A weekend in Hobart can be surprisingly easy to plan. The city is compact, easy to navigate, and simple to explore at your own pace.
In just two days, you can explore a range of experiences — from iconic museums and panoramic vistas to dining spots with gorgeous, ever-changing views.
So, here’s a weekend-in-Hobart guide that’s designed to help you see all the highlights, while still leaving enough time to take it all in.
Day 1: Saturday
Salamanca Market + Hobart Lunch Cruise + Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery/ Royal Botanical Garden
Start your first day in the city around Salamanca Place. A centrally located area and easy to walk through, it’s an easy and convenient starting point, especially if you’re new to Hobart. This day is mostly walkable, with short distances between each stop.
Salamanca Market
Time – 9 a.m.
Recommended amount of time – 2-3 hrs
The Salamanca Market in Hobart is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tasmania. Located in Salamanca Place and close to Battery Point, this busy and lively market is open each Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. It’s the best place to start your weekend, giving you a good first taste of Hobart. It’s lively and busy, but in a fun and welcoming way.
With over 300 stalls, vendors sell a wide variety of Tassie-designed goods and produce. Plus, if you get hungry along the way, there’s no shortage of food stalls to sample from! It’s a fun, engaging way to ease into Hobart — giving you a mix of local flavour, shopping and casual eats to kick off the weekend.
Hobart Lunch Cruise
Time – 11:30 a.m.
Time spent – 1.5-2 hrs
After a relaxed morning at Salamanca, head over to the harbour and join one of the Hobart lunch cruises. Most departure points are within easy walking distance from Salamanca, so getting there is simple.
Among the many Hobart cruises for lunch, the most ideal one for first timers in the city would be the short lunch cruise, leaving more time for visitors to explore the city. From the deck, you can easily admire the numerous waterfront attractions, such as Royal Botanical Gardens, Battery Point, Salamanca Place, Kangaroo Bluff, the famous Tasman Bridge and more.
With food served on board and commentary from the captain, it’s an easy, well-paced experience that combines sightseeing and dining with a nice break after a busy morning at the market.
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG)
Time – 2:30 p.m.
Recommended amount of time – 2-3 hrs + dinner
Just a short 5-minute walk from the cruise departure wharves is the TMAG, a great stop for learning about Tasmania’s history and art. A “combined museum, art gallery and herbarium”, it offers a traditional museum experience. Here, you’ll learn about Tasmanian life in the pre-historic age, the making of Tasmania as we now see it, and even Tassie art history.
When you’re done, you’ll find plenty of dining options nearby, so you can easily stop for dinner without going too far. There’s a range of cuisines to pick from – from Italian at Peppina and French-inspired at WunderBar & Restaurant to Middle-Eastern at Syra.
Royal Botanical Garden
Time – 3:15 p.m.
Recommended amount of time – 2-2.5 hrs + dinner
If you’re not one for the classic museum experience, or would rather spend time outdoors, the Royal Botanical Garden is a good Hobart alternative. It’s about 2 km from the waterfront, so you can get there by a short drive, taxi or by catching a Red Decker Hop-on Hop-off bus near the cruise terminal. It’s a peaceful place to pause in the middle of the bustling city. Here, you’ll see Tasmania’s incredible range of native flora in a single easy-to-walk site.
There are also plenty of dining options nearby, so you can still end your day with a good meal without needing to plan too much. From Malaysian at Sawak Cafe, Asian at Pot Sticker Dumpling House, classic Australian at Succulent and much more – it’s all up to you on how to end your day!
Day 2: Sunday
Mount Wellington/ Cascade Brewery + Battery Point + The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
Sunday involves a bit more travel, but it’s still easy to manage. Kick off your second day with kunanyi / Mount Wellington if the skies are clear, or switch to Cascade Gardens if you can’t access the summit during your visit.
kunanyi / Mount Wellington
Time – 9:15 a.m.
Time spent – 2.5–3 hrs
Start off the second day of exploring Hobart from the top of kunanyi/ Mount Wellington close to Hobart city centre. Towering at 1,271 metres, the views from the top are simply breathtaking: on clear days, you can see all across southern Tasmania, Bruny Island and the Southwest wilderness.
Do keep in mind that it can get quite cold and windy at the top, even in warmer months, so it’s worth bringing an extra layer.
If you don’t have a car, getting there is still easy. The Explorer Bus runs between the city and the summit, starting from Brook St Pier at 9:30 a.m. and continuing every 1.5 hours until 3:30 p.m. The full experience takes around 2.5 hours, including 30–40 minutes at the top.
If you’re someone who loves stretching your legs out, there are a number of scenic paths up to the summit, too. But for a short weekend visit, the bus is the easiest option.
Cascade Gardens
Time – 9:30 a.m.
Recommended amount of time – 2-3 hrs
If the weather doesn’t allow for a Mt Wellington visit, this is a great alternative to start your day.
Located just a short 10–15 minute drive from the city centre, Cascade Gardens in Hobart sits at the base of Mt Wellington and is known for its wide open lawns, flowing creek and tree-lined paths. The heritage buildings that dot the gardens also connect you to Hobart’s early history. It’s an ideal place to spend an hour or so — take a short walk along the water or find a spot for a relaxed breakfast picnic before heading out into the city.
This stop offers a balance of scenery and local character, making for a well-paced morning before continuing with the rest of your day.
Battery Point
Time – 12:30 p.m.
Recommended amount of time – 1.5-2.5 hrs + lunch
After your morning, head back into the city and spend some time exploring Battery Point in Hobart, taking a peaceful stroll that’s full of historic charm. Once home to sea captains and sailors, this a picturesque locality that would make for some excellent pics to take back home.
Climb up Kelly’s Steps, a historic stone staircase connecting Salamanca Place to Battery Point. Then, head over to Arthur’s Circus, an area lined with 19th-century cottages like something straight out of a fairytale.
For a seafood indulgence over lunch, you could check out Battery Point’s Pearl + CO or The Drunken Admiral. If you’d like a more casual ambience instead, Telegraph Hotel Restaurant is the place to go.
Battery Point is best explored at a slow pace, and you can comfortably spend 1–2 hours here without feeling bored.
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
Time – 3 p.m.
Recommended amount of time – 3-4 hrs + dinner
The MONA museum in Hobart is known for its eccentricity and quirkiness, adding a contemporary edge to your weekend in the Tassie capital. Its mix of exhibits range from fascinating to downright freaky – perfect if you like something unusual. From provocative pieces like Alfredo Jaar’s The Divine Comedy, to controversial ones such as The Great Wall of Vagina, MONA is certain to leave you mind-blown.
Getting there is simple. You can take a ferry from Brooke Street Pier (around 30 minutes), or drive there in about 20 minutes from Battery Point. The average Hobart guide would recommend setting aside at least 3-4 hours for MONA, as there’s quite a lot to see.
After your museum visit, you could head over to the onsite Moorilla Winery to pair your visit with some artisanal wine tasting or grab a bite from one of the many cafes within the museum complex before bidding goodbye to the city.
Final Thoughts
With just a short two days in Hobart, you may not see everything—but you’ll definitely get an idea of what Hobart is all about. From its historic streets and famous museums to 360° views of the city from above and relaxed on-water dining, this Hobart guide brings together some of the city’s most memorable experiences in a way that feels manageable. And once you’ve had this first glimpse, you’ll find yourself wanting to come back and explore even more.
