The Complete Hobart Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Where to Eat and What to Do in Hobart
Hobart exceeded all of our expectations on our trip to Tasmania. We really fell in love with this quirky city that’s full of things to do, amazing places to eat, beautiful places to stay and surrounded by the nature of Tasmania.
So whether you’re staying for a few days or just visiting for a quick weekend in Hobart, we’ve put together this complete guide full of tips and recommendations to help you plan what to do in Hobart, Australia.
Where to Eat & drink in Hobart
We had so much fun trying loads of different places to eat and drink in Hobart. I can promise there are so many cool places that you won’t know which one to try first!
Sisterhood
Sisterhood is a little out of town in the Sandy Bay area, but the walk there is so worth it and you’ll be rewarded with such a yummy brunch menu.
The interior is dreamy - think Bali vibes. It’s light and airy and perfect for a breakfast stop before you start your day.
The menu has the staples like avocado on sourdough or eggs benedict, or you can try some of their bigger dishes like lemon soufflé pancakes or breakfast pasta. They also have their own coffee blend!
Born in Brunswick
I was obsessed with this spot! It’s just out of the main downtown area in North Hobart, and the breakfast here was amazing.
I had smashed avo on rye and iced coffee. They have so many unique and yummy dishes like Tasmanian octopus, chorizo and scrambled eggs or Bib Bombe Alaska with peanut butter parfait.
Everything they use is locally sourced, seasonal and sustainable, and they have a beautiful space to enjoy some morning sunshine with your breakfast too.
Room For A Pony
Just down the road from Born in Brunswick is Room For A Pony which is awesome if you’re a foodie and looking for options of places to eat in Hobart.
They’re a cafe and bar and serve everything from brunch to woodfired pizza. They also have a great drink list too. The vibe here is so fun, and they have an outdoor seating space which is perfect to hang out in the summer months.
Veg Bar
Also on the same street is Veg Bar which is a must-visit if you’re looking for vegan places to eat in Hobart.
Their plant-based menu has loads of variety and even matches their neon decor, with vibrant pink beetroot burger buns and neon green matcha burger buns.
They have amazing vegan versions of nachos, lasagna, massaman curry and even do a plant-based KFC (Korean Fried Chicken).
Whether you’re vegan or not, Veg Bar is a must-visit if you’re looking for fun things to do in Hobart!
Fish Frenzy
You can’t visit Hobart and not go to the harbour for some fish and chips - they are seriously the best ever!
Fish Frenzy sometimes has a queue, but this is one of the best places to eat in Hobart so it’s well worth the wait to try the freshly cooked chips and seafood with a view of the boats in the harbour. This is a great, easy place to eat for lunch or dinner, especially if you’ve been out exploring all day or possibly on a day trip out of Hobart. There’s nothing like a good plate of chips to warm you up!
Bear With Me
We spotted this place in South Hobart completely by accident, and it was incredible! So glad we found it because our breakfast there was delish!
They serve great coffee and food all day, so you can stop here for breakfast in Hobart like we did, or come for brunch or lunch and try their yummy pork bao or Korean fried chicken burger.
Born in Brunswick
Sisterhood
Born in Brunswick
Machine Laundry Cafe
Another day and another amazing avo toast breakfast. We stopped here on one of the first days of our trip, and it’s located in the cool Salamanca Square in the historic Battery Point area of Hobart.
The vibe here was awesome. We loved the atmosphere and the portion sizes were pretty good too. Definitely a top contender in our Hobart food guide!
Suzie Luck's Canteen & Cocktail Bar
Suzie’s Canteen is also in the Battery Point area and is a really fun spot for dinner in Hobart.
They have a great range of Asian fusion style food, plus vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. They also have a great cocktail drinks menu and the atmosphere makes it a really fun option for groups eating out together.
Preachers
Preachers is such a cool spot in Hobart, and it has a huge outdoor area that even has a bus in it! We could easily have chilled out here for hours in the sun.
The bar is also in Battery Point and it’s a great spot if you’re looking for craft beer in Hobart. If you’re not a beer drinker, they have a great drinks selection including cocktails. They also do burgers here, so it’s a super chilled spot to hang out with friends and enjoy on a weekend.
In the Hanging Garden
In the Hanging Garden is a huge bar in the city with a really cool garden-style outdoor area and another area under cover called the Cathedral.
