'''Hobart''' [http://www.discovertasmania.com/destinations/hobart_and_surrounds/hobart] is the capital city of the Australian state of Tasmania. Hobart is small and intimate (population 250,000) compared to larger mainland Australian cities, reflecting the small size of the state. The metropolitan area stretches north and south along the Derwent River, crossed by several bridges. It has a mild temperate oceanic climate, with four distinct seasons.

Get in

By Plane

Hobart city centre is 15 km from '''Hobart International Airport (HBA)''' [http://www.hobartairpt.com.au/] at Cambridge. The following airlines fly to HBA:

  • Qantas [http://www.qantas.com.au/] flies from Melbourne and Sydney.
  • Jetstar [http://www.jetstar.com.au/] flies from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
  • Virgin Blue [http://www.virginblue.com.au/] flies from Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
  • Tasair [http://www.tasair.com.au/] flies from Burnie
  • Tiger Airways [http://www.tigerairways.com] Melbourne
  • An airport shuttle bus service [http://www.discovertasmania.com/travel_information/airport_shuttle]runs from the airport to Hobart (Single ticket $15, Return ticket $25). The bus starts at the bus terminal. For the first three bus rides (plane departure before 07:30) you need to make a reservation before 8pm the night before. There are several pickup points throughout the city. The ticket can be bought from the driver or at the bus station.

    A taxi will cost around $35.

    By Car

    It is a couple of hours drive from Launceston airport (hire cars can be rented either in advance or at the airports), or three to four hours drive from the ferry terminal in Devonport.

    Get around

    Two main methods of transport in Hobart are by private car or by public bus. Hobart has a sufficient public bus system. The main interchange is in front of the GPO (General Post Office). Ticket prices depend on the distance and start slightly above a dollar.

    Because Hobart is small, riding a bike is always an option, although factors such as Hobart's mild climate and considerable distance from many of Tasmania's main attractions should be taken into consideration when staying in Hobart as a tourist. Walking is also a good option. Between the City Centre and Sandy Bay is less then an hour walk.

    On a Saturday, avoid using a car around the Salamanca area because of the market.

    The are no passenger trains in Hobart.

    See

    Founded in 1804 by Colonel David Collins, Hobart is the second oldest city in Australia. It grew out of the penal settlement on the island at Risdon Cove, eight kilometres up river, which was founded in 1803 and abandoned five months later for the present site of Hobart. The city has many beautiful historic buildings and precincts, especially in the area around the river. There are many fine examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture, such as Salamanca Place, which has a terrace of warehouses dating back to the whaling days of the 1830's. Nearby Battery Point, the original seamen's quarters of the city and Macquarie and Davey Street offer more than 60 buildings classified by the National Trust.

    Landmarks

  • '''Salamanca Market''' [http://www.hobartcity.com.au/salamancamarket/] - a major Saturday morning attraction, for locals and visitors alike. Situated in front of large sandstone warehouses which have been converted into a maze of craftsmen's workshops, giftshops, restaurants and other 'artsy-crafty' shops. These warehouses were mostly built to service 19th century whaling. Market stalls are one of the cheapest places to buy Tasmanian timber products.
  • '''Battery Point''', behind Salamanca Market. This area is very old and full of interesting architecture. Many of these buildings are built in the area's golden sandstone, giving the older parts of the city a warm golden glow. Even though it is a very poor building material compared to Sydney sandstone.
  • '''Botanical Gardens'''.[http://www.rtbg.tas.gov.au/] Beautiful location about fifteen minutes walk from the city centre. A must see attraction is the sub Antarctic garden. Its like walking into a freezer full of plants!
  • Museums and Art Galleries

  • the '''Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery''' [http://www.tmag.tas.gov.au/] - donate some money so they can tart up their act. Has one of the best coin collections in any museum. It also houses stuffed versions of unique Tasmanian animals including Tasmanian Devils and the extinct Tasmanian Tiger. Currently hosting an excellent exhibition about Australia's antarctic history.
  • the '''Maritime Museum of Tasmania''' [http://www.maritimetas.org/], ''Carnegie Building, cnr Argyle and Davey Streets''
  • Salamanca - there are many small art galleries located around Salamanca Square
  • Do

