Hobart, the capital of the Australian island of Tasmania, is small but full of life and surrounded by incredible countryside. The city has a reputation as being relaxed, full of friendly people, and very safe. For a long time, it served as the entry point to explore the island, but Hobart has become a destination to visit in itself over the past decade. Hobart was originally a British penal colony and is one of Australia’s oldest cities. The skyline is dominated by the 4,170-foot Mount Wellington which holds dramatic views over the city, the Derwent Estuary and numerous bays that lead to the Tasman Sea. The island of Tasmania itself is covered in stunning national parks — 19 in total — that are full of unique flora and fauna and waiting to be explored. Gray Line offers a variety of tours in and around Hobart to suit different interests and preferences — we have exactly what you’re looking for.
Tour Expert, Gray Line Hobart
Mount Wellington rises from the mouth of the River Derwent to 4,170 feet above Hobart. Called kunanyi in the local Aboriginal language, this is covered in trails of varying difficulties that will give you panoramic views. One of the most famous and easiest is to the Organ Pipes. This is a cliff of dolerite rock, similar to the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, that is one of the defining landmarks of Hobart.
Down in Taz-Mania, come to Taz-Mania, we mean you! The Tasmanian devil is so iconic that many people will sing the theme song from the 90s cartoon as soon as they hear the words. These are the size of a small dog, and the name comes from its howl, which used to terrify hunters at night. The devil used to be found all across Australia, but it is now endangered. There are probably fewer than 15,000 living wild in Tasmania.
The picturesque village of Richmond is not far from Hobart and holds more than 50 historic buildings. Much of the village was built in the 1820s and has been frozen in time since the 1870s when more direct routes across the bays opened. It has a distinct character and the surrounding area has become famous for wine, and Richmond for its restaurants and pubs.
Port Arthur is one of the most famous inescapable penal colonies built in 1833. It was where the most hardened of criminals were sent on hulks, and juveniles — some as young as nine. Both groups worked in hard labour. Even before the prison closed in 1877, some were trying to turn it into a tourist destination because of the wild beauty that surrounds it. At first, the local people left the jail to rot but it has now been preserved and restored and is now one of the best surviving examples of a penal colony.
The historical site of Sullivans Cove was where the first European ships landed in the area and one of the first sites to be settled. Many of the buildings from the foundation of Hobart have survived, and the district is now full of museums, restaurants and parks. Constitution Dock is still home to a fleet of fishing boats, as well as pleasure yachts, and is many people’s favourite part of the city.
Rosny Hill is on the far side of the River Derwent from Sullivans Cove and the lookout on top provides some of the best views of the city, the river and the Tasman Bridge. Everything is framed by Mount Wellington so you’re guaranteed to take some dramatic pictures.
Battery Point is a beautifully preserved suburb of Hobart full of rustic and quaint cafés. It has become one of the fashionable areas for guest houses. Wandering through the lanes will take you to Kelly’s Steps, which are a reminder of when life was tough in the district, and Salamanca Place. The name Battery Point comes from the never-used gun emplacement that is now Princes Park.
Salamanca Street Market dates back to the 1970s when the community came together for a small trail. At first, there were only six stalls and it was only held during the summer. Now there are more than 300 traders, it is held every Saturday and up to 40,000 people visit. It is one of the best places to discover local artisans, designers and producers from Tasmania. As well as browsing the stalls, there’s a range of entertainment and some of the best Tasmanian food, wine and spirits to choose from.
Northeast of Hobart is Freycinet National Park, one of Tasmania’s most stunning. It is most famous for Wineglass Bay. This stretch of pristine turquoise waters and white sand is a bit of a hike, but well worth the visit. It’s a paradise. Above the bay are the dauntingly named Hazards. Across this 1,500-foot mountain range that glows pink in the sunset is another hidden beach that is almost as beautiful but often forgotten. The park is home to a huge range of flora and fauna. More than 500 plants can be found here, including 80 species of orchid.
Tasmanians will tell you they produce the best wine in Australia, and they’re probably right. Because of the ideal conditions, Tasmania was the first place in Australia to plant vineyards and the wines were the first to gain global recognition. Hobart lies at the foot of the Derwent Valley, which is one of the main regions, and to the southwest is the Huon Valley. Both produce excellent still and sparkling Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling, and there are also fantastic distilleries to visit.
The Museum of New and Old Art is credited with transforming Hobart into a tourist destination. It is the largest private museum in the Southern Hemisphere and holds almost 2,000 pieces from the collection of David Walsh. MONA is a tardis. It appears to be a single-story integrated with the landscape from the outside. However, there are three labyrinthine levels underground that make up what Walsh calls a “subversive adult Disneyland”. The collection on display changes regularly and covers high fashion, design, architecture and cinema. It also hosts the annual Mona Foma and Dark Mofo festivals.
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