Hobart Life and Travel Tips

(Hobart, Tasmania - TAS, Australia)



Hobart is the largest city on Australia's southerly island of Tasmania and Hobart is an exciting city to visit at any time of the year. Located between the steep hills of Mount Wellington and the picturesque Derwent River, Hobart is an impressive city, surrounded by magnificent views.

The city of Hobart is home to a friendly atmosphere, with a striking mixture of both historic and modern buildings, many of which were built in the early 18th century. Hobart's combination of sunny weather, top tourist attractions and breathtaking Hobart beaches attract people from all over Australia and the world.




Tourism and Tourist Information

There are a particularly good selection of tourism offices and outlets throughout Hobart and these provide detailed Hobart tourist information, such as brochures, maps of Hobart, attractions information, opening hours, theatre information, directions and general Hobart tourism and tourist information.

Hobart Visitor Information Centre
Address: Davey Street, Hobart, Tasmania (TAS), 7000, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6230 8233
The Hobart Visitor Information Centre can be found in Hobart's scenic waterfront area, close to the city centre. Featuring a vast selection of tourism brochures, transport timetables, Hobart maps, the latest festival and events information, theatre booking, regular guided tours, and information about cruises, the Hobart Visitor Information Centre is Hobart's main centre for tourism.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30- to 17:15, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 16:00

Margate Tourist Information and Craft Outlet
Address: 1649 Channel Highway, Margate, Hobart, Tasmania (TAS), 7054, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6267 2223
Located close to central Hobart, in the nearby Margate district, the Margate Tourist Information and Craft Outlet is full of handy tourism leaflets, event information and things to see and do in Hobart. The building also houses a large and interesting arts and crafts centre, which has become a popular tourist attraction in its own right.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00

Bruny Visitors Centre
Address: South Haven Marina, Kettering, Tasmania (TAS), 7155, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6267 4494
The Bruny Visitors Centre, in Hobart's Kettering district, offers a wealth of information about nearby Bruny Island. With helpful advice, local ferry booking and travel times, maps of the island, activities and useful leaflets about Bruny Island, the Bruny Visitors Centre is also well-stocked with local Hobart souvenirs.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00

Eaglehawk Neck Tourist Information Centre
Address: Officers Mess, Tasman Highway, Eagle, Tasmania (TAS), 7179, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6250 3635
Eaglehawk Neck Tourist Information Centre is situated on the Tasman Peninsula and is overflowing with informative leaflets about historic landmarks and monuments in the area, together with guided tours and local events.

Strahan Visitors Centre
Address: The Esplanade, Strahan, Tasmania (TAS), 7468, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6471 7622

Geeveston Tourist Information Centre
Address: Forest and Heritage Centre, Church Street, Geeveston, Tasmania (TAS), 7116, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6297 1836

Bicheno Tourist Information
Address: Bicheno Penguin Adventure Tours, Tasman Highway, Bicheno, Tasmania (TAS), 7215, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 6375 1333

Hobart Life and Travel Tips

Safety

When travelling in Hobart, as with any large city in Australia, is it sensible to maintain an awareness of your surroundings and make an effort not look like a tourist. Although the crime levels in Hobart and Tasmania are fairly low, try to blend in and always be careful with hand baggage, handbags and money.

Places of Worship

The spreading city of Hobart has a large number of different cultures and religious beliefs. Most major religions have a presence in Hobart and Tasmania, and many Australians are at least nominally Christian in their belief. Protestant churches in Hobart and Australia have merged to form the Uniting Church, although the Anglican Church of Australia remains a separate entity, with St. David's Cathedral being the centre of Anglican religion in Hobart. Catholic churches in Hobart are particularly popular and St. Mary's Cathedral is the head of Hobart's Roman Catholic faith.

Pharmacies and Chemists

Most pharmacies and chemist outlets in Hobart city centre include a number of leading pharmaceutical chains. Open from 08:00 to 20:00 or later, Hobart's pharmacies dispense prescriptions, medicines and many other medical items.

Language

English is the most commonly spoken language in Hobart and Australia, although a number of nationalities and ethnic cultures are well represented in Hobart. Although Australian or 'Aussie' accents in Hobart can be strong, they are not usually difficult to understand.

Visas

All visitors to Hobart and Australia as a whole need a visa and application forms are available from either Australian diplomatic missions overseas or travel agents, where you can either apply in person or by mail. An increasing number of travel agents and airlines now also grant on-the-spot Australian visas for up to three months, using the Electronic Travel Authority system (ETA).

New Zealand nationals are the only country not requiring these Australian travel visas, although they do receive a 'special category' visa when arriving in Hobart.

Working

There are very strict regulations permitting overseas visitors to work in the Hobart area and these are issued by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA). Many visitors aged between 18 to 30 from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan and Malta may be eligible for a Working Australian Holiday Visa, which lasts up to 12 months.

Tipping

Most of the services in Hobart don't generally expect tipping, although Hobart's hotel porters, restaurant waiters and taxi drivers are usually tipped small amounts. Most of the restaurants in the Hobart area expect a tip of around 10%, to the nearest Australian dollar, for prompt, courteous service and good cuisine.

Taxes and Refunds

Hobart has a 10% goods and services tax (GST) which is applied to the majority items purchased in the city of Hobart, although some fresh food goods may be exempt. If you purchase goods in Hobart that have a total value exceeding AUD 300 (from one single supplier), you can claim a full refund for the tax within 28 days. Cheque refunds are available at Hobart Airport and designated tax refund booths are clearly indicated.

Smoking

Smoking in Hobart is not usually permitted in most public buildings, restaurants, sporting arenas, on public transport and even in outdoor areas in Hobart. When visiting Hobart, it is always a good idea not to smoke in enclosed spaces unless others around you are also smoking.