Formerly unfairly maligned for the innocent crime of being separated from the mainland, Tasmania has of late received rightful recognition for its convergence of food, nature, architecture, and culture. Between a thriving culinary scene defined by locally sourced produce and low intervention cooking styles, breathtaking natural wonders a short drive away, and a harmonious marriage between heritage charm and contemporary appeal, Hobart represents something of a walkable microcosm of a utopian cosmopolis. Throw in an influx of boutique hotels, not to mention the institution that is Mona, and you have a destination worth exploring.
Our Hobart destination guide takes you through the best things to do and see in the Tasmanian capital, as well as a worthy hit list of the best places to dine, drink, and stay.
Where to stay in Hobart
Hobart plays host to a solid assortment of luxury and boutique hotels, catering to those who appreciate history and eccentricity in equal measure.
The Tasman
Despite the influx of boutique accommodation offerings, Hobart was still starved for a proper luxury hotel. Satiating that hunger is The Tasman; situated within an 1840s building, it retains the city’s eclectic character while ensuring no detail goes unnoticed. Close to the Salamanca Markets and the Sullivan’s Cove waterfront, the 152 rooms at The Tasman are divided into Heritage, Art Deco, or Contemporary wings; some feature floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over David’s Park, while others honour the city’s maritime history with waterfront views and elegant decor with a hint of nautical flavour. Regardless of where you’re placed, expect marble bathrooms, locally sourced amenities, and chic furniture. Travellers would also do well to pay a visit to Mary Mary for cocktails and Peppinas for dinner. The latter is helmed by chef Massimo Mele and offers Italian cuisine with a localised twist.
Price: from $340AUD/night
Address: 12 Murray St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Explore and book The Tasman here.
Henry Jones Art Hotel
Essentially part of the fabric of the Tasmanian capital, the Henry Jones Art Hotel stays true to its industrial heritage. Set within the 19th-century IXL jam factory, the Henry Jones Art Hotel is located on Hobart’s Hunter Street Precinct and boasts waterfront views while being within walking distance of the CBD and Salamanca Place. The 56 rooms and suites recently received an upgrade, with each differentiated by the art on display. True to its name, the Henry Jones Art Hotel features artwork at every turn, from the dramatically oversized Lindsay Broughton artworks in the foyer to the Landscape Restaurant & Grill which is dedicated to the works of John Glover.
Price: from $290AUD/night
Address: 25 Hunter St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Explore and book Henry Jones Art Hotel here.
Related: Henry Jones Art Hotel; Old & New Unite In This Former Jam Factory
Mona Pavilions
The Museum of Old and New Art lends its idiosyncratic curation philosophy to the accommodation sphere. Nestled within the leafy clifftop surrounds of Moorilla Estate vineyards on the Derwent river, Mona Pavilions spans eight design-led spaces, each of which combines contemporary, brutalist, and deconstructivism architectural typologies rendered in a material palette of off-form concrete, metal, and glass. Each of the octet is named after an influential Australian artist or architect, features artworks from the Mona collection, and comes with access to the lap pool, sauna, and gym. Be warned: despite the luxurious nature of each pavilion, they’re decidedly not for those who value privacy above all else. Like with everything they do, Mona has taken a contrarian approach to the design of its accommodation, with the pavilions exposed both to the landscape and each other. So try not to get changed in front of the glass.
Price: from $850AUD/night
Address: 655 Main Rd, Berriedale, Tasmania, Australia
Explore and book Mona Pavilions here.
The Rox
For something a touch more private, The Rox boasts the comfort and convenience of a boutique hotel alongside the independence of an apartment. Comprising a quartet of apartments—two heritage and two contemporary—The Rox is located in Hobart’s Midtown and is ideally placed to explore the city. We’d recommend staying in one of the two-bedroom sandstone-walled heritage apartments; nestled within a meticulously restored 19th-century building, they combine exposed brick finishes with modern design charm, natural materials, and local flair, making for a cosy respite from the city.
Price: from $310AUD/night
Address: 160/162 Elizabeth St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Explore and book The Rox here.
Related: The Rox Hobart Offers A Stylish Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Style Stay In The Tasmanian Capital
Islington Hotel
Tucked into a 19th-century heritage building in South Hobart, Islington Hotel transports guests into a different time with a robust antique and art collection. Each of the boutique hotel’s 11 rooms are laden with character and charm, while old-fashioned hospitality shines through in the complimentary breakfast and all-day barista-made coffee and snacks. Islington Hotel offers spectacular views of kunanyi/Mount Wellington, particularly in the on-site conservatory restaurant which centres on simple fare and spotlights local produce.
