
Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania, an island state of Australia. It is the financial and administrative hub of the state, serving as the home port for Australian and French Antarctic operations and a tourist destination. Hobart is Australia's least dense capital, with the highest costs per capita for housing and car ownership. The city was founded as a penal colony in 1804, making it the second-oldest capital in Australia after Sydney. It is known for its convict-era architecture, Salamanca Market, and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Hobart a state in Australia? | No, Hobart is the capital city of the Australian state of Tasmania. |
| Location | Tasmania, an island state of Australia, is located 240 kilometres (150 miles) to the south of the Australian mainland, separated by the Bass Strait. |
| Population | The population of the greater Hobart area was estimated at 218,000 in 2014, ranking 11th in Australia. The City of Hobart has a population of 49,000, with 40% of Tasmania's population living in the Greater Hobart area. |
| Population Density | Hobart is the least dense Australian capital, with a population density of 125 people per square kilometre or 324 people per square mile. |
| Cost of Living | Hobart has the highest costs per capita for housing and car ownership (19.7% cost-to-income in 2024). |
| Economy | Hobart is a centre of business and industry services, with tourism making a significant contribution to the local economy. |
| History | Hobart was founded as a penal colony in 1804, making it the second oldest capital in Australia. The area was previously inhabited by the semi-nomadic Mouheneener tribe for thousands of years before British settlement. |
| Culture | Hobart is multicultural, with a majority Australian population. The most common ancestry groups in Greater Hobart are English, Australian, Irish, Scottish, and German. |
| Attractions | Hobart is known for its nature, parks, botanical gardens, and historical sites, including the Theatre Royal, the oldest continuously operating theatre in Australia. |
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What You'll Learn
- Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, an island state of Australia
- Hobart is a tourist attraction, with nature, parks, and botanical gardens
- The city is a hub for business and industry services
- Hobart is the second oldest capital in Australia
- The city has a high cost of living, contributing to a demographic crisis

Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, an island state of Australia
Hobart is the financial and administrative hub of Tasmania. It is a centre of trade and communications, with a natural deepwater port, rail lines, highways, and an airport. The city is also a tourist destination, with attractions including its convict-era architecture, the Salamanca Market, and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Hobart is also home to the University of Tasmania, Parliament House, and the state library.
The city has a rich history, with the first European settlement beginning in 1803 as a penal colony. The area was previously inhabited by the semi-nomadic Mouheneener tribe for thousands of years. Today, Hobart is a multicultural city, with a growing number of people born overseas and a steady increase in the number of indigenous people.
Hobart has faced various challenges over the years, including the 1967 Tasmanian bushfires and the 1975 Tasman Bridge disaster. However, it has also experienced successes, such as the opening of Australia's first legal casino in 1973 and the international acclaim of the MONA museum in 2011.
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Hobart is a tourist attraction, with nature, parks, and botanical gardens
Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, an island state of Australia, and is a popular tourist destination. It is known for its natural beauty, including parks and botanical gardens, as well as its historical architecture. The city has a lot to offer in terms of culture and entertainment, with theatres, museums, and art galleries.
Hobart's natural attractions include Mount Wellington, which is part of a larger national park with numerous walking and climbing trails. The mountain offers breathtaking 360-degree views and is a popular spot for hiking and nature enthusiasts. Hobart is also home to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, located about two kilometres from the city centre. These gardens span 14 hectares and are designed to be accessible to all visitors, offering a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The city is renowned for its convict-era architecture, with well-preserved colonial-era monuments and historic sites. St. David's Park, a city centre park near the harbour, is a great example of this, featuring intriguing colonial-era monuments alongside more modern additions. Hobart's rich history is also evident in its theatres, such as the Theatre Royal, Australia's oldest continuously operating theatre, and the Playhouse Theatre, originally built as a chapel in the 1860s.
Hobart is a cultural hub, boasting museums and art galleries that showcase the region's artistic and historical heritage. The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), opened in 2011, quickly became Tasmania's top tourism attraction and is the largest private museum in the Southern Hemisphere. The Lady Franklin Gallery, established in 1843, is Australia's first privately funded museum, while the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery also offers insights into the region's culture and history.
In addition to its natural and cultural attractions, Hobart has a vibrant entertainment scene. The Hanging Garden precinct hosts events such as Dark Mofo and the Hobart Festival of Comedy, attracting thousands of visitors. The city also has a casino, known as Wrest Point Casino, which was the first legal casino in Australia. Hobart's culinary scene is diverse, ranging from market-fresh produce to innovative fine dining experiences.
With its unique blend of natural beauty, historical architecture, and cultural offerings, Hobart has become a sought-after tourist destination in Australia, enticing visitors from around the world to explore its parks, gardens, and vibrant city life.
