Tasmania's pint-sized capital, Hobart is a wonderfully laid-back riverside city with a fascinating history. A brilliant springboard for exploring Tasmania’s spectacular rural interior, the city has long been popular with foodies and wine aficionados seeking to sample the best of the island’s produce. It has recently gained a reputation as an arts and culture hub, with some spectacular museums and guided heritage tours. You’ll find that many of the best places to stay in Hobart have an arts connection, too, showcasing contemporary pieces in striking settings.
Founded as a penal colony on the shores of the Derwent River in 1803, Hobart grew into a lively port city populated by merchants who built beautiful residences in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Glimpse gorgeous heritage houses as you wander around, or take a guided tour of the regenerated docks, where warehouses have been transformed into pubs, restaurants and small hotels. The excellent Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery is nearby, as are the Hobart Penitentiary and the Maritime Museum of Tasmania. Hop aboard a ferry upriver, or drive across to the marvellous Moorilla Estate, where you’ll find the acclaimed Museum of Old and New Art.
Beyond the city, you’ll find verdant farmland and vineyards, as well as hiking and cycling trails aplenty. Follow part of the Huon Trail, or clamber up rocky Mount Wellington, much-beloved by bushwalkers and mountain bikers. Back in town, the Saturday market on Salamanca Place plays host to more than 300 stalls, and it is not to be missed. Luckily, it’s a short stroll from many of the best places to stay in Hobart — and from the eateries hidden along the alleyways of Battery Point. There’s no shortage of food or art to savour in Hobart!
