Hobart: Where to stay and how to get there

A trip to Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania, promises an experience unlike any other found in Australia. Knowing where to stay in Hobart will set you up for a great trip, not to mention a good night sleep. From rustic hotels rich in history and character to modern luxury, or a flashpacker style hostels, Hobart offers something for everyone.

When visiting a city for the first time, knowing where to stay can be quite tricky and although Hobart is only small, it is nestled between the Derwent River and Mount Wellington, so choosing the wrong accommodation could see your daily outings include a walk up an epic hill that would give San Francisco a run for its money.

So, to help you have a memorable trip, we’ve narrowed down the options, focused on accommodation in Hobart that is walking distance to the waterfront, hand-picking some of the best hotels and hostels on offer. We have also focused on regions that are near regular pick-up and drop-off locations for tours around Tasmania.

We hope that our options give you an insight into what’s available and set you off for a great start to your visit to Tasmania.

Budget accommodation

Starting with budget in mind, in easy walking distance to Salamanca and nestled in the quaint suburb of Battery Point, is Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse. Immerse yourself in the heart of the historic village of Battery point staying in this 19th century mansion, which has been converted into a boutique hostel. Designed for those looking for a little extra comfort in the hostel world, Montacute will suit backpackers, flashpackers or families travelling on a budget. A modern take on the hostel world, based on the Japanese style capsule hotel is Airone. In the heart of Hobart CBD and a short walk from Hobart’s waterfront, Battery Point and Salamanca, this modern hostel will be an experience in itself, offering a hostel style setup with privacy of your own capsule for under $100 per night. For a budget hotel, you cannot go past Alabama Hotel. Owned and operated by Tassie locals, this hotel emphasises on creating an enjoyable, affordable and artistic space suitable for world travelers and interstate visitors. The Alabama brings the old and new together with artistic flare. Rooms are private and very comfortable with shared facilities. It is located in Hobart CBD with a bar and balcony to relax. Travel Lodge Hobart is great on price for a basic hotel room with great proximity to everything in Hobart. This is probably the best cheap, no frills hotel option in town.

Mid-range accommodation

Stepping it up a notch to one we love – Moss Hotel. It’s situated in the heart of Hobart, offers modern rooms with stylish décor, lush green hanging gardens and moss, whilst showcasing some of Hobart’s rustic character. Set in a convenient location for exploring the city, surrounded by art galleries and bars, cafés and restaurants, it’s perfect for the foodie in you and a great choice for travelers who want comfort without breaking the bank. For a large 4-star hotel at a fair price, you can’t go past the Grand Chancellor. This great allrounder offers rooms overlooking Hobart’s waterfront or Mount Wellington, allowing you to relax in comfort with a view. The hotel has a café and restaurant and is meters away from many other restaurants situated right on the waterfront. We can definitely recommend walking over the road to Muers Restaurant for great seafood! Next up is the Henry Jones Art Hotel – a charming hotel, situated in the converted 19th-century IXL jam factory. This boutique hotel combines historic charm with modern luxury. Its art-filled interiors and prime location on the waterfront make it a unique choice for those seeking a more personalised experience from $250 a night.

Luxury accommodation

If you are looking for luxury to relax, pre-and post-tour, we recommend MACq01 Hotel. This is a great hotel, showcasing Tasmania’s convict history, local produce, fine dining restaurant experiences, cocktail bar and more. A couple of nights here will be an experience in itself, with rooms overlooking the water with a view across Sullivans Cove to Salamanca and up to Mount Wellington. You will love the character and attention to detail and we bet you won’t want to leave, so maybe add an extra night here if it’s in your budget! Finally, the recently developed 150 room hotel, The Tasman, offers 5-star accommodation, is very centrally located near the Hobart waterfront, Salamanca and restaurants and is home to our favourite Italian restaurant – Peppina. Hot tip: be sure to book dinner well in advance and order the meatballs as one of your share plates!

So there you have it, a short list of Hobart accommodation options which we give the tick of approval. Hobart is a captivating destination with a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes. We recommend staying around the waterfront if you want to avoid the hilly south/west Hobart and to ensure nearby pick-up access for your day tours and multi-day tours. To see some of Tasmania’s biggest natural icons and unique wildlife why not book a tour with Wild Tasmania Tours?

Hot tip: during the summer season we recommend booking in advance as accommodation and tours sell out!

Flights to Hobart

Looking for flights to Tasmania? Hobart International Airport (HBA) is the primary gateway to Hobart. It’s located about 17 kilometers from the city center, and the airport is well-connected to major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. You can fly with Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin Airlines. To navigate the best flight options in Australia, we recommend KAYAK flight search engine. Simply enter your destination and rough travel dates for an instant list of flight options and cheapest dates. Pro-tip: set up flight deal alerts for your regular travel routes to get the best deal.

 

Happy travels, and enjoy your adventure in this beautiful corner of Tasmania!