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The city is a hub for business and industry services
Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, an island state of Australia. It is the country's second-oldest capital city, founded in 1804 as a British penal colony. The city is the financial and administrative hub of Tasmania, with nearly half of the state's population living in the Greater Hobart area.
Hobart has a strong focus on business and industry services, with healthcare, public administration, and financial and insurance services being the top industries contributing to the city's economy. The city has a diverse range of businesses, from healthcare and social assistance to financial services and tourism.
Tourism is a significant contributor to the local economy, with many tourists drawn to the city's convict-era architecture, the Salamanca Market, and cultural institutions such as the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) and the Theatre Royal. Hobart's deepwater port, unhampered by tidal changes, also makes it a hub for trade and communication. The city is home to two major research hubs: the University of Tasmania's Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship. These facilities support a large number of scientists and staff, establishing Hobart as a centre of expertise in cold climate research.
Hobart has a rich history and has faced various challenges, including the 1967 Tasmanian bushfires and the 1975 Tasman Bridge disaster. Despite these difficulties, the city has continued to develop and is known for its creativity and innovation. It is a leader in specialised industries such as health and medical research, food and agribusiness, science and technology, and renewable energy.
The city's excellent infrastructure, including its airport and highways, further enhances its reputation as a hub for business and industry services. Hobart's median house prices are among the highest in the region, reflecting the desirability of the area.
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Hobart is the second oldest capital in Australia
Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, an island state of Australia, and is Australia's second-oldest capital city after Sydney, New South Wales. It was founded in 1804 as a British penal colony, and the settlement was named Hobart Town or Hobarton by the first Lt-governor David Collins after the then-British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, Lord Hobart.
Hobart is Australia's least populous state capital city, with around 198,000 people, and is the second-smallest by population and area after Darwin if territories are taken into account. It is also the least dense Australian capital with the highest costs per capita for housing and car ownership. The metropolitan area, known as Greater Hobart, is home to around 40% of Tasmania's population.
Hobart has a rich history and culture, with well-known attractions including its convict-era architecture, the Salamanca Market, and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). The city also boasts the oldest Jewish synagogue in Australia, built between 1843 and 1845, and the Theatre Royal, Australia's oldest continually operating theatre, established in 1837.
Hobart is also a significant hub for trade and communications, with an excellent deepwater port, rail lines, highway junctions, and an airport. The city has experienced periods of growth and decline, with an economic boom in the early 20th century driven by mining, agriculture, and other primary industries. Today, Hobart serves as the home port for Australian and French Antarctic operations and is a popular tourist destination, known for its creative and cultural offerings.
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The city has a high cost of living, contributing to a demographic crisis
Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania, an island state of Australia. It is the state's largest city, with around 40% of Tasmania's population living in the Greater Hobart area. Hobart is the financial and administrative hub of Tasmania and is also a tourist destination. The city boasts the oldest continuously operating theatre in Australia, the Southern Hemisphere's largest private museum, and several historic sites.
However, Hobart faces challenges, including a high cost of living. As of 2024, Hobart had the highest costs per capita in Australia for housing and car ownership, with a median house price in inner Hobart of A$1,026,500 in 2021. This high cost of living has been credited with contributing to a broader Tasmanian demographic crisis and emigration. The city's low population density, with only 124 people per square kilometer, is indicative of this crisis.
The high cost of housing in Hobart is due in part to the limited supply of dwellings, with only about 10% of urban Greater Hobart dwellings being apartments or semi-detached homes. Additionally, many of the new dwellings that are being built are located in outer suburbs, which can cost up to 8 times more per dwelling to service with infrastructure than infill areas closer to existing services.
The demographic crisis in Hobart and Tasmania is further exacerbated by other factors. The state has a history of natural disasters, such as the 1967 Tasmanian fires and the 1975 Tasman Bridge disaster, which have impacted the city's infrastructure and connectivity. Additionally, industry in the metropolitan area has declined since the 1970s, and the state has faced challenges in areas such as forestry and tourism due to events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite these challenges, Hobart remains a popular destination for both tourists and migrants, with its population continuing to climb slowly but steadily. The city's unique characteristics, natural attractions, and cultural offerings contribute to its appeal, drawing visitors and new residents alike.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Hobart is the capital city of the Australian state of Tasmania. It is the country's least populous state and is located 240 kilometres south of the mainland.
The population of the greater Hobart area is estimated to be 218,000, while the City of Hobart has a population of 49,000.
Hobart is a popular tourist destination, with attractions including the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), the Theatre Royal, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, and the Tasman Bridge.
















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