Australia’s second-oldest city and southernmost capital, Hobart dapples the foothills of Mt Wellington, angling down to the slate-grey Derwent River.
The town’s rich cache of colonial architecture and natural charms are complemented by hip festivals, happening markets and top-notch food and drink.
It’s a gorgeous place, but until quite recently Hobart was far from cosmopolitan or self-assured – it’s taken a while for Hobartians to feel comfortable in their own skins.
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Paralleling this shift (or perhaps driving it), the mainland Australian attitude to Hobart has changed from derision to delight: investors now recognize that Tasmania’s abundant water, stress-free pace and cool climate are precious commodities.
Not far past the outskirts of town are some great beaches, alpine areas and historic villages. And don’t miss MONA, Hobart’s dizzyingly good Museum of Old and New Art, which has vehemently stamped Tasmania onto the global cultural map.
Location
Hobart is located on the estuary of the Derwent River in the state’s south-east. Geologically Hobart is built predominantly on Jurassic dolerite around the foothills interspersed with smaller areas of Triassic siltstone and Permian mudstone. Hobart extends along both sides of the Derwent River; on the western shore from the Derwent valley in the north through the flatter areas of Glenorchy which rests on older Triassic sediment and into the hilly areas of New Town, Lenah Valley. Both of these areas rest on the younger Jurassic dolerite deposits, before stretching into the lower areas such as the beaches of Sandy Bay in the south, in the Derwent estuary. South of the Derwent estuary lies Storm Bay and the Tasman Peninsula.
The Eastern Shore also extends from the Derwent valley area in a southerly direction hugging the Meehan Range in the east before sprawling into flatter land in suburbs such as Bellerive. These flatter areas of the eastern shore rest on far younger deposits from the Quaternary. From there the city extends in an easterly direction through the Meehan Range into the hilly areas of Rokeby and Oakdowns, before reaching into the tidal flatland area of Lauderdale.
Hobart has access to a number of beach areas including those in the Derwent estuary itself; Sandy Bay, Cornelian Bay, Nutgrove, Kingston, Bellerive, and Howrah Beaches as well as many more in Frederick Henry Bay such as; Seven Mile, Roaches, Cremorne, Clifton, and Goats Beaches.
Climate
Hobart experience four distinct seasons. Its climate is described as mild temperate maritime. The warmest months are December, January, February and March with average temperatures of around 21°C. With an annual average of 626 millimeters of rainfall, Hobart is Australia’s second-driest capital city. Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year, although the winter months are the wettest. During winter the island feels the southerly winds from the Antarctic and experiences some of the Australia’s coolest temperatures. Here you will find some information on temperature, rainfall and seasonal activities to help you plan your holiday in Hobart.
Autumn (March – May) has many calm, sunny days, and the best time to sample some of Tasmania’s regional produce and culture at the biennial cultural celebration Ten Days on the Island in March. Explore Hobart’s history on a walking tour of Sullivan’s Cove and Salamanca Place; or head out to the former convict settlement at Port Arthur. The landscape around Hobart produces a mass of color as wildflowers bloom and ancient trees turn from gold to red in preparation for winter.
Winter (June – August) is the time to relax indoors by a log fire, or head out into the crisp clean air for an invigorating walk. You can join with the locals at the Antarctica Mid-Winter Festival in June; be warmed by serenading voices at Hobart’s Festival of the Voices; or indulge at the Chocolate Winterfest in July. Although the days can be cold averaging between 3 – 11°C, it can be a beautiful time of year in Hobart with low rainfall. If conditions are right you may see the magnificent Aurora Australis. Winter in Tasmania also offers some of the best whale watching in Australia.
Transportation
Metro Tasmania – In Tasmania the State Government operates a Government Business Enterprise known as Metro to undertake public passenger bus services in the major urban areas.
The extent of Metro operations can be found on their website, along with information on routes, timetables, fares and other relevant information.
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Regional and Statewide Connections - Regional connections around the State are provided by private bus operators, and some areas also have supplementary services provided by tourist bus operators.
Taxis - Taxi’s operate within most metro areas, although they are not always readily available in the smaller towns around Tasmania. Taxis with larger capacity, or with wheelchair carrying ability are generally available on request.
Car Rentals - Hire cars are available both form the Hobart Airport, other airports around the state and within the major metropolitan centers. Hobart Yellow Water Cabs operates a water taxi service on the Derwent River allowing easy access to many riverside areas. Services from Hobart City leave from the waterfront area at Waterman’s Dock, opposite Parliament House lawns.
What to See
Salamanca Place
This picturesque row of four-storey sandstone warehouses is a classic example of Australian colonial architecture. Dating back to the whaling days of the 1830s, Salamanca was the hub of Hobart’s trade and commerce.
By the mid-20th century many of the warehouses had fallen into ruin, before restorations began in the 1970s. These days Salamanca hosts myriad restaurants, cafes, bars and shops, and the unmissable Saturday morning Salamanca Market.
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The development of the quarry behind the warehouses into Salamanca Sq has bolstered the atmosphere, while at the eastern end of Salamanca the conversion of four old wheat silos into plush apartments has also been a hit.
Operating behind the scenes is a vibrant and creative arts community. The nonprofit Salamanca Arts Centre occupies seven Salamanca warehouses, home to 75-plus arts organizations and individuals, including shops, galleries, studios, performing-arts venues and versatile public spaces.
Battery Point
Battery Point’s name derives from the 1818 gun battery that stood on the promontory, protecting Hobart Town from nautical threats both real and imagined. The guns were never used in battle and the only damage they inflicted was on nearby windowpanes when fired during practice.
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Farm Gate Market
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Salamanca Market on the waterfront has been a success for decades, but this hyperactive new foodie street-mart might just give it a run for its money. With the ding of a big brass bell at 9am, trading commences. Elbow your way in for the best buys, or take your time to browse the fruit, veg, honey, wine, baked goods, beer, smoked meats, coffee, nuts, oils, cut flowers, jams and so much more.
Mount Nelson
If Mt Wellington is cloud shrouded, the Old Signal Station atop Mt Nelson (352m) provides immaculate views over Hobart and the Derwent estuary. The Mt Nelson semaphore station (established 1811) was once the major link between Hobart and the Port Arthur penal colony further south. To get here, drive up Davey St then take the Southern Outlet towards Kingston and turn left at the top of the hill. Local buses 57, 58, 156 and 158 also come here.
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There’s a sassy restaurant beside the signal station, plus barbecues and picnic tables. You can also walk to the top via the 90-minute return Truganini Track, which starts at Cartwright Reserve beside the Channel Hwy in Taroona.
Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery
Incorporating Hobart’s oldest building, the Commissariat Store (1808), this revamped museum features colonial relics and excellent Aboriginal and wildlife displays – the gallery curates a collection of Tasmanian colonial art. There are free guided tours at 1pm and 2pm from Wednesday to Sunday (hordes of school kids might be a little less interested in proceedings than you are), plus tours of a historic cottage within the museum grounds at 11am on Wednesday. There’s a cool cafe, too.
Tasmanian Cricket Museum
Cricket fans should steer a well-directed cover drive towards Blundstone Arena (aka Bellerive Oval). There’s a beaut cricket museum and library here, plus oval tours (call for times and bookings). Don’t miss the corner of the museum dedicated to the achievements of Tasmanian legend Ricky ‘Punter’ Ponting. There’s still no commemoration of David Boon’s 52 cans of beer quaffed on a Sydney-to-London flight in 1989 though. Bus 608 from the city runs past the oval.
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