Where to stay in Hobart

This is one of my beloved destination in Australia.

Believe you me, you are not alone if you are asking yourself where to stay in Hobart.

It’s a small city however it’s very spread through the coast, the river and now inland too.

I am based in Melbourne I have visited Hobart so many times.

Why?

Because Hobart is one of the oldest cities in Australia, full of character and with my favourite market in Australia, the Salamanca market.

From Hobart, you can also visit some amazing destinations. In fact, the city is a great base to explore most of Tasmania, a state with unique natural beauty.

You can read also

• How to get from Melbourne to Tasmania: ferries and flights
• The Ultimate Guide to the Great Ocean Road drive
• Where to stay in Melbourne
• Hidden corners and unique things to do in Melbourne

Once in Tasmania, I suggest reading the local newspaper Mercury for the latest events and news.

Where to stay in Hobart for families, couples and singles – Key points

• Best place to stay in Hobart close to everything: the CBD (Central Business District) of the city is the best spot to be. You will have access to all of the attractions which is awesome, especially if you are on a short trip. There are many accommodation options as the amazing Hotel Grand Chancellor or the lovely 105 Mac Airbnb. You can read more below about staying in the Centre of Hobart.
• Best place to stay in Hobart for couples: the most romantic part of Hobart is undoubtedly Battery Point, just above Salamanca Place and overlooking the city bay. The whole area is so charming. There are only a few available accommodations there and you should book them well in advance. My suggested options are the Shipwrights Arms (hotel) or the Boutique Apartment. Read more below about Battery Point with its amazing boutique cafes and restaurants
• Where to stay in Hobart with family: there are two options. The first possibility is to stay in the city centre, close to everything and in this case I would suggest the 105 Mac Airbnb. The other possibility is to stay in South Hobart, much quieter and between beautiful parks, perfect if you are planning a longer stay. Annies Garden Cottage and Old Bishop’s Quarter are both great holiday homes. Read more below about a stay with kids.
• Best area to stay in Hobart for nightlife: Tasmania is not really the places to be for nightlife. In saying that Elizabeth Street in North Hobart is a great spot for the young crowd, with bars and pubs. In this area, you can find the Lodge on Elizabeth, the perfect spot for a boutique stay, close to the action. Read more below about the nightlife in Hobart.
• What is best if travelling on a budget: the centre of Hobarts tends to have most of the budget accommodations of which Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse is probably the best around. Read more below about a stay on a budget
• Best places to stay near Hobart: I suggest basing yourself 10-12km north of the city. This is where you will find a few great value Motor Inns and Motels like the Riverfront Motel, perfect for families with a small poll and even a playground. Read more below about staying close to the city
• Most exclusive stay in Hobart: without any doubt, this has to be the MONA Pavilions inside the MONA museum, with a unique interior design and a private gallery in the accommodation itself.
• Best AirBnb stays in Hobart:
  • Most beautiful view and location: Somerset on the Pier Hobart
  • Historic stay: 105 Mac Airbnb
  • Boutique stay: Boutique Apartment
  • Impressive stay (big and unique): Old Bishop’s Quarter
• Suggested activities while in Hobart:
  • Bruny Island Tour including Food and Lighthouse visit
  • Tasmania’s Wildlife Tour. It will take you to the Mt. Field National Park, the Mt Wellington peak (amazing view of Hobart) and you will have the possibility to meet the (in)famous Tasmanian Devil at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Tour to Wineglass Bay and the Freycinet National Park. This is one of the most beautiful parts of Australia, unmissable.
  • Trip to the historic Port Arthur site. You can either do it with your car or with a Shuttle service from Hobart
  • The easiest of the activities in Hobart: the 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus

Best areas to stay in Hobart

Hobart is a small city, however, it’s surprisingly quite spread, with a small centre (CBD – Central Business District) and neighbourhoods all around.

