Hobart and Sandy Bay
Built on the waterfront, Hobart is Tasmania’s capital city and the largest city in the state. With the iconic Kunanyi / Mt Wellington as its dramatic backdrop this is one of Australia’s most liveable cities.
Fantastic Dining
Tasmania’s reputable farming and sustainability, along with clean water and rich soil inspire a wide range of fantastic dining experience packed full of local food, wine and beers.
Local Markets
One of the best places for beautiful organic foods, the Hobart and the Greater Hobart region is home to many local markets filled with quality homegrown and homemade wares. Whether browsing the Salamanca Market in Hobart on Saturdays or the countless other regular meets around the areas, you’re bound to find a great deal on quality goods while supporting local stallholders.
Beautiful Beaches
Southern Tasmania has its fair share of stunning coastal areas, with beautiful beaches dotted around the regions – from the soft sands of the Tasman Peninsula, to Bruny Island. In addition to these coastal reserves, there’s plenty of great family beaches well within 30 minutes or less to the city such as Bellerive, Howrah, Opossum Bay, Lauderdale, Seven Mile Beach, Cremorne, Sandy Bay, Kingston and Blackmans Bay.
Quality Local Wineries
Tasmania is well known for it’s award-winning vineyards and wineries. It is home to many leading producers of premium cool climate wines, such as the Moorilla Estate Winery in Berriedale and Bruny Island Premium Wines from just south of Hobart. On the Eastern Shore is the Coal River Valley winery trail with over 10 prominent vineyards all within close proximity.
Waterside Living
With stunning beaches and coastal reserves plus the expansive Derwent River, waterside living and water views are just another amazing part of living in Southern Tasmania. Whether it’s the cute cornish charm of Battery Point, or the tranquility of Primrose Sands, the options are plentiful.
Hobart is known for its well-preserved historic architecture, much of it dating back to the Georgian and Victorian eras, giving the city a distinctly heritage feel.
Regions within the city centre, such as Salamanca Place, contain many of the city’s heritage-listed buildings. Historic homes and mansions also exist in the suburbs. Hobart has very few high rise buildings in comparison to other Australian cities. This is partly a result of height limits imposed due to Hobart’s proximity to Derwent River and Mount Wellington.
The city’s nightlife primarily revolves around Salamanca Place, the waterfront area, Elizabeth Street in North Hobart and Sandy Bay.
Popular restaurant strips include Elizabeth Street in North Hobart, and Salamanca Place near the waterfront. These include numerous ethnic restaurants including Chinese, Thai, Greek, Pakistani, Italian, Indian and Mexican.
Hobart is home to the a distinct artistic community amusement small galleries and the world renowned Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). The multi-storey MONA gallery was built directly underneath the historic Sir Roy Grounds courtyard house, overlooking the Derwent River. Hobart is internationally famous among the yachting community as the finish of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race which starts in Sydney on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas Day). The arrival of the yachts is celebrated as part of the Hobart Summer Festival, a food and wine festival beginning just after Christmas and ending in mid-January.
The Taste of Tasmania is a major part of the festival, where locals and visitors can taste fine local and international food and wine. The city is the finishing point of the Targa Tasmania rally car event, which has been held annually in April since 1991. The Australian Wooden Boat Festival is a bi-annual event held in Hobart celebrating wooden boats. It is held concurrently with the Royal Hobart Regatta, which began in 1830 and is therefore Tasmania’s oldest surviving sporting event.