  • Wrest Point Casino. 10 Sandy Bay Road.. el 1800 030 611 (free call Australia only) or 03 6211 1750. ailto:email@wrestpoint.com.au. ttp://www.wrestpoint.com.au/. - Australia's first legal casino was built in Hobart, and the complex has been upgraded many times to keep it at a high standard
  • Cascade Brewery. 40 Cascade Road. . el (03) 6224 1117 (bookings)."url="http://www.cascadebrewery.com.au/home.html. Australia's oldest brewery offers beer brewery tours for people aged 5 and over with tastings. Visitors must wear flat covered shoes and long pants. The tour can not be done by those who require a walking aid as there are over 200 steps.
  • Cadbury's Chocolate Factory. adbury Road, Claremont.. el 1800 627 367 (free call within Australia). ttp://www.cadbury.com.au/sites/cadbury/index.php?pageId=55. onday-Friday 8am-4pm. 5 per adult (accompanied children under 15 are free). At the Cadbury factory you are able to listen to talks on how chocolate is manufactured and the history of Cadbury. There is a chocolate shop, souvenir shop and cafe onsite. Visitors also receive a chocolate gift and go into a monthly draw to win a chocolate hamper valued at $250.

  • The Domain. Walk from the city a few blocks towards the Tasman bridge and you'll suddenly be out of the city and amongst greenery and trees on the Domain... (head towards the bridge from the city but once you see greenery head up the hill towards it) Of note is the fact that you can <b>always

  • Mount Wellington. ttp://www.wellingtonpark.tas.gov.au/. fantastic view from the top of Mount Wellington, take a bus to "Fern Tree" and then walk a steep zig-zag track to the top or enjoy a scenic drive to the summit. There are walks for all fitness levels. Be sure to bring warm clothes as even in summer the summit is around 4 degrees celsius. Be wary of long, sharp icicles falling off the mobile phone tower. Take care when driving especially at night due to the abundant wildlife on the mountain. '''Mount Wellington Descent''' [http://www.islandcycletours.com/] provides downhill bicycle tours from the summit, with transport from Hobart provided.

  • Live Music. ttp://www.tasmaniangigguide.com. The Tasmanian Gig Guide publishes a monthly live music listing that is available for download on their website. Check out what music is playing at all the venues in Hobart.
  • '''Runnymede''', Bay Rd, New Town - gracious 1840s colonial home set in beautiful gardens, open to public
  • Peppermint Bay Cruise. ttp://peppermintbay.com.au. If you are in Hobart and need to kill half a day, this is an absolute must! You start off in Hobart and board a luxury passenger yacht, which takes you for a cruise around the bay. On the way to Peppermint Bay the crew points out different sites like Salmon Farms, Local Sealife, and geographic wonders. When you arrive at Peppermint Bay you are treated to an amazing Tazmanian clambake, of clam chowder, fish, and rock lobster. The restaurant is wonderful with its rich hard wood floors and a wall that is completely made of glass so that you can enjoy the picturesque scenery. After a fun day they take you home. You can make your bookings at 1300 137 919. Ticket Sales: Hobart Cruise Centre, Brooke Street Pier, Sullivans Cove, Hobart. Departures: Cruises depart from Brooke Street Pier, Sullivans Cove 11.30am Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday (May 1st - September 30th). Returns 4.30pm. 12pm daily (October 1st - April 30th). Returns 5.00pm.</do>

  • '''Shot Tower''', Taroona - colonial brick tower for making gun shot, tours and souvenir shop
  • Eat

    Hobart has a profusion of eating establishments ranging from the cheap to the luxuriously expensive. Freshly caught seafood is a specialty of the region, and there are several excellent seafood restaurants. Deep-sea Trevalla is unique to Tasmania and must be tried. Tasmanian lobster is also excellent. Scallop pie is also unique to Tasmania and can be easily purchased from the Salamanca Market food stalls.

  • Machine Laundry Cafe. 2 Salamanca Square. el 03 6224 9922. ax 03 6224 7967." h>This cafe (which also houses a laundromat, hence the name) is a good place for a filling breakfast of $8-$15. Eggs benedict and banana and ricotta pancakes are recommended.
  • Mures Fish Centre. ictoria Dock. 3 6231 1999 (upper deck) or 03 6231 2121 (lower deck).. 03 6234 4464. ttp://www.mures.com.au/. Mures has two sections: the upper deck is a stylish seafood restaurant (mains $20-$30); the lower deck is a cafeteria style bistro (mains approx $10) and served mainly deep fried fish and the like. Reservations are usually required for the upper deck.
  • The Drunken Admiral . 9 Old Wharf, Hobart Town. 03) 6234 1903. 03) 6231 1259. inner from 6pm - Seven nights a week. ains $21.90-$31.90. ttp://www.drunkenadmiral.com/. Wonderful restaurant close to Mures. The seafood platter is highly recommended. It is important to make a reservation as this is a popular restaurant.
  • '''Ball and Chain''', Salamanca, long established and very popular steakhouse
  • Lark Distillery. asmanian Whisky. 4 Davey Street Hobart. ext to the Tourist Information Centre. 3)6231 9088. ww.larkdistillery.com.au. 0am-till evening. Tasmania's first whisky distillery since the 1830's. Internationally acclaimed Whisky and spirits, Tours and guided tastings, rare whisky archive, unique whisky inspired gifts, coffee, plowman's lunch, tap beer, live music

