The Best Things to Do in Hobart, Australia and Why You Should Visit Now
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED JULY 2023 • 5 min read
There are few destinations where travelers can climb a mountain, head to the beach and visit a world-class art gallery all in one day, but Hobart is one of them. The capital of Tasmania is the southernmost capital in Australia, meaning the weather is unbelievably good all year round.
Framed by the incredible Mount Wellington with the River Derwent flowing through, adventure seekers can explore the region via kayak, abseiling or even surfing.
MONA Art Museum (Museum of Old & New Art)
MONA Art Museum is the playground and “megaphone” of David Walsh, a professional Australian gambler, art collector, and businessman. Walsh dropped out of Uni, started gambling and collecting antiques, he then opened a small museum of antiques, to which no one came. Walsh’s drive didn’t stop there as he decided to expand, resulting in the creation of MONA, a temple to secularism and rationalism.
Source: MONA Art Museum
Amongst the art exhibits, MONA is a wonder of its own—from live music, to food and wine events, its very own recording studio, a library and even a tennis court! Mona was designed to be explored as a space of wonder and experiment. For the ultimate experience, take the ferry from Hobert’s Brooke Street Pier to MONA—you’re going to want to book the “Posh Pit” experience!
Kunanyi / Mount Wellington
Few cities can equal the natural magnificence of its backdrop, with Kunanyi / Mount Wellington towering 1,271 meters above the city of Hobart. For Hobartians, Mount Wellington is part of their daily lives—from a place to walk, ride bikes, play in the winter snow, to the reviving touch of nature, just a short drive from the city centre. It’s fair to say the city of Hobart is dominated by Kunanyi / Mount Wellington—stand almost anywhere to have views of its forested flanks.
Much of the mountain is formed by Wellington Park reserve, with the Organ Pipes escarpment running across the trails. The summit of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington has spectacular views of Hobart and much of southern Tasmania. Head to the summit’s west side for views deep into the Southwest wilderness. Boardwalks and lookout platforms are the vantage points, along with the Pinnacle Observation Center.
Salamanca Market
The Salamanca Market is Tasmania’s most visit market, extending the full length of Hobart’s historic Salamanca Place, next to the Hobart waterfront.
Source: Discover Tasmania
From the silos end to the top of Dave’s street you’ll find an array of locally made products and home-grown produce, as well as their makers, artisans, designers and producers. Mingle with locals, enjoy the vibrancy of the market’s atmosphere, and discover the heart of a creative island.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
The vision at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is to created and maintain an exceptional garden that enriches Tasmania’s social and cultural life, while educating the community about the importance of plants and their contribution to the conservation of the flora of Tasmania and the world. This garden is Australia’s cool climate garden, with an array of unique collections including Australia’s only Subantarctic Plant House.
Source: Discover Tasmania
