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As Australia’s second oldest city, Hobart is rich in colonial and maritime history.

Hobart is also the second sunniest city in Australia, after Adelaide, contributing to its bustling café culture, which is focused on the waterfront, where fishing boats are berthed next to cruising yachts and a square rigger or two.

Hobart's history

First populated in 1804, as a ragtag collection of tents and huts with a population of 262, of which 178 were convicts, Hobart soon developed into a penal colony.

Convict and early settlement history highlights begin with the diverse Salamanca Place and its many galleries, cafés and the extraordinarily vibrant Saturday market, or you can venture up ‘Kelly’s Steps’ to emerge in the city’s best preserved village area of Battery Point, so called after the defensive guns built by the British.

Exploring Hobart

Constitution Dock, Hobart, AustraliaAlso worth including are the views from Mount Wellington, the serene parkland of the ‘Queen’s Domain’ and the harbourfront heritage area of the Henry Jones Jam Factory, established by its rags-to-riches namesake, who was, at one point, the largest private employer in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hobart offers so much to see within its own boundaries, but it is also a marvellous base from which to explore the surrounding area’s diverse attractions, whether taking wildlife cruises or guided convict tours.

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Start planning your tailor-made trip to Hobart by contacting one of our Australia specialists

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Suggested itineraries featuring Hobart

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Hobart, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Hobart

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Hobart

    Our expert guides to exploring Hobart

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Hobart, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Hobart at its best.

    • What to do in Tasmania: our highlights guide
      Dove Lake hike

      What to do in Tasmania: our highlights guide

      What to do in Tasmania: our highlights guide

      Australia expert Haley explains why Tasmania shouldn’t be overlooked on a trip to Australia. From farm-to-table dining to expansive walking trails along rugged coastlines and getting a glimpse of wild Tasmanian devils and fluffy wombats, this island has much to discover.

      7 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for Hobart

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Hobart. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    Ideas for experiencing Hobart

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Hobart, and which use the best local guides.

    • Seafood seduction on a Bruny Island cruise
      Bruny Wildlife Adventure, Tasmania

      Seafood seduction on a Bruny Island cruise

      Seafood seduction on a Bruny Island cruise

      Join a small group for a cruise down the Derwent River into the waters that surround Bruny Island, home to Tasmania's finest seafood. You'll help with the catch before savouring an extensive lunch of gourmet produce.

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    • Hobart Kayaking
      Constitution Dock, Hobart, Australia

      Hobart Kayaking

      Hobart Kayaking

      Experienced guides will provide comprehensive paddling instructions before you take to the water and explore the shoreline of historic Battery Point.

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    • Bruny Island
      Bruny Island Charters, Bruny Island

      Bruny Island

      Bruny Island

      Bruny Island lies off the southeast coast of Tasmania, some 25 kilometres from Hobart. The island is an unspoilt haven with spectacular scenery and a landscape which varies from pasture to rainforest. It boasts glorious miles of sandy beaches and rugged cliffs.

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