Hobart Attractions for Children

(Hobart, Tasmania - TAS, Australia)



Families spending time in Hobart with their young children will likely be on the lookout for attractions to keep everyone happy and occupied. There are certainly many options and these partly depend upon the weather, as well as the age and interests of the children in question.

A relatively safe bet is a trip to the Old Hobart Town Model Village, where you can walk around an accurate historical scale representation of the city some two centuries ago. On a similar theme and located in nearby Claremont, the Alpenrail Swiss Model Village comes with a network of model trains and many related attractions. If animals are more appealing, then consider a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Park or the Zoodoo Fun Park, while for a little more in the way of excitement, either the Tahune Forest Air Walk or the Devil Jet speedboat rides will likely provide what you are looking for.


Hobart Attractions for Children

Old Hobart Town Model Village

Address: 21 Bridge Street, Richmond, Tasmania (TAS), 7025, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6260 2502
Located in Richmond, the Old Hobart Town Model Village is a wonderful historic depiction of how the city appeared in the past. Featuring intricate models with tremendous attention to detail, the model village was created using actual historic town plans and provides some excellent photo opportunities. In total there are more than 60 buildings and some 500 figurines, with the arrangement taking over three years to create. A hand-drawn map guides visitors around the village, while children can enjoy a special 'Search Challenge'.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families

Alpenrail Swiss Model Village

Address: 82 Abbotsford Road, Claremont, Tasmania (TAS), 7011, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6249 3748
Located within the northerly suburb of Claremont, just beyond Windermere Bay, the Alpenrail Swiss Model Village is an enchanting recreation of Swiss villages - in miniature. Featuring highly detailed models, background noises and an impressive, intricate railway network, the attraction also incorporates a Thomas the Tank Engine area and a Smurf village, together with an themed fairy garden.
Open hours: Wednesday to Monday - 09:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families

Hobart Attractions for Children

Tahune Forest Air Walk

Address: Geeveston, Tasmania (TAS), 7116, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6297 0012
Just under an hour to the south-west and based within the nearby Huon Valley, the Tahune Forest Air Walk is a unique way to fully appreciate the structure of a rainforest, from a different angle. This long walkway is suspended high above the ground and offers some spectacular views of the surrounding forest. A swing bridge across the Huon River is also available, with further onsite attractions including a visitors' centre, a café, picnic spots and seating areas. If you plan to try everything on offer and stay for lunch at the cafe, you should allow somewhere in the region of three hours.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families

Hobart Attractions for Children

Bonorong Wildlife Park

Address: Briggs Road, Brighton, Tasmania (TAS), 7030, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6268 1184
The Bonorong Wildlife Park is roughly 28 km / 17 miles to the north of Hobart and is always popular with children of all ages. Home to many native and unusual Australian animals, visitors will be able to see Tasmanian devils, pademelons (similar to wallabies) and bettongs (rat kangaroos). The park is actually more of a wildlife sanctuary than a zoo and specialises in both rehabilitation and caring for orphaned and injured animals. The Wild Child Kids Club educates youngsters about conservation, while for something different, Night Tours are now available, offering a chance to see many nocturnal creatures in action.
Open hours: daily - 08:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children

Dead Man's Gold

Address: The Drunken Admiral Seafarers Restaurant, 17 - 19 Hunter Street, Hobart, Tasmania (TAS), 7000, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6231 1287
Lying directly above the waterfront Drunken Admiral Seafarers Restaurant and next to Franklin Wharf, Dead Man's Gold features numerous hands-on exhibits about the city's fascinating pirate history. There are also various nautical-themed activities, underwater discoveries, informative displays about shipwrecks and plenty of maritime memorabilia. If you are looking for a bite to eat afterwards, then the restaurant menu features dishes such as steamed southern mussels, smoky fried squid, octopus tentacles, Japanese-style salmon and Tasmanian scallops. A special children's menu is available for 'Little Mermaids' and 'Bold Shipmen'.
Open hours: daily - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families

Devil Jet

Address: The Esplanade, New Norfolk, Tasmania (TAS), 7140, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6261 3460
Located approximately 35 km / 22 miles to the north-west, in the neighbouring town of New Norfolk, the Devil Jet certainly provides a memorable experience. These extremely fast and thrilling speedboat rides last for around 30 minutes, zooming up the Derwent River on this 20-km / 12-mile round trip. The jet boats can comfortably seat 12 passengers and along the way you can enjoy pleasant waterfront scenery, as well as the occasional 360-degree spin - thrown in for an added adrenaline rush.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Richmond Maze and Tea Rooms

Address: 13 Bridge Street, Richmond, Tasmania (TAS), 7023, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6260 2451
The Richmond Maze is situated in nearby Richmond and is a great place to stop off for a bite to eat, with fresh cream cakes being a speciality here. Next to the Tea Rooms, the challenging wooden maze is always popular with families and generally takes up to an hour to complete. Virtually next door, the Old Hobart Town and Model Village is another attraction worth investigating, if you have time going spare.
Open hours: daily - 08:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families

Train Park (Caldew)

Address: Hill Street / Warwick Street, Hobart, Tasmania (TAS), 7000, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6238 2711
Train Park can be found on the western side of the city, close to the West Hobart Recreation Ground and on the corner of Hill Street and Warwick Street. Home to a large converted traction engine within a fully fenced-off play area, other attractions include areas for toddlers, open expanses of grass, seating and picnic spots. Of note, Train Park is actually the affectionate local nickname for Caldew Park, which is the official name.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Zoodoo Fun Park

Address: 620 Middle Tea Tree Road, Richmond, Tasmania (TAS), 7025, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6260 2444
The Zoodoo Fun Park resides within nearby Richmond, being located roughly 33 km / 21 miles from Hobart and to the north-east. This is certainly a family orientated attraction, although it is worth bearing in mind that many of the enclosures are beginning to look a little tired and in need of updating. Zoodoo always seems to get somewhat mixed reviews, with many visitors enjoying the keeper talks and the hands-on feeding of the camels, kangaroos and even the lions, while others simply leave a little disappointed.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children