Hobart is Tasmania’s capital, sits on the River Derwent. Hobart offers cultural experiences, historic sites, world class food, unbelievable scenery and stunning landscapes. Many tourists prefer to start exploring this great island from Hobart only.

The best part about this city is that if you plan your trip properly and start early in the morning then you can explore all attractions in one day only but it’s always advisable to stay longer to enjoy world class activities, great attractions, creative food in restaurants and most unique experiences only in Hobart.

Here are some of the top 17 things to do in Hobart, Tasmania.

MONA 

 To be very frank I am not much fond of museums as I feel very bored and I feel all museums are the same but when we asked for a review of museums to locals they said your trip is not complete to Hobart without visiting MONA. Trust me whoever goes there, they all say they had such an amazing, unique experience and it’s sparked my interest to visit MONA.

This is the best experience for the whole family. Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is privately owned which was open in January 2011 and ever since it’s flooded with many tourists from worldwide.

MONA has a collection of both ancient and modern contemporary art from David Walsh. Unbelievable architecture, great and very weird collection of art, underground tunnels and many things you will explore in this underground Museum and thats the reason its on top list of things to do in Hobart.

Mount Wellington and Lookout

The city’s backdrop is 1,270m-high Mount Wellington also known as Kunanyi which is an Aboriginal name, translated as Mountain.

You can hike on the mountain or simply drive around 30 minutes from the CBD of Hobart to the pinnacle. Mount Wellington offers an unbelievable view of Derwent River, the whole city, Coal River Valley and harbour which are truly breathtaking.

You can enjoy a remarkable hike on several trails in Wellington Park. You must go early to avoid the crowd and on a sunny day to enjoy this incredible site.

Salamanca Place

Hobart’s most well-known cobblestoned square was once famous for whalers and sailors, Salamanca Place is one of the best things to do in Hobart and place is now home to a lively cultural sight.

The place has now transformed into restaurants, cafes, galleries, bars, craft shops and offices. It’s a combination of beautiful multiple sandstone buildings and mixed with the old and new architecture.

Live music, creative food and a lovely atmosphere make Salamanca one of the best places to visit in Tasmania.

It’s a perfect place for the whole family where children can play, adults can spend a great time, enjoy great food and youngsters can enjoy locally produced gins, whiskeys and wines.

There is a market every Saturday morning where you can purchase handmade products and homegrown produce. You should not miss out and give yourself plenty of time as there are more than 220 stallholders selling plenty of unique items which you can buy I bet some of the items are so unique that I am afraid you won’t be able to find them anywhere else.

Sullivan’s Cove and Sullivan’s Cove distillery

Sullivan’s Cove is now the city’s largest port, nearby Salamanca Place, which was the site of Hobart’s first European settlement.

It is famous for its historic buildings, amazing cafes and the best place to enjoy seafood. Explore, enjoy at Tasmania’s popular Sullivan’s Cove distillery.

Maritime Museum of Tasmania

Maritime Museum of Tasmania in Sullivans Cove gives you history about the sea, ships, and ship-building which was there before the British invasion.

Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery

Learn about the history of Australia’s second-oldest settlement at Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery which was established by the Royal Society of Tasmania in 1843.

You will be amazed to see old photographs, Aboriginal artefacts, archaeological and colonial relics and colonial decorative arts.

Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden

Australia’s second oldest Botanical Garden covers an area of around 34.6 acres was established in 1818. More than 200 years old this enchanting garden is free to visit.

You can explore tranquil Japanese gardens, historic plant collections, exotic plants and the world’s only Subantarctic Plant House only in Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden. Some of the plants are dating back to the nineteenth century.

Bruny Island and Lighthouse

114 meters tall, Cape Bruny Lighthouse is the second oldest existing lighthouse tower located at Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia.

It was first lit in 1838 and after 158 years was eventually decommissioned in August 1996. Cape Bruny Lighthouse offers scenic views of the rugged South Bruny coastline.

