Leslie Massey
Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, Australia, and its largest city. It is located in the southeastern corner of the state on the River Derwent estuary, and it is Australia's southernmost capital city. Hobart is the second-smallest Australian state capital by population and area, with around 250,000 people living in the greater capital city area. The city is known for its scenic beauty, amazing nature, and rich history, as well as its vibrant food and wine scene and thriving arts and music culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| State | Tasmania |
| Population | 47,700 (2006); 200,525 (2006 urban agglom.); 48,703 (2011); 211,656 (2011 greater capital city statistical area) |
| Population of Tasmania | 36,505 (1835) |
| Population of Hobart (1835) | 13,826 (1835) |
| Location | South-eastern Tasmania |
| River | Derwent River |
| Mountain | Mount Wellington (1,270-1,271 metres) |
| Climate | Mild maritime climate, four distinct seasons |
| Airport | Hobart Airport (HBA) |
| Transport | Wheelchair-accessible public buses, private ferry, shuttle service, hire cars, rideshare services, taxis |
| Sporting events | Targa Tasmania (rally car event), Royal Hobart Regatta, Hobart International (tennis tournament), Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race |
| Attractions | Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Battery Point, Constitution Dock, Hobart Aquatic Centre, Hobart Rivulet Park, Wrest Point Casino, Cascades Female Factory Historic Site, Salamanca Market, Taste of Tasmania, Dark Mofo, Ten Days on the Island |
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What You'll Learn
Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, Australia
Hobart is the most populous city in Tasmania, with an estimated 40 percent of the state's population residing in its municipal area. The city is a centre of business and industry services, and its deepwater port has contributed to its development as a major port for whaling and trade in the Southern Ocean. Today, Hobart's economy benefits significantly from tourism, attracting visitors with its scenic wilderness, vibrant food and wine scene, and cultural attractions.
The city boasts a range of sporting events, such as the annual Royal Hobart Regatta, the Targa Tasmania rally car event, and the Hobart International tennis tournament. Hobart is also the finishing point for the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, a well-known international yachting event. The city is home to several colleges, including the University of Tasmania, and cultural institutions like the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
Hobart has a well-connected transport system, with an extensive network of public and private bus services, making it easy to navigate for both locals and tourists. The city also offers accessible experiences, such as the Mount Wellington Explorer Bus and the Museum of Old and New Art, which provides a range of facilities for visitors with disabilities. With its combination of natural beauty, cultural offerings, and historical significance, Hobart presents a captivating destination in Tasmania, Australia.
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It's the second-smallest Australian state capital
Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, an Australian state. It is the second-smallest Australian state capital, both in terms of population and area. It is also the least-populated Australian state capital city.
Hobart is located in the southeastern corner of Tasmania, on the west bank of the River Derwent estuary. The city is surrounded by steep foothills and the often snow-covered Mount Wellington, which rises to a height of 4,167 feet (1,270 metres). The area's original inhabitants were members of the semi-nomadic Mouheneer tribe. The first settlement was started in 1803 as a penal colony at Risdon Cove on the eastern shores of the Derwent River. In 1804, it was moved to Sullivan's Cove, the present site of Hobart.
Hobart has a rich history and a thriving creative scene. It is known for its excellent deep-water port, which, along with rail lines, highways, and an airport, makes the city a hub for communications and trade. The city also boasts a dynamic food and wine scene, with local produce easily accessible. Hobart is a relatively small city, making it easy to navigate. It offers a range of attractions, including the oldest Jewish synagogue in Australia, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Battery Point, Constitution Dock, and the Hobart Aquatic Centre, to name a few.
Hobart is also a centre of business and industry services and is known as Antarctic Bases due to its proximity to Antarctica. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its natural beauty, parks, and botanical gardens. The city hosts several recurring events, such as the weekly Salamanca Market and festivals like Taste of Tasmania and Dark Mofo, the city's biggest winter festival. Hobart also has a strong sporting culture, with cricket being a popular sport. The city is the finishing point for the annual Targa Tasmania rally car event and the Sydney-Hobart yacht race.
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Hobart's population in 1835 was 13,826
Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, Australia, has had a varied history. The city was founded in 1803 or 1804 as a penal colony, and by 1835, its population had grown to 13,826. Hobart Town, as it was then known, was dependent on external trade, with the sealing industry in decline and whaling persisting on a smaller scale. The export of Tasmanian wool, however, was thriving.
The city's growth in the early nineteenth century is evident in the construction of several notable buildings. John Lee Archer designed and oversaw the construction of the sandstone Customs House facing Sullivan's Cove, which was completed in 1840. The building later became Tasmania's parliament house. The Theatre Royal, the oldest major theatre in Australia, was also constructed during this period and completed in 1836. The city's first Presbyterian Church was established in 1834 within a small sandstone building in the churchyard of the Scots Church, which was built between 1834 and 1836.
