This classic Tasmanian road trip itinerary between Hobart and Launceston will have you paddling in clear blue waters, exploring historic ruins, and making the most of small, lively towns. Here are the top road trip stops between Hobart and Launceston.
Tasmania
What to see and do in Hobart to get the best holiday experience
Whether you're planning a long weekend or an extended holiday, this ultimate guide to Hobart will help you make the most of your visit to Australia's southernmost capital.
Tasmania's capital city may be small by mainland standards, but Hobart delivers an extraordinary blend of history, wilderness, culture and culinary excellence that rivals any major Australian destination.
With its deep-water harbour, elegant heritage buildings, thriving arts scene and easy access to world-class natural attractions, Hobart has become one of the most sought-after getaway destinations for travellers craving both relaxation and adventure.
Don't-miss activities include the captivating and unconventional Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), while the city's biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival is one of Australia's best boat shows.
For Victorians, Hobart’s appeal is heightened by its affordability and convenience, with easy flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport making it an ideal option for a spontaneous mid-week break or weekend escape.
More: Best free things to do and places to see for free in Hobart
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Best things to do in Hobart
Constitution Dock: Hobart's waterfront
The waterfront is the natural starting point for any Hobart itinerary. Constitution Dock buzzes with activity year-round and becomes the focus of national attention each summer when the Sydney to Hobart fleet arrives. Fishing boats unload the day's catch, locals queue for fresh seafood and visitors wander between galleries, distilleries and restaurants.
Don't miss the Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, positioned just 200m from where Douglas Mawson's famous Antarctic expedition departed in 1911. Open all week from 10am-5pm, you can see first-hand what life was like inside the huts Mawson's team lived in at Cape Denison, the main base for the 1911-14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE).
Salamanca Place: the city's cultural heart
Just a short walk from the waterfront, Salamanca Place is one of Hobart's most beloved precincts. The 19th-century sandstone warehouses now house cafés, designer boutiques, craft galleries and some of the city's best small bars.
Every Saturday, Salamanca Market hosts more than 300 stalls where you can chat to local makers, sample gourmet treats and pick up handmade gifts. Its vibrant atmosphere makes it one of the most popular markets in Australia and a must-visit for anyone staying in Hobart.
Battery Point: Hobart's historic neighbourhood
Behind Salamanca lies Battery Point, a beautifully preserved suburb where narrow streets wind past elegant cottages, Georgian townhouses and colourful gardens. This area offers one of the most enjoyable walking experiences in Hobart thanks to its charming lanes and spectacular water views.
Arthur Circus, with its ring of tiny historic houses, is the heart of Battery Point, while Hampden Road features bakeries, cafés and small shops that are perfect for a relaxed morning. A stroll through this part of Hobart feels like stepping back in time while still being immersed in contemporary Tasmanian culture.
Salamanca Market is a hotspot for bustling trade and unique gifts. Image: Tourism Australia
MONA: Hobart's thriving arts scene
Hobart's cultural identity changed forever with the opening of MONA: the Museum of Old and New Art. Perched on the banks of the Derwent and accessible via a scenic ferry ride, MONA is known for its boundary-pushing exhibitions, subterranean galleries and immersive installations that challenge traditional museum experiences.
Whether you adore avant-garde art or simply enjoy bold, memorable attractions, MONA is unmissable. Visitors often spend several hours exploring the galleries before enjoying a drink at the onsite wine bar or exploring the surrounding Moorilla estate and brewery.
It's highly recommended to book your museum entry, ferry tickets and onsite dining several weeks in advance, especially during peak seasons or weekends.
Hobart's arts scene extends far beyond MONA, with smaller galleries, live music venues and festivals throughout the year.
RACV Members save on Hobart city tours, with MONA entry and ferry included.
Hobart's convict history and heritage sites
Hobart's colonial past is visible throughout the city, and several heritage attractions provide fascinating opportunities to learn about Tasmania's convict era.
