Hobart, TAS Travel Guide

Welcome to Hobart, TAS!

The capital city of Tasmania, Hobart boasts a funky blend of old and new as it unites historic buildings, modern enterprises and contemporary art and culture. The most populous place in the island state and one of Australia's oldest cities, it was founded in 1803 as a penal colony. Today, Hobart is the financial and administrative heart of Tasmania and serves as the home port for both Australian and French Antarctic operations. As such, the city supports several industries, including a vibrant tourism sector.

People come from all over to explore its historic inner suburbs and to use the city as a base from which to travel the rest of Tasmania. This is in part because it's the country's smallest capital, making Hobart easy to explore and offering ready access to the vibrant natural surroundings. Mount Wellington is the dominant feature of Hobart's skyline and the view from the top presents visitors with a striking sight of the surrounding landscape. Only a short distance from the city centre, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens captivates guests with its extensive collection of significant plants. Down at Salamanca Place, 19th-century waterfront warehouses now house cafes, restaurants and art galleries—the ideal place for wandering tourists.