Hobart and Surrounds

• Australia’s most distinctive city, Tasmania’s capital combines heritage charm and cultural diversity in a setting of exceptional beauty.
• Within 90 minutes’ drive of Hobart are a range of attractions, from the pristine waters of Bruny Island to the mesmerising history of Port Arthur.

To help you explore Hobart and Surrounds:

Download or view online this region's Holiday Planner. It is full of information on things to see, places to stay and where to go. Get ideas for places to visit in Hobart’s surrounds or where to stay in the vibrant waterfront city. Within 90-minutes’ drive from Hobart you can experience world-heritage wilderness, discover Port Arthur Historic Site or sip the fine wines of a cool-climate vineyard.

Why explore Hobart and Surrounds?

With the River Derwent at its heart and Mount Wellington rising above it, in Hobart the tranquility of a city from a bygone era coexists with the vibrancy of a pocket-sized modern metropolis. Hobart's European beginnings are evident everywhere, from quaint settlers' cottages to the lofty porches of colonial mansions.
Once bustling with whalers and entrepreneurs, 19th-century sandstone warehouses now serve as dockside cafes, artist’s studios and restaurants, where you can enjoy excellent cuisine and fine wines. Discover Australia’s history in the nearby Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, enjoy classical and modern music in a variety of venues, or go to the theatre, in this city of festivals.
Hobart is a place of fishing boats, fish punts at the docks, and coffee under the sun-umbrellas where the famous Salamanca Market is held every Saturday.
Take a harbour cruise past square-rigged yachts, or drive to the summit of Mount Wellington for a bird’s eye view of the intricate pattern of islands and estuaries that reach out to the sea beyond.

The area surrounding Hobart is rich with a variety of landscapes and experiences.
To Hobart’s south east, past the Coal River Valley wineries, is the historic town of Richmond. Here, the jail serves as a prelude to the Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula. Nearby Port Arthur you will find thrilling cliff walks and cruises that take you beside 300 metre sea cliffs and Tasman Island.

South of Hobart, you can cruise off Bruny Island, beneath some of the world’s highest seacliffs, or drive north to Oatlands, to explore Australia’s largest collection of sandstone buildings. Farther afield through New Norfolk is the pretty town of Hamilton, or for a taste of the high country, visit Bothwell at the southern edge of the Central Plateau.

Read more about Hobart and Surrounds on NeoNeighbourhood, an insiders' guide to unique travel experiences.

Key towns of Hobart and Surrounds

Bothwell - gateway to the central highlands for fishing and walking.
Bruny Island – towering sea cliffs and just a 20-minute ferry ride from Kettering.
Cockle Creek – where the South Coast Track begins or ends.
Derwent Bridge - gateway to the Western Wilderness.
Doo Town – a town with a dour sense of humour.
Dover – explore the southwest wilderness and Hartz Mountains National Park.
Dunalley – where the Tasman Peninsula begins.
Eaglehawk Neck – sea cruises and Pirates Bay. 
Geeveston – the Forest Heritage Centre and Tahune Airwalk.
Hamilton –you can still find crofter cottages or grand old farm houses built by Scottish farmers .
Hobart - Tasmania's capital where you can experience history, the arts and a relaxing city life.
Huonville – centre for Tasmania's apple and stone fruit industry, and the southern forests.
Kempton - the streetscape, with its inn, church and shops, is very much as it was in the 19th century.
New Norfolk – the centre of the hop growing area with a traditional village square.
Oatlands - a pretty colonial town about 84 kilometres north of Hobart.
Port Arthur - the most evocative and best preserved site of a colonial penal settlement in Australia.
Richmond - on the banks of the Coal River a 30-minute drive from Hobart.
Sorell – a good place for fuel and provisions before driving north to the east coast or south to the Tasman Peninsula.
Taranna – home of the Tasmanian Devil Park.
Woodbridge – perfect place for a cruise and lunch at Peppermint Bay.

Itineraries to help you explore Hobart and surrounds.

Convict Trail - from Sorell to Port Arthur Historic Site.

Huon Trail  - discover the Huon Valley and southwest.

Local help from Tasmania's Visitor Information Centres is available at:

Hobart
20 Davey Street
Ph (03) 6230 8233
Email: tasbookings@tasvisinfo.com.au
Web: www.hobarttravelcentre.com.au

Geeveston
Church Street
Ph (03) 6297 1821
Email: tvingeeveston@forestandheritagecentre.com
Web: www.forestandheritagecentre.com.au

Huonville
Esplanade
Ph (03) 6264 1838
Email: huonville@tasvisinfo.com.au

Kettering 81 Ferry Rd
Ph (03) 6267 4494
Email: kettering@tasvisinfo.com.au

Oatlands 85 High Street
Ph (03) 6254 1212
Email: oatlands@tasvisinfo.com.au

Port Arthur Historic Site
Ph (03) 6251 2371
Email:  portarth@tasvisinfo.com.au