Hobart sits on the estuary of the River Derwent, under the 1,271-metre bulk of kunanyi / Mount Wellington, and the spot you pick to sleep shapes the whole trip. This page covers where to stay in Hobart: the settings worth looking for, the apartment styles people book, and the caravan and holiday parks around the city.
For the wider picture, start with our Hobart accommodation page. Please check current prices and availability with each operator before you book.
Choosing a setting for your stay
Hobart is the southernmost capital city in Australia and is built around a deep natural harbour. That gives you a few clear choices. Stay in the city itself and you have cafes, restaurants, shopping, museums and galleries close by. Choose somewhere overlooking the harbour, the Derwent River or the nearby ocean waters and you trade a little convenience for the view.
Well-known drawcards include the convict-era architecture, Salamanca Market and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), the Southern Hemisphere's largest private museum. Being close to those is the main reason many travellers pick a central base.
Apartment styles in Hobart
Apartments suit families, groups and longer stays, and they come in plenty of shapes. Options range from studios to one, two, three and four bedroom waterfront suites, plus winery estate boutique apartments and resort-style places with onsite facilities. Some are simple, with an ensuite, TV, tea and coffee facilities and a king bed. Others are upmarket, with a private balcony with views, a full self-contained kitchen and multiple ensuited bedrooms.
Facilities vary from one property to the next. Some offer a pool, spa, sauna, gym, restaurant, cocktail bar, games room, day spa, tour desk or secure parking. Our Hobart apartments page is the place to browse, and our Hobart hotels and Hobart backpackers pages cover the other ends of the market.
Many operators also offer packages, such as bed and breakfast deals or bundles with meals, transfers and tours, as well as school holiday and low season rates. Ask when you enquire.
Caravan and holiday parks around Hobart
If you are travelling with a van or want a cabin with more room, six parks are listed on this site. All offer powered sites and cabins.
Clarence City Council area
Four of the six sit in the Clarence area, on the eastern shore of the Derwent. BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park and Barilla Holiday Park are both in Cambridge. Discovery Parks - Hobart is at Risdon Vale, and Discovery Parks - Mornington Hobart is at Mornington.
The eastern shore connects to the city across the Derwent, so allow for the crossing when planning your day.
Kingborough and the Huon Valley
Snug Beach Cabin & Caravan Tourist Park is at Snug in the Kingborough Council area. Huon Valley Caravan Park Tasmania is at Huonville in the Huon Valley Council area, which is 46 km and about 44 minutes by road from Hobart.
| Park | Location | Council area |
|---|---|---|
| BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park | Cambridge | Clarence |
| Barilla Holiday Park | Cambridge | Clarence |
| Discovery Parks - Hobart | Risdon Vale | Clarence |
| Discovery Parks - Mornington Hobart | Mornington | Clarence |
| Snug Beach Cabin & Caravan Tourist Park | Snug | Kingborough |
| Huon Valley Caravan Park Tasmania | Huonville | Huon Valley |
Staying further out: drive distances
Some travellers base themselves outside the city and day trip in. These are the road distances from the Hobart area.
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Hobart to Huon Valley | 46 km | about 44 minutes |
| Bruny Island to Hobart | 76 km | about 102 minutes |
| Hobart to Tasman Peninsula | 91 km | about 78 minutes |
| Hobart to Port Arthur | 95 km | about 82 minutes |
| East Coast Tasmania to Hobart | 188 km | about 156 minutes |
| Freycinet Peninsula to Hobart | 197 km | about 169 minutes |
| Hobart to Launceston | 201 km | about 151 minutes |
| Hobart to Strahan | 290 km | about 235 minutes |
We reckon the Huon Valley is the only one of these that works comfortably as a daily commute to the city. Past Port Arthur, you are really changing base rather than day tripping.
Weather and when to stay
Hobart has a mild maritime climate. January is the warmest month, averaging a 21.0 degree maximum and 11.9 minimum. July is the coolest, with a maximum of 11.2 and a minimum of 5.7. August is the wettest month at about 76 mm over 14 rain days.
| Month | Max C | Min C | Rain mm | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21.0 | 11.9 | 59.8 | 8.3 |
| Feb | 20.8 | 12.0 | 51.1 | 8.2 |
| Mar | 19.3 | 11.3 | 55.5 | 10.1 |
| Apr | 16.4 | 9.4 | 57.8 | 10.7 |
| May | 13.8 | 7.9 | 51.2 | 11.1 |
| Jun | 11.7 | 6.4 | 61.3 | 11.8 |
| Jul | 11.2 | 5.7 | 64.0 | 13.7 |
| Aug | 11.7 | 5.6 | 75.8 | 14.3 |
| Sep | 13.2 | 6.3 | 65.9 | 13.6 |
| Oct | 15.1 | 7.5 | 64.0 | 13.3 |
| Nov | 17.0 | 9.0 | 65.4 | 12.1 |
| Dec | 19.0 | 10.5 | 64.1 | 11.0 |
Nights are cool for much of the year, so check heating if you are booking a cabin or apartment outside summer.
Tours to plan around your base
Several tours collect from central Hobart or run as multi-day trips, which helps if you are choosing where to sleep. The Coal River Valley Wine Tour (from AUD 225) offers pickup and drop-off from central Hobart. The Hobart Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Richmond Village Tour (from AUD 90) covers 20 city stops over 48 hours.
For a break from the city, the 2 Day Tasmanian Highlights Tour (from AUD 305) combines Hobart with Bruny Island. The 2 Day Cradle Mountain Tour (from AUD 445) includes a night at a lakeside lodge. The Maria Island day tour (from AUD 295) departs from Triabunna, 90 minutes south of Hobart, so factor in that early start.
For general trip planning, Discover Tasmania is the official state tourism site, and background on the city is on Wikipedia: Hobart. Our Hobart destination guide pulls the rest together.
Frequently asked questions
Are there caravan parks near Hobart?
Yes. We list six: four in the Clarence area (Cambridge, Risdon Vale and Mornington), one at Snug in Kingborough and one at Huonville in the Huon Valley. All offer powered sites and cabins.
How do I find current park rates?
Contact the park directly for current rates and availability before booking.
What sizes of apartment can you book in Hobart?
Options run from studios to one, two, three and four bedroom waterfront suites, along with winery estate boutique apartments and resort-style places.
