Mona Roma ferry in Hobart, Tasmania © Adam Gibson

Guide to Hobart

Aboriginal name: nipaluna (pronounced nip-ah-loona)

Welcome
Aboriginal
Getting to Hobart
When to visit

In Hobart, you can see world-renowned art, eat freshly caught seafood and climb a mountain all in one day.

The Tasmanian capital of Hobart is a dynamic city that surpasses expectations at every turn. Australia’s southernmost capital is brimming with history and bursting with creativity (hello MONA). It boasts an incredible food and wine scene with local produce making the short journey from farm to table, and is fringed by scenic wilderness.

Long before Hobart was called Hobart, the local muwinina and palawa peoples called this area of Tasmania ‘nipaluna.’ No capital letters are used in palawa kani (the traditional language), including place names.

To learn more about Hobart’s First Nations history, take the takara nipaluna – ‘Walking Hobart’ Aboriginal tour. Run by palawa/warlpiri woman Nunami Sculthorpe-Green, this special tour will give you a rich understanding of the palawa experience.

Traditional name: nipaluna (pronounced nip-ah-loona)
Indigenous Peoples: muwinina and palawa peoples
Traditional languages: palawa kani
How to say g’day in palawa kani: ya

The easiest way to reach Hobart is by air. Flights arrive daily from several Australian cities.

Hobart Airport (HBA) is 18km (11mi) from the city and services international and domestic arrivals
Hire cars, rideshare services and taxis are available from passenger terminals
The SkyBus shuttle service to Hobart's city centre departs every 30 minutes

Hobart is a relatively small city, so making your way around is easy. There is a clean and safe public bus network as well as a private ferry to take you to waterfront art museum MONA. You can easily walk to many attractions, and car hire is available for driving further afield on a road trip. Find more information about getting around Hobart.

Hobart has four distinct seasons and each is uniquely beautiful. Luckily for travellers, Hobart’s weather is relatively predictable, making it easy to plan. Overall, expect cooler temperatures year-round when compared with Australia's other capital cities.