Australia Travel Planner · Tasmania

Hobart for backpackers

Hobart is Tasmania's small capital at the foot of kunanyi / Mount Wellington: a Saturday market in front of sandstone warehouses, one of the world's most unusual art museums and, in summer, fruit picking in the surrounding valleys. Here you'll find all the checked spots from our map with tips.

Getting there
HBA airport, about 20 minutes to the centre
Market
Salamanca Market every Saturday
Jobs
Cherries roughly December–February
Climate
Cooler than the mainland
Arriving

Getting there and best time to visit Hobart

You reach Hobart by plane from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. A shuttle bus runs from the airport into town. The Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne arrives in Devonport, about four hours away. For Port Arthur, Bruny Island and the east coast you need a car or a tour.

Tasmania is cooler than the mainland. Summer from December to February is pleasantly warm and the best time to visit, with harvest jobs too. Winter is cold, and there's often snow on kunanyi.

Sleep

Hostels and camping in Hobart

The Pickled Frog: hostel with a bar and fireplace room

A popular hostel with its own bar and a fireplace room — cosy on cold evenings.

Sleep · Hostel · CBD · Price level $ · Website

YHA Hobart Central: central hostel

A central hostel, within walking distance of the harbour and Salamanca.

Sleep · Hostel · CBD · Price level $$ · Website

Fortescue Bay Campground: campground on a sheltered bay

A campground on a sheltered bay in Tasman National Park, the start of the Cape Hauy Track to the highest cliffs in the region.

Sleep · Camping · Tasman NP · Price level $

Swim

Swimming and snorkelling in Hobart

Kingston Beach: quiet beach south of the city

A quiet beach south of the city, for swimming in summer. The water stays fresh even in summer.

Swim · Surroundings · Best time: December–March

Views & photos

Lookouts and photo spots in Hobart

kunanyi / Mount Wellington: Hobart's mountain with a view over the city

Hobart's own mountain, with views over the city and the mouth of the Derwent. Most beautiful at sunrise. At the top it's often ten degrees colder — bring a warm jacket. When it snows, the road is closed.

Views & photos · Mountain · Best time: sunrise

MONA: museum inside the rock

The Museum of Old and New Art is a private museum built deep into the rock and known for provocative art. It's best to arrive by ferry from Brooke Street Pier. Entry fee; tickets online.

Views & photos · Berriedale · Best time: daytime · Price level $$

Port Arthur: former penal colony

The former penal colony is World Heritage-listed, an hour and a half south-east of Hobart. Entry fee; combine your visit with the cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula.

Views & photos · Surroundings · Best time: daytime

Tasman Arch: natural rock arch

A natural rock arch and the Devils Kitchen gorge on the sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula. Free and on the way to Port Arthur.

Views & photos · Surroundings · Best time: morning

Free

Free things to do in Hobart

Battery Point: old quarter with colonial houses

An old quarter with colonial houses above Salamanca. Arthur Circus, with its little cottages around a green, is the prettiest corner. Free, quietest in the morning.

Free · Harbour · Best time: morning

Food

Cheap eats in Hobart

Salamanca Market: Saturday market in front of sandstone warehouses

A big weekly market every Saturday from 8:30 am to 3 pm in front of old sandstone warehouses, with street food, Tasmanian produce and crafts. The city's weekend meeting point.

Food · Harbour · Best time: Saturday · Price level $

Constitution Dock: fish and chips straight off the boat

A harbour basin with floating fish punts — fish and chips straight off the boat, ideal for lunch.

Food · Harbour · Best time: midday

Mures: seafood restaurant at the harbour

A seafood restaurant at Victoria Dock: a cheap takeaway downstairs, an upmarket restaurant upstairs.

Food · Seafood · Victoria Dock · Price level $$

Jobs

Jobs in Hobart

Tasmanian fruit picking: cherries, apples and berries

In the Huon Valley and Derwent Valley there's work picking cherries, apples and berries. Cherries are picked roughly from December to February, apples in autumn. Only work with payslips and a valid employer ABN.

Jobs · Harvest work

Everyday & van

Everyday life and van in Hobart

The Lost Sock: laundromat

A laundromat in Hobart.

Everyday & van · Laundromat

Common questions

Hobart for backpackers: frequently asked questions

When is Salamanca Market in Hobart?

Every Saturday from 8:30 am to 3 pm.

How do I get to MONA?

Best by ferry from Brooke Street Pier in the centre.

Are there harvest jobs in Tasmania?

Yes, in the Huon and Derwent Valley: cherries roughly from December to February, apples in autumn.

Next

Travelling on from Hobart

All spots on the Hobart map. Nearby: Bruny Island, Freycinet and Launceston and Cradle Mountain. The east coast on the Great Eastern Drive road trip.

Updated September 2026. Checked against official sources and operator websites. Prices, opening hours and seasons change — check before you go.