Ultimate Guide to Hobart: Hotels Recommendations & Sight-Seeing Attractions

Australia’s most southern city, Hobart, is a breathtakingly beautiful destination. It is spread far and wide along the bay of the Derwent River, which in its own right houses some of the most stunning settings nature can provide click here to find out more. Covered with a rich history and cultural significance, it is one of the few places that offers everything under its belt, so you don’t need to venture too far to see an ocean, a forest, or a mountain.

Embracing its rich culture are all of its museums and art galleries as well as its hotels and lodges that use is as part of their décor. The deep-water harbor has a rich lifestyle of fishing, sailing, boat trips, and yachts that park in its various locations, offering a sight that is rarely seen with sun, sea, and mountains in the background.

All year round, major events take place in this scenic atmosphere from sunrise to sunset, and year-round and many locals and visitors gather to the beachfront to banquet on fresh seafood and stare out into the open wilderness and the yachts rising in the harbor. But amongst all this, leisure and luxury are the other activities that many can enjoy when not lounging at the beach in the sun.

We look at a few of the unique ones below.

Summit of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington

Snowcaps on top of these mountains during the peak winter season make for a splendid view. Even in the summer months, you will see this. At 1270 meters high, trails run-up top of the mountains so you can enjoy the view of these magnificent surroundings that nature has given us.

The aboriginal name for it, “kunanyi” aboriginal word for the mountain, is also recognized and often used in literature. The mountain road, which is 21kms, goes from the foot of the hills through wildlife and lush green shrub as well as the rain forest which harbors an assortment of birdlife, animals, and plant life.

Not only do you get to experience the attraction of this marvelous wonder, when you get to the top but flora and fauna spread across the path on the way up, is also one to be admired. Once you at the top, there is a Pinnacle that offers visitors a chance to browse through all the images of the neighboring regions as well as an observation shelter. The map can be found on the park’s official website here. 

City, sea, and stunning wilderness are poured out in front of you to enjoy at your own free will. Where else would get such warmth and attraction all in one place. Named as part of the world heritage, this is a must-see. You can go rock-climbing, hiking, site-seeing or just having a picnic and walking around for most of the year.

Port Arthur Day Trip

If going somewhere for a day trip is more your style, then this historical port, Arthur, could be just the thing for you. At 95 km southeast of the city of Hobart, and located on the tip of the Tasman Peninsula, the locations are stunning and welcoming to any visitor. For sight-seeing, this is up there with some of the best places to visit.

This settlement was founded in 1830, by the governor at the time – Sir George Arthur, aptly named after him. Today it is a top site for tourists to visit. And if you are staying in and of the many choices of accommodation, close by, such as the Port Arthur Villas, NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park, or a guest house such as the Nextdoor@portarthur, you will easily be able to enjoy a walk or a bicycle ride to the coastline of the Tasman National Park and explore the rock formations, and coves, as well as the many other natural attractions.

MONA: Museum of Old and New Art

This historical and famous museum was opened back in 2011 and is still going strong, hosting an array of famous artists, historical pieces, and cultural artifacts for all to get to know a little bit more about the Tasmanian life before time. MONA is one of Hobart’s most visited and talked about sight-seeing attractions.

You get to see loads of different pieces from interactive displays to modern antiquities and even subversive displays showcasing Disneyland through portable touch screens and even an Egyptian sarcophagus. It is nonetheless a provocative display of works that can take you all day to go through, coming out on the other side knowing a lot more about the place you will be living at.

The accommodation options nearby are also a sight for sore eyes, from some of the most luxurious hotels such as the newly build MACq 01 hotel in Hobart catering some of the best “story-telling” ones can find in the vicinity of the famous waterfront.

The hotel offers up an array of historical and rich stories about its Mouheneenner people, and goes back to when the first Europeans set foot in the area, and even learn a little something about how this peninsulas industry was born amid the ‘Hunter Island’. You can also find various other contemporary lodgings across the Derwent River. Take a trip on their high-speed ferry and see what’s on the other side.

MONA also offers a bar and restaurant for those weary travelers who are thirsty for a drink or two or famished from their bike rides or hikes. Enjoying some fresh seafood and complementing white wine in front of the iconic waterfront during sunset would be one of those moments you will remember for a lifetime! 

All these places are just touching the tip of the iceberg, as they say. There are tons of other fun and exciting things to do, places to stay, food to eat, and people to meet in this remarkable space. And there is something for everyone, even those on a tight budget.