Hobart

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

TMAG

Established in 1843 by the Royal Society of Tasmania, TMAG is an impressive natural history museum, art gallery and herbarium in one. It boasts various exhibits with Tasmanian, Australian and International themes. Displays include wildlife collections, the history of Tasmania, medal and coin collections, indigenous collections, contemporary art and classical art galleries. Islands to Ice is an exciting permanent exhibition of Antarctic natural history, exploration and science that also gives an insight to what it is like to live and work in some of the most inhospitable climates on earth. It is a must see for all Antarctic enthusiasts.

Daily 10AM-5PM · Free, special exhibits may require paid entry · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

Established in 1818 within the grounds of The Domain. The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens showcase 6,500 species, including over 400 Tasmanian species. One of the most popular displays here is the Subantarctic Plant House, which contains subantarctic plant species collected by staff from Macquarie Island and is climate controlled to mimic cold high latitude environments. Other collections include traditional Japanese and Chinese gardens, a rain garden, a lily pond and the Tasmanian Fernery.

Daily, Oct-Mar: 8AM-6:30PM, Apr-Sep: 8AM-5PM · Entry by donations

Cascades Female Factory

This site operated as a female factory between 1828 and 1856, which was intended to reform female convicts and segregate them from the "temptations" of Hobart. The ladies of this female factory were often completing many chores, such as needlework and laundry. The factory is now one of 11 penal sites that make up the Australian Convict Sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list. A daily Heritage tour runs several times daily and an additional show, title Her Story, runs daily at 11AM.

Daily 9:30AM-4PM · Entry: $5; entry + tour: adult $15, child $10; Her Story show: adult $20, child $12.50

Australian Army Museum Tasmania

It's within the grounds of the historic Anglesea Barracks, which were established in 1811. This museum covers Tasmania's military history. While the barracks remain an active Australian Defence Force base it is open to the public, and has interesting displays of weapons and several historically significant monuments. These include the only war memorial to have been erected by the many British Army units which undertook garrison duties in colonial Australia. They also offer a guided tour of the barracks on Tuesday at 11AM.

Tue Thu Sat 9AM-1PM · Adult $5, child $1

Maritime Museum of Tasmania

This museum houses the largest collection of maritime artefacts in Tasmania. Displays include information on the early maritime history of Tasmania, the role of lighthouses, the whaling industry, maritime trade, boat building and shipping.

Daily 9AM-5PM · Adult $9, concession $7, student $5, child free

Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum

One of Hobart's newest attractions, this museum is a replica of the base stations constructed for Douglas Mawson's Australiasian Antarctic expedition of 1911. It features amenities and conditions that would have been experienced by those who first lived inside the huts.

Daily 9AM-6PM (Nov–Mar), 10AM-5PM (Apr–Oct) · Adult $12, concession $10, child $4 · Wheelchair accessible

Moonah Arts Centre

A state of the art regional art center designed by Morrison Breytenbach, showing rotating local art exhibitions and hosting community arts activities.

Kangaroo Bluff Historic Site

The historic site was built for Hobart's defence after Russian warships appeared in the harbour in 1873.

Salamanca Place

Named after the main street that this area runs along, Salamanca Place is home to rows of colonial style sandstone buildings that were once warehouses built to service the 19th-century whaling industry. Today this area has been converted into a precinct of restaurants, bars, galleries and craft shops. Make sure you venture behind the row of shops along Salamanca Place as there are lots to explore around this area. Salamanca Place is also home to the famous Salamanca Markets every Saturday.

Sullivan's Cove

This area is home to Hobart's main waterfront area and was the original landing point by European settlers in 1804. Most locals come here to sit, relax and, if hungry, enjoy some of Tasmania's finest seafood. Constitution Dock, within the cove, is particularly famous as it is the finishing point of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race which is held from Boxing Day (December 26) each year.

Queens Domain

The Domain

Walk from the city a few blocks towards the Tasman bridge and you'll suddenly be out of the city and amongst greenery and trees on the Domain. (Head towards the bridge from the city but once you see greenery head up the hill towards it.) Of note is the fact that you can always be sure to see plenty of parrots in the trees. They are relatively tame so it's a superb opportunity to see some brightly coloured parrots up close.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1981, this wildlife sanctuary cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, with all proceeds going to maintaining the park. The park is home to wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas, Tasmanian devils, and a more than 100-year-old cockatoo. Included in admission is a bag of kangaroo feed for the troop of kangaroos in a large enclosure at the back – the kangaroos will eat out of your hand and love getting chest scratches. Tours are held several times a day where they introduce you to the current residents of the sanctuary. They also help discuss ways to help local wildlife if you ever spot one in danger or notice roadkill. Private tours are also available for those willing to pay, which are exceptional and allow for you to get up close and personal with the wildlife.

Daily 9AM-5PM · Adult $25, child $11, under 3 free. Daily tour free, private tours $149-179

Museum of Old and New Art

MONA

This eccentric, world-class museum of contemporary art has created a buzz in Hobart. Visitor opinions diverge from spectacular, to confronting to "I just don't see what the fuss is about". The museum has a decidedly adult feel, so may not be the ideal place for kids. For those who don't get it, there are impressive views over the Derwent River along with a cafe and Morilla Winery on site. The building itself is quite interesting and is worth a look at. There are also some "traditional art" pieces, including some mummies. Ferries run at least five times a day from Brooke St Pier which offers a scenic journey along the Derwent River. Bookings for the ferry are required and cost $20 one-way or return. You can also drive to MONA, with limited parking, or go by bus.

