create your own

Hobart Travel Guide

69
rate or flag this page

By Princessa


Australia and Hobart maps

Hobart is marked with a red point on the South East

Hobart is a city in the South East of Australia.  The capital city of Tasmania, it is also the second oldest and one of the most populated cities in Australia.   Despite that, Hobart is a modern village where the rhythm of life is easy going.  It is difficult to believe that this lovely city started as a penal colony for British prisoners back in 1804.  Now it is a city that relies on tourism and the sea as one of its main resources it is the ideal place to spend your vacations.  Mild weather and a good selection of good quality and Cheap Hotels in Hobart make it perfect for a long stay to explore Tasmania and its many NatureParks and attractions. 

Hobart Marina and Mount Wellington
Hobart Marina and Mount Wellington

Tasmania (Regional Guide) Tasmania (Regional Guide)
Price: $14.98
List Price: $23.99
The Rough Guide to Tasmania 1 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) The Rough Guide to Tasmania 1 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
Price: $12.97
List Price: $21.99

Port Arthur Historic Site

Click thumbnail to view full-size
The convict-built penitentiary across Masons Cove at Port Arthur. Photo by Sarah Quine
The convict-built penitentiary across Masons Cove at Port Arthur. Photo by Sarah Quine

Things to do in Hobart:

  1. Sightseeing: you can start your day exploring the city. Highlights include Constitution Dock, ABC Buildings - Hobart's original sandstone railway station, Botanical gardens, Government House, Derwent Entertainment Centre and Montrose Bay.
  2. For the sweet toothed: a visit to Claremont Cadbury plant for the sweetest tour in Australia. Learn about Cadburys history and chocolate manufacturing processes and fill up your pockets with free samples.
  3. For the adventurous: Visit the summit of Mount Wellington, which rises to a height of 1270 metres. You can get there by car: It is approximately 20 km. away from the city. From there you can have a spectacular view of Hobart and if you are a sporty person you can cycle downhill through the alpine terrain and magnificent forest. You can choose between a road and an off-road section –for the really adventurous- to descend.
  4. Kayak from cascade Gardens to Constitution Dock on the gentle Derwent River.
  5. For the Historians: Visit Port Arthur Historic Site, a compelling and dramatic reminder of their convict past and the early settlement of Tasmania. Highlights include Eaglehawk Neck, pristine pirate’s bay, the Penitentiary, the Commandant's House, and the church.
  6. For the lovers of the occult: You can take a cruise on Carnarvon Bay around the "Isle of the Dead". Or take a “ghost tour” of Port Arthur.




For the nature lovers: visit some of the many national parks in Tasmania. Do not miss the Tasmanian Devils, Kangaroos and Koalas.


For the romantic: Cruise along the delightful Derwent river and watch contrasting coastlines as you head downstream, do not miss the spectacular Tasman bridge.


For the sea lovers: Hobart is a busy seaport, a city of yachts and spinnakers so enjoy a walk along the marine, spend sometime sitting down with a good beer and listening to some sea stories and enjoy a meal of fresh sea food or the typical fish and chips.

For architecture lovers: Hobart has a good collection of sandstone cottages and stately Georgian Homes.

A day out from Hobart: Visit Richmond, a Georgian style village with mellow stone cottages which will take you back in time.

For bargain hunters: Salamanca market, you name it, you’ll find it there!

For gamblers: the perfect setting is Wrest Point Casino.

For wine lovers: do not miss the many vineyards surrounding Hobart. Two of the most popular ones are Moorilla Estate at Berriedale.

For the gardeners: visit The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, this is the second oldest botanic garden in Australia. The best time to visit is during the Spring, specially during the Tulip Festival.

For party lovers: Hobart nightlife primarily revolves around Salamanca Place, and the waterfront area. Hobart is also home to many festivals such as Hobart Summer Festival, Southern Roots Festival, Ten Days on The Island (a biannual international arts festival), and the Falls Festival in Marion Bay.

For a quiet night in Hobart: you can try one of the many local or international restaurants. There are also 3 cinemas and an arthouse for foreign films.


Tasmanian wildlife

Click thumbnail to view full-size

Best time to visit Hobart:


Due to its mild weather anytime is good to visit Hobart.  But if you are into parties, then just after Christmas is the best time to enjoy the Hobart Summer Festival, a food and wine festival that starts on Boxing day with the end of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and lasts until mid-January. 

Downtown city of Hobart Tasmania Australia


travel guides:

Tasmania (Regional Guide) Tasmania (Regional Guide)
Price: $38.88
List Price: $23.99
Japan (Eyewitness Travel Guides) Japan (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Price: $16.51
List Price: $28.00
Moon Handbooks South Korea Moon Handbooks South Korea
Price: $0.84
List Price: $21.95
Shanghai (City Guide) Shanghai (City Guide)
Price: $17.89
List Price: $19.99

Other Travel destinations:

  • Skiing in France

    Last week I went skiing in the Auvergne. We choose the skiing resort of Lioran in the Cantal Mountains or as the French call it, the Massif Cantalien. The landscape there is awesome; the ski resort of Lioran is amidst a pine forest in the biggest volcano of Europe. This French skiing station is one of the best equipped in the Auvergne. - 2 weeks ago

  • Paris Transportation - Getting Around Paris

    The first impression about the Paris transportation system is just how easy it is to get there and around. You have several options to arrive to Paris. The most obvious option for non European travellers... - 2 months ago

  • Nagano travel guide

    Nagano City is the capital of the Nagano Prefecture in the Honshu island of Japan. Around a million tourists visit Nagano annually as the city is famous for its temples, its hot springs and for hosting the... - 9 months ago

Comments

RSS for comments on this Hub

Peggy W profile image

Peggy W  says:
11 months ago

What an amazing place full of so many different attractions! I am going to send this link to friends of ours who visited Australia to see if they got to this part of it. You are a wonderful writer!

vivekananda profile image

vivekananda  says:
10 months ago

Interesting to read about this wonderful island. Good info as well.

Princessa profile image

Princessa  says:
10 months ago

Peggy and vivekananda: Hobart is a place where everyone can find something to see and do to have a great time. Thanks for stopping to comment.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
10 months ago

Gee you have been everywhere Princessa, I am envious.

Submit a Comment
Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.


optional


  • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
  • Comments are not for promoting your hubs or other sites

working