Compare Hobart Campervan Rentals and save today with Compare & Choose and see the wonderful sights of Tasmania. As the capital city of Tasmania, Hobart is the second oldest capital city in Australia after Sydney, and is the most populated of any of Tasmania's other cities. Hobart was originally founded as a penal colony in 1804 at Ridson Cove. There are approximately 218,000 people living in the Hobart area.
Hobart's skyline is consumed by the 1,271 metre high Mount Wellington, and situated on the Derwent River. The Derwent River was one of the deepest Australian shipping ports and played an instrumental role during the Southern Ocean whaling and the sealing trade, and was also used as a ship building port in years gone by.
Most people don't realise, but there are a range of delightful beaches around Hobart. These include the Derwent Estuary, Cornelian and Sandy Bay, and Bellerive, Kingston, Howrah and Nutgrove Beaches.
If you venture to Hobart, be sure to take in some of the local attractions such as Franklin Square, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, MONA FOMA, the Queen's Domain, Hobart Zoo, Iron Pot, Cape Bruny Lighthouse, Anglesea Barracks and Zoodoo Wildlife Park.
Touring Hobart and the rest of Tasmania is definitely best done in a campervan. That's because there are no internal flights or trains for travellers so hiring a campervan in Hobart means you have absolute freedom to see and do whatever you want around the state. No matter which way you drive from Hobart, you will be amazed at the pristine countryside and the fresh, clean air of the Apple Isle. The entire population of Tasmania is about 515,000 people, so you feel like you are a world away from any real hustle and bustle.
During Summer, expect an average temperature of about 21°C in Hobart and given the geographical proximity to Antarctica, you'll want to have a jumper on hand just in case. Even in Summer, you can sometimes get a chill in the air. Hobart's winter sees temperatures around 12°C during the day. Out of all the capital cities in Australia, Hobart is surprisingly the second driest with an annual rainfall of about 625mm (24 inches).
We have listed a few things to do when starting your Tasmanian adventure in Hobart.
As mentioned above, Mt Wellington - a favourite choice amongst tourists who holiday in Hobart as the views of the whole region are incredible. The road to the top is sealed and while a little bit winding, a pretty comfortable drive overall. Be sure to pack warm clothes as it can be cold at the top, year-round.
Even if you plan to venture up on an overcast day, don't worry because you're bound to still get a stunning view of rolling clouds below your feet.
Each Saturday, Hobart truly comes alive as the Salamanca Market entertains local and tourists with over 300 food and craft stalls and live music. Foodies can sample the finest Tasmanian produce and anyone can wander throughout the market and enjoy the great atmosphere for free.
Some of the other top spots to visit in Hobart include Battery Point, Cascade Brewery, Mawson's Huts Replica Museum and the barrier pushing Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).
Exploring the state of Tasmania makes the perfect campervan holiday and Hobart is a great place to start from. There is so much to discover in Hobart and when you have the convenience of your own campervan, there is even more when you drive outside the city into other parts of the state. This small state has an astounding 2,000km of walking trails for those keen to explore off the main roads. There's also 18 national parks, each with their own character and highlights.
For an insight into some of Tasmania's convict history, take a drive to Port Arthur. Located approximately one and a half hour's drive south east out of Hobart, Port Arthur will intrigue and fascinate you. From colonial heritage structures to the pristinely maintained grounds, Port Arthur is an impressive day trip to add to your list. The grounds are quite large, however, still easy enough to walk around and take in the various exhibits and displays on offer. The area has also had a recent upgrade to enhance the overall experience and enjoyment for visitors. It's not hard to spend a full day here or you may even plan to come in the afternoon and stay on for an evening ghost tour.
For a drive closer to Hobart, Huon Valley is perfect to add to the list. The beauty of this region will blow you away. The Huon Valley's Tahune Airwalk is a sight to be seen and is also very accessible via sealed, smooth roads.
Step outside your comfort zone 50 metres above the forest floor. The entire walk takes around 50 minutes to complete so it's best to pack your walking shoes. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can also get your heart pumping on a cable hang glide that whisks you through the forest for 250 metres.
Dover, is a sleepy, quiet village in the Huon Valley and it's the perfect country escape. Near the beach and secluded, you can uncover delightful wineries and antiques. Also, not far, is Hastings Caves Reserve. Here you'll discover thermal springs pools, gorgeous walks amongst the forest and, of course, scenic caves.
A two hour drive from Hobart along the east coast of Tasmania will take you to Swansea. When people think of Tasmania, they normally think forests and beautiful nature. Not often do people picture stunning beaches, but that's exactly what you can discover around Swansea and even further along the coast, depending on how much time you have. Everything about Swansea is relaxing from the natural scenery to the array of cafes where you can feast on Tasmanian harvest. If you're an oyster lover, go where the locals go Melshell Oysters, a quaint oyster farm just out of Swansea.
The best thing about hiring a campervan in Hobart and exploring the state is that any drive you take is sure to be scenic and you'll always find captivating places and towns to stop at along the way.
In the top, centre of the state lies the Tamar Valley, surrounding the second largest city, Launceston. You can easily spend 3 days exploring just this region. Vineyards, berry farms and charming towns sprawl along the Tamar Valley and you can simply drive around and find spots that take your fancy to stop by. Tasmania is also famous for its cheese as the climate and natural elements provide the best conditions for cheese making.
The Beaconsfield Mine Museum is one of the main attractions in the Tamar Valley region as well as The Platypus and Sea Horse World.
It doesn't matter if you decide to spend most of your time in the south around Hobart or you take a good few weeks to experience all of Tasmania, we recommend doing it in your own rental campervan. It's the quickest and most reliable method of transport and of course, you'll love the money that you save not spending on accommodation.
Whether you plan your trip around Tasmania or you plan to be spontaneous, compare campervan prices with Compare & Choose because we love the state and we know you will too!