Fri-Mon 10AM-5PM, book in advance · Adult $35, concession $30, under 18 $10, Tasmanian residents free with $10 deposit, under 12 free

Penitentiary Chapel

This historic site was built as a chapel for male convicts, built with solitary confinement cells underneath the building and was converted into a supreme criminal court and prison chapel, complete with gallows and an execution yard. The site can only be visited by tours which run during the day, or a ghost tour that runs at night.

Day tour: Fri Sun 10AM, 11:30AM, 1PM, 2:30PM, Sat 1PM, 2:30PM; ghost tour: Mon Fri by appointment · Day tour: adult $12, concession $10, child $5; ghost tour: adult $15, child/concession $10

Shot Tower

This historic landmark boasts the titles of being the first shot tower in Australia and the tallest shot tower in the southern hemisphere. Built in 1870, the Shot Tower is 48 m tall and made from sandstone, just like many of Hobart's historic buildings. You can climb the 259 wooden steps to the top of the tower which pays off with exceptional views the Derwent Estuary and countryside.

Daily 9AM-5PM (in winter 9AM-4PM) · Adult $8, child $4, under 5 free

Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts

Allport Museum is a collection of the family library, art and colonial furniture of an extinct local family. Its public display includes a recreation of the Allport family's house, decorated in 16th- to 19th-century furnishings. There is also a rotating art exhibition of historic and contemporary works.

Free to the public

Lady Franklin Gallery

Ancanthe

Built by Lady Franklin, wife of the governor, in 1842 at her own expense in the style of a Greek temple, the Gallery was entrusted to a local society but neglected for decades after Lady Franklin departed Tasmania, until it was finally handed to the Art Society of Tasmania and since 1948 it has been lovingly restored by the Art Society of Tasmania and now hosts rotating exhibitions of local art.

Mount Wellington

Indigenous name Kunanyi

Situated within Wellington Park, Mt Wellington peaks at 1,270 m with breathtaking views of the Derwent River and Greater Hobart Region. At the top of the road up the mountain is the Pinnacle Observation Shelter, an indoor viewing area with binoculars. There are also several other lookouts on the way up to the peak. Your main options for heading up the mountain include taking your own car, going with a private tour operator or walking, if you are adventurous. Temperatures at the summit can range from 4-13°C in summer to -2-4°C in winter, so be sure to bring along warm clothes. It will often be 10-15° cooler at the top of Mt Wellington than it is in Hobart. There are multiple activities to do on the mountains, including cycling and hiking. See the Do section below for more information.

Free

Parliament House of Tasmania

Built as a customs house, the Parliament House of Tasmania opened in 1840, but came to serve solely as the state's Parliament House in 1904. The building comprises 3 levels with various areas including the House of Assembly, Legislative Council, Parliamentary Library and Parliamentary Museum. Tours of the Parliament are available to the public which run on non-sitting days(See their website for non-sitting days) at 10AM or 2PM. Another option would be to sit in the public gallery during sitting days.

Battery Point

The area is named after a battery of guns put on the point in 1818. The guns were eventually removed for fear the residential homes would come under fire in the event of an invasion. Thanks to a green ban in the 1970s, most of Battery Points original Georgian architecture remains intact, and today it is still home to one of Australia's oldest subdivisions and few planned circus', Arthur Circus. If you venture deep within Battery Point, you may stumble upon, a well-known steep laneway with superb views of the suburbs at the top and a whimsical sign to match its odd name.

Franklin Square

This oak-lined public space in Central Hobart is named after the explorer Sir John Franklin. Between voyages, he served as Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land (as Tasmania was then known) from 1837 to 1843. The centrepiece of the park is a statue of him, with an epitaph by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Government House

Government House is one of Australia's largest Gothic Revival residences, built in 1857 and still home to the Governor of Tasmania. Keep an eye out for one of the open days, as it is well worth a visit to the vice-regal residence. It is visible from the highway and Tasman bridge

Mount Nelson

A lookout that is a great, but lower altitude, alternative to the more popular Mount Wellington, still with some impressive views of Hobart and the Derwent River. There is also a restaurant and a picnic area at the top so you can bask in the views while having a bite to eat. For those who enjoy a leisurely trek there are two walks to climb up or down the mountain that lead to Sandy Bay near Wrest Point Casino or through the Truganini Reserve to the Channel Highway.

State Library of Tasmania

The State Library of Tasmania is the reference, special collections, research and public lending library in the Tasmanian capital of Hobart, Australia. It is part of Libraries Tasmania. Libraries Tasmania includes a state-wide network of library services, community learning, adult literacy and the State’s archives and heritage services.

Hobart War Memorial (Cenotaph)

Hobart Cenotaph is the main commemorative military monument for the Australian state of Tasmania. It is located in the capital Hobart in a prominent position on the Queens Domain, on a small rise overlooking the city and River Derwent. The Cenotaph sits directly above what was once the location of the Queens Battery.

Footsteps Towards Freedom

"honouring the convict women transported to Van Diemen’s Land and the children who sailed with them"

Gentle Annie Falls

Historic man-made water race carved into the rock. No water flow.

RV Investigator

RV Investigator is an Australian marine research vessel which was designed by RALion

Tasmanian Commercial Fishermen's Memorial

Memorial to Tasmanians who lost their lives in commercial fishing activities

The Kudelka Shop

Located in Salamanca Arts Centre Courtyard

We-Fr 10:00-16:00; Sa 09:00-13:00 · Free entry