Hobart, Australia is a gem waiting to be explored. Nestled between the rugged peaks of kunanyi / Mount Wellington and the calm waters of the River Derwent, Hobart feels like a place where nature, art, history, and local charm all collide in one compact, walkable city.
You’ll find old sandstone buildings, quirky galleries, great eats (for vegans and meat lovers alike), and sweeping outdoor escapes—all just minutes from one another.
If you’re planning a trip to Hobart, you’re in for a treat. Over the next sections, I’ll walk you through the 12 best things to do in Hobart, Australia—from hidden nature spots to art havens, markets, gardens, day-trip escapes, and more.
By the end, you’ll have an itinerary you won’t want to wait to start. Let’s dive in.
1. kunanyi / Mount Wellington – Best Overall, Best for Views, Best for Nature Lovers
If you take away just one thing from your Hobart trip, make it this: climb (or drive) up to kunanyi / Mount Wellington.
Sitting at about 1,270 meters high, this mountain looms over the city and rewards you with panoramic vistas of Hobart, the Derwent River, and the wild terrain beyond.
You can access the summit by a winding 21-kilometer road (for those who prefer the drive) or follow one of the network of walking and bushwalking trails if you’re up for a bit of adventure.
There are boardwalks and viewing platforms near The Pinnacle that make it safe and accessible for many.
Along the ascent, you’ll pass through temperate rainforest and subalpine zones. Keep your eyes peeled for the “Organ Pipes” — a distinctive cliff of dolerite columns that often delights photographers and geology buffs.
Once you reach the top, stop by the observation shelter, sip something warm (weather changes fast up there), and soak in the sweeping views. On a clear day, you might spot distant wilderness, islands, or snow-dusted peaks.
This is easily one of the best things to do in Hobart for capturing “wow” impressions.
2. Salamanca Market & Salamanca Place – Best for Culture, Best for Local Flavor, Budget Friendly
Every Saturday morning, Salamanca Market pulses with life. Located along Salamanca Place, this market hosts over 350 stalls offering everything from handmade crafts, local art, artisan foods, to fresh produce.
Start early—by about 8:30 a.m. many of the best stalls are already open. Mingle with locals, sample seasonal fruits, check out unique jewelry or woodwork, and soak in street music or buskers passing through. The energy here is infectious.
Salamanca Place, adjacent to the market, is lined with historic Georgian sandstone warehouses. These buildings now house galleries, cafés, shops, and artist studios.
Walking through Salamanca Place gives you a sense of Hobart’s colonial history meeting contemporary creative energy.
Even if you don’t buy much, the visual feast and people-watching alone make Salamanca Market one of the top things to do in Hobart. For budget travelers, this is a big win—it costs nothing to stroll, browse, and soak up the vibe.
3. MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) – Best for Art Lovers, Best for Unique Experience, Best for Intellect & Awe
MONA is unlike any museum you’ve probably been to. Located a short ferry ride up the Derwent River (about 25 minutes), the museum lives partially underground and houses a bold private collection of antiquities and modern art.
The ferry ride itself is part of the fun—you glide past Hobart’s waterfront, watching the city recede behind you, water reflecting sky, until you arrive at MONA’s striking entrance. Many say the journey primes your mind for something surprising.
Inside, you’ll find provocative installations, immersive exhibits, and oddities that provoke thought more than traditional “museum” aesthetics. It’s not always polished, but always memorable.
Locals say you’ll leave with stories you can’t stop telling friends.
Tip: give yourself a few hours here. Eat a light lunch at MONA’s café, stroll the grounds, and let your mind wander. If you love art, architecture, or weird, beautiful things, MONA is one of the best things to do in Hobart you won’t want to skip.
4. Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens – Best for Relaxation, Best for Plant Lovers, Best for a Quiet Escape
Tucked near Hobart’s Queens Domain, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens spread across 35 acres (about 14 hectares) offering a lush tapestry of plants, ponds, walkways, and greenhouses.
This was established way back in 1818, making it one of Australia’s oldest botanical gardens. Stroll along its paths and you’ll see historic plant collections, a subarctic greenhouse (rare in the world), waterlilies, ornamental ponds, and shade trees.
It’s a quiet, peaceful spot. If you’re craving a break from busier attractions or want a gentle place to read, picnic, or wander, this garden fits the bill. Bring a shady hat, water, and maybe a sketchbook.
Because it’s inside the city area, it’s pretty easy to get to too. You can weave it into a Hobart walking circuit—go from Salamanca, through city streets, and end up here before sunset.
For those looking for calm amid adventure, the Botanical Gardens ranks among the best things to do in Hobart.
5. Cascade Gardens & Cascade Brewery – Best for Local Character, Best for Gardens + Drinks Lovers, Historic Charm
Down in South Hobart, below the slopes of Mount Wellington, lies the Cascades area—home to both a lovely garden zone and Cascade Brewery.
The Cascade Gardens (sometimes called the Cascade Grounds) include walking paths, lawns, seasonal gardens, and water features. It’s a mellow escape where locals stroll, jog, or picnic.
The gardens tie into the Hobart Rivulet Linear Park, a green corridor that leads toward the city.
Then there’s the brewery itself. Cascade claims to be Australia’s oldest continually operating brewery (founded circa 1824).
They offer tours, and while you may not partake in alcohol (per your request), they often have non-alcoholic versions, informative displays about brewing history, and beautiful grounds around the site.
Visiting Cascade is a way to combine local history, gardens, and a relaxed stroll. It’s ideal for folks who like to see “real Hobart” beyond just the tourist hotspots.
