Hobart in 2 Days

Hobart is a small but charming city on the Southern tip of Tasmania. Despite being the state’s capital, Hobart is often overlooked for some of Australia’s larger cities including Melbourne and Sydney. However, you will find some of the country’s best kept secrets here, including world-class art museums, large outdoor markets and a wealth of historical knowledge. Two days is the perfect amount of time to discover the best of Hobart over a weekend.

Itinerary

DAY 1

Salamanca Market

Australia’s largest outdoor market, Salamanca Market, takes place in Hobart every Saturday. It is a must-visit in the city and is worth planning your trip around. Local Tasmanian businesses operate over 300 stalls, offering both intricate crafts and delicious treats. In fact, Tasmania has a strong reputation for its fresh apples and seafood, with Salamanca Market being the perfect place to try some famous apple juice and scallop sticks. So, spend a few hours one Saturday morning wandering through the bustling market.

Red Decker Bus

Although the city centre of Hobart is quite concentrated, you can explore some gorgeous suburbs just outside of the downtown area. In fact, the Red Decker Bus is a great hop-on hop-off way to efficiently see some more of these attractions. So, after filling your belly at the market head to the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre to purchase a ticket for the Red Decker Bus. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets online for AUD$40*.

We particularly enjoyed exploring Battery Point for afternoon tea, as well as learning about some Tasmanian history at Cascade Brewery and Cascades Female Factory.

Cascade Brewery

Cascade Brewery is Australia’s oldest brewery, boasting a gorgeously haunting building that sits at the base of kunanyi / Mt Wellington. To learn about the brewing and production process, as well as a tasting session, book the Brewery Tour for AUD$35*. Although you must be over 18 to take part in the Brewery Tour, the Historic Tour is a great alternative. You can book this option for just AUD$20*, where you will spend 45-minute learning about both the history and significance of the facility. Visit the Cascade Brewery website to book either of experiences.

DAY 2

Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)

The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is the largest private collection of art in Australia. The museum is tucked into the side of a cliff, easily accessible by ferry from Brooke Street Pier. Home to some incredible and quirky pieces, you will notice yourself constantly stopping to consider… why? In particular, some of my favourite pieces included: Fatcar, The White Library, MONA Confessional, The Pausiris Gallery and Field Lines.

Whilst you can easily spend half a day discovering the collections in the museum itself, there is more to the property than the art. In fact, there is even a winery on the property. If you are feeling fancy, perhaps consider booking the Moorilla Decanted experience for AUD$165* to learn about the unique styles of wine produced here. We also enjoyed a few pastries at the Moorilla Wine Bar over lunch.

Note that tickets must be booked in advance through the MONA website. Whilst tickets can be purchased for AUD$35* per person, the round-trip ferry tickets are purchased separately for AUD$25*. We actually decided to upgrade to the ‘Posh Pit’ tickets and were able to enjoy some delicious Tasmanian apple juice and delicious hors d’œuvres on the boat.

Finally, your visit to MONA will be guided by their app ‘The O‘. It is worth downloading this in advance to save time once you arrive at the museum.

*Please note that all prices are current as of the publication date of this post.