There’s so much to do in Hobart and beyond. Here’s a collection of activities we recommend, and love to do ourselves
Sky High
See Hobart from the air and spend a day tasting cheese at Grandvewe Dairy, sipping fine wines at Mewstone Wines cellar door on the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and enjoying lunch among the vines at Frogmore Creek by taking a helicopter tour with Tasmanian Air Tours.
MONA
Of course MONA’s on your list - how could you miss this world-class art gallery that’s a 30-minute ferry ride from town? Prepare to be challenged by sex, death and incredible architecture. Open Thursday - Monday. Bookings essential.
A magical mystery tour
Discover Hobart and beyond with a mystery picnic tour from Riddle Me Adventures. You’ll be led through the region (Richmond, Derwent or Huon Valley) via a series of riddles and be rewarded with a gourmet picnic for two.
Things we love to do
South by Southwest
Usually only accessible by foot or boat, visit the stunning and remote South-West National Park with an unforgettable, fully-guided day trip to Melaleuca and Bathurst Harbour, to experience this breath-taking landscape with Par Avion.
Cascades Female Factory
A newly built interpretive exhibition and guided tours bring the history of the Female Factory - home to more than 7000 women and children - to life. Vividly telling the stories of not only those female convicts but also the First Nations women who came before them and women of the 21st century who continue to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of women and children. Sobering but worthwhile.
Take to the water
Water is central to life in Hobart and on the island of Tasmania. Discover what lies beyond the shores with a guided tour on one of Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ bright yellow adventure powerboats. You can take an afternoon tour of the Hobart harbour or a day trip around Bruny Island or the Tasman Peninsula. If you’d like to be even closer to the water, spend a couple of hours, or a day, with Roaring 40’s Kayaking, who offer fish and chip tours, a paddle along the sea cliffs from Taroona to Tinderbox or a Tasman Peninsula adventure.
Stepping out
Hobart is easily explored by foot and Hobart Historic Tours offers a variety of guided walking tours to help you discover the city’s historic gems. Alternatively, drive up to Waterworks (5 minutes from Braithwaite) and enjoy a walk up the Pipeline Track - Hobart’s original water source. You’ll see old aqueducts, rock-cut steps and lush rainforest. Finish with lunch and a beverage at The Ferntree Tavern. If you’d prefer a coastal stroll, head to Bonnet Hill (a 10-minute drive through Sandy Bay and Taroona) for a walk along the Alum Cliffs Track - follow the cliffs (and enjoy spectacular views across the Derwent and out to the Tasman Peninsula) down to Kingston Beach. There are a number of cafes plus a pub and a wine bar at the beach if you need a refreshment and you can easily catch an Uber back up the hill if you don’t feel like the return walk. Greater Hobart Trails has a wide selection of Hobart-adjacent walks for all abilities.
A foraged feast
Join an intimate group of six on the ultimate seasonal food treasure hunt with Sirocco South. Discover how to identify the amazing local flavours that can be found by those in the know, including native greens, wild asparagus, delicious and safe mushrooms, saltbush and a cornucopia of other ingredients. Then sit back overlooking sparkling Frederick Henry Bay and enjoy the rewards of your effort. You’ll enjoy a 6-course luxury lunch created from your finds, mixed with spectacular local seasonal meat and seafood, and matched with a selection of wines from the nearby multi-award-winning Bream Creek Vineyard.