Hobart Tourism And Travel Guide

Hobart is the capital city of Australia’s Tasmania Islands and is home to some amazing markets, beaches, galleries and historic districts. With a stunning backdrop of Mt. Wellington, Hobart becomes even more beautiful in almost every season. Hence tourism in Hobart is made up of all kinds of travellers, from luxury seekers and beach babies in summer to backpackers in autumn, and adventurers in winter. Here’s a short comprehensive travel guide to help you navigate your holiday in Hobart.

The best and easiest mode of transport from India to Hobart is by air. From within Australia itself, you can also take the road. 

By Air:

You will not find any direct flights from India to Hobart but a connecting flight from Delhi is available. Another option is to take a flight to one of the major Australian cities and then travel to Hobart either by road or another flight. The city of Hobart boasts of its own International airport as well, located 19 km away, and hosts international as well as a ton of domestic flights.

By Road:

You can drive down to Hobart from cities like Port Arthur, Strahan, St. Helens and Queenstown. Each of these places makes for a 1-5 hour drive to Hobart, depending on their relative distance. Bus services from private as well government agencies also run on these routes.

Getting Around:

Hobart has great infrastructure and freeways to help you make your way around. Inside the main city, walking is the best way to explore, as is cycling (you can hire them almost everywhere). The public buses are another cheap option to get by or you can hire a car. For riverside travel, water taxis are a rage here and begin at Derwent River.

The best time to visit Hobart is summer, though autumn months also make for a crowd-free, cheaper travel time.

Summer (December – February):

Summer in Hobart is not exceedingly hot, instead a mildly warm time. The beaches are at their best and the rains are rare. With a temperature range of 12-21°C, summer makes for the peak tourist season in Hobart.

Autumn (March – May):

Autumn signifies dried leaves, orange trees, mass exodus of tourists and a sudden drop in air fares as well as accommodation rates. For those on budget trip, plan your holiday to Hobart in autumn as the temperature is also still quite manageable at around 14°C. May marks the end of good season and beginning of chilly winters, so after this month, a trip might just be wasted.

Winter (June – August):

Winter in Hobart is pretty cold, wet and snowy. The temperature drops to around 3°C in the city at nights, while snowfall is imminent in the mountains beyond. Most coveted activities in the town are shut as beaches become redundant and tourist attractions close down. Some hikes and treks are still good though. Yet, this is not the best time to visit.

Spring (September - November):

Spring is the wettest season in Hobart with warm days and higher temperatures. This time is the big setting up for the coming tourist season and everything starts to bloom. Spring can be a good time to visit if you are okay with cooler temperatures (8-17°C) and continuous rains.

Visit Salamanca Market:

This is one of the most famous markets of Hobart, home to vibrant stalls and open-top shops that sell everything from art pieces to clothing, organic produce to bakery items, trinkets to handmade wares. This market is a must-visit to experience Hobart culture and it sets up every Saturday from 8:30 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. 

Party away at Dark Mofo:

Dark Mofo is a wild, crazy festival here in Hobart that celebrates wines, bonfires, lovely feasts, art installations and some great performances. It is held in June every year and draws an insane amount of crowds and tourists alike, bringing Hobart’s nightlife to a new high.

Enjoy Sunrise over Derwent:

River Derwent is like a calm reflection to the lively fast city that is Hobart. You will find a serene peaceful moment on its banks at the crack of dawn. A cruise in the river is also quite coveted at the time of sunrises and sunsets. You can go fishing after sunrise and finish up your early morning expedition with a leisurely breakfast by the water.

Go for a Kayaking Tour:

Since Hobart is situated on a river, you have many prospects of water sports. You can take the 2 and half hour Hobart City Kayaking tour to go across all the waterfronts of the city and see the place through the eyes of river Derwent. These tours start at AUS $90 and go on increasing as the seats are booked. 

See Tasmanian Wildlife:

Australia anyway is home to some of the most exotic animals, so it is no surprise that Hobart will offer you some more of those delights. You will get to see rare animals in the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Bruny Island, including platypus, penguins, sea birds, seals and the Tasmanian devil. A day trip is definitely worth.

Food in Hobart is an eclectic mix of traditional Australian and popular international foods like pizzas and pastas, cakes and fries, coffees and cheeses etc. Some of the best places to eat in Hobart include Jackman & McRoss at Battery Point, serving soul-stirring baked goodies like breads, croissants, pastries and bagels; Small Fry is another place to find amazing doughnuts and coffee for breakfast as well as other cafe menu items, while Templo is a small local eatery serving Italian, great wine and fresh fish. Cheese lovers, you will enjoy the Bruny Island Cheese Co. here as well.

Hobart cannot be called a shopper’s paradise, but is it not a cave either. You will find the usual shopping arcades and streets here to satisfy your shopping appetite, from Sand Bay’s boutiques and high-end street fashion to Elizabeth Street Mall, Salamanca Market’s roadside flea shopping every Saturday to Northgate Flea Market’s local organic produce and clothes and handicrafts at a bargain. Make sure you bargain in the road stalls and flea markets and respect the rates at malls and shopping complexes/boutiques.