Where to Stay in Hobart: A Local's Guide to Choosing the Right Neighbourhood
Planning a trip to Hobart and wondering where to stay? As locals, we know every neighbourhood has its own personality. Whether you're visiting for food and wine, a family holiday, golf, or a long weekend with friends, here's our guide to choosing the right base for your stay.
Hobart is smaller than you might think
One of the nicest surprises for first-time visitors is just how compact Hobart is.
You can drive from the city centre to Sandy Bay in five minutes, reach Mount Wellington (kunanyi) in around 25 minutes, or be tasting wine in the Coal River Valley in half an hour. That means you don't need to stay right in the CBD to be close to everything.
Instead, think about the sort of holiday you want.
Would you like to walk to cafés? Wander historic streets? Wake up in a quiet neighbourhood? Or have plenty of space for family and friends to spread out?
Here's our guide to Hobart's most popular areas.
Salamanca & the Waterfront
Best for: First-time visitors, couples and anyone wanting to be in the middle of the action.
If you've seen photos of Hobart, you've almost certainly seen Salamanca Place.
With its sandstone warehouses, lively cafés, galleries and famous Saturday market, it's one of the city's most recognisable destinations. The waterfront is only a few minutes away, making this area ideal if you like to stroll between restaurants, bars and the harbour.
Accommodation here is mostly apartments and hotels. The convenience is hard to beat, but it can also be busy, especially during summer, Dark Mofo and major events.
Perfect if you: Want to leave the car parked and explore on foot.
Battery Point
Best for: History lovers, couples and anyone who enjoys character.
Battery Point feels like stepping back in time.
Its narrow streets are lined with beautifully preserved cottages, heritage homes and gardens, while Arthur Circus remains one of Hobart's most photographed locations.
It's a lovely place for an early morning walk before breakfast or an evening wander after dinner in Salamanca.
Accommodation here is limited and often books well in advance.
Perfect if you: Love heritage architecture and slower-paced neighbourhoods.
Sandy Bay
Best for: Families, longer stays and travellers who appreciate a quieter base.
Just south of the city, Sandy Bay offers a relaxed residential feel while still being only minutes from Hobart's attractions.
You'll find beautiful homes, leafy streets, excellent cafés, local shopping and easy access to Long Beach and Wrest Point.
For many visitors, it offers the perfect balance between convenience and tranquillity.
West Hobart
Best for: Food lovers, walkers and visitors wanting to experience local life.
West Hobart has quietly become one of the city's most interesting neighbourhoods.
It's home to excellent coffee, neighbourhood restaurants and lovely walks through Knocklofty Reserve, while still being only minutes from the CBD.
Many locals choose to live here because it feels connected to the city without feeling touristy.
North Hobart
Best for: Dining, nightlife and younger travellers.
If restaurants are high on your priority list, North Hobart deserves serious consideration.
Elizabeth Street is lined with cafés, wine bars, pubs and restaurants serving everything from casual burgers to award-winning modern Australian cuisine. Euro-inspired Ogee is one of our favourites and The Crescent (right opposite) does excellent pub food. Willing Bros is a fab wine bar with great food.
The iconic State Cinema also makes it a great spot for an evening out.
So where should you stay?
For most visitors, we'd recommend choosing somewhere that offers easy access to the city while giving you room to relax after a day of sightseeing.
After all, you're unlikely to spend all day in your accommodation—but you'll certainly appreciate somewhere comfortable when you return.
That's one reason guests enjoy staying at Braithwaite.
Located in one of historic Sandy Bay’s charming streets, just minutes from Salamanca, Battery Point and the city centre, it combines the convenience of a central location with the comfort and privacy of a beautifully restored heritage home.
Instead of squeezing into a hotel room, you'll have generous living spaces, a fully equipped kitchen, private courtyard, outdoor bath and room for couples and solo travellers to enjoy time together.
Guests often tell us how much they enjoy the location and that walking into Salamanca was quick and easy. There’s a cafe just around the corner if you need takeaway caffeine quickly and plenty of breakfast options within a 5-minute walk. Street parking is free and plentiful, making it easy to get around if you’ve rented a car.
Choosing accommodation: Hotel or holiday home?
It's worth thinking about how you'll spend your time in Hobart.
If you'll be out from breakfast until bedtime, a hotel may suit you perfectly.
But if you're travelling with family or friends, celebrating a special occasion, or simply enjoy having space to relax, a whole house often provides much better value.
Being able to cook breakfast, enjoy a quiet coffee in the garden or share a bottle of Tasmanian wine before heading out to dinner becomes part of the holiday itself.
Many of our guests tell us these simple moments become some of their favourite memories.
Our local tips
After welcoming visitors to Hobart, we've noticed a few things that consistently make for a better trip.
Stay at least three nights. Hobart deserves more than a quick weekend.
Book popular restaurants early. Especially on weekends and during festival periods.
Visit Salamanca Market early. You'll beat both the crowds and the queues.
Allow plenty of time for MONA. It's far more than a gallery - you can easily spend most of a day there. The new library is incredible and the food and drink options are pretty great too.
Pack layers. Even in summer, evenings can become cool.
Our recommendation
There isn't one perfect neighbourhood for everyone.
If you're visiting for nightlife, North Hobart might suit you best.
If heritage charm is what you're after, Battery Point is hard to beat.
If you want to wake up by the harbour, Salamanca is a wonderful choice.
But if you're looking for a spacious, comfortable home that's close to everything while offering peace, privacy and the chance to experience Hobart more like a local, we'd love to welcome you to Braithwaite.
Whether you're planning a romantic escape, a golf trip, a family holiday or a long weekend with friends, we're always happy to share our favourite restaurants, wineries, walks and hidden corners of southern Tasmania.
After all, helping people discover Hobart is one of the things we love most about hosting.
Planning your Hobart holiday?
You might also enjoy:
The Perfect Weekend in Hobart
The Best Breakfasts in Hobart
The Best Restaurants in Hobart(coming soon)
The Best Wineries Near Hobart(coming soon)
Three Days in Hobart: The Perfect Itinerary(coming soon)
Ready to plan your stay?
Check availability at Braithwaite and experience Hobart from a beautifully restored heritage home that's close to everything, yet wonderfully peaceful.