Hobart Attractions & Tourism

There are few cities in Australia so beautiful as Hobart. Easily accessible by both plane and ferry, Hobart and its surrounds offer history, cuisine and nature that are hard to rival.

A brief history of Hobart

The Mouheneenner people were the original inhabitants of the area now known as Hobart. It's estimated that they first migrated to Tasmania from the Australian mainland before the Bass Strait formed and cut off both land and people from one another. White settlers first came to Tasmania in 1803 with their convicts and soldiers to guard them. It wasn't long before trouble mounted between the two groups, and the Aboriginal people began to resist in 1824. The year 1828 marked the beginning of the four-year Black War against the Palawa, which saw many of them killed or removed from their land.

Life was not so easy for the convicts either. Tasmania, known then as "Van Diemen's Land" was said to be impossible to escape from (although some did). Life was harsh for the convicts, many of who were sent to work at the many penal colonies and factories in and around Hobart. Some of these, such as Port Arthur and the Cascades Female Factory, are important historical sites today.

What to see, what to do, where to go in Hobart

There is so much to see and do in and around Hobart that it's a good idea to have some time up your sleeve! A must see is the Cascades Female Factory in South Hobart. This once overcrowded female prison of the 1820s was also used as a setting for the Bryce Courtney novel, The Potato Factory.

One of the most important penal colony sites in Tasmania's history is Port Arthur, which is located just 100kms from Hobart. This site was one of the harshest and most industrial in Australia, with convicts charged to manufacture anything from bricks to ships. Today, the Port Arthur site offers not only historical tours, but a range of special events, including plays, musical concerts and much more.

Back in Hobart itself, no visit would be complete without a trip to Salamanca Place. Once a port of call for sailors and whalers, the historic warehouses are now home to galleries, theatres and restaurants. Saturdays come alive with the Salamanca Markets, where you can purchase locally grown organic fruit and vegetables, locally produced cheeses and Tasmanian arts and crafts.

How to get to Hobart

There are two ways to get to Hobart from the mainland. If you would like to take your car, then The Spirit of Tasmania is a great choice. It leaves daily from Melbourne to Davenport, then you can drive south to Hobart.

The other option, of course, is to fly. Virgin Blue, Qantas, Jetstar and Tiger Airways all run daily flights to Hobart from most major cities on the east coast of Australia. It's best to check with your preferred airline if you need to depart from other states.

The ‘Apple Isle' is definitely worth the trek, and its natural beauty, fine cuisine and fascinating history will be worth every minute of exploration.