    Drink

    Bars

  • '''Bar Celona''', 45 Salamanca Place, ph 03 6224 7557 (''fax 03 6224 7388''). Bar Celona is a combined wine bar and cafe. The decor is open and wood panelled: while it can get a bit noisy, it's a good place to escape some of the much more crowded bars on a busy weekend night, especially if you want to have a nice glass or two of wine.
  • '''Isobar''', 11a Franklin Wharf. Formally known as 'carbon', Isobar lounge and Isobar_the nightclub are open 3 nights a week and is a popular hang out for the younger crowd with 3 distinctive areas in the nightclub and the bar downstairs catering more to the upmarket drinkers. Isobar is probably one of the most popular nightclubs in Hobart currently although whether this is due to the nightclub itself or the lack of a nightlife in Hobart is unknown.
  • '''The Lark Distillery''', 14 Davey Street, Ph. (03) 6231 9088, [http://www.larkdistillery.com.au/]. The Lark Distillery is the first licensed distillery in Tasmania since 1839 and now operates as a bar, store and distillery in one. It produces fine single malt whiskey and other liqueurs. It provides free tastings of liqueurs and spirits and charges a small fee to taste their 3 types of whiskeys ($2 each tasting or $5 for all 3). Their bush liqueur also has a distinctive taste through the use of pepperberries. There are several live music performances a week. Entry is always free and students receive a 10% discount on drinks.
  • Pubs

  • '''The Hope & Anchor Tavern''', 65 Macquarie Street, Ph 03 6236 9982 (''Fax 03 6234 2186''), [http://www.hopeandanchor.com.au]. The Hope & Anchor is Australia's oldest continuously trading pub, founded in 1807. There are three bars: the public bar has a comfortable atmosphere, with a range of Tasmanian beers on tap, as well as Cooper's Pale Ale and Guinness. In the winter months, sink into an armchair and stoke the open fire. The Lounge Bar, also on the ground floor, is slightly more formal, where drinkers are seated at dining tables. The upstairs Museum Bar is open for special occasions but if you're visiting, ask the publican for a look at the Museum's collection of maritime and war memorabilia from the early days of Van Dieman's Land. The restaurant offers a range of upper-end pub meals. Try the Suffolk Lamb Shoulder or a Gatwick Porterhouse.
  • '''The New Sydney Hotel''', 87 Bathurst Street. One of the most popular inner-city pubs, the cosy New Sydney is home to Hobart's Irish community and offers an Irish pub atmosphere rather more authentic than that of an Irish theme pub (see Irish Murphy's, below). Large range of imported and local beers on tap.
  • '''The Alley Cat''', Corner of Federal and Elizabeth St. North Hobart, Ph 03 6236 9777. A five minute cab ride/30 minute walk from the city, the Alley Cat is one of the homes of Hobart's live music scene. Only a basic range of beers on tap, with standard pub meals available, the Alley Cat is worth a look if you wish to sample some Tassie bands.
  • '''Republic Bar & Cafe''', 299 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart, Tel: (03) 6234 6954, [http://www.republicbar.com]. In its day, the former Empire Hotel was one of Hobart's roughest pubs, hosting a shoot-out during the 1980s. Australian cricketer Max Walker grew up in the Empire, which was run by his parents. After a re-modelling and re-branding as the Republic Bar in the mid-1990s, it has become one of the State's most popular pubs.Today The Republic Bar is Tasmania's premier music venue, with live music 7 days. It hosts an award winning restaurant, art gallery and a large covered beer garden that is good all year round.
  • '''Knopwood's Retreat''', 39 Salamanca Place, Hobart, Tel: (03) 6223 5808. Possibly Tasmania's most famous pub, Knopwood's is set in one of the ancient sandstone warehouses that line Salamanca Place. It remains THE place for after-work drinks on Fridays, when the crowd spills out into Salamanca and many punters take their drinks across the road to sit on the lawns. Particularly popular with univerisity students, the pub hosts Syrup nightclub upstairs, one of Hobart's more intimate (and better) clubs.
  • '''The Shipwright's Arms''', 29 Trumpeter St, Battery Point, Tel: (03) 62235551. Located in Battery Point, one of Australia's oldest suburbs, the Arms opened in 1842. Cosy fires and Chesterfields is the atmosphere here and the nautical theme attracts participants in the Sydney-Hobart yacht race around the new year. A popular local pub, slightly off the tourist trail, the beer garden is an attractive place for a meal on summer evenings.
  • '''Irish Murphy's''', 21 Salamanca Place, tel 03 6223 1119 (''fax 03 6223 1133, email hobart@irishmurphys.com.au''), [http://www.irishmurphys.com.au/]. Irish Murphy's is a busy Irish pub on one of the prime nightlife strips. It has a young crowd dancing to pop hits from their childhood in a fake Irish franchise pub.
  • Coffee

