cruise.

During these Hobart boat tours you'll not only get to cruise this iconic river, but you'll also get to see the rich diversity of wildlife along its banks up close. From seabirds to riverine woodland areas, every corner of the Derwent River is home to a variety of wildlife. In addition, Hobart's colonial history comes alive as you cruise past the old docks and dockyards that contributed to the city's development.

Furthermore, these Derwent River cruises will give you unique views of iconic historic sites, such as the Tasman Bridge and Salamanca Place, a warehouse suburb that was prominent in the late 19th century. During the walks you're likely to be joined by an expert local guide with fascinating tales of Hobart's maritime and cultural heritage, as you discover a different perspective on the destination.

The Salamanca Market, located in the historic warehouse district of Salamanca Place, is one of the city's most important attractions, mainly because it serves as a meeting point for locals and visitors alike. In this flea market you can find a wide range of handicraft products, artworks and fresh produce, but you can also discover the daily life of this place.

At the market stalls you'll find local crafts ranging from plated jewellery to colourful textiles and sculptures by talented Tasmanian artists. The diversity of products reflects the creativity and artistic spirit of this community, but it also gives you a chance to see the area around Salamanca Place, a neighbourhood that is often included on the best Hobart tours.

One of the highlights of the market is the food on offer. Here you'll find a variety of fresh foods, including freshly picked produce and tempting gourmet delicacies. It's also the perfect place to sample local specialities such as Tasmanian honey, artisan cheeses and fresh seafood that highlight the region's culinary richness.

The Penitentiary Museum is one of Hobart's most famous historic sites and allows you to explore a fascinating and sometimes dark chapter of Australian history. Located on the site of the former Port Arthur Prison, this museum offers an immersive insight into the lives of prisoners and the prison systems of the 19th century. As you wander through the halls, you'll come across an extensive collection of historical items that unfold the site's past.

Among the exhibits at the site, which is listed among Hobart's top museums, you'll find authentic artefacts that belonged to the prisoners and bear witness to the difficult living conditions of the time. From worn uniforms to work tools and personal belongings, each item tells a story of survival and endurance in a harsh environment.

Hobart Penitentiary is interwoven with the broader story of British colonisation of Australia and the island's use as a penal colony. Through interactive exhibits and themed narratives, the museum highlights how Port Arthur Prison became a pioneering experiment in the prison system, implementing innovative rehabilitation and punishment techniques.

During your visit you can also see the restored cells and prison yards, and learn about the Port Arthur Massacre which occurred in 1996 and hastened the final removal of the 11 Australian prison sites built by the British colony in different parts of the country.

For an adventurous experience, you can't miss a scenic flight over Wineglass Bay, one of the best things to do from Hobart. This aerial tour will give you sweeping views of one of the most picturesque bays in the world, located approximately 2 hours from the Tasmanian capital.

Aboard a small aircraft, you will soar over the crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches that characterise Wineglass Bay. From above, you will be able to see the perfect inverted cup shape that gives the bay its name, which is characterised by its calm waters. During the flight you will also be able to see the vastness of the ocean and the surrounding forest vegetation, as well as the coastal rock formations and nearby islets.

The scenic flight over Wineglass Bay will also give you the opportunity to spot the marine wildlife that inhabits these waters, including whales and dolphins, especially if you plan to visit Hobart during the summer when the larger cetaceans are mating.

A trip to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary from Hobart will introduce you to Tasmania's native wildlife. The sanctuary plays a vital role in the conservation of native species and gives visitors the opportunity to interact with and learn about the region's unique wildlife. You can also meet the famous Tasmanian devil, whose behaviour attracts the attention of tourists.

In Bonorong you can also take part in guided tours that take you through the local wildlife, its habitat and the conservation efforts of local organisations to keep endangered species safe. As well as Tasmanian devils, you'll encounter wombats, kangaroos and native birds.

One of the unforgettable experiences you'll take away from Bonorong is the chance to interact directly with some of the animals. You can feed the kangaroos and pet the wombats, allowing you to get up close to the wildlife in one of Australia's most famous sanctuaries.

Hobart is a city that was originally built around the river, so a visit to the Tasmanian Maritime Museum will give you an insight into the rich harbour history that has shaped the capital of this Australian island. Here you'll find a collection ranging from the early exploration of the Tasmanian coastline to the intrepid era of seafaring and maritime trade that characterised the region.

Often listed as one of Hobart's best museums, you can explore a variety of items ranging from old, analogue nautical charts to historic ship models that tell the story of the expeditions that shaped the region's cartography. In addition, the exhibition focuses on Hobart's importance as a strategic port and its involvement in Antarctic exploration, displaying relics of expeditions that departed from these shores.

One of the great things about the Tasmanian Maritime Museum is that it offers interactive experiences and simulators that put you on an imaginary high seas voyage. The stories of sailors, explorers, privateers and traders are interwoven with the evolution of shipbuilding, offering a complete picture of the deep connection between Tasmania and the vast ocean that surrounds it and that the island's people have been compelled to explore.

The museum is located in the heart of Hobart's historic Old Town, so it's easily accessible and can be reached by public transport or the city's hop-on-hop-off sightseeing buses.

One of the best ways to get a taste of Hobart's colonial spirit is to take a tour aboard the city's historic tram. On this tour you can visit the narrow cobbled streets of the city centre and the most emblematic points of interest of this destination.

During the itinerary you will have access to an audio guide in several languages that will tell you about the evolution of Hobart, from its colonisation days to the modern city it is today. The tram also takes you past iconic sites such as Salamanca Place, Battery Point, the Cascade Brewery, the Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens and the historic harbour, offering scenic views and unique opportunities to explore each stop.

Live entertainment is also available on board the tram, with local musicians and street performers adding a traditional flavour to the experience.

If you want to learn about Australia's colonial history, a visit to Port Arthur is a must during your trip to Hobart. This Unesco World Heritage Site is a former prison settlement with a rich architectural and cultural heritage. Founded in 1830, Port Arthur became a crucial site for the confinement of convicts, marking a significant chapter in Tasmania's prison history.

However, Port Arthur offers much more than a former prison that now houses one of Hobart's finest museums. In the centre of the precinct you will see a number of well-preserved buildings, including the church, the Commandant's House and the infirmary, each with its own history and purpose within the complex.

In addition to the historic buildings, the site has a visitor centre that features interactive exhibits and detailed narratives about daily life in and around the prison settlement. You can also opt for a boat tour of Carnarvon Bay for a unique perspective of Port Arthur from the water.

The Isle of the Dead, a cemetery that houses the graves of over 1,000 inmates, is another poignant element of the site that highlights the harshness of existence in Port Arthur during the penitentiary years.

One of the most inhospitable places you can visit from Hobart, but not to be missed on your itinerary, is the Iron Pot Lighthouse, a legendary lantern that is strategically located off the coast of Hobart and has guided sailors over the years in navigating the challenging waters of the Tasman Sea. During the tour, you can explore this iconic lighthouse up close, uncovering all its mysteries.

The history of the Iron Lighthouse dates back to the 19th century, when it was built to improve navigational safety on one of the busiest shipping lanes in the region. With its wrought iron structure, the lighthouse has stood the test of time and has become an iconic symbol of the Tasmanian coast. Through the expert local guide on board the boat, you will gain an insight into the vital role this site once played.

During the tour, you will also enjoy the panoramic views of the coastal landscape and experience the environment from different perspectives. The surrounding waters, often rough and tumultuous, provide an unmissable backdrop to one of the best excursions from Hobart.