Best Things to Do in Hobart: the sights, the food, the weird art, and the views

Hobart is the kind of small city that acts like a big one. One minute you’re eating oysters on the waterfront; the next you’re staring at a wall of contemporary art that makes you laugh, then feel slightly uncomfortable, then go back for a second look. And the backdrop—kunanyi / Mount Wellington—never stops showing off.

This guide rounds up the best things to do in Hobart, with practical timing tips, a few opinions (because you’ll have them anyway), and easy add-on day trips if you’ve got wheels—or don’t.

Must-see Hobart attractions (you’ll regret skipping these)

1) Salamanca Market (Saturday morning, no excuses)

If you’re in town on a Saturday, you go. That’s the deal. Salamanca Market runs every Saturday from 8:30am to 3:00pm and is one of those rare tourist staples that locals still actually use. It’s big—Discover Tasmania notes it spans more than 300 stalls along Salamanca Place—and it’s excellent for gifts you won’t hate yourself for buying.

• Go early if you want breathing space. After mid-morning it’s a slow-moving crowd.
• Eat first, browse second. You’ll make better decisions.
• If it’s raining, still go. It runs “rain, hail or shine” per the City of Hobart.

2) Salamanca Place + the waterfront walk

Even outside market day, Salamanca Place is a classic Hobart wander—sandstone warehouses, galleries, bars, and that “I could live here” vibe that lasts exactly until you check real estate prices. Walk it down to the waterfront and you’ve basically nailed Hobart’s postcard view without trying too hard.

3) MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) — yes, it’s worth the hype

MONA is not a polite museum. It’s bold, funny, confronting, and sometimes delightfully bizarre. The best move is to arrive by water: MONA’s own info confirms the ferry sails between Hobart’s Brooke Street Pier and the museum and takes around thirty minutes one way.

Check the current schedule on MONA’s “getting here” page. The key detail you’ll care about on the day: ferries depart from Brooke Street Pier, right by the Hobart waterfront—easy to reach, easy to remember, hard to miss.

4) kunanyi / Mount Wellington (the view that makes you shut up)

Every city claims it has a “must-do viewpoint.” Hobart actually does. kunanyi / Mount Wellington sits behind the city like a giant, moody guardian. On a clear day you’ll get a sweeping look over the Derwent River, the city grid, and the boats stitched along the waterfront. On a cloudy day? It’s still dramatic. Sometimes even better.

Plan for wind. And cold. The temperature up top can feel like it’s from a different season.

5) Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens (free, easy, quietly great)

If you need a calm reset—no tickets, no queues, no performance—go to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Entry is free, and the Gardens are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year with seasonal hours (for example, April to September 8:00am–5:00pm, and October to March 8:00am–6:30pm).

It’s close to the city, which means it’s ideal when you’ve got a half-day gap and you don’t want to over-plan your life.

Food and drink experiences that feel very Hobart

Eat your way around the waterfront (and don’t pretend you’ll “just have a snack”)

Hobart’s waterfront isn’t just a scenic walk. It’s a straight-up food zone—especially if you like seafood. Grab something simple, sit near the water, and watch the boats do their quiet choreography. It’s not fancy. That’s the point.

Cascade Brewery and its gardens

Cascade is an iconic Hobart stop—partly for the beer, partly for the setting under the mountain. Even if you’re not a craft-beer person (not everyone is), the gardens and heritage vibe make it a pleasant afternoon detour.

Seasonal events: when Hobart gets loud

Dark Mofo’s Winter Feast (June, if you like the city at its most intense)

Hobart in winter has a thing—actually, a whole festival. For 2024, Dark Mofo’s program materials listed Winter Feast running 13–16 and 20–23 June (4–11pm), with ticketed nights and free Sundays (as detailed in the official Dark Mofo 2024 text program PDF). Dates change year to year, but the takeaway is consistent: if you’re visiting in June, check what’s on. The city leans into it hard.

Easy day trips from Hobart (minimal effort, big payoff)

Richmond (history, bakeries, and an easy half-day)

Richmond is one of those close-by escapes that feels like you’ve time-travelled a little. It’s a common add-on for first-time visitors because it’s simple: drive out, wander, eat something sweet, come back before dinner. No heroic planning required.

Bruny Island (if you want the “Tasmania” version of Tasmania)

Bruny Island is famous for dramatic coastline, wildlife, and food stops. It’s a bigger day, but it’s the kind that makes you feel like you did something substantial—without needing to pack a hiking backpack the size of a small refrigerator.

Port Arthur Historic Site (powerful, confronting, unforgettable)

Port Arthur is a longer day trip, but if you’re interested in Australian convict history, it’s a major highlight for many visitors. Give it time. Rushing this one feels wrong.

A practical 2-day Hobart itinerary (steal this)

Day 1: City + market + mountain

• Morning: Salamanca Market (Saturday 8:30am–3:00pm) and Salamanca Place wander.
• Lunch: Waterfront seafood (keep it simple).
• Afternoon: kunanyi / Mount Wellington for the view.
• Evening: Drinks or a slow dinner back in town—Hobart nights are calm in the best way.

Day 2: MONA + gardens

• Morning: MONA ferry from Brooke Street Pier (allow ~30 minutes each way; check times on MONA’s site).
• Midday: MONA—take your time, and don’t try to “see it all” like it’s a checklist.
• Late afternoon: Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens (free entry; open daily, year-round).

FAQ: best things to do in Hobart

What are the must-see attractions in Hobart for first-timers?

Start with Salamanca Place, Salamanca Market (Saturday), MONA (ideally by ferry from Brooke Street Pier), and kunanyi / Mount Wellington. Add the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens if you want something relaxed and free.

When is Salamanca Market in Hobart?

Salamanca Market operates every Saturday from 8:30am to 3:00pm, according to the official Salamanca Market website and the City of Hobart.

Where does the MONA ferry depart from in Hobart?

The MONA ferry departs from Brooke Street Pier on the Hobart waterfront. MONA also notes the ferry trip takes around thirty minutes one way; see MONA’s getting-here information.

How long do you need in Hobart?

Two full days is enough to cover the big hitters (market day helps). Three to four days feels better if you want a day trip to Bruny Island, Richmond, or Port Arthur without sprinting through everything.

Where can you find free things to do in Hobart?

The waterfront walk costs nothing and never gets old. The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens has free entry and is open daily year-round (hours vary by season; check opening hours before you go).

Why is Hobart famous with travelers?

It’s the mix. You get serious nature (kunanyi on the doorstep), a strong food scene, and cultural experiences that punch above the city’s size—MONA being the obvious example. And the city is walkable, which sounds boring until you’ve dealt with a destination where you need three apps and a timetable just to get dinner.

Which time of year is best for Hobart sightseeing?

Hobart works year-round, but the vibe changes. Summer brings long days and easy coastal drives. Winter is moodier—and if Dark Mofo is running, the city gets a dramatic, festival edge. If you’re event-led, check current dates like the official Dark Mofo Winter Feast page.

Do this one thing before you go

Pick your anchors—Market, MONA, kunanyi—then leave space for wandering. Hobart rewards unplanned time. It’s a city where the “small” moments often beat the headline attractions, and that’s not a line. It’s just how it is.

Helpful official links: Salamanca Market • MONA (getting here) • Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens hours