Guidebook for Sandy Bay
Sightseeing
Iconic, breathtaking views of the entire Hobart area, get here by car, book a tour bus, or get a Metro bus to Fern Tree and walk to the top! There is an observation building at the pinnacle (1271m), and the entire mountain is covered in parks and bushland with walks to suit any age and difficulty.
283 locals recommend
Mount Wellington
Iconic, breathtaking views of the entire Hobart area, get here by car, book a tour bus, or get a Metro bus to Fern Tree and walk to the top! There is an observation building at the pinnacle (1271m), and the entire mountain is covered in parks and bushland with walks to suit any age and difficulty.
Not as high as Mount Wellington, but a lovely hilltop reserve with views of the Derwent estuary and short walks and cafe nearby. You can walk from my apartment all the way up this hill (352m) from Lambert Avenue, but it is considerably steep.
40 locals recommend
Mount Nelson Signal Station
700 Nelson RdNot as high as Mount Wellington, but a lovely hilltop reserve with views of the Derwent estuary and short walks and cafe nearby. You can walk from my apartment all the way up this hill (352m) from Lambert Avenue, but it is considerably steep.
Historical area lined with seafarers and workers' cottages. Famous Arthur's Circus is photogenic, and bakeries, restaurants nearby. An ideal walk to join Sandy Bay and Salamanca.
67 locals recommend
Battery Point
Historical area lined with seafarers and workers' cottages. Famous Arthur's Circus is photogenic, and bakeries, restaurants nearby. An ideal walk to join Sandy Bay and Salamanca.
The first stop in any visit to Hobart. Historical buildings and vibrant food and drink culture line the deep docks of Hobart's waterfront. Best to wander the whole length of these wharves, stop in at shops and eateries that catch your eye, and walk to adjoining areas of Battery Point, Queens Domain, and the most famous of strips, Salamanca Place.
Sullivans Cove
The first stop in any visit to Hobart. Historical buildings and vibrant food and drink culture line the deep docks of Hobart's waterfront. Best to wander the whole length of these wharves, stop in at shops and eateries that catch your eye, and walk to adjoining areas of Battery Point, Queens Domain, and the most famous of strips, Salamanca Place.
Iconic street with a marvellous surviving row of old warehouses that are now home to bars, cafes, restaurants and art galleries. Salamanca is the starting point for any stroll around Sullivan's Cove, and the centre of food and drinking nightlife in Hobart.
58 locals recommend
Salamanca Place
Salamanca PlaceIconic street with a marvellous surviving row of old warehouses that are now home to bars, cafes, restaurants and art galleries. Salamanca is the starting point for any stroll around Sullivan's Cove, and the centre of food and drinking nightlife in Hobart.
Parks & Nature
Lovely historical decorative gardens set in Queens Domain, a short walk from the city and ideal for picnics with views of the river.
140 locals recommend
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Lower Domain RoadLovely historical decorative gardens set in Queens Domain, a short walk from the city and ideal for picnics with views of the river.
Lower Sandy Bay has a couple of cafes, but mainly people go there for Long Beach and Nutgrove Beach, peaceful swimming spots and also large parklands and playgrounds. Nice walk from my apartment.
Little Sandy Bay
Lower Sandy Bay has a couple of cafes, but mainly people go there for Long Beach and Nutgrove Beach, peaceful swimming spots and also large parklands and playgrounds. Nice walk from my apartment.
Kingston Beach
A great, sheltered beach ideal for families and walking.
Arts & Culture
Historical Shot Tower, c.1870, which you can climb to the top of and get a devonshire tea downstairs. A nice, quieter spot which you can get a bus down Sandy Bay Rd to or drive around the river on the way to Kingston.
9 locals recommend
Shot Tower Historic Site
318 Channel HwyHistorical Shot Tower, c.1870, which you can climb to the top of and get a devonshire tea downstairs. A nice, quieter spot which you can get a bus down Sandy Bay Rd to or drive around the river on the way to Kingston.
Famous art gallery, now the most popular attraction in Hobart. David Walsh built this amazing space to house his quirky and unique private collection, the best way to arrive is by ferry (book online and leave from Murray St Pier on the waterfront), and you can easily spend a day through the museum and visiting the Moorilla Winery and Moo Brew cellar door on the grounds.
