Hobart sits on the estuary of the River Derwent, under the 1,271-metre bulk of kunanyi / Mount Wellington, and where you sleep shapes the whole trip. This page covers where to stay in Hobart: the settings on offer, and the caravan and holiday parks in the wider area.
We don't rate individual hotels here. Instead we describe the kinds of base available, give drive distances and climate figures to help you decide, and point to the park listings and accommodation pages on this site. For the wider picture, start with our Hobart destination guide.
Choosing where to stay in Hobart
Hobart has a mild maritime climate and is the southernmost capital city in Australia. It is also the least-populated state capital, so the city feels compact. Hotel stays are available in several settings: waterfront properties, city living, restored historic buildings, quieter suburbs and vineyard estates with a country feel.
Room styles range from studios and interlocking suites to family-sized rooms and penthouses. Three-star places have typically offered ensuite rooms, tea and coffee facilities, internet and onsite parking, while four and five-star properties add extras. Many city hotels also have business facilities and meeting rooms. Check current facilities directly with whichever place you choose.
Hobart's drawcards include convict-era architecture, Salamanca Market and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Staying near the centre puts you close to these. Our Hobart accommodation page is the best place to compare your options, and the Hobart hotels page lists the hotels themselves.
City, waterfront and historic settings
The city began in 1804 at Sullivans Cove, and much of the waterfront is reclaimed land. Staying here means being close to the harbour, which is the second-deepest natural port in the world. Recent years have also brought new hotel developments throughout the city, along with the redevelopment of the former Macquarie Point railyards and Parliament Square.
Some boutique stays are set inside restored historic buildings, which suits anyone who wants the convict-era streetscape on the doorstep. We reckon a central base is the easier choice for a first visit, since you can reach the market, the waterfront and the tour pick-ups without a car.
Hotel pages on this site
If you want named properties, these pages on this site cover them: Best Western Hobart, Leisure Inn Waterfront Lodge and the Hobart apartments page for self-contained stays.
Suburban and vineyard stays
If the centre feels too busy, quieter suburbs and vineyard estates offer peace and tranquillity within reach of the city. Hobart's eastern suburbs lie across the Derwent, joined to the city by the Tasman Bridge. The bridge was destroyed in the 1975 collision with a bulk ore carrier, and this side of the river now holds several of the parks listed below.
The Coal River Valley is wine country, and the Coal River Valley Wine Tour runs from central Hobart for 7 to 8 hours, from AUD 225, with four cellar doors and lunch. It's an easy way to sample the area without choosing a vineyard bed.
Caravan and holiday parks around Hobart
Six parks are listed on this site. All offer powered sites and cabins. Prices and pet policies aren't listed, so contact each park for current rates and availability before booking.
| Park | Suburb | Council area |
|---|---|---|
| BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park | Cambridge | Clarence City |
| Barilla Holiday Park | Cambridge | Clarence City |
| Discovery Parks - Hobart | Risdon Vale | Clarence City |
| Discovery Parks - Mornington Hobart | Mornington | Clarence City |
| Snug Beach Cabin & Caravan Tourist Park | Snug | Kingborough |
| Huon Valley Caravan Park Tasmania | Huonville | Huon Valley |
Four of the six are in the Clarence City Council area on the eastern shore. Snug is in Kingborough, and Huonville is in the Huon Valley, 46 km and about 44 minutes by road from Hobart.
Day trips and longer drives from a Hobart base
Hobart works well as a base for exploring the south. These are the road distances from the Hobart area.
| Destination | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Huon Valley | 46 km | about 44 minutes |
| Bruny Island | 76 km | about 102 minutes |
| Tasman Peninsula | 91 km | about 78 minutes |
| Port Arthur | 95 km | about 82 minutes |
| East Coast | 188 km | about 156 minutes |
| Freycinet Peninsula | 197 km | about 169 minutes |
| Launceston | 201 km | about 151 minutes |
| Strahan | 290 km | about 235 minutes |
Several tours leave from Hobart. The Hobart Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Richmond Village Tour is from AUD 90, and the 2 Day Tasmanian Highlights Tour is from AUD 305. For a longer escape, the 2 Day Cradle Mountain Tour is from AUD 445 and includes a lakeside lodge stay.
Climate and the best time to book
Summer is the mildest stretch, with January averaging a high of 21.0 C and a low of 11.9 C. July is the coolest, with a high of 11.2 C and a low of 5.7 C. August is the wettest month at 75.8 mm over 14.3 days. Every month has at least 24 sunny days in these averages, so you will see plenty of sun even in winter.
| Month | Max C | Min C | Rain mm | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.0 | 11.9 | 59.8 | 8.3 |
| February | 20.8 | 12.0 | 51.1 | 8.2 |
| March | 19.3 | 11.3 | 55.5 | 10.1 |
| April | 16.4 | 9.4 | 57.8 | 10.7 |
| May | 13.8 | 7.9 | 51.2 | 11.1 |
| June | 11.7 | 6.4 | 61.3 | 11.8 |
| July | 11.2 | 5.7 | 64.0 | 13.7 |
| August | 11.7 | 5.6 | 75.8 | 14.3 |
| September | 13.2 | 6.3 | 65.9 | 13.6 |
| October | 15.1 | 7.5 | 64.0 | 13.3 |
| November | 17.0 | 9.0 | 65.4 | 12.1 |
| December | 19.0 | 10.5 | 64.1 | 11.0 |
If you plan to camp or use a cabin, the cooler months suit a cabin better than a tent site. Find more about the city on Wikipedia: Hobart and the official Discover Tasmania site.
Frequently asked questions
Are there caravan parks near Hobart?
Yes. We list six, in Cambridge, Risdon Vale, Mornington, Snug and Huonville. All have powered sites and cabins, and you should contact them for current rates.
Is there budget accommodation in Hobart?
Hobart has a range of stays from three-star hotels upwards. For lower-cost options, see our Hobart backpackers page.
How far is Port Arthur from Hobart?
Port Arthur is 95 km by road, about 82 minutes. Day trips are easy from a Hobart base.