Price: from $310AUD/night
Address: 321 Davey St, South Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Explore and book Islington Hotel here.
Related: Byron Bay Destination Guide: Where To Eat, Stay, Shop & Play In The Coastal Town
What to do and see in Hobart
Mona
It’s hard to describe the Museum of Old and New Art—colloquially known as Mona—with a visit to the cultural institution leaving you feeling more confused than when you entered. That said, it’s a must visit destination in Hobart. The brainchild of legendary gambler, businessman, and art collector David Walsh, Mona is housed within a building designed by Australian architecture firm Fender Katsalidis. The subterranean building is carved into the clifftop, with the waffle concrete and corten steel structure contrasting with the riverside sandstone and designed to be absorbed into the landscape as the decades pass.
A maze of galleries and pavilions connected by tunnels and walkways, Mona is an immersive experience that subverts and challenges the notion of what art is at every turn. Expect to find artworks by the likes of Sidney Nolan, Ai Weiwei, Brett Whitely, and Patrick Hall, as well as multivarious ephemeral exhibitions on offer. There’s also a slew of on-site dining options, with highlights including the Moorilla Cellar Door, The Source Restaurant, and Faro Bar + Restaurant. The latter is a venerable destination in itself.
At Mona, the journey is a key part of the experience. Ditch the car and catch the ferry from Hobart’s Brooke Street Pier; considering Mona’s riverside location, the best way to take in the architecture to full effect is by water. The trip takes less than half an hour and you can even sit on a sheep or tiger on the way up.
Address: 655 Main Rd, Berriedale, Tasmania, Australia
Battery Point
A secret staircase in Salamanca Place will take you up to the historic suburb of Battery Point. Its water vistas and quaint cottages make it easy to wile away an hour or two simply wandering around, however the Narryna Heritage Museum is also worth a visit. Set within an 1830s merchant’s house, it depicts the story of early colonial life in Hobart. And, no visit to Battery Point is complete without a trip to Jackman & McRoss for a pastry and coffee (and perhaps a loaf of freshly baked bread to go).
kunanyi/Mt Wellington
Wake up early and drive up to kunanyi/Mt Wellington to take in panoramic views of the city (and Bruny Island on a clear day). There are several hikes in the area, including the popular Pipeline Track. If you don’t have a car, take the Explorer Bus, which departs from the city every hour-and-a-half.
Address: Pinnacle Road, Wellington Park, Tasmania, Australia
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Fans of colonial architecture will have just as much to see here as aspiring botanists. The early 19th-century gardens still feature original convict-built walls and structures, complemented by a robust collection of unique flora. Don’t let the manicured grounds fool you, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are home to a diverse array of native Australian and Tasmanian plants, rare and threatened species, a conservatory for exotic plants, and even Australia’s only Subantarctic Plant House, which replicates the climate and houses the flora of Macquarie Island
Address: Lower Domain Rd, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Lark Cellar Door
Lovers of a good dram would do well to drop into the Lark Cellar Door. Situated on the Hobart waterfront in a former distillery and bond store, the cellar door stocks the full breadth of Australian whisky brand Lark’s releases—including the hard-to-find limited-edition ones—with the friendly staff on hand to dole out recommendations or curate a tasting flight. There’s also a bar area which serves whisky by the glass and cocktails.
Address: 14 Davey St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Located steps away from Hobart’s working docks and close to both Henry Jones Art Hotel and The Tasman, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) comprises a museum, art gallery, and herbarium and is spread across Tasmania’s oldest surviving building. Current museum exhibitions explore Tasmania’s native flora and fauna, the journey and history of Tasmanian Aboriginal people, and the extinct Tasmanian tiger, while the gallery puts the spotlight on the art of the self portrait and blue and white ceramics.
Address: Dunn Pl, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Where to shop in Hobart
Hobart is far from being known as a fashion capital, but the op shopping here is surprisingly good. Kookaburra Antiques in Battery Point has a selection of vintage jewellery and clothing befitting of the upscale neighbourhood, while shopping at the not-for-profit Tip Shop is something of a chore but there’s lots of hidden gems should you have the time to sift through everything. For something a little more curated, try Goodbyes; one of the few consignment stores to replicate the zeitgeisty minimalism so popular with the contemporary shopping experience.
The best farmers markets in Hobart
Yes, technically these could be lumped in with the best places to shop, but this is Hobart and the farmers markets here warrant a category of their own.
