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The southern-most capital city of Australia, Hobart is the second oldest city in Australia and was founded in 1804 as a penal colony. Hobart is full of historic sites, beautiful beaches, attractions and activities for families of all ages, and we simply ran out of time to see everything. As last port of call on our recent 12-day Tassie road trip, we had only 48 hours in this pretty city to cover the attractions and activities on our list.
In our opinion, Hobart is seriously underrated, there is so many family-friendly things to do in Hobart that we will be back for sure! Here’s what we got to visit in just 48 hours, plus a few more things to do in Hobart with kids for when we re-visit!
Mount Wellington
Mount Wellington, Kunanyi, or simply ‘The Mountain’ as the locals call it, is the summit of the Wellington range. Looming over Hobart at 1,269 metres, Mt Wellington offers stunning views over Hobart and surrounds, bush walking tracks, rock climbing, bike riding and more. We were incredibly lucky to get to the top right as it was snowing! The clouds started to clear just before we left to start our drive back down the mountain, wowing us with views for miles and miles.
MONA
Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is a must-see while in Hobart! Owned by businessman and art collector David Walsh, you will need at least a few hours to explore this quirky gallery. Even C, who is not a huge fan of art galleries, loved this place. The best way to get to MONA is to take the MONA ROMA ferry (also decorated in the gallery’s quirky style) from Brooke Street Pier to the museum. MONA is Australia’s biggest privately-owned museum, and is located mostly underground. The architecture and design is amazing, and headsets allow you to immerse yourself in the exhibits. There are a few exhibits not really suitable for kids, so just ask the friendly museum staff for the best family-friendly exhibits. Above ground, the estate boasts outdoor exhibits including a giant trampoline with bells underneath that ring while you jump, roaming peacocks plus plenty of space for a family picnic.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Located just outside of Hobart is Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Here the kids can see the famous Tasmanian Devils, wombats, koalas, quolls and feed the friendly resident kangaroos. Compact in size, this isn’t a zoo, but rather a centre for helping to get animals back out into the wild and through it’s conservation and breeding programs for Tasmanian’s unique wildlife. There are also interactive and hands-on experiences available for those wanting to get even closer to their favourite furry animals.
Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery
We had a little rain on our last day in Hobart, so a visit to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery was the perfect rainy afternoon activity. The museum has 800,000 objects from fossils and fine arts, and a range of exhibits designed to educate and inspire all ages. Here you will also get the chance to view The Thylacine exhibit, showcasing the history, persecution and extinction of the Tasmanian Tiger.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
On your way back from visiting Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, stop in to visit the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. A stop here is one of our favourite free things to do in Hobart with kids. Founded in 1818, the gardens cover 14 hectares, so there’s plenty of room for kids to stretch their legs or families to enjoy a picnic. Our visit coincided with the spring blooms including tulips, and we enjoyed the Conservatory with its stunning orchids and sandstone fountain.
If You Have More Time…More Things To Do In Hobart With Kids
Salamanca Market – held every Saturday in Salamanca Place, the Salamanca Market is one of Australia’s most vibrant street markets and one of the top Hobart attractions.
Cascade Brewery -located at the base of Mt Wellington, the Cascade Brewery is Australia’s oldest operating brewery and offers brewery tours for 16+, plus picturesque grounds and historic buildings.
Cascades Female Factory – discover the stories of Australia’s female convicts through a visit to the Cascades Female Factory.
Tasmanian Transport Museum – perfect for train fans of all ages, the Tasmanian Transport Museum showcases Tasmanian transport history through it’s rail, tram, fire and road exhibits.
Glenorchy Art & Sculpture Park – otherwise known as GASP, the Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park stretches along the water from Wilkinson’s Point to Montrose Bay and is a popular thing to do in Hobart with kids.
Sorell Fruit Farm – head out to Sorell Fruit Farm between November – May to pick your own sweet berries and other fresh fruit straight from the orchard.
Beaches – Tassie beaches are uncrowded, unspoiled, and a touch wild. Enjoy pristine stretches of sand at Kingston Beach or Sandy Bay Long Beach, or head over to the Tasman Peninsula beaches on a day trip.
Cruises – take to the water around Hobart with a cruise to explore sea cliffs and spot wildlife around Bruny Island and Tasman Island.
Click here to check out pricing and availability of Hobart accommodation on Booking.com
