Hobart Attractions

A visit to Tasmania isn't complete without touring the site of one of Australia's most infamous prisons, the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur. Separated from Tasmania by a narrow neck of land, Port Arthur was once known as the "inescapable prison", housing hardened criminals subject to harsh punishment. Today, the convicts and guards are gone, but the stories – set in an equally dramatic landscape of craggy cliff faces and the remains of more than 30 buildings – remain.

Port Arthur Historic Site is a special place of vivid history, cultural heritage and stories so compelling, you’ll want to hear them again and again. It’s a place of global significance – one of the 11 places that make up the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites. And it’s one of Australia’s favourite tourist destinations. Come and discover the real people and living history of Port Arthur Historic Site.

Salamanca Market is one of Australia’s most vibrant and loved outdoor markets. It's a new adventure every Saturday.

The Salamanca Market is located at historic Salamanca Place, next to the Hobart waterfront and with over 300 stallholders it’s an experience that’s hard to beat.

The Salamanca Market operates every Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, except for Christmas Day or Anzac Day when the market is held on Sunday. There is no entry fee, making it free to enjoy.

Tasmanian producers and designers make Salamanca Market memorable and unique. Tasmania's biggest selection of locally made products can be explored every Saturday including hand-worked glass, innovative design in Tasmanian timbers, stylish clothing, bespoke jewellery, organic produce, artworks, bath and body care, ceramics and leather goods, handcrafted cheeses, breads, wines and spirits, and delicious hot foods.

The Botanical Gardens are located in Hobart, and are a short drive or walk from the city centre.

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens covers 14 hectares and showcases 6,500 species and varieties of plants, including over 400 Tasmanian species.

You can take a guided tour to see features including the largest public conifer collection in the southern hemisphere including Wollemi pines, the peaceful Japanese garden and stunning Conservatory. Breathe in the perfume of the traditional herb garden and visit the Tasmanian Community Food Garden. See rare plants from Macquarie Island in the Subantarctic Plant House and stroll along historic Arthur Wall, designed to be internally heated to grow exotic plants in Tasmania's cool climate.

You can browse the range of Gardening tools, books and seeds, including the limited edition Bicentennial Book and Gin in the Botanical Shop, and enjoy a meal or snack in Succulent restaurant or Sprout Café.

200m from your accommodation, this is definitely a worthwhile trip. Whether you are a dedicated art enthusiast or simply after a water view of Hobart and an opportunity to relax in the beautiful vineyard, enjoying some house made beer or taking in the spectacular architecture. MONA has something for everyone.

A direct trip between Brooke Street Pier and Mona takes around twenty-five minutes. The ferry is undercover and sails in rain, hail or shine.
Choose from two different travel options. Purchase a standard ticket to sit on sheep, frequent our onboard bars and admire our spunky staff in their spunky boiler suits.
Or, upgrade to the Posh Pit and escape the riff-raff. Enjoy complimentary drinks, canapés and inflated egos in our exclusive lounge, bar and private deck. There’s table service too; rattle your jewellery for attention.

Bruny Island is Tasmania's premier island destination with a holiday adventure to suit everyone.

The home of the beautiful South Bruny National Park, Bruny Island provides the ultimate Tasmanian wilderness experience. On land, you can venture into the wilderness on one of the many Bruny Island bushwalks. On sea, you can join travel on an eco-cruise exploring the stunning coastline of the island. Bruny Island is home to fur seals, fairy penguins, white wallaby and provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching.

Bruny Island offers tantalising locally produced food and premium quality wine. You will find hand made fudge, chocolate, truffles, berries, cheese and fresh oysters. Bruny Island is also home to Australia's southern-most vineyard and there are some excellent restaurants and cafés scattered across the island's townships.

Bruny Island also provides a range of accommodation options. You are able to camp on the island, bring your caravan or stay in one of the many self-contained cottages.

If you are coming for a holiday in Hobart and Tasmania, you simply cannot afford to miss spending time on Bruny Island. You will either need a car or be on a Tour, The Car ferry leaves from Kettering about a 40 minute drive south of Hobart. Otherwsie Pennicott Tours do both a nature and a food and drink tour which are both exceptional.

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Stroll through cool forested gullies along historic walking tracks or traverse Wellington Range in the saddle of a mountain bike. Climb leaning dolerite towers, or sit quietly among the birds. Find the perfect place for a picnic or to flip a burger.

Be prepared for all weather conditions and carry wet weather gear on longer walks. Conditions change quickly, and temperatures are regularly below zero on the Pinnacle. Don’t get caught without your coat!

Allow 20-30 minutes to drive to the top of the mountain, but why not take a little longer, there is a great little coffee stop at the Springs (Lost Freight).

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Looking at art used to be boring. It still is, maybe, but at least here at Mona, the Museum of Old and New Art, you can get drunk and/or rage against the machine. Located just up the river from Hobart (Tasmania's southern capital), Mona's subterranean architecture showcases the highlights (and lowlights) of David Walsh’s $110m private collection of art and antiquities, as well as hosting a busy exhibitions program. Mona is also home to the Moorilla winery, Source Restaurant, bars, cafe, accommodation pavilions and more (plus Moo Brew, an off site brewery).

We also host two festivals. Each January, our summer festival, Mofo, unleashes an eclectic mix of music and art. Come June, our Dark Mofo winter festival delves into centuries-old winter solstice rituals and celebrates the dark through art, music, food, film, light and noise.

Mona is located at 655 Main Road, Berriedale, Tasmania, Australia; a 15-minute drive from Hobart's centre, or a 30-minute ride on our MR-1 fast ferry from Hobart's Brooke Street Pier (Posh Pit: $58 per person return/Cattle Class: $23 per person return). For more information, or to book transport, please visit the Mona website.