The Best 48 Hours in Hobart According to a Local
One of the questions we're asked most often is, "What should we do while we're in Hobart?"
Our answer is always the same: don't try to do too much.
Hobart isn't a city that rewards rushing from one attraction to the next. The real pleasure comes from lingering over breakfast, wandering through historic streets, taking the long way home and allowing time for a glass of wine before dinner.
Here's how JD and I would spend a perfect weekend in our hometown.
Friday
Arrive and settle in
Check into Braithwaite, unpack your bags and take a moment to slow down. Brew a coffee, pour yourself a glass of wine, relax in the courtyard or simply enjoy the quiet before heading out to explore.
Evening drinks
Start your weekend at Lucinda Wine Bar, one of our favourite places for a pre-dinner drink and the little sister of Dier Makr. The wine list celebrates Tasmania alongside carefully chosen Australian and international producers, while the atmosphere strikes that rare balance between sophisticated and welcoming. The bar snacks are on point and acclaimed chef Analiese Gregory sometimes drops in with a special dish.
Dinner
For dinner, book a table at Trophy Room. Creative, produce-driven and distinctly Tasmanian, it's one of those restaurants that quietly reminds you why Hobart has become one of Australia's most exciting food destinations. The menu changes regularly, so every visit feels a little different. It’s definitely off the tourist radar and it’s where we take our own visitors. That bread!!
Saturday
A morning walk
One of Hobart's best walks isn't on many visitors' itineraries.
The Hobart Rivulet Track winds gently through leafy suburbs and parkland, following the stream that has shaped the city since its earliest days. It's peaceful, surprisingly beautiful and offers a completely different perspective on Hobart. Start in the carpark on Molle St and finish at the Cascade Brewery. Keep an eye out for the resident platypus.
Breakfast
Follow your walk with at 6 Russell, a neighbourhood café we return to time and again - it’s a 5-7-minute walk from Braithwaite. Great coffee, thoughtful food and a relaxed atmosphere make it the perfect place to ease into the day. Their sandwiches are amazing (we supply these to our golfing guests) if you’re planning a picnic.
MONA
No visit to Hobart feels complete without a trip to MONA.
Rather than driving, we'd always recommend catching the ferry from Brooke Street Pier. Arriving by water is part of the experience, with sweeping views back towards the city before the museum slowly comes into view.
Allow at least half a day.
Even if contemporary art isn't usually your thing, MONA has a remarkable ability to surprise, challenge and entertain. The new library is incredible - I was there this past weekend and just wanted to curl up in one of the many reading areas with a book you can pull straight off the shelves.
When it's time for lunch, stay at the museum and enjoy one of its excellent dining options before wandering through the grounds, vineyard and cellar door. The Source is outstanding fine dining or grab a bean bag on the lawns and hit the Heavy Metal Kitchen for flame-grilled goodies and some live music.
Evening
Return to Braithwaite for a well-earned soak in the outdoor bath before heading out for dinner.
Our pick is Aloft, overlooking Constitution Dock. With its ever-changing menu showcasing the best seasonal Tasmanian produce, it's one of those restaurants where every course feels carefully considered without ever becoming overly formal. This is my ‘special occasion’ restaurant, but quite often I don’t wait for a special occasion.
After dinner, take a gentle stroll along the waterfront before heading home.
Sunday
Before heading home, make the most of your final morning. There are no check-out chores to be done at Braithwaite, so relax and enjoy a bit of sleep-in.
Start with breakfast at Brine in Lauderdale, about a 25-minute drive from Braithwaite towards the airport. Don’t be fooled by the unassuming location - you’re at the right place. The head chef is an Aloft alum, and the food is incredible. The beach is only a block away, so take a walk after your meal for a Southern Ocean breeze.
From there, continue into the picturesque Coal River Valley, one of Tasmania's premier cool-climate wine regions. Our pick is Tolpuddle Vineyard, where the cellar door offers intimate tastings of internationally acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in a beautifully understated setting. Bookings are essential but worth it, as this is a truly elevated experience.
From here, head into Richmond for a browse through some antique stores, then onto the airport for an afternoon flight or head up the East Coast to extend your Tasmanian holiday.
It's a fitting way to end a weekend in Southern Tasmania – great food, exceptional wine and beautiful landscapes, all within easy reach of the city.
Of course, if you're lucky enough to be staying longer, we'd be delighted to suggest more of our favourite places. One of the joys of travelling in Tasmania is that some of the best experiences aren't on a checklist – they're the places you discover through a local recommendation.