Hobart – Old and New
I had heard plenty about historical Hobart Town. Many of the old stories were grim – convict escapees that had turned to cannabilism, brutality and genocide against Indigenous Tasmanians, bushrangers at odds with authority in a remote outpost of the British Empire. I knew that the city has done much to cast off its mantle of historical shame so I was curious as to what modern Hobart had in store for my family on our fist vacation with our new baby.
We chose to visit Hobart for a few reasons; it is close to Melbourne – a one hour flight away, because it remained the last Australian capital city yet to visit and because it is affordable – we stayed in a three bedroom townhouse for the cost of a hotel rooms in most other Australian cities.
What we discovered turned my pre-conceptions on its head. Hobart is a modern low-rise city, with similarities to both Sydney and San Fransisco. Think steep streets, Georgian architecture, and magnificent harbour views. We stayed for a week in Hobart and were overwhelmed by all there was to enjoy with our young brood.
Hobart Wharf
We wandered around this working wharf, peering into fishing boats laden with craypots. While we were in Hobart a humpback whale visited the wharf – so sorry we missed seeing that. Fresh seafood can be purchased off floating fish and chipperies and there is are other more substantive family sea food dining options.
Craypots in Hobart
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Located near the wharf is the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Entry is via a gold coin donation. What we loved about this museum were the kids explorers kits that are loaned to young visitors. A tool belt containing things like tape measures, magnifying glasses, and pencils that encourage kids to engage with the exhibits. This had two benefits – the first being that our kids interacted more with each exhibit, the second being they were independent freeing us to read and engage more ourselves. Hobart is just under 5000 km from Antarctica (we saw ice-breaking vessels at the wharf) and the museum has a fantastic Antarctic exhibit.
Hobart Museum. Bub 2 measuring up the Antarctic exhibit with his explorer kit.
The Cadbury Factory Visitor Centre
Open since 1922 is the Cadbury Factory at Claremont. The Visitor Centre is open to visitors for a small cost and provides a pragmatic educational intro to the workings of a giant chocolate factory (Willy Wonka’s factory it is not). As a bonus visitors can purchase Cadbury chocolates at a significantly reduced cost. Read more about our visit to the Cadbury Factory Visitor Factory here.
Hobart’s Cadbury Visitor Centre
Farmgate Market
Every Sunday from 9am-1pm on the corners of Elizabeth and and Melville Streets is Hobart’s Farmgate Market. Fresh, local fruit and vegies, pastries and artisan products such as honeyed walnuts and Thai paste are all sold at this market. Yummeroo.
Farmgate Market Hobart
Mount Wellington
Mount Wellington looms over Hobart as an ever-present reminder that Hobart is on the edge of wilderness. The drive to the top (which should be done on a clear day) is tortuous, and frankly a bit intimidating. Well worth the trip though are the spectacular views. Expect cold temperatures (and possibly snow all year round) and dress the family appropriately.
The Derwent River from Mount Wellington
Hobart Botanic Gardens
Don’t believe any other websites that tell you there is a carousel in the Hobart Botanic Gardens – there isn’t. What there is though are beautiful gardens for kids to explore and some really special plants such as a subantarctic display (the only place outside the subantarctic where you can see these plants) and Huon pine.
Hobart Botanic Gardens
Museum of Old and New Art (Mona)
Words can’t describe MONA – many have tried and as an art pleb I am sure I would fall short. Housed in a building befitting of a Bond nemesis’ lair is a truly astonishing assortment of artwork. MONA is very much an adults museum. We chose to have our older two kids babysat to allow us to enjoy the museum in peace – but took our newborn baby. There were children visiting with their parents however leaving our boys at home was definitely the right decision. I am sure keeping them off the exhibits would have been impossible, and I know they would have ruined the crazy, surreal ambience of the place for other visitors. I did keep an eye out as to whether there were pieces that were inappropriate for kids – and saw a few. The majority of the pieces are just plain unusual (a library filled with empty books, a pooping machine being just two). We navigated the museum easily with our stroller.
MONA
Salamanca Place
Salamanca Place was established near the wharf for storage in the 1830s. It is now Hobart’s tourist hub and home to the Saturday Salamanca Markets. A few hours can be spent here wandering the alleyways and browsing the shops. Expect to be tempted by boutique children’s clothes and toys as well as foodie nooks crammed with local products.
Salamanca Place
Day trips
There are some worthwhile day trips that are easy to navigate from Hobart. Have a look at our experiences of Port Arthur Convict Settlement and the Tahune Boardwalk. Gorgeous historical Richmond is a twenty minute drive away and with a couple of kid friendly winners, namely Zoo Doo Wildlife Park and the Richmond Maze.
Historic Richmond
Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar all fly to Hobart. You can catch the ferry, Spirit of Tasmania from Melbourne with your vehicle but expect a 3-4 hour drive then to Hobart.
We stayed at the San Carlo Townhouse in north Hobart – family accommodation with kids toys, books and DVDs.
Ages of kids at time of trip: 5, 3 and 12 weeks.
Bubs on the Move provides tips and advice for parents traveling with small children including attraction and accommodation reviews. You can join us on Facebook or Twitter to receive updates to your news feed.
You may also be interested in Eden Farmstay Huon Valley Tasmania.
This post is linked to Friday Postcards at Walking on Travel.
When I cooed at the view from my sister’s place she said you have to pay extra to *not* get a view in Hobart. It’s definitely a gorgeous city.
This looks like a great city for a family vacation. That tool belt at the museum is a fantastic idea. I wish other places would offer it. The Cadbury factory would definitely be a place for us to stop. I wonder if my kids would be old enough for the MONA. They would really like to see a pooping machine.
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