Hobart, Tasmania

Hobart Rivulet Park. Photos by Andrew Strikis.


WHERE TO WALK IN HOBART

One of the best things about Hobart is its compact size. If you prefer to explore by foot then this is the city for you!

The Salamanca district should be the first place on your itinerary, with its rich maritime history and gorgeous architecture a backdrop to the blue waters of the Derwent River. Weekends are when things really get buzzing, with the Salamanca Markets a hive of activity come Saturday morning. The heritage streets and houses of Battery Point and Sandy Bay are just a short walk to the south if you’d like to explore further, and the two-kilometer Battery Point Sculpture Trail is the ideal route.

On Sundays, drop by the Farm Gate Market in central Hobart; it’s the perfect opportunity to mingle with the locals while grazing on street food and other gourmet produce. Then, continue walking up Elizabeth Street to North Hobart (or “NoHo”), where you’ll find some of Hobart’s best cafes and restaurants.

To really stretch your legs, you could tackle the 5.4-km (return) Rivulet Park walking trail. Equal parts educational and inspirational, it takes you past the World Heritage-listed Female Factory and finishes at the iconic Cascade Brewery. Alternatively, walk from Salamanca up to the Domain, where you can pay your respects to Tasmania’s fallen soldiers before strolling the green avenues of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

WHERE TO BIKE

While Hobart is a pretty hilly city, the Intercity Cycleway is anything but, making it the perfect biking excursion for the whole family. Starting at the Domain, the trail weaves its way along the river and through the suburbs nearly 16 km north to the outer suburb of Claremont, finishing at the incredible and bizarre Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Bikes are available for hire at Hobart Bike Hire (from AU$15 for a full day).

For the more adventurous, get in touch with Under Down Under Tours and ask about its Mt. Wellington Descent tour (from $65). You see that HUGE mountain outside your hotel? These guys will drive you to the top, provide you with a bike and all the tips and safety gear you need, and leave you to make your descent back into Hobart. It’s fast, exhilarating, and the ultimate tour for adventure junkies!
 

Near the pinnacle of Mt. Wellington, on the Zig-Zag track
 

WHERE TO HIKE

Situated at the foot of imposing Mt. Wellington (Kunanyi), Hobart is a dream for hikers! Mt. Wellington Park is just a 15-minute drive (or slightly longer bus ride) from Hobart, and it’s the gateway to dozens of trails crisscrossing the magnificent mountainside. The car park at The Springs is the perfect starting point, as it is the location for numerous trailheads.

If it’s a short hike you’re after, suitable for all ages and fitness levels, then the 5.4-km (return) hike to Sphinx Rock is a good option. The views across Hobart from the rock are stunning, and the return journey will take only an hour.

On the other hand, if you can hear the 1,200-meter summit of Mt. Wellington calling, then your best bet is to tackle the 3.4-km (one-way) Zig-Zag track through the temperate and subalpine rainforests, past the looming “organ pipes” and up the ridiculously steep trail to the scree-covered slopes at the top. Your thighs won’t thank you, but your camera will! Allow yourself a half-day for this fantastic bushwalk (read more about it here).