a row of cars parked in front of a building

Hobart

Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, is known for convict-era buildings, the weekly Salamanca Market and MONA, a privately owned museum. kunanyi / Mount Wellington, 1,271 metres high, rises behind the city.

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Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, an island state off south-east Australia. The city sits on the Derwent estuary and is the southernmost of Australia's state capitals. Greater Hobart is home to nearly half of Tasmania's people, and kunanyi / Mount Wellington rises above the skyline. The British founded the penal colony in 1804, and convict-era sites remain, among them the Cascades Female Factory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The main draws are Salamanca Place on the waterfront, the weatherboard cottages of Battery Point and MONA, a privately owned museum on the Berriedale peninsula that opened in 2011. Wellington Park, which covers the mountain's plateau and forests, has walking and mountain biking trails. Summer, from December to February, is the season for beaches and long daylight, though the sea reaches only about 16.5 °C in February. Winter brings Dark Mofo, the city's biggest winter festival, which leads into the June solstice.

Hobart in five

Take the ferry to MONAMONA is 11 km north of Hobart, about thirty minutes by high-speed catamaran from Brooke Street Pier. It is open Thursday to Monday, 10:00 to 17:00, and bookings are recommended; even Tasmanians need a ticket.MONA visit page
Plan Saturday for Salamanca MarketHobart City Council lists Salamanca Market every Saturday from 8:30 to 15:00. Go early for the crowds, and keep the afternoon for the waterfront or Battery Point.Hobart City Council
Drive to Kettering for Bruny IslandSeaLink says Kettering is about 40 minutes south of Hobart, with a ferry every 20 minutes between 6:10 and 19:00. Wallabies cross roads on the island, so avoid driving at dawn and dusk.SeaLink Bruny Island
Buy a parks pass if you plan several parksHobart is the usual start for the island loop to Freycinet and Cradle Mountain. Read the Tasmania guide before you decide how many parks to see and whether a pass pays off.Tasmania guide
Hire a car to see beyond the cityThe waterfront is walkable, but Bruny Island, the Tasman Peninsula and most Tasmanian parks are easier by car. Book early for school holidays and the summer months.

Things to do in Hobart

See all attractions in Hobart

Historic site · HobartCascade Brewery

a stone arch with steps leading up to it

Garden · HobartRoyal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

Park · HobartParliament House GardensVisit after Salamanca Market for a convenient place to sit and eat.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to HobartPut the places you like in Hobart on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Hobart (HBA), with flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane
Getting around: Walk the waterfront; ferry to MONA; hire a car for Bruny Island
Best base: Salamanca, Battery Point or the waterfront
Time needed: 2 or 3 days; more for the Tasmania loop

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Summer, busy
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Warm, dry
MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Autumn, mild
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Cool, autumn
MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Cool, quiet
JunePartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cold, short days
JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Coldest
AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Cold, windy
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Spring, windy
OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Mild, changeable
NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Warm, spring
DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Summer starts

Average daily high and low in Hobart, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Hobart

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 8°
Humidity: 77%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 37%

Tasmania

09:39 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+11

Today14°8°37%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 37%.
Wed17°7°98%Wednesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 98%.
Thu18°6°17%Thursday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 17%.
Fri15°4°60%Friday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 60%.
Sat11°3°92%Saturday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 92%.
Sun13°4°31%Sunday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 31%.

Updated 07:06 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.423 AUD

Amount

Converted to

AUD · Australian Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

MONAabout 30 minutes by ferryArt museum and winery north of the city; open Thursday to Monday.Read the guide
Bruny Islandabout 40 minutes to Kettering, then ferryCoastal walks, oysters and wildlife; avoid driving at dawn and dusk.
Tasman Peninsulaa long day by carConvict-era history and sea cliffs southeast of Hobart; part of a wider Tasmania loop.Read the guide

Before you go to Hobart

Car hire for Bruny and beyondIsland ferries and park roadsCompare car hire

Bruny Island and MONA toursGuided days with ferry crossingsCompare tours

eSIM for TasmaniaCoverage thins outside HobartRead the guide

Insurance for HobartFerry and flight disruptionsRead the guide

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Rules for Hobart, checked

MONA is open Thursday to Monday, 10:00 to 17:00; bookings recommended; Tasmanians need a ticket too. Ferry from Brooke Street Pier takes about 30 minutes.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Salamanca Market is open every Saturday from 8:30 to 15:00.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Hobart

Tasmania

Hobart, Freycinet and Cradle Mountain by car

Read the guide Launceston

Cataract Gorge and the Tamar Valley

Read the guide Melbourne

The usual flight or ferry gateway to the island

Read the guide Sydney

A flight from the mainland's largest city

Read the guide All of Australia

ETA, regions, flights and money basics

Read the guide Flights and car hire

Long distances and one-way rentals

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for hiking and ferry cancellations

Read the guide

Hobart FAQ

How many days do you need in Hobart?

Two days cover the waterfront, Salamanca Market (on a Saturday) and MONA. A third day adds Bruny Island or the Tasman Peninsula.

Is MONA worth visiting?

Yes if you like contemporary art and a day out with a ferry ride and a winery. It is open Thursday to Monday, and bookings are recommended.

When is Salamanca Market on?

Every Saturday from 8:30 to 15:00 according to Hobart City Council. Go early for fresh produce and fewer crowds.

How do you get to Bruny Island from Hobart?

Drive to Kettering, about 40 minutes south, and take the vehicle ferry. SeaLink lists departures every 20 minutes between 6:10 and 19:00.

When is the best time to visit Hobart?

Summer and early autumn are the mildest, from about January to April. Winters are cold, windy and quiet, but good for galleries and food.