All their food and drink is either locally sourced on the island or on the mainland to promote the best of Tasmanian and Australian produce.
Hobart does cafes and bars so well and In the Hanging Garden is no exception. It’s the perfect spot for enjoying summertime drinks and the chilled vibe means you can easily spend an afternoon here with friends just enjoying the drinks, the decor and the atmosphere.
Salamanca Whiskey Bar
If you’re a whiskey fan, then this one's for you!
The whiskey bar is cozy. With candles, low lighting and comfy sofas, it’s a really decadent experience. The staff are really knowledgeable too if you want to know more about the whiskeys.
If you’re not a whiskey fan, there’s also a great cocktail menu.
Cascade Brewery
Cascade Brewery is a must-visit for beer fans, being the oldest brewery in Tasmania. The site is huge, and they offer tours, tastings and regular events.
Their beer garden overlooks the main brewery building and is lit by string lights, while the rustic interior has a log burning fire for the colder winter months.
Cascade Brewery brews everything from lagers to pale ales and stouts. They also have cider and local guest ales on tap too as well as a great pub food menu.
Lark Distillery
Another great spot for whiskey lovers located right on Hobart’s waterfront. The old cellar door is now a whiskey bar with over 250 whiskeys to choose from, plus a few beers, wines and spirits if you’re not a whiskey fan!
Preachers
Pooley Wines
What to Do in Hobart
There is such a range of things to do in Hobart from modern art museums and historic neighbourhoods to street markets and fun wine tours. These are the best things to do in Hobart to help you plan an epic trip.
MONA
The Museum of Old and New Art is one of the famous Hobart tourist attractions, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best things to do in Hobart. This is not a normal museum. It’s modern and fun and located just outside of Hobart as part of the Moorilla Winery and in a unique building that extends underground.
MONA is full of ancient, modern and contemporary art, there’s an exhibit on the afterlife, a tunnel to nowhere and the Pharos wing. You can tell the museum doesn’t take itself too seriously from its website!
There’s a monorail that runs through the property, music festivals and events, a house of mirrors, as well as four restaurants, a cellar door and two bars. You really could spend an entire day here.
Battery Point
We already loved the Battery Point area for all the amazing cafes and bars, but it’s also the historic neighbourhood in Hobart where settlers originally came in the 1800s. Lots of historic places to see in Hobart are in this neighbourhood.
You can follow the historic walk to learn more about the area’s past. There are also lots of cozy bookstores and antique shops to spend some time exploring.
Make sure to check out the Battery Point Sculpture Trail along the waterfront where there are nine sculptures each representing part of Hobart’s history.
Salamanca Market
The Salamanca Market is one of the must-do things in Hobart, and it runs in Salamanca Place every Saturday.
There are over 220 storeholders, and they’re all local designers, producers and artisans from Tasmania. There’s plenty of food stalls so you can grab breakfast and a coffee while you wander around and check out the handmade products and locally sourced produce.
The market is a great place to buy a gift to take home with you!
Salamanca Square Restaurants and Bars
We’ve already told you how much we loved the cafes, bars and restaurants in Hobart, but if you’re short on time, you can find so many of them in Salamanca Square.
Trying the cafe and bar scene has to be one of the top things to do in Hobart, so check out Machine Laundry Cafe, Suzie’s Canteen and the Salamanca Whiskey Bar all right here in Salamanca Square.
Mount Wellington
Visiting Mount Wellington has to be on your itinerary of things to see in Hobart!
The views from the top are epic! You can see the whole city, out across the sea and the landscape beyond Hobart too.
The best part is that you don’t need to hike up Mount Wellington. You can just drive up and park at the top then enjoy a walk along the boardwalk and take in the panoramic views from up there.
Day trip from Hobart to Richmond
If you have a bit more time and want to plan some Hobart day trips, a day in Richmond is a great idea.
Richmond is only about a 30-minute drive from Hobart, but it’s a really cute small town with lots of historic buildings as well as the famous Richmond Bridge, a historic stone bridge built in the early 1800s. It’s beautiful to see if you take a walk along the Richmond Riverbank Park, especially at sunset!
We also visited Pooley Wines in Richmond and their cellar door was so cute, literally like stepping into Italy in their gorgeous stone property set above the vineyard.
A Day Trip to Bruny Island
This has to be one of the best day trips from Hobart. It’s such a scenic drive and is just under 2 hours from Hobart. We loved the beaches, the rock formations and the beautiful views here.