Salamanca Market
A trip to Hobart isn’t complete without visiting Salamanca Market. Bypass the souvenir stalls and make a beeline for the food stalls; try Provenance Growers, House of Fudge, Coal River Farm, Hmong Veggie, and Cheeky Devil Coffee Roasters.
When: 8.30am to 3pm, Saturday
Address: Salamanca Pl, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Farm Gate Market
Salamanca Market often garners the lion’s share of attention, but for the best local produce and snacks, Farm Gate Market is the way to go. Get there early and grab a coffee and croissant before doing the rounds. You’ll want to stock up on cheese from Elgaar, honey from Grumpy Bee, and whatever produce is in season.
When: 8.30am to 1pm, Sunday
Address: 104 Bathurst St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Related: Paris Destination Guide: Where To Eat, Drink, Stay & Shop In The French Capital
Where to dine in Hobart
Faro Bar + Restaurant
Fine dining? Flamenco dancing? Sensory overstimulation? Sensory deprivation? Faro Bar + Restaurant manages to have it all without veering into gimmicky territory. The waterfront restaurant is grafted into the concrete structure of the museum and juts out over the riverfront, with floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the space with light — and revealing James Turrell’s cavernous spherical Unseen Seen artwork to those paddling by.
Faro Bar + Restaurant has seasonal menus; the current Platedropping menu provides a culinary complement to Mona’s almost-year-long Namedropping exhibition. The culinary work of art starts off strong with the truffle comté forgoing typical utensils in favour of a ceramic digit modelled after Mona founder David Walsh’s own middle one (we dare you to make eye contact with the waitstaff while consuming this course). There’s the option for either an a la carte or degustation menu, with each dish impeccably executed. Highlights include the Sea Porridge and Meat Is Murder, both of which boast a nuanced palate.
Reservations at Faro Bar + Restaurant come with the option to book access to James Turrell’s Unseen Seen and Weight of Darkness; these involve sensory overload followed by sensory deprivation and truly discombobulate the senses. You’ll likely want to do these before your lunch reservation, although I experienced it mid-course and the pre-dessert disorientation was actually rather enjoyable and put a fresh spin on the chic Cocoa Chanel.
Bookings are necessary and access to the Turrell works sells out well in advance so get in early here.
Address: 655 Main Rd, Berriedale, Tasmania, Australia
Peppina
Helmed by Tasmanaian chef Massimo Mele, Peppina serves family style Italian fare in Salamanca Place. Don’t miss the gnocchi and market fish.
Address: 2b Salamanca Pl, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
The Agrarian Kitchen
Well worth the short drive out of Hobart, The Agrarian Kitchen showcases farm-to-table dining at its best, with the majority of produce sourced from the garden and paddock on site. Meals are served in a 19th-century schoolhouse, with the seasonal menu focusing on low intervention techniques that showcase the beauty of the produce used. The Agrarian Kitchen also holds cooking, gardening, and cheesemaking classes, which make for a fun experience should these coincide with your visiting dates.
Address: 11a The Avenue, New Norfolk, Tasmania, Australia
Landscape Restaurant & Grill
Set within the sandstone walls of the former IXL jam factory, the Landscape Restaurant & Grill has dedicated the majority of its surface area to paying homage to the works of colonial artist John Glover. Amongst moody lighting and pastoral scenes, the Landscape Restaurant & Grill doles out Asado Grill specialties alongside contemporary Australian fare.
Address: 23 Hunter St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Aloft
Holding court over Brooke Street Pier, Aloft takes waterfront views to the next level. The fare here is equally boastful, with chef Christian Ryan curating a nine-course menu that centres around locally caught seafood and locally sourced meat and produce (think Bruny Island wallaby tartare and saltbush tempura). The matched drinks option pours out an array of Tasmanian drops, making for a solid way to sample some of the Apple Isle’s finest.
Address: Pier One, Brooke St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Frogmore Creek
Another outpost worthy of the short drive out of Hobart, the fare at Frogmore Creek acts as a culinary tribute to Tasmanian produce. Make sure you get the wine pairing.
Address: 699 Richmond Rd, Cambridge, Tasmania, Australia
Omotenashi
The vibe is intimate and the service attentive at Omotenashi — it’s hard not to be, considering the restaurant seats just a dozen and only holds dinner service on Fridays and Saturdays. Tucked behind the Lexus showroom, seating at Omotenashi is arranged around the chefs’ table, where Lachlan Colwill and Sophie Pope bring a sense of the theatrical to dinner. The Japanese-style menu is best complemented by sake, but also pairs well with the restaurant’s selection of Tasmanian and French wines.