6. Battery Point & Kelly Steps / Arthur Circus – Best for History, Best for Scenic Walks, Best for Photography
Battery Point is one of Hobart’s most picturesque neighbourhoods. Its narrow streets, old cottages, and heritage character make it a joy to explore.
One interesting route is descending the Kelly Steps from Salamanca Place into Battery Point. These steps link the higher Salamanca precinct down to the quaint lanes of Battery Point. Walking down them feels like stepping into an earlier era of Hobart.
In Battery Point, Arthur Circus is a circular street lined with classic cottages and trees. Once home to early settlers, these houses now tell stories of Tasmania’s colonial past. You might see original stonework, old fences, colorful doors, and charming gardens.
Walk slowly, peek into local art shops or cafés, and take photos where the light hits façades just right. For people who love history, cozy streets, and scenes that feel timeless, Battery Point ranks among the best things to do in Hobart.
7. Mount Field National Park & Russell Falls – Best Day-Trip, Best for Waterfalls & Nature, Best for Wildlife
If you venture outside Hobart, Mount Field National Park is a top pick. It’s one of Tasmania’s oldest parks and home to lush forests, wildlife, and waterfalls.
One standout is Russell Falls, a three-tiered waterfall that’s relatively easy to reach via a short, well-maintained path. The falls are set amid mossy forest and ferns — very Instagram-friendly.
Beyond the falls, the park has longer walks, glacial tarns, tall tree trails, and chances to spot native critters like wombats or even platypus (if you’re lucky).
Because it’s about an hour (or more, depending on where you base yourself) from Hobart, it works best as a full-day excursion. But for nature lovers, it’s an absolute must. It’s one of the best things to do in Hobart’s surrounds.
8. Bruny Island Day Trip – Best for Wildlife & Scenic Adventure, Best for Fresh Food, Best for Coastal Views
Hop on a ferry from Kettering (south of Hobart) and head to Bruny Island. This rugged, wild island offers beaches, wildlife, coastal cliffs, and small settlements serving fresh local produce.
On Bruny, you can walk coastal tracks, watch for sea-birds and seals, explore lighthouses, or just breathe the ocean air. Some food tours bring you oysters, cheeses, and island specialties (vegetarian and meat options) grown locally.
If you pace your time right, Bruny is a day trip you’ll remember—wild, scenic, and full of local flavor. It ranks among the best things to do connected to Hobart, especially if you have extra time.
9. Cascades Female Factory Historic Site – Best for History Buffs, Best for Stories, Best for Reflective Tours
This site is heavier, but meaningful. The Cascades Female Factory Historic Site tells a convict history seldom told: the stories of women convicts put to work in colonial Tasmania.
You’ll walk through ruins, interpretive displays, and guided tour zones that explain life, hardship, and the social context of that era. It’s not flashy, but it is honest, emotional, and deeply rooted in Hobart’s past.
Visiting this site adds depth to your Hobart trip. It turns your travel into more than picture moments—it becomes a connection to human stories. For history lovers who want more than surface visits, this is one of the best things to do in Hobart.
10. Hobart Waterfront / Constitution Dock & Broader Harbor Walks – Best for Strolls, Best for Sea Views, Best for Evenings
You’ll want to leave some time just to walk the Hobart waterfront. Starting at Constitution Dock, with boats bobbing and sea air fresh, you can wander along wharves, peer at fishing boats, and explore museum buildings along the shore.
Brooke Street Pier sits nearby, with café views and vantage points over the water. The interweaving docks make it easy to zigzag and explore little alleys, maritime museums, or sit and watch ships glide in.
As evening kicks in, the harbor’s lights, reflections, and gentle breeze make for a special stroll. For those evenings when you want something mellow yet atmospheric, this waterfront walk is one of the best things to do in Hobart.
11. Cat and Fiddle Arcade & Murray Street Shopping – Best for Shopping, Best for Rainy Day, Best for Local Finds
If you want a break from outdoors or it rains, Cat and Fiddle Arcade is your indoor plan. Located in Hobart’s city centre, this arcade houses around 70 specialty shops including clothes, quirky gifts, local crafts, and more.
One fun local touch: it has a musical clock that plays the nursery rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle” with a glockenspiel and vibraphone every hour. Tourists love catching that.
Because it connects to surrounding malls and is centrally located, it’s easy to weave into a shopping stroll through Murray Street, Collins Street, or nearby arcades.
For those rainy moments or when you want retail therapy, this is among the best things to do in Hobart in town.
12. Rivulet Walk / Hobart Rivulet Linear Park – Best for Walking, Best Hidden Gem, Best for Nature in the City
This is a quieter gem. The Hobart Rivulet Linear Park follows the course of the Hobart Rivulet through town, linking green spaces like Cascade Gardens down toward the city. Locals sometimes walk it for calm escapes inside Hobart.
It’s not flashy, but it’s charming. You’ll pass shaded paths, small bridges, vegetation, and city backdrops. Because it threads through neighborhoods, it gives a different perspective of Hobart—less tourist, more lived-in.
If you enjoy urban walks that surprise you, this spot is one of the best hidden things to do in Hobart, especially when you want something mellow after a big day of sightseeing.
Conclusion
Hobart is a city that rewards curiosity. Between its sweeping mountain views, bold art museum, leafy gardens, historic quarters, and island escapes, there’s always something to fill your heart and your camera roll.
The 12 best things to do in Hobart above will help you build a trip that balances nature, culture, history, and surprise.
Here’s a tip: mix your days—pair a nature excursion with a mellow museum day, follow that with a market morning and harbor walk in the evening. Don’t rush. Let Hobart’s pace sink in.
If you like, I can help you turn this list into a 3-day or 4-day Hobart itinerary or suggest where to stay. Want me to do that next?