Home to countless top-rated restaurants, lively markets, remarkable natural beauty, and the world-famous Mona, the most difficult part about spending a weekend in Hobart is deciding what to do.
This not-so-sleepy town on Australia’s Apple Isle is packed with possibilities of how to spend your time, but, when fuelled by the city’s top dining destinations, you can jam a whole lot into 48 hours.
With time constraints on our minds, we’ve pulled together a concise list of the absolute must-dos in Tasmania’s capital. Here’s our guide to a short sojourn to Hobart.
Where to stay
A brief trip to Hobart deserves a little bit of indulgence. The harbourside jewel in Hobart’s crown, MACq 01 Hotel is the crème de la crème of luxury accommodation. That’s no typo—the lowercase ‘q’ differentiates Australia’s first storytelling hotel from the MAC 01 complex it occupies. Confusing, but don’t let that deter you from this five-star stay.
From the outside, the beauty of the architecturally designed building will draw you in. Inside, each spacious room is themed after prominent Tasmanian personalities, from the area’s notorious bushranger to a local sports star, with luxury furnishings, gentle lighting and an oversized bathtub adding to the character. If you’re still not convinced, just take one look at the unbeatable vistas of the River Derwent from the private balconies overlooking the glittering waterfront.
What to do and see
Uncover Hobart’s history with a storytelling tour
Even if you know a little about Hobart, you’ll know a considerable amount more after one of MACq 01’s storytelling tours. Each day at 4:00 pm, incredibly well-dressed storytellers will take guests on a deep dive into Hobart’s many colourful characters (to which the hotel’s rooms are named), the area’s fascinating history, and the broader tales of Tasmania. The engaging guides are very well-versed in all things Hobart and will enthusiastically share their recommendations on which cafe pours the best coffee or when’s the best time to score a seat at Sonny. Tours are complimentary for hotel guests or $20.00 for the general public.
Shop, sip, and feast at Salamanca Markets
For a wholesome start to your Saturday, head to the Salamanca Markets. Each Saturday — rain, hail, or shine — over 300 traders flock to the historic sandstone warehouses to spruik and sell organic fruit and veg, second-hand books, artisan cheese, leather goods, ceramics, jewellery, jams, booze, art, and more. Come hungry and early to get breakfast and a latte from one of the many food trucks, admire the talents of local buskers, and soak up the (at times chaotic) energy of 25,000 shoppers perusing the stalls.
Discover the magic of Mona
Mona changed the game for Hobart. The daring Museum of Old and New Art brought new attention and energy to the often-forgotten capital when it opened in 2011, and has been luring in tourists to Tasmania ever since. The immersive experience begins with the MONA ferry, a camouflaged catamaran that transports guests to the underground gallery’s entry. From there, you can spend hours exploring the thought-provoking, rare and down-right raunchy artwork curated by the enigmatic David Walsh.
See the city from the sky
The best way to get your bearings in a new city is from a bird’s eye view.
Take in Hobart’s beauty from the sky with Tassie’s sole seaplane operation, Above & Beyond. There’s a range of different options depending on your budget and time constraints but our pick is the City Scenic: a 30-minute flight taking off from the Hobart harbour. You’ll fly over the city before following the River Derwent south all the way to North Bruny Island, past the Iron Pot lighthouse and back over kunanyi/Mt Wellington with a river landing to end the aerial experience.
Stroll through Battery Point
Sitting high on the hill beside the city centre is Hobart’s oldest, prettiest, and most interesting suburb, Battery Point. This quaint pocket of Tasmania is home to Narryna Heritage Museum, the famous Jackman And McRoss Bakery, and St George’s Anglican Church, beating heart of Battery Point is Arthur Circus. An adorable arrangement of cottages from the 1830s strategically placed around a circular park, a visit to Battery Point is like stepping back in time.
Where to eat and drink
Old Wharf Restaurant
A hotel restaurant, but not as you know it.
Led by head chef Alvin Sim, MACq 01’s flagship restaurant Old Wharf is open every day from breakfast until dinner with refined fare, predominantly Tassie wines, and unbeatable views across the harbour. An homage to Tasmania’s fishing industry, there’s plenty of local seafood on the menu — such as the seafood pot pie, salmon gravlax and BBQ octopus — plus a dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu, making it easy to get your greens in.
Sonny Wine Bar
It’s first in, best dressed at Hobart’s walk-in-only lo-fi wine bar Sonny. If you’re one of the lucky 20 or so customers who manage to nab a seat at the bar, you’re in for a treat. With vinyl records spinning disco all night, charming bar staff encouraging you to try yet another spot-on drop, and strangers sharing plates of pasta, the anarchic energy is palpable. Come alone, with a friend, a date, or a small group and order whatever the staff recommend.
Omotenashi
Move over Mona, the plates at Omotenashi are so meticulously prepared and artfully plated that they could be worthy of a spot in the gallery. The 12-seat Japanese restaurant set in a luxury car showroom has just one offering—a 15-ish course kaiseki-style menu with matched drinks of mostly tea and sake, only available at 6:30 pm on weekends.
A ticket to this fine-dining experience is $300.00 per person but worth every penny.
Peppina
One of the biggest and most beloved restaurants in the area, Hobart’s nostalgic Italian restaurant Peppina is a huge hit with locals, tourists, and guests of the adjoining Tasman Hotel. The largely fire-based menu is heavily influenced by acclaimed chef Massimo Mele’s heritage and elevated with the finest and freshest Tasmanian produce. It’s food with heart that Nonna would be proud of: sauces are slow-cooked, the pasta is served al dente, and bitter greens are stewed to sublimity. Book well in advance and save room for dessert.
Dier Makr
If it’s your first time in Hobart, Dier Makr is the small, season-driven restaurant that should be at the top of your itinerary. The ever-changing degustation menu scrawled on a chalkboard, is very ambiguous — ‘carrot, crayfish, tomatoes’, for example, leaves much to the imagination, but with chef-owner Kobi Ruzick behind the pass you know it’s going to be damn delicious.
Each dish is beautifully plated, so much so that they are almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. As creative as they are comforting, the hibachi-fuelled flavours coming out of the kitchen are like no other in the area. Take your pick from the 150+ minimal intervention natural wines on offer and settle in as vinyl spins all night long.
Fico
There’s many a good reason why Fico is on everyone’s dining wishlist. The upbeat dining room; ever-evolving menu by talented chef and co-owner Federica Andrisani; amari, vermouth, and grappa-heavy drinks list, and flawless service make Fico a delight to dine in. Don’t bother trying to suss your order online before you visit — the menu is constantly changing due to the dishes being driven by whatever is in season and locally available.
Main image credit: Shutterstock
