Things to Do in Hobart

Things to Do in Hobart

As the second oldest capital city in Australia, Hobart pairs colonial architecture and heritage sandstone buildings with a backdrop of kunanyi/Mount Wellington, a thriving culinary scene and some of the best wine regions in the country. Whether you’re a local looking for new things to do in Hobart today, or visiting from interstate or overseas, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your itinerary. Many of the best things to do in Hobart’s CBD, from Salamanca Place to Constitution Dock, are within easy walking distance of each other, while day trips to Bruny Island, Port Arthur and the Coal River wine region are all under two hours away.

Our range of Hobart activities and attractions also make the perfect gift. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, Christmas or just because, an experience creates a memory that lasts longer than another thing to unwrap. Browse the full range above, or read on to discover our pick of the best places to visit in Hobart, top day trips, and answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about visiting Tasmania’s capital.

Fun Things to Do in Hobart

Here’s our pick of the best activities to do in Hobart, organised by category, so you can quickly find things to do in Hobart that suit you.

Scenic Flights & Sightseeing Tours

See the city, the Derwent River and Mount Wellington from above on a Hobart City Scenic Flight – 30 Minutes. Perfect if you’re after things to do in Hobart without a car, the Red Decker 48 Hours Hobart City Loop Tour lets you explore 20 stops around the city and southern suburbs at your own pace.

Hobart Cruises & Wine Tastings

Discover Hobart’s waterways on a Hobart Cruise, from the Tasman Island Nature Cruise – 3 Hours to the 3 Hour Sailing Cruise on the Derwent. Foodies shouldn’t miss the Hobart Wine and Produce Tour – Half Day, sampling cool climate wines, cheese and chocolate across the region.

Food, Whisky & Hobart Dining Experiences

For a luxury Hobart experience, book the Whisky Distillery Tour with Tasting, Lunch and Wine – For 2, or keep it casual with a Guided Tour & Beef Paddle Tasting at Cascade Brewery, Australia’s oldest brewery, or the High Cheese and Chocolate Experience – For 2.

Wildlife Experiences

Meet Tasmanian devils, wombats and kangaroos with a Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Entry Pass, one of the best Animal Experiences close to the city.

Day Trips & Tours

If you’re after things to do around Hobart, our Day Trips & Tours range covers everything from the Hobart Highlights Day Tour to the Mt Field, Mt Wellington and Bonorong Wildlife Park Tour.

Getaways & Unique Experiences

Book a Getaway or something a little different, like the Luxe Paint & Sip Experience or a 2 Hour Kayak Tour exploring the Sandy Bay coastline.

Places to Visit in Hobart

There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Hobart, perfect for locals looking for new areas to explore or visitors travelling around the city. A RedBalloon experience is the best way to discover the attractions, natural scenery and wildlife that make up this region.

Bruny Island

Just a 40 minute drive and short ferry ride from Hobart, Bruny Island is home to abundant wildlife, dramatic coastline and some of Tasmania’s best produce. Spend the day on a Bruny Island Coastal Wilderness Tour or a Bruny Island Gourmet Day Tour with Lunch for oysters, cheese and whisky along the way.

Salamanca Markets

Running every Saturday along the historic Salamanca Place waterfront, Salamanca Market is one of Hobart’s most visited attractions, packed with stalls selling local produce, art and jewellery. Our Hobart Highlights Day Tour includes a stop here on Saturdays, alongside Mt Wellington and Richmond.

kunanyi/Mount Wellington

Towering over the city, kunanyi/Mount Wellington offers weeping views across Hobart, the Derwent River and out to Bruny Island on a clear day. The Mt Field, Mt Wellington and Bonorong Wildlife Park Tour takes you to the summit, no car required.

Port Arthur

Around 90 minutes from Hobart, Port Arthur is a World Heritage listed former penal settlement turned open air museum on the Tasman Peninsula. Explore its history on a Full Day Port Arthur Tour, or combine it with Tasmanian Devils on the Port Arthur and Tasman Peninsula Tour – Full Day.

Top Things to Do in Hobart

– Cruise to Tasman Island: Tasman Island Nature Cruise – 3 Hours.

– Discover Bruny Island: Full Day Bruny Island Coastal Wilderness Tour.

– Tour Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula: Full Day Port Arthur Tour.

– See the city from above: Hobart City Scenic Flight – 30 Minutes.

Can’t decide which Hobart experience to book? A RedBalloon Gift Voucher lets the lucky recipient choose their own adventure, and can be used on any experience in the range, perfect for birthdays, Christmas or any occasion in between.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top attractions in Hobart?

Hobart’s must-sees include Salamanca Market, Mount Wellington, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), historic Battery Point, and Cascade Brewery. See several of these landmarks from the water on the 2.5 Hour Iron Pot and Betsey Island Cruise, passing Battery Point on the way to Australia’s oldest lighthouse.

What are the best day trips from Hobart?

Popular day trips from Hobart include Bruny Island, the Coal River wine region, Mt Field National Park and Port Arthur. Try the Bruny Island Day Tour for beaches, wildlife and gourmet produce all in one guided outing.

What are the best things to do in Hobart?

From wine tasting through the Coal River Valley to wildlife encounters and browsing Salamanca Market, the best things to do in Hobart mix natural scenery, colonial history and world class food and wine. The Hobart Wine and Produce Tour is a great way to sample the region.

What are the best markets to visit in Hobart?

Salamanca Market is Hobart’s most famous market, running every Saturday along historic Salamanca Place with local produce, arts and crafts. The 24 Hour Hobart Hop On Hop Off Bus stops right at Salamanca Place, so you can hop off for a browse before continuing your sightseeing.

What are the best free things to do in Hobart?

Wandering Salamanca Place and Battery Point, exploring the waterfront at Constitution Dock, and hiking one of the tracks up Mount Wellington are all free. If you’d rather skip the climb, the Full Day Scenic Hobart Tour takes you to the summit by coach, along with Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Richmond.

What are the best things to do in Hobart at night?

Hobart’s dining scene comes alive after dark, with waterfront restaurants, whisky bars and dinner cruises along the Derwent. For something different, the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Night Feeding Tour lets you hand feed nocturnal wildlife just outside the city after dark.

What are the best things to do in Hobart with kids?

When it comes to family activities in Hobart, kids will love the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Daytime Feeding Tour, hand feeding Tasmanian devils, wombats and cockatoos, along with a Saturday morning at Salamanca Market.

What are the best food and drink experiences in Hobart?

Hobart is a genuine foodie destination. Don’t miss the Tasmanian Ocean to Plate Seafood Cruise, gathering fresh oysters, rock lobster and abalone straight from the water before it becomes a seafood feast on board.

What are the best things to do in Hobart when it rains?

MONA is Hobart’s best rainy day option, with hours of indoor exhibitions to explore. Distillery tours are another great wet weather pick, like the Old Kempton Distillery Tour & Guided Tasting For 2, or a Paint and Sip Class among the indoor activities in Hobart.

Exploring More of Tasmania?

Once you’ve ticked off the best things to do in Hobart, it’s worth exploring more of what Tasmania has to offer. Head north to Launceston for boutique wineries and gorge walks, chase pink granite peaks and white sand beaches in Freycinet & the East Coast, spend a day discovering the wildlife and produce of Bruny Island, or venture in the wilderness of Cradle Mountain & the West Coast. Discover our full range of Things To Do in Tasmania to start planning the rest of your trip.