This is a list of the best areas to stay in Hobart

• Hobart CBD/Centre: it’s a very convenient area to stay in Hobart, close to everything and well connected to the airport with a bus. It’s walking distance to most of the attractions, the small harbour and the Salamanca market, the place to be on a Saturday morning. From here, you can also embark to the MONA Museum, the highlight of Tasmania.
• Battery Point: probably the most characteristic area to be based in Hobart. I love all the old houses and the small local shops. It’s more of a residential area. In some parts of it you may think you are suddenly in the UK or even London itself. It reminds me a bit of Notting Hill. It is walking distance to the CBD (based on the accommodation location)
• North of Hobart CBD: north of the city centre you find two areas called North Hobart and Glebe. The first one is a great area for restaurants, cafes and nightlife that I would suggest to the young crowd. Visit it even for a night out. Glebe is instead a very leafy area next to the Royal Botanical Gardens and Government House. Much quieter. Both neighbourhoods are 1-3km to the main pier
• South Hobart: it’s a very charming neighborood, one of the quietest in Hobart, with nice houses, mansions and a few quaint cottages. Walking to the Salamanca market will take you 15 to 20 minutes. There are plenty of parks and playgrounds and in this respect, it’s one of the best areas to stay in Hobart with family. Close enough to the attractions but still with some green areas to play with the kids
• West Hobart: located between North and South Hobart, this area has a bit of both with easy access to the hustle and bustle of North Hobart. It’s also 20 to 30 minutes walking distance from the city centre. It’s a good area for a long stay not too far from all you need from the city.

Best place to stay in Hobart close to everything

The CBD, Central Business District, of Hobart is the city centre, facing the beautiful pier area and terminating at the Salamanca market.

This is the best place to stay in Hobart for a short stay, like a weekend. You will be close to everything, next door to all of the attractions, meters from the popular Salamanca Market.

It’s very popular with families as it is easier to go around and visit the city with short walks.

The terminal of the ferry to the amazing MONA museum is also here. Really all you need next door.

The Blue Eye Restaurant is one of my favourite in the city, with great genuine Greek food.

For an after-dinner drink head to the Grape Wine Bar, the best place for Tasmanian wine tasting and drinking.

The Machine Laundry Cafe is a great spot if you are after some caffeine.

The best is that they are all close to each other. All reachable with an easy walk.

The Hotel Grand Chancellor is in one of the best positions in Hobart, facing the pier, with an amazing view over the water and the old part of the city (see photos here).

The rooms are spacious and the breakfast to die for. You are also steps away from everything. The perfect location.

Check availability at the Chancellor

If you prefer an Airbnb style of accommodation I suggest the 105 Mac Holiday Home. The interior design of this apartment in one of the oldest buildings of Hobart is absolutely magnificent (see photos here)

It can host up to 4 people in 2 bedrooms. The location is just perfect, steps away from everything

Check availability at 105 Mac

Romantic place to stay in Hobart for couples

The most romantic place to stay in Hobart is, in my opinion, Battery Point. 

So many characteristic old Victorian houses, hidden corners, tiny squares. It reminds me of Notting Hill in London

Battery Point is above the Salamanca market, easily reachable through a short walk up the Kelly stairs and Kelly Street.

A must visit is Arthur Circus Park, a quaint and historical small round square.

For coffee or a break go to Jackman & McRoss, the pastries are really to die for. They sell also fantastic bread. The 7am opening hour is great for the early birds like me 🙂

Da Angelo makes nice gourmet pizzas, the Australian way, with plenty of toppings. It’s a good value informal restaurant very popular with families.

If you after a romantic night out then you may walk down to Salamanca Place or book a table at the Tiny Place.

The Shipwrights Arms is right in the heart of Battery Point. It has an old charm architecture but still with a renovated interior (see photos here).

The rooms are on the back of the characteristic pub, away from any noise. Did I forget to say that it is a great value for money?

