17 Days in Hobart: Tasmania's Capital, Coast, and Wild Interior

Stroll the row of 1830s sandstone warehouses now filled with galleries, makers, and bars, then climb Kelly's Steps, a convict-cut stone staircase, up toward Battery Point for a first look over the harbour. Free and open-air, an ideal jet-lag walk.

A full-scale replica of Douglas Mawson's 1911-14 Antarctic expedition huts on the waterfront, a quick, atmospheric primer on Hobart's role as a gateway to Antarctica. Entry is about AUD 18 and it takes 30-45 minutes.

A glass-walled cocktail bar cantilevered over Brooke Street Pier with front-row Derwent views, perfect for a sunset drink on night one. Come for the martinis and the vantage point rather than a full meal.

A relaxed spot to sample Tasmanian whisky, gin, and craft beer if you'd rather ease in low-key. Rotating local pours and a warehouse vibe near the waterfront.

A small, acclaimed Italian-leaning restaurant on Elizabeth Street known for handmade pasta and a tight, seasonal menu. Book ahead; expect around AUD 90-120 per head for a serious first-night dinner.

A lively South American-inspired grill on Hunter Street beside the water, big on wood-fired meats and shared plates. Buzzy and dependable, good for an easygoing arrival meal.

A bright Argyle Street favourite with excellent espresso and generous brunch plates. A local benchmark for good coffee in the CBD.

One of Hobart's original specialty roasters, small and serious, on Criterion Street. The place to go for a carefully pulled single origin.

A colourful, long-running cafe in Salamanca Square with hearty breakfasts, handy if you're heading straight to the market. Retro charm and reliable plates.

Running since 1972, this open-air market fills Salamanca Place every Saturday from 8:30am to 3pm with around 300 stalls of produce, crafts, woodwork, and street food. Free to wander; graze your way along with a coffee in hand.

Tasmania's flagship museum, free to enter, covering Aboriginal culture, colonial history, thylacine and natural history, and Tasmanian art across historic waterfront buildings. Allow 1.5-2 hours; generally open 10am-4pm and closed some Mondays off-season.

A beloved Battery Point bakery-cafe known for pies, tarts, and pastries; the pork and fennel sausage roll and the pastries are local legend. Casual counter service, around AUD 15-25 for a light lunch.

A grand European-style bakery near the waterfront with sandwiches, quiches, and a jaw-dropping cake cabinet. A good all-rounder if you skip Battery Point until the afternoon.

A compact museum in the historic Carnegie Building tracing Tasmania's ships, whalers, and shipwrecks, entry around AUD 12. Worthwhile for the seafaring context behind the whole waterfront.

A tiny, communal-table Italian-inspired restaurant with a daily-changing menu and a cult following; arguably Hobart's most respected dining room. Very limited seats, so reserve well ahead; around AUD 90-120 per person.

An intimate, forward-thinking degustation restaurant championing Tasmanian produce and low-intervention wine. A splurge for a special night, best booked in advance.

A gastropub obsessed with ethical, local ingredients, from house-baked bread to nose-to-tail plates and Tasmanian beer. Relaxed, no-fuss, and consistently excellent value.

A pocket-sized specialty coffee bar on Collins Street with some of the city's best pours and pastries. Quick, expert, and central to the ferry departure at Brooke Street Pier.

A creative, seasonally driven breakfast spot in the CBD known for inventive plates and great coffee. Good if you want a sit-down meal before art.

The camo-painted MONA ROMA ferry runs about 30 minutes up the river to the museum; standard return is around AUD 25, or upgrade to the 'Posh Pit' with drinks and canapes. Sit up top for views of the city and Mount Wellington.

Carved into a sandstone cliff at Berriedale, MONA mixes ancient antiquities with provocative contemporary work across dim, labyrinthine levels. Entry is around AUD 40 for non-Tasmanians (free for locals); generally open Friday-Monday, closed Tuesday-Thursday, so check the day before you go.

Stay for lunch without leaving the art: Faro is a stylish tapas-and-cocktail bar wrapped around a James Turrell light work, while The Source is the more formal vineyard-view restaurant. Book The Source ahead on busy days.

An elegant Italian dining room in the heritage Tasman hotel, wood-fired and generous, with strong Tasmanian produce and wine. Polished but not stuffy; around AUD 80-110 per person.

