With a population just over 205,000, Hobart can be easily mistaken as a country town. But, thanks to some of the best luxury accomodation in Hobart as well as sprawling views, minimal tourists and of course its hidden gems, Tasmania’s capital city is an oasis waiting to be discovered.
Places to Stay in Hobart
Every holiday requires the perfect place to rest your head after a busy day of sightseeing. But while offering you a comfy bed, they should also offer something more – whether that be a picturesque location, accompanying restaurants and ultimately, a sanctuary for you to nestle into. Thankfully, we’ve found three of the best hotels in Hobart:
MACq 01 Hotel
Sitting on the breezy waterfront of the River Derwent overlooking the harbour of Hobart, MACq 01 Hotel is the peak of luxury accomodation in Hobart. Each of the 114 rooms are designed to tell a story of the famous and infamous characters that have walked the land of Tasmania – a story guests will be able to see, hear, touch and even feel.
As well as offering stunning rooms, MACq 01 Hotel is home to a plethora of dining options including the Old Wharf Restaurant, The Story Bar and winner of Tasmania’s Best Bar in 2019, Evolve Spirits Bar where you can even spot some prehistoric fossils including dinosaur eggs!
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- MACq 01 Hotel Hobart Tasmania. Photographed by Willowtreehouse. Image via Shutterstock
MACq 01 Hotel | 18 Hunter St, Hobart TAS 7000 | (03) 6210 7600
The Islington Hotel
If you’re seeking divine intimacy and personable service, look no further than The Islington Hotel in South Hobart. It features 11 uniquely designed rooms, each coming with all-inclusive breakfast, barista-made coffees and loose-leaf teas, WiFi and an in-room iPad, secure off-street parking, and a selection of delectable cookies, muffins and fruit. It’s the ultimate seclusion.
And if your visit to Hobart is work related, The Islington Hotel is also equip with a range of conference facilities for the more business-oriented stays.
The Henry Jones Art Hotel
While the previous MACq 01 Hotel offers stories of the past, The Henry Jones Art Hotel offers a taste of the present. Its walls and ceilings share the local artistic talent of Tasmania, giving a visual experience like no other. And on top of that, The Henry Jones Art Hotel is built around the architecture that has sat on the spot for well over a century.
As well as the room, this nifty venue is home to a restaurant, cafe, a bar, a gym and even conference and meeting facilities for the business oriented making for one of the best places to stay in Hobart, even if it’s just for one night.
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- The Henry Jones Art Hotel Hobart Tasmania. Photographed by Ikonya. Image via Shutterstock
Things to do in Hobart
While there’s plenty to do outside Hobart, whether that be travelling up along the north coast from Devonport to Stanley, or exploring Tasmania’s most breathtaking waterfall, there’s also just as much to do inside the confines of the CBD and its immediate surroundings. So, get out of that hotel bed, get dressed, sport some sunnies and join us on a sightseeing tour.
Salamanca Market
If you want to truly immerse yourself in true Tasmanian culture from the local cuisine to searching through preloved knick knacks, then your first stop must be the Salamanca Market. That’s if, of course, it’s a Saturday.
Between the hours of 8:30am and 3pm, Salamanca Place near Battery Point is saturated with locals and the odd tourist looking for something new. You can find some eccentric fashion, second-hand books, daring cuisine and charming local artists of all sorts. Whilst you’re here, keep an eye out for the ginger beer tent selling variations of the much-loved beverage – from spicy to alcoholic.
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- Salamanca Markets Hobart Tasmania. Photographed by Curioso.Photography. Image via Shutterstock
Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
The owner of the Museum of Old and New Art (or MONA for short), David Walsh, is considered to be the man who put Hobart on the map. Inside one of Australia’s most famed galleries it features an eclectic mix of art that is designed to make you scrunch your face up and think or make you cover your eyes in shock. As well as sharing new exhibitions every once in a while, it contains permanent artwork collections such as a real-life ceramic vaginas adorning the walls with a tongue-in-cheek name and, as it says on the website: “stuff David bought when he was drunk”. One of the latter is a monkey skeleton.
The museum also contains plenty of food options and an onsite hotel, as well as a winery adjacent to the museum called Moorilla Winery. And for those who to love to splurge, for a mere $75,000 you can become a lifetime member and get all the perks, “then, when you die, we have you cremated and put in a fancy urn in the museum”.
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- Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) Hobart Tasmania. Photographed by ChameleonsEye. Image via Shutterstock
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- Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) Hobart Tasmania. Otto Piene Work from Pirouetten in Bras. Image: Supplied
Mount Wellington
Nothing beats the fresh mountain air mixed with panoramic views of southern Tasmania. And the drive from Hobart’s CBD is all part of the fun. But, while the views are spectacular and while the drive up is scenic – don’t forget to bring along a jacket or two.
Just a 30 minute drive west of Hobart, despite the thick snow during the winter months and the harsh Antarctic wind, Mount Wellington is one of the best places to visit in Hobart. Just don’t forget to pack a camera!
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- Hobart from Mt Wellington. Image: Mike Wilson on Unsplash
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
To some, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is one of the top botanic gardens in Australia, and to a handful it’s considered as one of the best in the world. Spread over 14 hectares, Hobart’s Botanical Gardens features a wide variety of plants, trees and flowers – enough to afford you and your loved one a romantic walk for a sunny afternoon, or, if you are a plant enthusiast, it’ll become your new found favourite oasis tucked within Hobart’s CBD.
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- Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hobart Tasmania. Photographed by Willowtreehouse. Image via Shutterstock
Looking for more of what Tasmania has to offer? We’ve got you covered with our our five favourite wine bars across this beautiful island. Otherwise, eat and drink through these 10 must have’s when in Tassie. Plus, have you heard of Clarence Point’s luxurious glamping campsite experience?
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land mentioned in our article, the people of the Paredarerme Nation, and we recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
Looking to visit Hobart? Let us satisfy your taste with some of the best places to stay in Hobart as well as some experiences that will appease everyone’s taste.