Address: Unit 4/160 Elizabeth St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Where to drink in Hobart
While Hobartians have long enjoyed a drink—and the state being home to numerous lauded wine, whisky, gin, and beer producers—those wishing to indulge in the drinking scene in the Tasmanaian capital have previously been limited to heritage pubs or a small handful of dive bars. That said, there’s a new wave of lounges and bars that are shaking off the city’s fusty reputation by pouring up style and substance in equal measure.
Mary Mary
Ensconced within the sandstone walls of the former St Mary’s Hospital building—for which it’s also named—Mary Mary exudes old-world charm with leather armchairs and a fireplace, complemented by marble, timber, and brass entails. The menu pays homage to the terroir of Tasmania, making use of local native ingredients and artisanal spirits from Tasmania and beyond.
Address: 2a Salamanca Pl, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
The Still
Its cellar door isn’t the only Lark-approved place to imbibe. Come nightfall, the Tasmanian distillery’s downtown tasting room transforms into a bar. Flanked by deep green leather banquette seating that encircles ruby red carpeting, The Still is a veritable jewellery box of a bar, acting as a glamorous celebration of the Apple Isle’s whisky industry. And, despite being the brainchild of Lark Distillery, The Still takes a democratic approach to its spirits curation, stocking a vast selection of exemplary Tasmanian whiskies.
Address: 30 Argyle Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Evolve Spirits Bar
Know a palaeontologist who loves a drink? Take them here. Located within the MACq 01 hotel, the Evolve Spirits Bar is a waterfront lounge that sees a robust collection of botanical, zoological, and geological artefacts complemented by an equally peerless spirits menu. Expect to find several ultra-rare local and international spirits (think a 20-Year-Old Lark Legacy or a Macallan Rare Cask) alongside classic and signature cocktails and tasting flights.
Address: MACq 01 Hotel, 18 Hunter Street, Hobart, Tasmania
Cascade Brewery Bar
Those who aren’t a fan of spirits needn’t be relegated to something less, well…spirited. Cascade Brewery Bar not only sits on the site of the oldest working brewery in Australia, but is also located on the foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington and offers stunning vistas of the heritage brewery building and the mountain beyond. And we haven’t even gotten to the drinks. Naturally, Cascade lager takes top billing here, however there’s also a solid selection of Tasmanian wines and spirits on offer. Oh, and this is the only location in our Hobart destination guide that’ll allow you to indulge in classic pub fare, so tuck in.
Address: 140 Cascade Rd, South Hobart, Hobart, Tasmania
Where to caffeinate (and carb load) in Hobart
The Tasmanian capital is in no shortage of worthy locales to pop in for a coffee and pastry. These are some of our favourite cafes and bakeries in Hobart.
Pigeon Whole Bakers
A tiny bakery in the heart of the CBD, what Pigeon Whole Bakers lacks in seating it makes up for in quality. The coffee is consistently good and the cardamom-infused morning bun a highlight.
Address: 32 Argyle St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
The Stagg
This family-run coffee shop never fails to produce a good cold brew.
Address: 138 Elizabeth St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Born in Brunswick
Taking its cues from Melbourne’s coffee culture, Born in Brunswick takes its beans seriously, with meticulously selected single origin and blended espressos served in an airy, Scandi-inspired space. The food is equally as good here, with the all-day brunch menu offering all the classics.
Address: 410 Elizabeth St, North Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Villino Coffee
A cafe by Villino Coffee Roasters, one Tasmania’s longest-running coffee roasters, Villino Coffee nails its subject matter. The coffee menu here is comprehensive (think espresso, cold brew, pour-over, coffee flights, and even cascara tea made from coffee cherry pulp) and the food menu concise.
Address: 30 Criterion St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Pilgrim Coffee
Once you’ve gotten your pastry needs sorted at Pigeon Whole Bakers, pop around the corner to enjoy one of Hobart’s most-awarded coffee offerings at Pilgrim Coffee.
Address: 54 Liverpool St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Jackman & McRoss
Quite possibly our favourite bakery in Hobart, Jackson & McRoss holds court on the main street in Battery Point. The baked goods are well priced and consistent and the ambience is always buzzing.
Address: 57 Hampden Rd, Battery Point, Tasmania, Australia
Daci & Daci Bakers
The pastries, viennoiseries, and patisseries at Daci & Daci Bakers are some of the best in the capital — with prices to match!
Address: 9-11 Murray St, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Words by T. Angel
Feature image of The Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), courtesy of Jesse Hunniford / Mona