A pan-Asian small-plates restaurant with harbour views above Brooke Street Pier, praised for its dumplings and creative sharing menu. A refined but fun choice near the ferry.

A minimalist specialty cafe with meticulous coffee and pretty breakfast plates, a calm start before a big-view morning.

A long-standing, unpretentious cafe doing generous cooked breakfasts and good coffee. Solid fuel for a mountain day.

The official summit shuttle from the city, a 2.5-hour return with time at the top and commentary, no driving on the winding road required. An easy, affordable way up, especially if the road is icy.

Ride a bus to the top, then coast the mountain road down by bike with guides, finishing with a gentle rainforest section. One of Hobart's top-rated experiences and suitable for most fitness levels; dress very warmly in winter.

Lunch in the shadow of Australia's oldest continuously operating brewery (est. 1824), a Gothic sandstone landmark below the mountain. Pub plates and estate beers in the garden or by the fire.

A UNESCO-listed World Heritage convict site where thousands of women were imprisoned in the 1800s; the guided 'Her Story' dramatised tour is moving and superbly done. Entry around AUD 15, tours extra; allow 1-1.5 hours.

A guided walk through the historic brewhouse ending with tastings, roughly AUD 40 and about 1.5 hours. Book ahead as tours fill.

A neighbourhood favourite doing wood-fired pizzas and Italian plates on the North Hobart strip. Warm, unfussy, and family-friendly.

An all-day eatery in a converted service station, popular for brunch through dinner with a relaxed, leafy courtyard. Great for a casual, crowd-pleasing meal.

A comprehensive coach day pairing plenty of time at Port Arthur Historic Site (with its harbour cruise past the Isle of the Dead) with Tasman Peninsula lookouts en route. The most balanced way to see history and coastline without driving.

For the most dramatic day, combine the Port Arthur site with a three-hour wilderness cruise beneath 300-metre dolerite cliffs, sea caves, and seal and seabird colonies, lunch included. Bundled up and thrilling, especially in winter swells.

A snug wine bar and small-plates spot with a great by-the-glass list and Tasmanian produce. Ideal for an unwinding, low-key dinner.

Return to this produce-driven gastropub for hearty plates, house bread, and local beer by the fire. Reliable, warming, and good value after a big day out.

Hobart's most-reviewed day trip, combining oysters, cheese, fudge, whisky, and honey tastings with the Neck lookout and an exclusive guided climb of Cape Bruny Lighthouse. A full, generous day; roughly AUD 195 including food.

A nature-and-produce blend with easy-to-moderate walks along beaches and headlands plus stops at local makers. A slightly more active, lower-priced alternative to the all-inclusive food tour.

For adventure over grazing, this includes a three-hour open-boat cruise along Bruny's towering southern cliffs, past seal colonies and through the Breathing Rock. Thrilling and wildlife-rich; dress very warmly.

A North Hobart wine bar with an adventurous Tasmanian and natural-wine list and snacky share plates. Perfect if you just want a glass and something small after a big day.

A bistro and wine bar in a heritage building doing refined comfort food and an excellent wine list. A cozy, grown-up spot for a relaxed dinner.

A friendly cafe with excellent coffee and generous breakfasts, a good launch pad before heading out of town.

Cross Australia's oldest stone bridge still in use (built by convicts in 1823-25) and wander the sandstone shopfronts, gaol, and galleries. Free to stroll; allow an hour or two with coffee and browsing.

A rescue-focused sanctuary at Brighton where you can see Tasmanian devils, quolls, wombats, and hand-feed free-roaming kangaroos. Entry around AUD 39; keeper talks run through the day and it's excellent for families.

A hilltop winery restaurant with valley views, known for polished plates paired with its cool-climate wines. Book a table for a leisurely, scenic lunch.

A family estate with a heritage cellar door pouring some of Tasmania's most awarded riesling and pinot noir, with grazing plates. A lovely stop for tasting and a light lunch.

A warm, family-run cellar door with a relaxed lawn and a signature sparkling, one of the valley's most welcoming tasting stops. Small fee usually refunded with purchase.

Round out the day with a serious pinot or biodynamic tasting; the valley is compact enough to visit two or three cellar doors in an afternoon. Designate a driver or arrange a wine-tour transfer.

A stylish CBD restaurant and wine bar with wood-fired cooking and a strong Tasmanian wine list. Good for a lively, contemporary dinner.

