{"id":5296,"date":"2026-05-21T11:47:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T01:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carnival.com.au\/behind-the-seas\/?page_id=5296"},"modified":"2026-05-21T16:20:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T06:20:22","slug":"top-things-to-do-hobart-tasmania","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.carnival.com.au\/behind-the-seas\/cruise-destination\/top-things-to-do-hobart-tasmania\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Things to Do in Hobart, Tasmania: Waterfront Markets, Wildlife and Historic Sites"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is no cruise port quite like Hobart. Tasmania’s harbour capital wraps history, wilderness, world-class food, and some genuinely extraordinary wildlife into one compact, walkable city. Disembark here, and you will find sandstone warehouses from the 1830s sitting alongside one of the most talked-about art museums on the planet, a waterfront market that has been running every Saturday for decades, and a wildlife sanctuary where you can come face to face with a Tasmanian devil.<\/p>\n

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The best things to do in Hobart, Tasmania, are mostly close to the water, which means cruise passengers are perfectly placed from the moment they step off the gangway. The Hobart waterfront is just a short walk from the cruise terminal, and most of the top tourist places in Hobart, Tasmania, are within easy reach on foot, by tour vehicle, or by ferry.<\/p>\n

Here is your guide to the very best things to see and do in Hobart on a shore day.<\/p>\n

Getting Around Hobart on a Shore Day<\/h2>\n

Carnival ships dock at the Hobart Cruise Terminal on the waterfront, right in the heart of Sullivan’s Cove. Salamanca Place, the waterfront market strip, and the historic Battery Point neighbourhood are all within walking distance. For destinations further afield like Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Mount Wellington, and Port Arthur, Carnival Shore Excursions depart directly from the the terminal, and guarantee on-time return to the ship.<\/p>\n

Pre-booking before you sail is strongly recommended for popular tours, particularly if your ship arrives on a Saturday when Salamanca Market draws large crowds.<\/p>\n

View Hobart Shore Excursions<\/h4><\/div>
View Excursions<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Top Things to Do in Hobart, Tasmania on a Cruise Stop<\/h2>\n

From waterfront wandering to wildlife encounters and wilderness drives, here is the definitive list of things to see in Hobart and the surrounding region, all designed with your cruise schedule in mind.<\/p>\n

Browse Salamanca Market on a Saturday<\/h3>\n

If your ship docks on a Saturday, Salamanca Market is the unmissable start to your Hobart day. Running every Saturday morning from 8:30 am to 3 pm, it is one of Australia’s most beloved outdoor markets and occupies the full length of Salamanca Place, the sandstone warehouse strip that lines the waterfront.<\/p>\n

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More than 300 stallholders set up each week selling local food and produce, Tasmanian cheeses, freshly baked breads, handmade crafts, local art, organic honey, smoked salmon, and some genuinely excellent street food. It has the feel of a real community event rather than a tourist attraction, and that is exactly what makes it special. The Cascade beer garden at the far end is a great spot for a mid-morning refreshment in the sun.<\/p>\n

Even on non-Saturday days, Salamanca Place itself is worth a stroll. The row of beautifully preserved sandstone warehouses, originally built in the 1830s for maritime trade, now houses galleries, cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops. It is one of the most photogenic stretches of streetscape in Tasmania.<\/p>\n

Walk the Historic Battery Point Neighbourhood<\/h3>\n

Just behind Salamanca Place, Battery Point is one of the best-preserved colonial neighbourhoods in Australia. The streets here are narrow and winding, lined with timber and sandstone cottages that have barely changed since the 1800s. This was the original home of Hobart’s maritime community: sailors, whalers, merchants, and sea captains all lived and worked in these streets.<\/p>\n

Kelly’s Steps, a historic stone staircase cut into the original cliff face in 1839, connects Salamanca Place to Battery Point and is the perfect starting point for a self-guided exploration. From there, wander through Cromwell Street, Napoleon Street, and the charming little roundabout of Arthur’s Circus, ringed by Georgian cottages. St George’s Anglican Church on Cromwell Street, built in 1836, is a beautiful landmark worth pausing at.<\/p>\n

A Hobart historic walking tour departing from Brooke Street Pier covers Battery Point as well as the key sites along the waterfront and takes around 90 minutes. It is one of the best ways to understand how this city grew and what shaped it, and guides run them daily in small groups.<\/p>\n

Visit MONA by Ferry on the Derwent River<\/h3>\n

MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, is unlike any other museum you have ever visited. Founded by Tasmanian mathematician and gambler David Walsh, it is Australia’s largest privately funded museum and home to a deliberately provocative, boundary-pushing collection that ranges from ancient Egyptian artefacts to a machine that processes food and simulates the human digestive system.<\/p>\n

The experience begins before you even arrive. The ferry from Brooke Street Pier (just a few minutes’ walk from the cruise terminal) is a giant camouflaged catamaran with fibreglass animals for seats. The 25-minute trip up the Derwent River is part of the fun. At MONA, you explore at your own pace using a device called the O that guides you through the collection on your own terms. The grounds also include the acclaimed Moorilla Winery, the Moo Brew craft brewery, and multiple restaurants and bars overlooking the river.<\/p>\n

Allow at least three hours for a proper MONA visit. It is best suited to guests whose ship is in port for a full day. Pre-booking a ferry and museum entry before you sail is recommended.<\/p>\n