Check price at Shipwrights

For an AirBnb stay you should check out this Boutique Apartment. Located steps from my beloved Arthur Circus Park.

Amazingly renovated with a lovely interior (see photos here). 

Check availability for a boutique stay

Just a quick note about the possibility of staying in Battery Point with kids.

It works well if your kids are grown up, however, it’s not the best for small kids or with a pram. The way down to Salamanca can be steep. 

Where to stay in Hobart with family

The best places to stay in Hobart with family are, in my opinion, either in the city centre (CBD) or South Hobart.

The CBD offers proximity to all you need, from the activities to the pier, the Salamanca market, restaurants and cafes. It’s perfect for a short stay.

However, if you stay for a few days or you just want to have a quiet area with parks to play with the kids then South Hobart is the place to be.

You will feel more part of the local community.

The shops and restaurants are more on the boutique side, with the owners that will probably remember you on the second visit.

The drawback is that you will need to walk around 20 to arrive at the pier area and the CBD.

If you are travelling by car you will have a higher chance to find parking in South Hobart than in the city centre.

The Annies Garden Cottage is the perfect place to stay for families with kids in South Hobart. 

It’s a 3-bedroom holiday home with an old charm world architecture and interior (see photos here)

Moreover, the hosts Annie and Jon are absolute gems, full of ideas and tips. They also leave a complimentary breakfast for you 🙂

Check availability at Annies

Another great option, much closer to the city, is the Old Bishop’s Quarter. Totally refurbished with an amazing interior design (see photos here) with even underfloor heating which is a great plus on those cold Tasmanian days.

This place is one of the best value for money in Hobart hosting up to 6 people.

Check price at Old Bishop’s Quarter

Where to stay in Hobart for the nightlife

If you are looking for some nightlife then North Hobart is the perfect place to stay, or at least visit.

You can also find some nightlife along  Salamanca Place with a couple of wine bars and pubs that are open till 4am at the weekend. The clientele is more on the mature side.

The CBD is instead dead quiet.

Elizabeth Street in North Hobart is very popular with the young crowd.

The Republic Bar is a must-visit with live music almost every night and a great vibe till late (1am in the weekend).

The Winston is another popular pub, also on Elizabeth street, very famous for its burgers and the wide selection of its own craft beer.

And the last suggestion is the Room For A Pony, with a good range of breakfast and brunches (dinner at the weekend).

The Lodge on Elizabeth is a great Boutique Hotel close to the nightlife scene and the restaurants, however still very quiet to have a great night sleep.

The rooms are lovely and spacious (see photos here). The breakfast is to die for. 

Check price at the Lodge

Best place to stay in Hobart on a budget

There are a few hostels in Hobart where you can save some money without giving up on quality. 

They are mostly located in the CBD or closeby. 

They have small dorms and doubles with shared bathrooms (and a few ensuites)

The Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse is my favourite. It an amazing value accommodation in Battery Point, one of my favourite part of Hobart, minutes away from everything.

It’s a super clean, very comfortable and well-equipped hostel (see photos here).

Best of all, it’s also quiet but still a great place to meet other travellers.

Check price at Montacute

Best places to stay near Hobart

The best place to stay near Hobart is far north, 10 to 12 km from the city centre.

Why?

Because this is where you will find some of the best value Motor Inns and Motels in the city. If you drive a car, it’s such an easy and inexpensive place to sleep.

Moreover, in Berriedale, you will find also the MONA Museum

The Riverfront Motel is absolutely a bargain with well-appointed rooms and a fantastic view (see photos here)

You will have also a pool (although not the biggest I have ever seen) and a playground for children

The MONA is within walking distance, which is great.

Check deal at Riverfront Motel

Inside the museum, you will also find the most exclusive accommodation in Tasmania, the MONA Pavilions

All the Pavillions face the Derwent River and have an interior design inspired by the MONA collection (see photos here).

Basically, you will stay in a small private gallery.

Check availability at the Pavilions