Choose an area by what you will do
Many of Hobart's main sights sit along the waterfront. The place you stay matters most for three things: whether you can walk to the MONA ferry and Salamanca Place, how you reach the mountain and the day trips, and what you do about a car. Hotel prices and availability change by date, so this page compares areas and leaves rooms to the booking sites.
Seasons are reversed in Tasmania. Summer runs from December to February, so check the weather guide before you choose a month.
Hobart hotels by area compared
What is close and what to check for each area.
| Area | What is close | Check before you book |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfront and Salamanca | Brooke Street Pier for the MONA ferry, Salamanca Place, the TMAG museum | Saturday market parking rules, parking at the hotel |
| Battery Point | The Battery Point Sculpture Trail, the waterfront | Distance to the bus stops and the ferry pier |
| CBD | The mountain shuttle stop, Franklin Square buses, the SkyBus stop | Parking at the hotel or a car park nearby |
| North Hobart | – | Distance to the pier and the stops you need |
| Sandy Bay | – | Distance to the pier and the stops you need |
These are guides to location, not rankings. Nothing here promises a quiet street or a bargain, and no area is the best for everyone.
Tours and day trips from Hobart
Boat trips, wildlife visits and day trips from the city, with current prices and availability.
The areas in detail
Each area is described by the sights and transport that are fixed, not by any single property.
Waterfront and Salamanca
Brooke Street Pier is where the MONA ferry leaves. The ferry takes about 30 minutes each way and departs between 9:15 am and 4:30 pm on the current timetable. Salamanca Place hosts the Saturday market from 8:30 am to 3 pm, and the TMAG museum is within walking distance of the waterfront. Entry to TMAG is free, and it opens from 10 am to 4 pm. One catch: on Saturdays you cannot park near Salamanca Place and the Tasman Fountain between 5:30 am and 6 pm, and cars left there can be towed.
Battery Point
The city council describes a Battery Point Sculpture Trail with nine large number sculptures that tell the story of the city. It is a walk you can start from your door if you stay here. Before you book, check how far you are from the pier and from the stops you will use.
CBD
The shuttle to the summit of kunanyi/Mount Wellington leaves from 4 Elizabeth Street, opposite the Tourist Information centre. The first departure is at 9:30 am. Franklin Square is the start of the bus to Fern Tree, and the SkyBus stops in Campbell Street. A central base makes sense if you will use buses and shuttles rather than a car.
North Hobart and Sandy Bay
Both are outside the central waterfront area. Decide how you will get to the pier and the shuttle stop, because the sights you came for are around the harbour. They suit travellers who have a car or who accept a longer trip into town.
Five questions to decide your base
Do you have a car? If not, stay close to the pier or the shuttle stop. If yes, ask the hotel about parking, because a car park at a property is not something you can assume.
Are you here on a Saturday? The market is a draw, but the parking ban near Salamanca Place affects hotels in that area.
Do you start early? The MONA ferry leaves at 9:15 am. The first mountain shuttle leaves at 9:30 am. Port Arthur opens at 9 am and is about 90 minutes away by car.
Do you finish late? The Bonorong night tour starts between 5:15 and 6 pm and runs for 2.5 hours. The Port Arthur ghost tour runs at 6 and 8 pm from Wednesday to Sunday.
Do you fly in or out? The SkyBus stops in Campbell Street. The Hobart Airport guide has fares and the current stop.
Parking in the city
The council car park at 38 Argyle Street, open daily 6:30 am to 10 pm.
| Time parked | Standard price, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | Free |
| 1 to 2 hours | A$6 |
| 2 to 3 hours | A$10 |
| 3 to 4 hours | A$13 |
| 8 hours or more | A$27 |
Each band is a total, not an hourly rate to add up. On Sundays and public holidays the first hour is free, then A$3 an hour up to a maximum of A$11. An overnight fee of A$8 is also listed. A free first hour is not a free night, and the car park closes at night, so plan around it if you travel by ferry or stay in a hotel.
Plan the rest of your trip
Once you have an area, fill the days.
Where to stay in Hobart: frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Hobart?
It depends on your plans. For the MONA ferry and the Saturday market on foot, stay around the waterfront and Salamanca. For buses and the mountain shuttle, a central base works well. For a hire car, the distance to the centre matters less than parking.
Do I need a car if I stay in the centre?
Not for the city. The MONA ferry, the mountain shuttle and the buses to Fern Tree run from central points. A car is useful for Port Arthur, Mount Field and Bruny Island, which are 1 to 1.5 hours away or more.
Does my hotel have parking?
Ask before you book. A car park at a hotel is not something you can assume, and the Saturday parking ban near Salamanca Place affects stays in that area.
How much does city parking cost?
At the Argyle Street car park the first hour is free, then A$6 for 1 to 2 hours and A$10 for 2 to 3 hours in 2026. All day for 8 hours or more is A$27.
Is Salamanca good for a Saturday stay?
You are next to the market, which runs from 8:30 am to 3 pm. Parking near the market is banned from 5:30 am to 6 pm that day, so arrange where the car goes.