On your way, stop at the Neck Lookout for an awesome view of the peninsula with the water on either side.
The Cape Queen Elizabeth Track on the Bruny Island Neck Game Reserve leads you to a beautiful beach with clear blue water which isn’t that busy. There’s an amazing rock arch here on the beach and the cliffs are so dramatic!
We also stopped at the Bruny Island Cheese Co for a yummy cheeseboard and beers.
We definitely recommend Bruny Island if you’re planning day trips out of Hobart!
Hobart Wine Tour
Australia makes so much amazing wine, and Tasmania is no exception. If you want to plan a fun Hobart day trip, then a wine tour is a perfect option.
There are loads of different wine tours that pick you up in Hobart and will transport you to different wineries for tasting sessions where you meet the makers and take tours. Often they include lunch too.
Southern Tasmanian Wine Tours picks you up at the Hobart harbour front and takes you to five different Tasmanian wineries where you get around five tastings at each winery, meet the owner or have a tour and can buy bottles to take home too.
Coal Valley Wine Tours take you to five wineries in the Richmond area, includes lunch, some history and also a cheese tasting. They pick up twice a week from the Information Centre in Hobart.
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
If you’re planning out what to see in Hobart, the botanical gardens are such a peaceful, chilled part of the city, right by the water.
The gardens are 34 acres right in the city, and they include everything from a Japanese garden to a sub-Antarctic garden. There’s a Tasmanian area too with loads of information about native plants, plus a visitors centre and cafe on site.
Visiting the botanical gardens is also completely free, but they do accept donations. You can spend a relaxing day here for as long as you like!
Where to stay in Hobart
We stayed in so many beautiful places on our Tasmania trip, so if you want to find the best place to stay in Hobart, hopefully these will give you some inspiration.
Captains Cottage
The Captains Cottage in Hobart is the cutest little heritage cottage built for an actual ship’s captain in the 1800s. The rustic interior is all stone, wood and cozy finishes, making it such a welcoming and homey place to stay.
It’s in the perfect location where you can easily walk to the city, Battery Point or the Salamanca area. There are also loads of great cafes and bars nearby so you’re never far from the action.
The cottage literally has everything you need too, with a fully equipped kitchen, Netflix, wifi, a cute garden and parking all included.
We absolutely adored staying here and highly recommend it if you’re looking for unique places to stay in Hobart.
Grand Old Duke Apartments
You can’t miss the bright orange brick of this historic building located right in the heart of Battery Point so you’re within walking distance to all the cool bars, cafes and restaurants.
The self-contained Grand Old Duke Apartments can sleep 2-7 people and it’s like stepping back in time with dark wood flooring and four-poster beds. This is definitely one of the cool places to stay in Hobart on your trip.
Maylands Lodge
If you’re planning to stay in North Hobart, Maylands Lodge is an absolutely stunning historic property that has been so beautifully restored. It’s a luxury lodge overlooking the city but within easy distance of everything, and it’s the ultimate boutique hotel experience in Hobart.
Their rooms are all luxuriously decorated and spacious, and they also offer studio apartments. The food is all seasonal and sustainably sourced.
Definitely the perfect place to stay in Hobart for a treat or special occasion.
Macq 01 Hotel
This chic 5-star hotel is right on the waterfront, so you’re close to Battery Point and the great food options at the harbour.
The rooms at MACq 01 Hotel are all modern and spacious with balconies overlooking the water or the city. The rooms are also decorated with a nod to the shipping history of the area with lots of blue tones and wood.
Hobart City Apartments
The Hobart City Apartments are right in the business district and just a short walk from the harbour. They’re a great option if you’re looking for a hotel-like stay but on more of a budget. The apartments are modern and fully self-catered so you have a lot more flexibility to eat in or dine out depending on the budget for your trip.
Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse
This bunkhouse looks like such a fun option with a chilled out vibe, and it’s perfect if you’re on a budget but don’t want to stay in a hostel.
They do have hostel-style rooms available but also double rooms which are really cute.
The Montacute is located right in the Battery Point neighbourhood and the space is great for friends travelling together or large family groups. They also have self-catering facilities onsite and free parking.
*****
We absolutely loved the vibe of Hobart and how much there is to do in Hobart. I hope this guide makes you want to visit and gives you plenty of inspiration for your own trip with the best places to eat, the best places to stay, and the best things to do in Hobart.
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