  • Villino Espresso. 0 Criterion St. 3 6231 0890. ttp://www.villinoespresso.com.au. Small cafe in the CBD of Hobart. Good coffee made well and consistently.

    Sleep

  • [http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/details.cfm?hostelid=169 '''Montgomery's Private Hotel & YHA Backpackers'''] a fantastic hostel in Hobart, across the road from Tasmanian museum and art gallery and a short stroll to Salamanca markets.
  • '''Adelphi Court YHA''', 17 Stoke Street, New Town, phone 03 6228 4829 (''fax 03 6278 2047, email: yhatas@yhatas.org.au''), [http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/details.cfm?hostelid=74]. Prices $22 dorm bed, $56-$62 for a double room and $65-$71 for a single room.
  • '''Alexandra on Battery''', 3 Sonning Crescent, Sandy Bay, phone 03 6225 2574 (''fax 03 6225 3522''). Prices $80-$90 per night.
  • '''Battery Point Boutique Accommodation''', 27-29 Hampden Road, self contained apartments in historic Battery Point. $145-$210 per night. [http://www.batterypointaccommodation.com.au] ph 0422 629432 email ''bookings@batterypointaccommodation.com.au''
  • '''Cottage on Lord''', 49 Lord Street, Sandy Bay, phone 03 6224 0823, [http://www.cottageonlord.com/]. Prices $255 per night.
  • '''Dr Syntax Hotel''', 139 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay, phone 03 6223 6258 (''fax 03 6224 0132''). Pub-style accommodation. Prices $45-$70.
  • '''Motel 429''', 429 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay. phone 03 6225 2511 (''fax 03 6225 4354, email: sales@motel429.com.au''), [http://www.motel429.com.au/]. Prices $99-$113 per night.
  • '''Rydges Hobart''', Cnr Argyle Street & Lewis Street, ph 1300 857 922. Rydges Hobart is located just 2 km from hobarts central business district. Rydges Hobart_fs heritage listed buildings and antique suites capture the essence of historic Hobart. Rydges Hotels and Resorts is an Austrailian owned and operated company.
  • '''Waterside Accommodation''' [http://www.watersideaccommodation.com/], phone 62492352. The Hobart properties are conveniently located at Austins Ferry close to major attractions such as Cadburys, Moorilla, Richmond, Alpenrail and Bonorong Wildlife Park and public transport. The White Beach property is near Port Arthur and close to the major highways. All luxury self contained properties have views, are located on the water and are suitable for holiday makers, short term rental as executive accommodation as well as for tourists and others looking for self contained accommodation in tasmania.
  • Splurge

  • '''Lenna''', 20 Runnymede Street, Battery Point, tel +61 3 6232 3900, Reservations freecall 1800 030 633 (within Australia), ''mailto:enquiries@lenna.com.au'', [http://www.lenna.com.au/]. one of Hobart's most stylish boutique hotels.
  • Grand Chancellor, Davey St. Attached to the hotel is the Federation Concert Hall, the home of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
  • The Henry Jones Art Hotel, winner of a national award for luxury small hotels.
  • '''The Islington''', 321 Davey Street, Hobart, tel +61 (0)3-6220-2123, [http://www.islingtonhotel.com/ The Islington Hotel], Is an amazing converted mansion built in 1874. Rooms are fantastic with a view of Mt Wellington and a garden. Public spaces inside the hotel have open fires, original art work and antique furniture. Service is excellent. Room rates can be negotiated, but don't expect cheap (400+ / night).
  • Contact

    The Service Tasmania & Parks and Wildlife office on MacQuarie St. has free internet. '''Hadleys Hotel''' foyer has a free WiFi hotspot and excellent public bar for sheltering from the cold in comfort.

    Get out

    From Hobart, the attractions of southern and central Tasmania are in easy reach, including:

  • Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula
  • Hastings Caves (a long day)
  • Ross and Richmond (historic towns)
  • Huon Trail, incorporating The Channel and Huon Valley
  • Mt Field National Park and the Russell Falls
  • Seven Mile Beach
  • Bruny Island
  • Freycinet Peninsula and National Park