The Cascades Female Factory, a UNESCO World Heritage–listed site, offers immersive tours that highlight the lives of the women and children transported during the 19th century and forced to labour.
Nearby, Hobart Convict Penitentiary features preserved solitary cells, historic courtrooms and interactive exhibits that bring the penal era to life.
The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is another essential stop. Located near the waterfront, it explores Tasmania's natural history, Indigenous culture, maritime heritage and geology. Its exhibitions offer a compelling introduction to the stories and forces that have shaped the island.
Even catching the ferry over to MONA can be an artistic experience. Image: Jesse Huniford
Mount Wellington
Rising 1,271m above the city, Mount Wellington provides one of Tasmania's most memorable natural experiences. It is officially known as kunanyi/ Mount Wellington, with kunanyi meaning "mountain" in Palawa kani, the language of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. On clear days, the summit lookout offers panoramic views over Hobart, the Derwent River, Bruny Island and the rugged southern landscape.
Visitors can reach Mount Wellington by hire car or a hop-on hop-off bus.
The mountain features an extensive network of walking trails through alpine terrain, rainforest gullies and rocky escarpments. Head on the Silver Falls Loop (2km) or O'Gradys Falls Loop (3.5km) from Fern Tree Park; or the Sphinx Rock (2.8km) or Organ Pipes (7.4km) walks from The Springs Car Park.
The dual naming of the mountain as kunanyi / Mount Wellington is an official and legally recognised name.
Weather conditions can change quickly at the summit, so dress warmly and stay informed before heading up. Be aware that access may be restricted on extreme fire days or if the road is affected by snow and ice. You'll find daily weather reports on the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Mount Wellington offers superb views just a short drive from Hobart. Image: Samuel Shelley
The best day trips from Hobart
Port Arthur
Hobart is the perfect base for exploring some of Tasmania's most iconic attractions. Port Arthur Historic Site, just over an hour away, is Australia's most significant convict settlement. Set against dramatic coastline, it offers guided tours, historic buildings, gardens and moving insights into Tasmania's early European history.
Many visitors choose to combine Port Arthur with a scenic Tasman Peninsula road trip to see sea cliffs, natural rock formations and local wildlife.
RACV Members save on Port Arthur day trips.
Bruny Island
Bruny Island is another favourite day trip destination from Hobart. After a short ferry ride, visitors can explore its rugged coastline, tranquil beaches, walking trails and acclaimed local producers. Cheese, oysters, bread, berries and handmade chocolates are among the island's most celebrated produce. Wilderness boat tours are also popular for spotting seals, sea birds and dolphins.
RACV Members save on Bruny Island cruises.
Mount Field National Park
For nature lovers, Mount Field National Park is home to stunning waterfalls, including Russell Falls: one of Tasmania's most photographed natural wonders. The park offers walking trails suitable for all fitness levels, as well as beautiful rainforest scenery rich in ferns and moss.
Mount Field National Park is a little over an hour's drive from Hobart. Image: Elise Weaver
Where to eat and drink in Hobart: top restaurants, cafés and bars
Tasmania's pristine environment and dedicated producers make Hobart one of Australia's most rewarding food destinations. Local menus showcase everything from fresh oysters and wild seafood to cheeses, wine, ciders, honey and cool-climate vegetables.
Best cafés in Hobart
Hobart's café culture is equally impressive, offering superb coffee, pastries, brunch dishes and baked goods. Try:
- Hamlet Café - along the Hobart Rivulet Walk
- Sunbear - in the heart of Hobart's CBD
- Leoht - in Battery Point
- Jam Packed Cafe - on Hobart's waterfront.
