Hobart is Australia’s southernmost capital, located at Sullivans Cove and framed by kunanyi/Mount Wellington to the west and the River Derwent. Founded in 1804, Hobart was named after Robert Hobart and grew from its origins as a deep-water seaport with industries like whaling and manufacturing into a vibrant cultural hub. The Indigenous name for the area is nipaluna, home to the muwinina and palawa peoples. You can explore this heritage through guided “Walking Hobart” tours led by Indigenous storytellers.

We drove into Hobart from the south after staying on Bruny Island, choosing to drive up Mount Wellington (kunanyi) along the way. The road up the mountain was spectacular, offering sweeping views of Hobart and the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, by the time we reached the summit, the view was only potential at best, as the fog had rolled in on us.

Our last weekend in Tasmania was spent in Hobart—partly to do laundry before departing for New Zealand and partly to check out what promised to be a lively, vibrant city. We stayed at the Travelodge Hobart, conveniently located with good washing facilities in the basement. Our room looked a bit like a backyard in New York, with washing lines crisscrossing outside the window.

We timed our visit so that we could experience both Street Eats @Franklin and the famous Salamanca Market—both worth a stop in Hobart on their own.

Hobart had a cool vibe, with plenty of cozy coffee bars, shops, and excellent restaurants. The city centre is compact, and everything is within walking distance. Elizabeth Street is probably the closest thing Hobart has to a hipster strip—we walked it all the way up to North Hobart and loved the mix of bars and shops along the way. We noticed that many coffeehouses did close on Sundays, a bit disappointing but we guess that is how it is in Hobart on Sundays. Next Door Coffee became a favourite while we were in Hobart.

The harbour at Franklin Wharf was great, with floating take-away restaurants and fishmongers. While there, we chatted with a local woman waiting for her doctor’s appointment at the Bernacchi Tribute Sculptures, a monument to Antarctic explorers.

At the other end of the harbour is Salamanca Square, with a lovely selection of artisan shops housed in old stone warehouses.

Overall, Hobart is a laid-back city with spectacular surroundings. A weekend is more than enough time to explore it. If you can plan your visit for when the Salamanca Market and Street Eats are on, you’ll find plenty to see, eat, and drink.