Dazzling natural beauty, breathtaking views from tower, vast scenery, understand history from the museum, lookouts, incredible beaches, dynamic food and many more activities you can explore in Bruny Island tours.

Battery Point

Battery Point is named after the battery of guns and was settled as a defensive outpost in the early 19th century for the penal colony.

Hobart’s most historic suburb, beautiful convict-built architecture is best to discover on foot. While walking on foot you will come across nine sculptures which represent quantity, weight, date, time and other measures linked to Hobart’s past.

Tourist attractions of the area are Narryna Heritage Museum, Lenna House a sandstone mansion, 19th-century cottages.

Cascades Brewery

The Cascade Brewery was established in 1824 and is Australia’s oldest brewery. Tours are the perfect way to learn about the brewery and develop deep gratitude for its special and iconic Tasmanian brew.

My family and I visited the brewery and we were blown away with this amazing tour where we learnt about the history of the Cascade Brewery, how the beer is made, followed by a tasting of the finest beer. It was a sunny day and we had fun walking in the beautiful garden of Cascade Brewery and I recommend you also to add in things to do in Hobart.

Cascades Female Factory

Do you want to know about the deep and dark aspects of Australia’s history? The Cascades Female Factory is a significant piece of female convict history that was operational from 1828 to 1856 during the penal colony.

Today site operates as a museum and tells you about the heartbreaking and fascinating stories of thousands of women who were kept for labour and punishment.

Farm Gate Markets

Farm Gate Market operates every Sunday in the rain, shine or hail from 8.30 am till 1.00 pm, busy Bathurst Street transforms into a lively farmers’ market.

Everything they sell in their stalls are locally produced, grown, picked and packed the night before and sell it on Sunday morning.

The market starts with the ringing of a giant brass bell! Imagine buying the freshest produce and listening to live performances. The first street performance also starts at the same time. The whole place turns lively, energetic and full of fun.

It’s a smoke free environment and it’s always advisable to bring your own bags as this market is completely plastic free.

You can’t bring your furry friend but there are places near the library where you can tie them while you buy fresh and locally produced items. check out dog friendly camping sites in Hobart and more information on my blog. Have funnnnn.

 Street Eats @ Franko

I can guarantee you that if it’s not produced in Tasmania then you will not find it in Street Eats @ Franko. Franko is the best place to enjoy locally produced fresh street foods along with local beer and spirits.

It starts from 4.30 pm onwards. You can dance and enjoy the rhythms of live music. Perfect place to have a great time, even a family with kids can have blast. to enjoy at Street Eats @ Franko you can book tickets online or at the entrance gate as well.

Mount Nelson

During the earlier 18th century, Mount Nelson was a signal station but after the arrival of the telegraph, the station stopped being operational in1880.

Mount Nelson offers a breathtaking view of Hobart and scenic views of Bruny Island. You can enjoy light lunch and snacks in restaurants while visiting the lookout.

 Hobart Convict Penitentiary

The Hobart Convict Penitentiary take you back to a snapshot of convict life from the year 1846. Now you can take an evening ghost tour in this haunted place and they will show you incredible stories of crime, courts room, underground tunnels, Solitary Cells, Courtrooms and darker past of Tasmania.

Parliament House

Parliament House, large sandstone two-storey building on Salamanca Place was originally designed as the Customs House in Hobart, Tasmania. The house now welcomes very limited visitors to the gallery when Parliament is in session.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

It takes around one hour by bus and around 25 minutes from Hobart CBD to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. You can learn and also see some of Tasmania’s native wildlife.

You get a close experience with wombat, koala and Tasmanian devil. You can choose different tours and experiences based on how much time you have and money you want to spend.

If you have not seen kangaroos or never got a chance to get close to kangaroos, well then you can feed kangaroos and enjoy a great experience.

Cadbury chocolate factory and Federation Artisan Chocolate

I have never been to any chocolate factory and I never knew the whole process, like how chocolates are made and packed. In 2012, my family and I had a great opportunity to explore the Cadbury chocolate factory in Hobart.

