Cheap flights to Hobart

Quick summary

Why track Hobart with SniperAir

You do not need to compare prices every day

Airport and getting into town

An airport about 15 to 20 km east, 20 to 30 minutes from the centre

Distances and times are approximate, cross-checked on Wikipedia (FR, EN, DE, ES) and Wikivoyage; they vary with traffic. Fares are not given because they change.

Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, the island state at the south of Australia, with about 250,000 people in the metropolitan area according to recent censuses. Founded in 1804 as a British penal colony, it is the second-oldest capital in the country after Sydney. It spreads along the Derwent estuary at the foot of Mount Wellington, and its centre is easy to explore on foot. Note that Port Arthur and Wineglass Bay, two of the most famous sites, are outside the city; their distances are given below.

Landmarks

A colonial port at the foot of Mount Wellington, and historic sites outside the city

Central Hobart concentrates a colonial sandstone heritage, working docks and market-lined streets, at the foot of a mountain often capped with cloud. The four places below come with photos; the harbour and waterfront (including Salamanca Place and Battery Point) are described in text only.

Hobart and Mount Wellington (kunanyi)

Mount Wellington, which Tasmanians also call kunanyi, towers over the city at about 1,271 m. A road leads close to the summit, which offers a view of the city, the Derwent estuary and the islands; it can be closed in case of snow or ice, including outside winter. Bring warm clothes: the weather changes fast and it is much colder at the top.

Port Arthur: the penitentiary

Port Arthur is a former convict colony about 100 km by road south-east of Hobart, roughly an hour and a half to two hours. It is part of the Australian Convict Sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The large sandstone penitentiary, seen here from the water, stands out against the wooded hills of the Tasman Peninsula.

Port Arthur: ruins and historic buildings

The site covers several hectares, with sandstone ruins, officials' houses, a church and gardens. You visit it on foot in half a day or more; guided tours and a boat crossing are offered. Bring comfortable shoes and a warm layer, as the peninsula is often windy. The site combines a difficult history with beautiful scenery: ask on site about the routes.

Wineglass Bay, in Freycinet National Park

Wineglass Bay, famous for its crescent of white sand, lies in Freycinet National Park on Tasmania's east coast, more than 150 km from Hobart by road, roughly two and a half to three hours. It is a long excursion: many travellers stay overnight nearby. A trail leads to the lookout, with a climb of about an hour return according to park guidance, from where you see the bay; going down to the beach takes more time.

Day trips and nature

A penitentiary, wild bays and mountains around Tasmania's capital

Salamanca Place, the docks and Battery Point

Hobart's waterfront is explored on foot. Salamanca Place, a row of sandstone warehouses turned galleries and restaurants, hosts a large market on Saturday mornings; Battery Point, a district of colonial houses, is explored along small lanes. The harbour, where fishing boats moor near old and modern buildings, is also the finish of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race in late December.

Beyond the city: Bruny Island, the Tasman Peninsula

To the south, Bruny Island is reached by ferry and offers cliffs, beaches and local producers; the Tasman Peninsula, with Port Arthur and its coastal cliffs, is a day trip. Wildlife (wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian devils) is seen mainly at dawn and dusk: drive carefully, as animals often cross the road.

The east coast and Freycinet

The sunnier, drier east coast strings together bays, vineyards and fishing villages as far as Freycinet. Plan at least one night nearby for Wineglass Bay rather than a return trip from Hobart.

Museums and culture

Contemporary art, convict history and a maritime museum

MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art

Located at Berriedale, about a dozen kilometres north of the centre, this contemporary art museum, carved into a cliff on the Derwent, has become one of the best-known cultural venues in the country. You get there by boat from the waterfront or by car; it also has vineyards, a restaurant and a concert venue. It is not pictured here: it is described in text only.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, in the heart of the city, presents the natural and cultural history of the island, colonial and contemporary art and collections devoted to Aboriginal cultures. Entry to the permanent collections is often free depending on the period; check on site.

Maritime history and convicts

The Maritime Museum of Tasmania, near the waterfront, traces the history of ships, whaling and trade around the Derwent. The Penitentiary Chapel, a former nineteenth-century place of justice, and the Theatre Royal, one of the oldest in the country, complete a colonial trail. The Dark Mofo festival enlivens the city in June, during the austral winter. We do not give prices, which change.

Food and drink

Seafood, cheese, whisky and cool-climate wine

A seafood table

Tasmania is known for its oysters, salmon, rock lobster and scallops; scallop pie and fish and chips from the harbour stalls are classics. Restaurants on the waterfront and in Battery Point highlight local seasonal produce.

Cheese, whisky and cool-climate wine

The cool climate suits pinot noir and sparkling-wine vineyards, cideries, craft breweries and several whisky distilleries. The Derwent valley and the east coast offer tastings. Cheese, apples and berries are flagship products of the island.

Markets and cafés

The Salamanca Market (Saturday morning) and other farmers' markets, notably on Sundays, are good places to try producers and craftspeople. Neighbourhood cafés are very popular; check opening hours, which change.

Getting around

Bus, car and ferry: where a car becomes useful

In town

The centre is compact and walkable. Buses serve the neighbourhoods and suburbs; taxis and ride-hailing complete the offer. Fares are paid with a dedicated card or, in some cases, a contactless card: check before boarding.

Where a car becomes useful

For Port Arthur, Bruny Island, the east coast and Freycinet, a car or an organised tour is almost essential. Australians drive on the left; roads are sometimes winding and wildlife crosses at dawn and dusk.

Ferry and boats

A ferry runs to the MONA museum from the waterfront; Derwent cruises, boats to Port Arthur and a ferry to Bruny Island complete the options.

Budget and entry

A high price level, with peaks in summer and during festivals

Price level

Hobart is expensive compared with many European countries, especially for accommodation in summer and during major events (Christmas, Dark Mofo). Markets, simple meals and free walks help keep the budget down. We do not give figures: prices vary with the season and the exchange rate.

Flights

The long-haul flight remains the most variable item. SniperAir tracks prices to HBA and compares them with the route's history.

Entry and precautions

Australia generally requires an electronic travel authorisation or a visa depending on nationality: check the official Australian government websites. Also consult the official advice of your country of departure. In the mountains, bring warm clothing and follow park safety instructions.

When to go

A cool temperate climate, with mild summers and cold winters

Beware of the reversed seasons: Australia is in the southern hemisphere, so austral summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August, the opposite of Europe.

Hobart has a cool temperate oceanic climate, cooler than the other large Australian cities, with mild summers and cold winters. Rainfall is moderate, but the weather can change within hours: pack a windproof jacket even in summer. From December to March the weather is at its most stable.

By length of stay

What to do in Hobart depending on your length of stay

In pictures

Hobart in pictures

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about flights to Hobart