Best pubs and restaurants in Hobart
The waterfront is home to excellent seafood restaurants where you can enjoy dishes made with scallops, salmon, abalone and southern rock lobster. Salamanca and the CBD feature some of the city's most acclaimed restaurants and wine bars, many of which prioritise seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. Head to:
- Mures Lower Deck - family-friendly seafood bistro that catches and cooks their own fish
- Waterman's Hotel - Italian-influenced pub in Hobart's Battery Point neighbourhood
- Spotty Dog Brewery and Taphouse - craft beer, fried chicken and burgers
- Landscape Restaurant & Grill - premium steaks and seafood in a dark, moody restaurant
- Fern Tree Tavern - hearty meals plus beers, wines and spirits on the side of Mount Wellington
- Tesoro - modern Italian food, with ingredients sourced from local growers, makers and farmers.
Best fine dining in Hobart
True foodies seeking fine dining experiences will want to check out:
- Faro - experimental, artful dining suspended over the river at MONA
- Fico - a seasonal, nine-course set menu that changes weekly
- Aloft - fabulous harbour views on a floating pontoon, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options
- Dier Makr - offers a set menu Thursday to Saturday, with organic produce from Tasmanian farms and producers
- Old Wharf Restaurant - refined menu that reimagines classic dishes, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Best bars in Hobart
The city also has a thriving craft beverage scene. Take Lark Distillery: owners Bill and Lyn Lark opened the single-malt whisky distillery in 1992 after campaigning the government to overturn a law from the 1800s. Now they're award-winning and world-famous. For some great brews, make for:
- The Still - Lark Distillery's Argygle Street hub, with their cocktail bar Gin(bar) upstairs
- The Hanging Garden - an open-air hub in the CBD, with a small forest of hanging plants, cocktails and some Mexican and pan-Asian bites
- Preachers - craft brews in a backstreet cottage plus a converted bus in the beer garden
- Evolve Spirits Bar - aged spirits and 500-million-year-old fossils within the MACq 01 Hotel
- Salamanca Whisky Bar - leather, brass and timber details, all lit by candlelight.
Into fine spirits? RACV Members save on distillery tours departing from Hobart.
Lark Distillery crafts some of Australia's best whisky.
Where to stay in Hobart
The RACV Hobart Hotel is a great base for exploring Tasmania's capital city. Its spacious rooms are located near Salamanca Place, which is full of shops, restaurants and weekend markets.
Along with a fully-equipped gym, the RACV Hobart Hotel features two restaurants for easy on-site dining. Charcoal, open for breakfast and dinner, showcases seasonal produce, quality seafood and local wines. Cascade on Collins, located in the historical Cascade building, provides drinks and share plates until late at night.
RACV Members save on stays at the RACV Hobart Hotel.
When is the best time to visit Hobart?
Hobart is a fantastic year-round destination, but each season offers different highlights.
- Summer - the most popular time to visit, thanks to sunny days, long daylight hours and major events such as the Sydney to Hobart arrivals, Taste of Summer and MONA FOMA.
- Autumn - brings cool, crisp weather and vivid foliage, making it an ideal time for hiking and exploring the city's gardens.
- Winter - atmospheric and cosy, with snow on the mountain and featuring the acclaimed winter festival Dark Mofo, which draws visitors from around the world.
- Spring - offers mild temperatures, blooming gardens and refreshed walking trails, making it a beautiful season for outdoor exploration.
The RACV Hobart Hotel is centrally located in Hobart.
How many days do you need in Hobart?
Most visitors find that three to five days is the ideal amount of time to explore Hobart and its nearby attractions.
This allows enough time to visit MONA, wander Salamanca and Battery Point, explore kunanyi/Mount Wellington and enjoy at least one or two day trips such as Port Arthur or Bruny Island.
Travellers with more time can easily expand their itinerary to include the Huon Valley, Mount Field or the Tasman Peninsula.
Getting around Hobart: transport tips for visitors
Hobart is compact and largely walkable - particularly around the CBD, waterfront and Salamanca.
Buses provide convenient access to suburbs and nearby attractions, while ferries operate between the city centre and MONA. The hop-on hop-off bus transfers visitors between 20 essential Hobart stops and sights, with informative commentary en route.
Car hire offers flexibility for day trips, but parking in the CBD can be limited during busy periods.