But unfortunately in 2015 as Cadbury wanted to focus more on production and major Tasmanian tourism attraction for families, it decided to close down its visitors centre at the factory.

Don’t be disheartened if you haven’t had the chance of visiting the Cadbury chocolate factory, you still have an opportunity to take a chocolate making tour with the Federation Artisan Chocolate that is an iconic Tasmanian chocolate brand running magnificently over 30 years.

The tour takes you into the universe of chocolate making, the process of Cacao Bean’s transformation into mouthwatering chocolate.

The tour will show you the different stages of the chocolate making process, roasting, grinding and chocolate liquor ageing methods and you will get an opportunity to taste at each stage. Chocolate lovers book your spot for the next tour on their page and learn about the Full Bean method of making Chocolate.

Summary of 17 things to do in Hobart

• MONA :- MONA has a collection of both ancient and modern contemporary art from David Walsh.
• Mount Wellington and Lookout :- Mount Wellington offers an unbelievable view of Derwent River, the whole city, Coal River Valley and harbour which are truly breathtaking.
• Salamanca Place (things to do in Hobart)  :- Hobart’s most well-known cobblestoned square was once famous for whalers and sailors, Salamanca Place is now home to a lively cultural sight.
• Sullivan’s Cove and Sullivan’s Cove distillery :- Sullivan’s Cove is now the city’s largest port, nearby Salamanca Place, which was the site of Hobart’s first European settlement.
• Maritime Museum of Tasmania :-It is famous for its historic buildings, amazing cafes and the best place to enjoy seafood. Explore, enjoy at Tasmania’s popular Sullivan’s Cove distillery.
• Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery :- You will be amazed to see old photographs, Aboriginal artefacts, archaeological and colonial relics and colonial decorative arts.
• Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden :- You can explore tranquil Japanese gardens, historic plant collections, exotic plants and the world’s only Subantarctic Plant House only in Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden.
• Bruny Island and Lighthouse :- 114 meters tall, Cape Bruny Lighthouse is the second oldest existing lighthouse tower located at Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia.
• Battery Point (things to do in Hobart) :- Hobart’s most historic suburb, beautiful convict-built architecture is best to discover on foot.
• Cascades Brewery :- Tours are the perfect way to learn about the brewery and develop deep gratitude for its special and iconic Tasmanian brew.
• Cascades Female Factory :- Do you want to know about the deep and dark aspects of Australia’s history? The Cascades Female Factory is a significant piece of female convict history that was operational from 1828 to 1856 during the penal colony.
• Farm Gate Market (things to do in Hobart) :- Farm Gate Market operates every Sunday in the rain, shine or hail from 8.30 am till 1.00 pm, busy Bathurst Street transforms into a lively farmers’ market.
• Street Eats @ Franko :- Franko is the best place to enjoy locally produced fresh street foods along with local beer and spirits.
• Mount Nelson (things to do in Hobart) :- Mount Nelson offers a breathtaking view of Hobart and scenic views of Bruny Island. You can enjoy light lunch and snacks in restaurants while visiting the lookout.
• Hobart Convict Penitentiary :- You can take an evening ghost tour in this haunted place and they will show you incredible stories of crime, courts room, underground tunnels, Solitary Cells, Courtrooms and darker past of Tasmania.
• Parliament House (things to do in Hobart) :- Parliament House, large sandstone two-storey building on Salamanca Place was originally designed as the Customs House in Hobart, Tasmania.
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary :- You get a close experience with wombat, koala and Tasmanian devil. You can choose different tours and experiences based on how much time you have and money you want to spend.
• Cadbury chocolate factory :- Unfortunately in 2015 as Cadbury wanted to focus more on production and major Tasmanian tourism attraction for families, it decided to close down its visitors centre at the factory.
• Federation Artisan Chocolate (things to do in Hobart) :- The tour will show you the different stages of the chocolate making process, roasting, grinding and chocolate liquor ageing methods and you will get an opportunity to taste at each stage.