3 days in Hobart
Enjoy excellent dining, world-class art and a bounty of natural attractions on this three-day trip to Hobart.
Stay and play
Holiday destinations around Hobart
By Ellie Schneider
Australia’s littlest capital city punches well above its weight when it comes to fine dining, cultural attractions, and stunning natural beauty. On this three-day trip to Hobart you’ll savour delicious local produce, follow mountaintop trails and day trip to Bruny Island.
What to expect
- See quaint buildings and edgy art
- Take in incredible views from Mount Wellington
- Spend the day exploring windswept Bruny Island
Fast facts
- Time: 3 days
- Distance: 80 kilometres (50 miles)
- Transport: car and ferry
- Price: $$
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3 days in Hobart
Day 1: Historic Hobart and daring art
Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), Hobart, Tasmania © Rob Burnett, Tourism Tasmania
Morning
Start your morning with a stroll along Hobart’s pretty working waterfront toward Salamanca Place, where rows of Georgian sandstone warehouses have been converted into galleries, theatres, restaurants and cutting-edge boutiques. On Saturday mornings you can wander around more than 300 stalls at the Salamanca Market (8.30am-3pm) for fresh local produce, handmade arts and crafts and antiques. Or browse the works of designers and artists at the Spacebar Gallery in Salamanca Arts Centre. Enjoy lunch at Jack Greene in Salamanca Square and dine on gourmet burgers and craft beers.
Mona is home to the Dark Mofo festival, which happens every June. This one-of-a-kind event will open your mind with its irreverent performance art, confronting installations and late night dance parties.
Afternoon
Leave two to three hours to explore the provocative collection at Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), Australia’s largest privately owned museum. The Mona ferry departs from Brooke Street Pier and takes roughly 25 minutes. The cavernous galleries are filled with controversial, thought-provoking works, and information and interviews with the artists is available via The O, a unique device available for all visitors. Head back to Hobart for a waterfront dinner at Frank, dining on Argentinean-style dishes such as fire-roasted oysters, Southern calamari and charcoal-grilled meats. Afterwards catch a performance at the Theatre Royal, Australia’s longest-running theatre, or taste Tasmania’s finest tipples at Lark Distillery. Rest your head at Moss Hotel, which is housed in a converted warehouse on Hobart’s waterfront.
Day 2: Scale Mount Wellington
Mount Wellington, Hobart, Tasmania © Tourism Australia
Essentials
The temperature at the top of Mount Wellington is usually 8°C (46.4°F) colder than in Hobart city. Make sure to wear layers, and bring a beanie and scarf just in case!
Morning
Tuck into sourdough crumpets or a chilli omelette at Room For A Pony, before the 30-minute drive up to the summit of Mount Wellington, 1,270 metres (4,167 feet) above sea level. From the lookout you can take in sweeping views over Hobart, Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula. Wellington Park is threaded with tracks and trails for bushwalking, bike riding and horse riding. Hike to Silver Falls along the Pipeline Track (40 minutes return) or follow the Lenah Valley Track (45 minutes return) to Sphinx Rock.
Afternoon
Back in Hobart, join a one-hour Historic Cruise up the Derwent River to see the city's notable landmarks, including the Botanical Gardens, the Tasman Bridge and Government House. Or visit TMAG (Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery) to delve into Tasmania’s Aboriginal history and see objects from the country’s oldest scientific society, the Royal Society of Tasmania, established in 1843. The museum also houses an extensive collection of colonial and contemporary art. For dinner, book well in advance for the 20-seat restaurant Templo, where chef Matt Breen delivers a tasting menu of Italian-inspired dishes.
Day 3: Day trip to Bruny Island
Get Shucked, Great Bay, Tasmania © Tourism Australia
Robert Pennicott, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys
“For some great food and scenery, a trip to Bruny Island is a great day trip or overnight stay.”
Morning
Drive 40 minutes south from Hobart to the sleepy seaside town of Kettering. From here you can catch the 20-minute ferry to Bruny Island via SeaLink Bruny Island and explore the wild coastline, tall forests and gentle green hills on foot in your own time. Climb the stairs to the lookout above the Neck – a narrow, sandy isthmus connecting north and south Bruny Island – to take in 360-degree views over Adventure Bay. Cross over to South Bruny Island, where you can walk along the coastal track to Penguin Island and Fluted Cape (2.5 hours return), or stroll along the white sands of Sandy Bay. For a more in-depth experience, choose one of the many tour options available. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys offers a three-hour wilderness cruise where you can spot Australian fur seals, dolphins, migrating whales and sea birds, or opt for their Tasmanian Seafood Seduction tour.
Afternoon
Bruny Island is renowned for its food and wine. Sample artisan cow’s and goat’s milk cheeses at the Bruny Island Cheese Co. and freshly shucked oysters at Get Shucked, both at Great Bay. Call into Bruny Island Providore at Adventure Bay to stock up on chocolates and handmade fudge, then visit Australia’s southernmost vineyard, Bruny Island Premium Wines in Lunawanna. To round up your culinary adventure, head back to Hobart and enjoy the final meal of your stay at Dier Makr.
