A local’s guide to Hobart: platypus spotting, spontaneous nights out and grassroots energy

Food

Hobart used to have a hit-and-miss coffee culture, but now there is a vibrant, interesting café culture. Bury Me Standing makes the best bagels. Machine laundry is another favorite. It’s a combination of a laundromat and cafe, so you can enjoy a delicious muffin while you do your washing.

Kinoko Delicatessen offers a variety of Japanese bentos with a wide range of salads. It’s just a few doors away from Crushed and Spineless, so that you can browse the bookshop after lunch.

You can’t go wrong with the wide selection of ice cream flavors available at Mures, located on the waterfront. But if you want something more sophisticated, try the Glass House, which offers tasty small plates as well as river views.

On Sundays, Farm Gate Market will be the place to go. The seasonal organic vegetables and buskers are my favorite. You might see a contortionist one week (Samora Squid does a fantastic show), and then the next, a five-piece jazz-funk group on the steps of Playhouse Theatre.

Enjoy the Inspiration

Hobart has a vibrant cultural scene, but many exciting pockets have grassroots energy. Some of the most interesting work is done outside the more well-known institutions.

Look at events and exhibitions by artist-run initiatives, such as Constance ARI or GoodGrief. Contemporary Art Tasmania also offers a good opportunity to view a variety of local artists.

Film-wise, there are also a few events to look forward to. Rewind cinema is at Kickstart Arts, New Town, and celebrates 80s and 1990s movies. While they may not have the best projection equipment, it’s still a welcoming, genuine, and passionate cinephile environment. In North Hobart, the Simple Complex hosts a variety of events. One such event is a monthly “work-in-progress” night for filmmakers. Wide Angle Tasmania also hosts local screenings and talks by filmmakers.

Neighbourhood

From the edge of the CBD to West and South, Hobart is a great area for exploring. Lyrebird, a Steiner-inspired shop for children, is the perfect place to take them. Eumarrah has some incredible raw foods. The carrot cake, in particular, is a favorite.

Hamlet also operates as a cool café that follows a social enterprise business model. You can also walk down the creek to South Hobart. If you don’t see the platypus resident, you can still enjoy the public artwork and track that leads to the historic female factory. Karissa Lane Irons’ one-woman show, The Proud And Punished, is a particularly powerful tour that gives a glimpse of the lives of female convicts.

You can find a few decent op-shops in South Hobart where you can look for bargains before stopping at Bear with Me or Ginger Brown.

Green space

Hobart has a lot of green space surrounding it.

Mount Nelson and Knocklofty Reserve both deserve to be explored. You can feel like you’re miles away from the city even if you are on The Domain. But a trip up Mount Wellington is a must.

You can drive to The Springs if you are not a serious walker, which I am not. You can see the foundations of The Springs Hotel, which was destroyed in 1967 by bushfires. Grab a coffee at the Lost Freight Cafe and take a short trail up. Fern Tree Park is a major access point for Wellington Park. It’s located near Fern Tree Tavern, a local favorite where you can find live music or discussion events.

There are more difficult trails for more experienced hikers: to the top, to the Organ Pipes, and to the disappearing tarn. The mountain is close to the city and offers great views, walking trails, and wildlife. But don’t underestimate this spectacular mountain, especially during winter. You could get lost, and they don’t change quickly.

Nightlife

Tasmanians have a reputation for not making bookings for events. This can be stressful for the venue, I don’t, but it is great for visitors who just want to show up.

If I were to go out on a spontaneous evening, I would check online for The Grand Poobah, The Hanging Garden, or Peacock Theatre. Pablo’s Cocktails also hosts live music at this atmospheric bar.

There are many places to enjoy a quiet drink. If you’re looking to sample some Tasmanian gins made with native ingredients, I recommend trying the gin-tasting float. IPablo’searby Early by Preachers is a great place to chill out with friends and strangers. They have an old bus that is perfect for chatting.

Stay in touch with us.

This art-filled Alabama Hotel is a gem. The hotel is centrally located and has a relaxed, quirky vibe. The boutique budget rooms are shared but immaculately clean. The hotel has a cozy guest lounge for those cooler days, which is not uncommon in Hobart. It also offers a terrace bar with plants that’s ideal for happy hour drinks.