Things to do in Southern Tasmania

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Southern Tasmania

Types of activities

Where to stay

Southern Tasmania travel guide

Southeast Tasmania showing interior views

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Top places to visit

1. Salamanca Place

The warehouses that make up Salamanca Place were built during the 1820 and ’30s using sandstone quarried by convicts on site. The warehouses were used to store whale products, wool, timber and fruit. The wharf at Salamanca was a hub for whaling industries, and the huge cauldrons used to boil whale oil can still be seen today in Salamanca Square. As Tasmania’s fruit growing capabilities took off, the warehouses were used to produce jam and tinned fruit for export.  

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Salamanca Place showing night scenes, a city and street scenes

2. Constitution Dock

Stroll past historic buildings, enjoy a meal at a waterfront restaurant or grab a snack from a fresh seafood stall at Hobart’s Constitution Dock.

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Constitution Dock featuring a coastal town, boating and a marina

3. Mt. Wellington

Mount Wellington has been popular with locals as a recreational park since the mid-1800s when huts were built at strategic sites for hikers. Remnants of these huts exist, and some of those built in the 1900s are still in use. Charles Darwin climbed the mountain in 1836 when he visited Hobart on his round-the-world trip on the HMS Beagle. Today the area offers all sorts of outdoor pursuits, from mountain biking to rock climbing.

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Mt. Wellington featuring tranquil scenes, views and mountains

4. Mount Field National Park

Explore preserved tracts of ancient forest and secluded alpine landscapes and walk through shady fern gullies to some of the world’s tallest trees in Mt. Field National Park. It is part of a larger World Heritage-listed national park that has been protected for over a century. Come here to see some of Tasmania’s rugged and remote landscapes within an easy drive from Hobart.

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5. Port Arthur Historic Site

The UNESCO-listed Port Arthur was one of the British Empire’s most brutal penal settlements. Located on the stunning Mason Cove, the natural beauty of the landscape stands in stark contrast to the history of convict prisoners who were sent here, condemned to hard labor. See these stunning ruins at your own pace or on a guided or themed tour.

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Port Arthur Historic Site which includes building ruins, heritage elements and château or palace

6. Museum of Old and New Art

Plan a day trip to take in the vast collection, and grand design, of Australia’s largest privately owned art museum. MONA stands for Museum of Old and New Art and the galleries showcase emotive and sometimes shocking modern art along with old artefacts and antiques.

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Museum of Old and New Art which includes a lake or waterhole

What to do in Southern Tasmania

Popular places to visit

Salamanca Market

During your visit to Tasmanian Waterfront, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Salamanca Market. Discover the fascinating museums in this walkable area or seek out the local tours.

Salamanca Place

Spend a day in this area where sandstone warehouses are now home to gourmet restaurants, trendy bars, galleries and a busy Saturday market.

Wrest Point Casino

Why not roll the dice with a visit to Wrest Point Casino during your visit to Hobart? Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Constitution Dock

History seeps from the stones on Hobart’s waterfront, where colonial buildings are now galleries and where you can eat fresh seafood and watch a famous yacht race.

Mt. Wellington

Majestic columns of rock rise to the peak of this often snow-capped mountain, providing a playground for nature lovers, and a stunning backdrop for Hobart.

Mount Field National Park

A glorious mix of fern forests, alpine heathlands, pristine waterways and cascading waterfalls, all accessible via pretty pathways, await in this park not far from Hobart.

Franklin Wharf

You can take time to visit Franklin Wharf during your travels to Tasmanian Waterfront. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Port Arthur Historic Site

Step back into Tasmania’s past as a penal colony and learn about the lives of convicts who were sent to one of the harshest settlements in the British Empire.

MONA featuring interior views and modern architecture

Museum of Old and New Art

Hobart’s remarkable Museum of Old and New Art has a surprising mix of thought-provoking installation art, modern paintings, sculptures and ancient artefacts.

Areas of Southern Tasmania

Hobart Central Business District

4.5/5(57 area reviews)

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Hobart Central Business District. Make a stop by Parliament House or Hobart Town Hall while you're exploring the area.

Battery Point

Ample dining options and captivating waterfront views are well-reviewed features of Battery Point. Make a stop by top sights like Narryna Heritage Museum while you're exploring the area.

Sandy Bay

The ample dining options and casino gaming are top of the list for many visitors to Sandy Bay. A stop by Wrest Point Casino or Long Beach might round out your trip.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery featuring art and interior views as well as an individual male

Sullivan's Cove

Sullivan's Cove is known for its captivating waterfront views, and with sights like Constitution Dock and Franklin Wharf, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Tasmanian Waterfront.