A friendly North Hobart Italian doing dependable pasta and pizza, easy after a day of tasting. Casual and good value.

A popular all-day brunch spot with creative plates and reliably good coffee. Come hungry and take your time.

A superb sourdough bakery beloved for its pastries and loaves; grab a coffee and a morning bun. Expect a queue on weekends.

Free-to-enter gardens dating to 1818, home to the world's only Subantarctic Plant House (a chilled, misty glimpse of Macquarie Island flora) and heritage conservatories. Even in winter the camellias and structure make for a peaceful hour or two.

A soaring former Ford showroom with an open wood-fired kitchen and a produce-led menu, one of Hobart's best rooms for a long lunch. Around AUD 30-45 for a main.

If you want lighter, graze at a Salamanca cafe or grab something from Daci & Daci. Handy before an afternoon of galleries.

A warren of studios, craft galleries, and small shops inside the Salamanca warehouses, plus the Handmark and Bett galleries nearby. Free to wander and great for Tasmanian art, wood, and design.

Spend the late afternoon on Elizabeth Street's independent strip, anchored by the beloved State Cinema and rooftop bar. Browse bookshops and boutiques or catch an early film.

A long-running Asian restaurant spanning Thai, Nepalese, and Indian dishes, a North Hobart institution for flavourful, good-value plates. Great for groups.

Return for excellent wood-fired pizza and Italian if you want comfort food. Warm and welcoming.

A local-operator day trip to the Wineglass Bay lookout and Freycinet's coast, with short walks and coastal scenery, run by long-established east-coast guides. Reliable and highly rated for a no-driving day.

A scenic version that stops in historic Richmond and along the Great Eastern Drive, with a bakery breakfast break and time at Freycinet. Good if you want a bit of sightseeing woven into the drive.

A more energetic option built around the walk up to the Wineglass Bay lookout and other short trails in the national park. Choose this if you want to earn the view on foot.

Fresh fish and chips at Constitution Dock or a warming counter meal at a nearby pub is plenty after a long road day. Easy and satisfying.

Pick up pastries, a sausage roll, and coffee for the drive. A dependable Battery Point start to a forest day.

An easy, mostly flat rainforest loop leads to the three-tiered Russell Falls, extendable to the Tall Trees walk among towering swamp gums. A national parks pass (around AUD 45 per vehicle, valid multiple days) is required; allow 1.5-2 hours.

A small sanctuary near the park entrance where you may spot devils, quolls, and platypus, a nice add-on with kids. Modest entry fee.

Weather permitting, drive up toward Lake Dobson for snow gums and, in July, likely snow; the roadside lookouts reward the climb. Check road/snow conditions and carry warm gear.

Australia's oldest trout hatchery (1861) with heritage gardens and ponds you can feed, an easy stop on the way home. Modest entry; a peaceful, old-world detour.

A cozy wine bar with excellent small plates and by-the-glass pours. A calm end to a forest day.

A lively Mexican cantina in the CBD for tacos, margaritas, and good energy. Fun and casual.

A full day through Huonville and the far south: the underground Hastings Caves and thermal springs, the Tahune AirWalk suspended above the Huon and Picton rivers, and tastings along the Huon Tasting Trail (cider, cheese, salmon). A well-rounded southern loop.

Wood-fired cooking and a strong local wine list in a handsome CBD room. A satisfying end to a day in the forest.

Hearty, ethical pub fare and Tasmanian beer by the fire. Easy and comforting.

Return for a top-tier coffee and a quiet morning. One of the city's best roasters.

A relaxed Salamanca Square breakfast before a late-morning cruise. Retro, colourful, and welcoming.

A well-priced, informative cruise around the working harbour and up the Derwent, with commentary on the city's maritime history from roughly AUD 25. An easy, warming way to be on the water.

A longer, scenic cruise down the Derwent to the historic Iron Pot lighthouse and Betsey Island, with views of Mount Wellington and the Shot Tower. Choose this if you want more time on the water.

A Hobart seafood institution on Victoria Dock with its own fishing fleet; the upstairs restaurant does excellent fish with harbour views. Downstairs is cheaper and casual if you prefer.

A 48-metre 1870 sandstone tower south of the city with a spiral climb to river views, a quirky, quiet stop. Small entry fee; combine with the coastal drive.

A calm bay-side walk near Wrest Point, good for a bracing winter beach wander and coffee. Low-key and local.

