Best of Hobart

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Hobart

A short flight from the mainland lies Hobart, Tasmania's dynamic capital (and Australia's second-oldest), that's easily explored on foot. Salamanca Place, originally the city's waterfront on River Derwent, is lined with repurposed 19th-century sandstone warehouses that now house cafés, galleries, and boutiques, while the renowned Salamanca Market draws huge crowds to its stalls each Saturday. Battery Point, a historic maritime village of colonial-era fisherman's cottages, a Georgian mansion or two, and narrow laneways, is close by (take the centuries-old Kelly Steps), as is the 2-mile (3.5 km) Battery Point Walk loop. The harbor city is framed by kunanyi / Mount Wellington to its west, providing panoramic views and trails for hiking and cycling, and attractions like the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) to its north, offering a contemporary, if not provocative, spin on traditional art.

Hobart also makes for a great base to check out nearby wilderness areas, including Bruny Island and turrakana / Tasman Peninsula (where you can also visit Port Arthur and delve into the former penal colony's more brutal past). 

Plan your trip to Australia
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Southern lights over Hobart
Map of Off-the-Beaten Path Australia: Melbourne & Tasmania Road Trip - 11 Days
Off-the-Beaten Path Australia: Melbourne & Tasmania Road Trip - 11 Days

Explore the rich history of Melbourne and Tasmania on this itinerary, which includes guided tours and a self-guided road trip across Tasmania. Spend two days in Melbourne and travel down the epic Great Ocean Road. Fly to Tasmania's capital, Hobart, and drive north to historical convict towns like Longford and Oatlands. Take in Tasmania's lake country and a glimpse of the southern lights along the way.

Kick off your trip with two nights in Queenstown, New Zealand
Map of Fast-Paced Australia & New Zealand Tour: Queenstown, Sydney, Tasmania & Perth - 10 Days
Fast-Paced Australia & New Zealand Tour: Queenstown, Sydney, Tasmania & Perth - 10 Days

Explore the diverse beauty and culture of Australia and New Zealand on this brilliant 10-day journey. From the breathtaking fjords near Queenstown to the iconic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk in Sydney, this fast-paced itinerary squeezes the best nature, wildlife, and cultural experiences into just 10 days. Discover these two countries as you hike through national parks, indulge in city life, and embark on memorable day trips.

Federation Square in Melbourne
Map of Urban Australia - 8 Days
Urban Australia - 8 Days

Visit three cities of Australia with this eight-day itinerary. You'll start off in Sydney, where you can enjoy both the bustling downtown and coastal cliff walk, then head to Melbourne to explore its artsy alleyways, museums, and cafes alongside the wildlife of the Yarra Valley. Finish off in Hobart, Tasmania, to learn about its history and art scene.

Cape de Couedic lighthouse on Kangaroo Island near Adelaide
Map of City Highlights, Nature & Wildlife: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island & Tasmania - 13 Days
City Highlights, Nature & Wildlife: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island & Tasmania - 13 Days

Discover Australia's city life and wildlife on this 13-day itinerary. Start in Sydney to explore its famous harbor by boat before heading to the Blue Mountains to hike rugged valleys. Fly to Adelaide to sample the bustling culinary hot spot and surrounding Kangaroo Island, then to Melbourne to stroll the cultural capital's hidden enclaves and alleyways and to see the Penguin Parade of nearby Phillip Island. Finish with a deep dive into Tasmania's fascinating history and diverse flora and fauna.

Govett's Leap in the Blue Mountains
Map of Australia Cities & Wildlife Adventure for Families - 14 Days
Australia Cities & Wildlife Adventure for Families - 14 Days

This active two-week Australian trip starts with a hot air balloon flight across Melbourne and finishes on the shores of Sydney. Perfect for active families with older kids, this itinerary ticks the best of Australia's wildlife and outdoor lifestyle boxes. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, climb a mountain in Tasmania, hike in the rugged Blue Mountains, and hit the surf at Bondi Beach.

Visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and watch the sun set
Map of Australia's Wild Side: Tasmania, the Outback & the Reef - 19 Days
Australia's Wild Side: Tasmania, the Outback & the Reef - 19 Days

From the beauty of Tasmania's rugged coast to Central Australia's dry red heart and Far North Queensland's tropical coral islands, experience Australia's diverse landscapes on this 19-day adventure. Cruise the Tasman and Coral Seas, float along a Daintree Rainforest river, dine under the stars at Uluru, play tug-of-war with Tasmanian devils, and self-drive the Great Ocean Road. You'll also discover hidden urban gems in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney during guided walking tours.

Spend a day discovering Bruny Island off Tasmania
Map of Epic Australia Highlights Trip: Eastern, Central & Tasmania - 20 Days
Epic Australia Highlights Trip: Eastern, Central & Tasmania - 20 Days

Check off all the highlights and discover some off-the-beaten-path wonders on this far-reaching 20-day adventure through Australia. Touch down in Sydney, then snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef and head to the outback for dinner under the stars at Uluru. Return to city life in Melbourne's bustling back alleys, hop over to Tasmania for a taste of wild and wonderful nature, taste your way through Adelaide's famous culinary scene, then wind down your trip getting to know the local wildlife on Kangaroo Island.

Your luxury retreats include a modern masterpiece in the heart of Freycinet National Park (photo courtesy of Saffire Lodge)
Map of Luxury Sydney, Tasmania & South Australia - 14 Days
Luxury Sydney, Tasmania & South Australia - 14 Days

Experience laid-back luxury and form deep connections with Australia's people, landscapes, and wildlife with this deluxe two-week trip. Starting in Sydney, tick off the icons and cycle the city before landing in Hobart for a self-drive Tasmanian adventure to historic Port Arthur and the breathtaking Freycinet National Park. After, skip over to Kangaroo Island, where another 5-star nature lodge awaits. Finish in charming Adelaide with walking tours and wine tastings.

An aerial view of Cape Tribulation in North Queensland, Australia
Map of Australia Grand Tour: Sydney to Tasmania - 21 Days
Australia Grand Tour: Sydney to Tasmania - 21 Days

Discover Australia's top highlights on this massive 21-day tour that takes you on a loop around the continent. Get your fill of city life in Sydney before heading toward the ocean to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Discover rainforests, national parks, and their wildlife near Byron Bay. Learn about Aboriginal culture at Uluru and Cave Hill, then mingle with kangaroos and koalas on Kangaroo Island. Go winetasting near Melbourne before getting to know Tasmania's remote beauty and relaxed vibe.

Australian Coast
Map of Southeast Australia Self-Drive - 22 Days
Southeast Australia Self-Drive - 22 Days

Explore southeast Australia on this combination self-drive and flying tour on this comprehensive 22-day itinerary. Start your trip in quirky Melbourne to explore hidden alleyways and eclectic coffee shops, then pick up a car and explore the coast. Spend a few days in Tasmania, then end your trip in Sydney and the beautiful nature of the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley Vineyards.

Snorkel together as a family at the Great Barrier Reef
Map of Ultimate Family Tour in Australia: Cities, Reefs & Rocks - 16 Days
Ultimate Family Tour in Australia: Cities, Reefs & Rocks - 16 Days

This once-in-a-lifetime tour of Australia is designed for winter travel. It avoids the intensely hot summers and takes advantage of the pleasant dry season—in other words, perfect for families. Over 16 action-packed days, make your way through vibrant cities like Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, and Sydney, as well as Tasmania's coast, the Outback, and the Great Barrier Reef, for the ultimate adventure.

Visit Queensland's unusually-shaped Glass House Mountains
Map of Best of Australia's Cities & National Parks: Sydney, Tasmania & Southern Queensland - 18 Days
Best of Australia's Cities & National Parks: Sydney, Tasmania & Southern Queensland - 18 Days

Australia is a vast country with a lot of show-stopping attractions, but if you prefer under-the-radar natural beauty and historic sites, this diverse 18-day itinerary is for you. Start with a week in Sydney to enjoy coastal walks, Indigenous cultural tours, and more. Fly to Tasmania and drive yourself to dramatic national parks and UNESCO-listed heritage sites. Then fly back to the mainland to explore southern Queensland, exploring beautiful Brisbane and the otherworldly Glass House Mountains.

Other popular travel destinations in Australia
Sydney · Melbourne · Cairns · Uluru · Port Douglas · Perth · Gold Coast · Whitsundays · Hamilton Island · Airlie Beach · Tasmania