565 locals recommend
MONA
655 Main RdFamous art gallery, now the most popular attraction in Hobart. David Walsh built this amazing space to house his quirky and unique private collection, the best way to arrive is by ferry (book online and leave from Murray St Pier on the waterfront), and you can easily spend a day through the museum and visiting the Moorilla Winery and Moo Brew cellar door on the grounds.
Recently refurbished, iconic building and telling the story of Tasmania in a style quite quirky and different to the usual stuffy library-like museums. Includes great exhibits on Aboriginal conflict, Antarctic exploration and political change.
220 locals recommend
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Dunn PlaceRecently refurbished, iconic building and telling the story of Tasmania in a style quite quirky and different to the usual stuffy library-like museums. Includes great exhibits on Aboriginal conflict, Antarctic exploration and political change.
Part of the UNESCO Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Site. Purpose-built facility to house female convicts, an easily accessible place to get a feel for British transportation to Van Diemans Land.
44 locals recommend
Cascades Female Factory Historic Site
16 Degraves StPart of the UNESCO Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Site. Purpose-built facility to house female convicts, an easily accessible place to get a feel for British transportation to Van Diemans Land.
Historical site and Australia's oldest brewery, still the home of Cascade Beer offering tours and tastings set in idyllic gardens in the shadow of Mount Wellington. Booking essential and production is best viewed on weekdays.
92 locals recommend
Cascade Brewery
140 Cascade RdHistorical site and Australia's oldest brewery, still the home of Cascade Beer offering tours and tastings set in idyllic gardens in the shadow of Mount Wellington. Booking essential and production is best viewed on weekdays.
Getting Around
My Ride Hobart
129 Sandy Bay RoadClosest bike hire to my apartment, situated in a bike shop.
Good daily (and overnight) rates to hire a bike and ride from the city around waterfront or along the river. Best to call first, find details online.
9 locals recommend
Hobart Bike Hire
Brooke StreetGood daily (and overnight) rates to hire a bike and ride from the city around waterfront or along the river. Best to call first, find details online.
Information centre for Metro buses, including ticketing and timetables. Open weekdays and till 2pm Saturdays.
25 locals recommend
Metro Shop Hobart
40 Elizabeth StInformation centre for Metro buses, including ticketing and timetables. Open weekdays and till 2pm Saturdays.
Franklin Square
70 Macquarie StBuses back to Sandy Bay leave from Stop 'P' next to Franklin Square.
Essentials
Shopping plaza with supermarkets, pharmacy, bakery and coffee.
57 locals recommend
Woolworths Sandy Bay
57 King StShopping plaza with supermarkets, pharmacy, bakery and coffee.
Village Dry Cleaners
Closest laundromat to my apartment, dryers are $1 per 7 min
Smaller Coles supermarket in the main strip of Sandy Bay near other conveniences
55 locals recommend
Coles Sandy Bay
246 Sandy Bay RdSmaller Coles supermarket in the main strip of Sandy Bay near other conveniences
Gourmet provedore with some delicious Tasmanian goodies and a fine selection of wine.
30 locals recommend
Lipscombe Larder | A World of Fine Foods
3 Sandy Bay RdGourmet provedore with some delicious Tasmanian goodies and a fine selection of wine.
Royal Hobart Hospital
48 Liverpool St24 hour Emergency Department
Shopping
Hobart's CBD is centred around Liverpool, Collins, Murray and Elizabeth Streets. Some smaller but newly refurbished arcades are worth wandering around in the city here.
9 locals recommend
Elizabeth Street Mall
50 Elizabeth StHobart's CBD is centred around Liverpool, Collins, Murray and Elizabeth Streets. Some smaller but newly refurbished arcades are worth wandering around in the city here.
Saturday mornings until 3pm. An absolute must if you are here on a Saturday, iconic market in a historical setting, showcasing a huge range of local foods, craft and street performers.
402 locals recommend
Salamanca Market
Salamanca PlaceSaturday mornings until 3pm. An absolute must if you are here on a Saturday, iconic market in a historical setting, showcasing a huge range of local foods, craft and street performers.
Food Scene
My favourite coffee in Hobart. Some light food options but always stop in for a coffee while in the CBD.
19 locals recommend
Villino Coffee
30 Criterion StMy favourite coffee in Hobart. Some light food options but always stop in for a coffee while in the CBD.
Coffee wholesalers and excellent brewers with good breakfast too (fairly usual options, nothing fancy but done well). Also a retail coffee shop.