Education was also a focus during this time, with the number of government primary schools increasing from eight in 1828 to 29 by 1835. Secondary education, however, remained in private hands. The population of Hobart in 1835 was also influenced by the presence of convicts. While most convicts worked on government building projects or as indentured servants, Port Arthur, a secondary punishment penitentiary, opened in 1830 and grew to house 800 convicts by 1835.
Hobart's population in 1835 was a significant proportion of the overall population of Tasmania, which was 36,505 at the time. The city's growth continued, and it became a centre of whaling and shipbuilding in the nineteenth century. Despite periods of economic boom and bust, Hobart remains the most populous city in Tasmania today, with a population of over 278,000 estimated by mid-2025. The metropolitan area, known as Greater Hobart, has a population density of 124 people per square kilometre, making it the second least populated capital city in Australia after Darwin.
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The city has a dynamic food and wine scene
Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, is known for its dynamic food and wine scene. The city is home to a variety of restaurants, cafes, and wineries that showcase the best of Tasmanian produce and wine.
One of the best ways to experience Hobart's food and wine scene is to explore the many restaurants and cafes that the city has to offer. For breakfast, visitors can enjoy a meal at the Jam Packed cafe, located in the historic IXL Jam factory on Hobart's picturesque waterfront. Another popular breakfast spot is the Henry Jones Art Hotel, situated on the edge of Hobart's waterfront in a sandstone warehouse dating back to the 1820s.
After breakfast, visitors can take a short drive to the north of Hobart to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where they can feed the iconic Tasmanian devil. From there, they can continue to the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), which houses a winery, brewery, library, museum, restaurant, and bars. Visitors can take a behind-the-scenes winery tour and tailored tasting at Moorilla Estate, followed by lunch at the award-winning restaurant, The Source, which offers stunning views over the Derwent River and a menu featuring locally sourced ingredients.
In the evening, dinner at Frogmore Creek Winery, just a 20-minute drive from the city centre, is a must. Visitors can enjoy a private tasting of the estate's cool-climate wines before sitting down for dinner in one of three venues, each offering a unique experience. For those looking for a more urban dining scene, Hobart's bustling harbour town has a lively and walkable dining scene with options like Lucinda, where you can enjoy beef tartare with potato crisps, and Pressing Matters in the Coal River Valley, which boasts a cellar door full of trophies and a range of luxe snacks.
In addition to its restaurants and wineries, Hobart also hosts several festivals that celebrate local produce, wine, and culture, including the Taste of Tasmania festival and the biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival, which is held concurrently with the Royal Hobart Regatta. The city's biggest winter festival, Dark Mofo, leads into the solstice and features the Winter Feast, showcasing the best of Tasmanian cuisine and produce.
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It's famous for the Sydney-Hobart yacht race
Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, Australia, is famous for the annual Sydney-Hobart yacht race. This race is considered one of the most difficult yacht races in the world and attracts participants from all over the globe. The race, which covers approximately 630 nautical miles (1,170 km), begins in Sydney, New South Wales, on Boxing Day (December 26) and finishes in Hobart, Tasmania.
The Sydney-Hobart yacht race was first held in 1945 when a British Royal Navy Officer, Captain John Illingworth, suggested turning a cruise into a race. The race has grown significantly since its inception and is now one of the top three offshore yacht races globally, drawing maxi yachts from around the world.
The race usually takes place in the Tasman Sea, but the fleet is influenced by the Bass Strait due to its shallowness and proximity to the race course. The variable weather conditions and southerly buster storms can make the race challenging, with cold and bumpy conditions testing the crews. It is common for a significant number of yachts to retire before reaching the finish line in Hobart.
The Sydney-Hobart yacht race has seen its fair share of triumphs and tragedies. Wild Oats XI claimed three consecutive line honours titles in 2005, 2006, and 2007, breaking several records. However, the 1998 race was marred by tragedy when an intense storm caused five boats to sink and resulted in the loss of six lives.
The race is a significant event in the yacht racing world and is widely recognised as one of the sport's greatest challenges. The 80th edition of the race, sponsored by Rolex, is expected to attract even more interest and participation from sailors worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
Hobart is the least-populated Australian state capital city, with an estimated 40% of Tasmania's population residing in the municipal area. In 1835, the population was 13,826, and in 2006, the population was 200,525.
Hobart is Australia's southernmost capital city, located in the island state of Tasmania. It is the second-smallest Australian state capital city by area and population after Darwin. The metropolitan area is referred to as Greater Hobart, and the city itself is known as the City of Hobart.
Mount Wellington, also known as Kunanyi, is 1,271 metres (4,170 feet) tall and dominates Hobart's skyline.