Tasmania's revolving restaurant atop Wrest Point tower, turning slowly for 360-degree views over the Derwent as you dine. Book ahead for a window-side table around sunset.

Refined bistro cooking and a great wine list in a heritage building if you'd rather stay central. Cozy and reliable.

An efficient small-group run to Dove Lake beneath the jagged spires of Cradle Mountain, with time to walk sections of the shoreline circuit and spot wombats. It's a long day (around 13-14 hours) but the scenery is worth it; dress for alpine winter.

After a 13-plus-hour day, a casual takeaway, a bowl at Mures downstairs, or your hotel's kitchen is plenty. Rest up for tomorrow.

Grab a strong coffee and a pastry for the drive to Triabunna. A dependable early start.

The ferry crosses in about 30 minutes to Darlington, a beautifully preserved convict probation station and later industrial town, now a World Heritage site. Wander the ruins and expect wombats, kangaroos, Cape Barren geese, and Tasmanian devils reintroduced to the island.

Walk about 45 minutes to the Painted Cliffs, sandstone patterned with iron-oxide honeycomb swirls, best at low tide, and eat your packed lunch on the shore. Bring water, snacks, and layers.

The Fossil Cliffs loop reveals a wall packed with ancient shellfish fossils, an easy circuit with coastal views. Watch ferry times and give yourself a buffer for the return crossing.

Wood-fired, produce-driven cooking in a striking room, a satisfying reward after an outdoors day. Book a table for later evening.

Easy, tasty Italian in North Hobart if you want low-effort comfort. Good value and quick.

Precise coffee and a light breakfast to set up a relaxed drive south. Calm and considered.

Wind through Kettering's marina (the Bruny ferry terminal) and channel viewpoints looking out to the island. A pretty, low-key coastal morning.

A hilltop sheep dairy above the channel making distinctive cheeses and award-winning sheep-whey vodka and gin, with tastings and views. A memorable stop for food-and-drink lovers.

A polished waterfront dining room and bar with big channel views and a menu leaning hard on local seafood and produce. A relaxed, scenic lunch about 45 minutes south.

A respected Huon Valley winery and restaurant known for pinot noir, a lovely afternoon tasting on the way home. Book if you want to linger over a late lunch instead.

A short, easy forest walk to a pretty waterfall near Snug if you want to stretch your legs. About 45 minutes return.

Creative Asian small plates with harbour views above Brooke Street Pier. A refined but easygoing choice.

Natural wine and snacky plates in North Hobart if you want something light. Friendly and low-key.

One more round of exceptional pastries and coffee. Get there early for the pick of the bake.

A creative sit-down breakfast to mark the last morning. Inventive and satisfying.

The Red Decker sightseeing bus loops the city's highlights (Battery Point, the Botanical Gardens, the waterfront) with commentary, a stress-free way to revisit favourites or catch a missed sight. Tickets are valid 24 or 48 hours.

Spend the morning buying edible souvenirs (leatherwood honey, whisky, cheese) and craft from the Salamanca galleries. The best one-stop for taking Tasmania home.

Casual fish and chips and seafood baskets by the dock, eaten in the sun (or out of the wind). A quintessential Hobart last lunch.

The pioneer of Tasmanian single malt, with a central tasting room to sample the whiskies that put the island on the map. A fitting, warming afternoon nightcap.

Several bars near the wharves specialise in Tasmanian whisky and gin flights if you want to compare distilleries. Ask the bartender to build you a local flight.

If you couldn't get in earlier, try again for Hobart's most beloved seasonal cooking at a shared table. A special final night; reserve well ahead.

Elegant, generous Italian in a heritage hotel, a polished way to close the trip. Strong Tasmanian wine list.

Wood-fired, produce-led, and atmospheric, a confident last dinner if you want fewer courses than a degustation. Book a later table.

A final top-tier flat white and pastry in the CBD. Quick and central for check-out.

One last Battery Point bakery breakfast, a pie or pastry for the road. A warm Hobart goodbye.

A last loop of the working harbour, fishing punts, and the finish line of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. A quiet, photogenic farewell to the waterfront.

Sandwiches, quiche, and a slice of cake to go before the drive to the airport. Easy and reliable.

Allow around 25-30 minutes to Hobart Airport by car or shuttle, plus return time if you're dropping a hire car. SkyBus and taxis are readily available from the CBD.