Hobart Coffee and Tea Merchants
14 Gregory StCoffee wholesalers and excellent brewers with good breakfast too (fairly usual options, nothing fancy but done well). Also a retail coffee shop.
Very popular brunch place albeit with a fairly alternative menu. Personally, I think they try too hard to be different but it's very popular with Hobartian hipsters. Don't go here if you just want eggs benedict but the coffee is good.
33 locals recommend
Pilgrim Coffee
54 Liverpool StVery popular brunch place albeit with a fairly alternative menu. Personally, I think they try too hard to be different but it's very popular with Hobartian hipsters. Don't go here if you just want eggs benedict but the coffee is good.
Excellent pastries and rustic breakfasts to go with the iconic old English promenades of Battery Point. A crowd favourite.
166 locals recommend
Jackman & McRoss
57 Hampden RdExcellent pastries and rustic breakfasts to go with the iconic old English promenades of Battery Point. A crowd favourite.
Very good brunches with standard sort of menu and quaint little converted house and yard dining area.
18 locals recommend
The Duchess Cafe
231 Sandy Bay RdVery good brunches with standard sort of menu and quaint little converted house and yard dining area.
Ecru Coffee
18 Criterion StVillino's sister hole-in-the-wall coffee place. Great brew.
Excellent brunches and coffee with an alternative vibe. Gets very crowded on weekends.
46 locals recommend
Machine Laundry Cafe
12 Salamanca SquareExcellent brunches and coffee with an alternative vibe. Gets very crowded on weekends.
Great cafe for brunches, lunch or any time coffee and cake. Popular place along the lovely South Hobart strip.
92 locals recommend
Ginger Brown
464 Macquarie StGreat cafe for brunches, lunch or any time coffee and cake. Popular place along the lovely South Hobart strip.
Fine brasserie with excellent lunch and dinner and breathtaking views from an enclosed verandah. Best old-fashioned lemonade scones in Hobart, and also a great spot for brunch. Recommend booking, as space is limited and popular.
27 locals recommend
The Signal Station
700 Nelson RdFine brasserie with excellent lunch and dinner and breathtaking views from an enclosed verandah. Best old-fashioned lemonade scones in Hobart, and also a great spot for brunch. Recommend booking, as space is limited and popular.
Great spot for any time of day, a converted service station with Melbourne hipster-esque charm. Brunch with a few different options.
110 locals recommend
Room For A Pony
338 Elizabeth StreetGreat spot for any time of day, a converted service station with Melbourne hipster-esque charm. Brunch with a few different options.
If you happen to be in the northern suburbs, this little slice of Melbourne in Hobart has some of our best coffee.
14 locals recommend
Shake A Leg Jr
85 Main RdIf you happen to be in the northern suburbs, this little slice of Melbourne in Hobart has some of our best coffee.
Walking distance from my apartment, great quality casual seafood and wood fire pizzas.
13 locals recommend
Maning Reef Cafe
479 Sandy Bay RdWalking distance from my apartment, great quality casual seafood and wood fire pizzas.
In walking distance, decent pub-style food at affordable prices and with a good vibe on weekends for a drink and music.
14 locals recommend
The Metz on The Bay
217 Sandy Bay RoadIn walking distance, decent pub-style food at affordable prices and with a good vibe on weekends for a drink and music.
If looking for just easy, cheap Thai food in walking distance, this is probably the pick of them in Sandy Bay.
14 locals recommend
All Thai restaurant
236-244 Sandy Bay RdIf looking for just easy, cheap Thai food in walking distance, this is probably the pick of them in Sandy Bay.
Burger Got Soul
160 Sandy Bay RdGreat gourmet burgers in walking distance in Sandy Bay
A good spot if looking for no-fuss pasta and pizza within walking distance.
48 locals recommend
Solo Pasta and Pizza
50B King StA good spot if looking for no-fuss pasta and pizza within walking distance.
Arguably the best Italian restaurant in Hobart. Finer dining so expect to pay a little more but the quality is excellent.
31 locals recommend
Don Camillo Restaurant
5 Magnet CtArguably the best Italian restaurant in Hobart. Finer dining so expect to pay a little more but the quality is excellent.
My Chinese friends would say this is the most authentic fine Chinese restaurant in Hobart. A little more expensive but excellent quality. Quite affordable take away options too.
61 locals recommend
Me Wah Restaurant
16 Magnet CtMy Chinese friends would say this is the most authentic fine Chinese restaurant in Hobart. A little more expensive but excellent quality. Quite affordable take away options too.
