More about Hobart
Why go to Hobart?
With its mild climate and natural beauty, Hobart has great food, wine and a mountain to climb
Not a lot of options for public transport, especially after 6 pm or on the weekend
No need to venture far from the waterfront, except for a trip to MONA
Good to Know?
If going ashore independently and planning a trip out of Hobart to Mt Wellington, Cascades Female Factory (16 Degraves St), Cascades Brewery (131 Cascade Rd), Museum of Old + New Art (MONA, 655 Main Road), or Richmond, be sure to carefully check the return schedules as some transit routes have infrequent departures. However, if the service is sponsored by the local tourist centre, you should be okay.
Getting Around?
On foot: Walking is the best way to get around Hobart as many attractions are very close to the pier. Salamanca Square and the main downtown shopping precincts are no more than an easy 15-minute stroll. The compact city centre is laid out in a grid of one-way streets that circle Elizabeth St Mall.
By taxi: Taxis and Ubers are available at the pier for those that want to travel beyond the immediate city centre.
By bus: While there are some bus services, most are more useful to the local commuters than to visitors. Some specific routes that the tourist might use are included below (in the Don't Miss and Been There, Done That sections). The Red Decker Company provides double-decker bus tours around Hobart with a flexible hop-on and hop-off service.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
ATMs are positioned just a short walk away from to the cruise pier, tourist office and Salamanca Place and Square. The local currency is Australian dollars. Many places of business in Mooloolaba now have contactless payment technology.
Language?
English is spoken with varied Australian accents.
Where You're Docked?
Macquarie Wharf is well situated for visiting the city on foot, as it's located within 10 minutes' walk of Hobart's CBD. There are three berths; Pier 1 is the closest to the action, and Pier 3 is the most distant, but it's still walkable. The immediate area, which includes Constitution and Victoria docks, was in the heart of Hobart's shipping industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Volunteers meet and greet passengers from the ships, answer questions and recommend local attractions.
The Constitution Dock and Victoria Dock area has become somewhat of a creative hub with galleries, boutiques, bars, award-winning restaurants, cafes. Here, you will also find fishing boats, a yacht basin, and the Maritime Museum of Tasmania (16 Argyle St). Many of the harbourside stores here are housed in Hobart's oldest waterfront warehouses, in the former Henry Jones IXL Jam Factory, which is now The Henry Jones Art Hotel.
