The starting point to most adventures in Tasmania, starts at Hobart! The Capital of Tasmania is actually the second-oldest city in Australia, as it was founded as part of a penal colony in 1804. It’s also the least-populated state capital in Australia. So why not spend some time discovering what the capital has to offer and then venture out to the wilderness of its great outdoors! The city is framed by the rugged figure of "kunanyi" / Mount Wellington and the flow of the wide River Derwent, you will see all the wilderness around – just beyond the mountain.

Beyond mountain and rivers, there are cultural experiences to give you a good knowledge of what to expect. The Hobart Museum and the underground Museum of Old and New Art, aka Mona, are just some of the most visited cultural centres in Hobart. Stroll along the streets of Hobart and find the St David's Cathedral, St. David's Park or take some delicious seafood at Mures Lower Deck!

See Hobart from the water, or on foot around the waterfront, or even from the saddle of a bike on a mountain descent. There are many activities to keep you entertained and suitable for all ages. When the day is almost done, you can sip a whisky beside in one of the cool chill out bars in Salamanca District.

Below you will find the highlights of what do see and do in Hobart and some of the activities which are the highlights of Tasmania as well, which can be done as a day trip from Hobart. Salamanca District and Weekend Market: Salamanca Place is the name of the main street located in front of Hobart’s docks, which is backed by old sandstone warehouses that now house art galleries, restaurants, shops, theatres and cafés. During the week there is paid parking on this road, but every Saturday the whole place is closed to traffic as the famous Salamanca Markets are held here! If you are in Hobart on a Saturday then a visit to the markets is a must-do, as there are so many wonderful goods on sale, as well as delicious food and live music.

Even if you visit on another day there’s still plenty to see and explore in this area though, including museums, cafes, pubs and the Docks.

MONA ART Museum: It opened in 2011 and houses the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart. It is one of the most famous attractions in Tasmania, and quickly becoming a destination in itself to travel to! It’s located in a suburbs of Hobart, up the river, but catching one of the catamaran ferries (which are called MONA Roma) is half the fun of visiting. It takes about 25 minutes to sail up the river, which is a lovely way to see the city from the water. The ferry ride itself is already an interesting experience. Another option to reach to Mona is by public bus. You can take bus number X20 which takes 25 min from Hobart Interchange, Elizabeth St, Stop A2.

MONA is privately funded, it was created by the Tasmanian millionaire David Walsh and showcases more than 1,900 artistic works from his private collection. If you are interested in art then this is a must-visit, with many subversive and modern pieces as well as a stunning building housing it all.

MONA is free for Tasmanian residents, but there is a $40 AUD fee for everyone else. You can also combine your ticket with a sightseeing tour, which is a good way to get oriented when you first arrive in Hobart. Note that the museum and its grounds are closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Hobart Museums: The biggest and most important one is The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG for short). This is an excellent museum for learning all about the history of Hobart and Tasmania, plus it contains interesting exhibits about Antarctic exploration and plenty of art since it’s a gallery as well as a museum. Best of all, it’s totally free to explore!

The Maritime Museum of Tasmania, is another museum worth checking if you are into the sea, ships and navy history. Is, of course, dedicated to Tasmania’s maritime history. As an island close to Antarctica, there’s plenty to discover here, including information about Aboriginal watercraft, European explorers, whaling, Antarctic exploration, Tasmanian industry and more.

Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens: there are many beautiful sections to explore at the gardens, plus they are FREE to access. The Lily Pond is probably the most beautiful place, complete with friendly ducks and a bridge. The Japanese Garden and Fuchsia House greenhouse are also not to be missed. There’s a nice visitor centre, gift shop and restaurant within the gardens. You can also book guided tours if you’re interested, find out more on the Gardens website.

Places to see outside Hobart

Mount Wellington: Hobart is located both on the banks of the Derwent River and at the foot of a mountain, which was called Mount Wellington by the white settlers but its original name by the local Aboriginal people is Kunanyi.

You can drive all the way to the summit for gorgeous views over the city and river, plus there are a number of great hiking trails at different points along the mountain. The sharp rock ‘Organ Pipes’ that you can see near the top are also popular with rock climbers. In winter the roads are sometimes closed when it snows, but if the snow is not too bad then you can also drive up to play in the snow!

There are boardwalks and lookout platforms on top of the mountain, along with a café at The Springs. If you are hiring a car then you can drive up the mountain, or there’s a hop-on hop-off bus instead. You could also join a guided excursion to the top, with a local tour guide to tell you all about the history and interesting facts about the mountain as you go.

Field Mountain: An easy drive from Hobart, Mount Field National Park offers a diverse journey through the high mountains.

Across its base, waterfalls pour through cool-temperate rainforest, while high above are dramatic peaks you can find Tasmanian alpine plants. The park is, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. In winter it transforms into one of Tasmania’s two ski fields. In autumn the alpine areas glow with the changing colours of the fagus (deciduous beech), one of only a handful of native deciduous trees in Australia.

The Highlights of the park are its Waterfalls. A trio of waterfalls line the lower slopes of Mount Field, including three-tiered Russell Falls, Tasmania’s most photographed waterfall. Also you can see the Tarn Shelf, Mountain lakes which are rarely so organised as this perfect string of small tarns along a bench of alpine land on the Rodway Range. Also come to see Tall trees, king of the rainforest at Mount Field is the swamp gum ("Eucalyptus Regnans"). It’s the tallest tree species in Australia, growing up to 100m in height!

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: This is one of the most special places you can visit. The Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. It's private social enterprise, a little business with a big heart. They have now got an animal hospital as well as the grounds where to see the special species which make Australia so special.

Just 30 minutes north of Hobart's CBD, it's home to many animals, including Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, birds, quolls and more. They also have free-roaming Forester kangaroos, who are always keen for a good scratch on the chest and some gentle hand feeding (Kangaroo food is included with entry).

A visit to Bonorong can also be made with a guided tour. These tours are free with entry and give you the opportunity to meet some of the most popular locals: the wombats, devils and echidnas. You will hear little-known facts and stories of the wildlife in their care. Tour groups, school groups and other parties can all be catered for with private tours also.

Bonorong is easily accessible by car, with free parking onsite. If you are taking public transport, then bus X21 or service 702 from Hobart City Centre are the only options, but they do not stop close by. You will need to alight at Brighton Town and then walk about 20 min to the Sanctuary. (not all roads have paths). Prices are AUD$35 per adult. More info at Bonorong.com.au/

Richmond: is one of Tasmania’s most popular destinations, steeped in history, family-friendly and a hub for food and wine lovers. Nestled in the heart of the Coal River Valley, Richmond was established as an important military staging post and convict station linking Hobart with Port Arthur. The village is famous for its elegant Georgian architecture, with beautiful heritage buildings dating back as early as the 1820’s now housing galleries, tea shops, craft boutiques and museums. It's a popular stop as well if you are taking tours, where they will bring you for lunch here.

Located just 20 minutes drive from the Hobart CBD and 15 minutes from Hobart airport, Richmond is an ideal base from which to explore Hobart and beyond. Taking the bus from Hobart you will need to plan in advance, as the service 725/726 only runs every 2 hours. We have attached the timetables for your convenience.