Famous Italian restaurant with authentic home-made style food. Recommend booking as it is popular.
53 locals recommend
Da Angelo Ristorante
47 Hampden RdFamous Italian restaurant with authentic home-made style food. Recommend booking as it is popular.
Sapa Rose
77-81 Harrington StSome of the best Vietnamese you'll find in Hobart.
Well-reviewed Indian with good value authentic curries and tandoor.
Maharaja Authentic Indian Restaurant
81 Bathurst StWell-reviewed Indian with good value authentic curries and tandoor.
Old fashioned Australian pub food in a good place for a beer and parma.
39 locals recommend
New Sydney Hotel
87 Bathurst StOld fashioned Australian pub food in a good place for a beer and parma.
Good Australian-style pub with a beer garden and quite decent food, if you're looking for a pint and parma.
8 locals recommend
Brisbane Hotel
3 Brisbane StGood Australian-style pub with a beer garden and quite decent food, if you're looking for a pint and parma.
Fish 349
349 Elizabeth StGreat seafood with a range of price options and gelato out front.
One of Hobart's original Indian restaurants, a good option on the North Hobart strip.
33 locals recommend
Annapurna Indian Cuisine
305 Elizabeth StOne of Hobart's original Indian restaurants, a good option on the North Hobart strip.
Really good modern Australian if looking for grilled steaks in North Hobart.
22 locals recommend
Roaring Grill
301 Elizabeth StReally good modern Australian if looking for grilled steaks in North Hobart.
Great gourmet burgers if looking for casual cheap food up in Elizabeth Street.
23 locals recommend
The Burger Haus
364A Elizabeth StGreat gourmet burgers if looking for casual cheap food up in Elizabeth Street.
My favourite seafood in Tasmania, if in a fairly cheesy themed setting. Chowder is to die for. Recommend booking.
30 locals recommend
Drunken Admiral
19 Hunter StMy favourite seafood in Tasmania, if in a fairly cheesy themed setting. Chowder is to die for. Recommend booking.
There are several punts in Constitution Dock selling fresh and cooked fish and chips. Flippers is the most well known one for a good value bite while walking around the wharf.
6 locals recommend
Flippers Cooked Seafood
158 Davey StThere are several punts in Constitution Dock selling fresh and cooked fish and chips. Flippers is the most well known one for a good value bite while walking around the wharf.
Famous Tasmanian family-owned restaurant who own boats and catch their own fish, this building has cheap fish and chips and ice cream on the ground floor, plus fine seafood dining upstairs.
27 locals recommend
Mures Lower Deck
Franklin WharfFamous Tasmanian family-owned restaurant who own boats and catch their own fish, this building has cheap fish and chips and ice cream on the ground floor, plus fine seafood dining upstairs.
Trendy South American style grill with jerked meats and a range of flavours. Popular, so expect to wait at the bar.
73 locals recommend
Frank Restaurant
1 Franklin WhrfTrendy South American style grill with jerked meats and a range of flavours. Popular, so expect to wait at the bar.
MALDINI
47 Salamanca PlOne of the better Italian restaurants along Salamanca strip
Mezethes Greek Taverna
77 Salamanca PlQuite good Greek in Salamanca
By the same owners of Cargo down the street, this is a gastropub specialising in very good burgers. Can get pretty busy
42 locals recommend
Jack Greene
49 Salamanca PlBy the same owners of Cargo down the street, this is a gastropub specialising in very good burgers. Can get pretty busy
Later, this is an extremely crowded and very noisy bar but in early evening and at lunchtimes they do some very good wood fire pizzas. Good for cheap eats and chilled drink before your night out.
36 locals recommend
Cargo Bar Pizza Lounge
51 Salamanca PlLater, this is an extremely crowded and very noisy bar but in early evening and at lunchtimes they do some very good wood fire pizzas. Good for cheap eats and chilled drink before your night out.
The iconic and original steak place in Hobart and one of Salamanca's first restaurants, back when it was just warehouses. Not overly cheap but well worth it for a great steak in fairly informal atmosphere.
19 locals recommend
Ball & Chain Grill
87 Salamanca PlThe iconic and original steak place in Hobart and one of Salamanca's first restaurants, back when it was just warehouses. Not overly cheap but well worth it for a great steak in fairly informal atmosphere.