Campervan Hire Hobart
It’s a place like no other. The island that began as a prison colony for British criminals is now a popular tourist destination and considered one of the most beautiful and inspiring places in the world. Tasmania, home to the legendary Tasmanian Devil, is a paradise for lovers of wildlife; 40 percent of the land mass is set aside as national parks and reserves. It’s a dream destination if you’re looking for a campervan hire in Hobart to commune with nature on your next vacation.
Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania. Located on the southeastern coast of the island, it is the second-oldest capital city in Australia. Only Sydney is older.
Sitting between the mouth of the Derwent River and the foothills of Mount Wellington, the city is surrounded by undeveloped bush, while Hobart itself bustles with activity.
Roughly the size of West Virginia in the U.S., Tasmania is loaded with destinations and attractions, no matter your favorite activity. And Hobart is the epicenter of the action. Whether you enjoy shopping, art, fine dining, history, or relaxing by the beach, Hobart has the answer.
The local residents, who number about 205,000, are warm and friendly and always ready to welcome visitors.
There are so many things to do right in Hobart that you’ll be able to spend your entire vacation in the city, though you’d be wise to travel at least a short way to the outskirts to soak up the region’s full flavor.
If you arrive on a Saturday morning, you’ll be just in time for the weekly Salamanca Market, a weekly outdoor bazaar with roughly 300 tents and booths offering all sorts of items. Fresh produce, prepared foods, and Tasmanian arts and crafts are among the offerings. The market is set up at Salamanca Place at Sullivan’s Cove.
Learn about Hobart’s seafaring past at Battery Point. Fans of the architecture of bygone days will enjoy the beautifully preserved Georgian mansions that line the roadway, mixed in among more humble cottages once occupied by army officers when Hobart was originally settled in the early 1800s. Be sure to visit St. George’s Anglican Church and Arthur Circus, a green used for battle preparations around which Battery Point is built.
Continue your visit to Hobart’s harbor area with a stop at Constitution Dock, a marina that’s home to pleasure craft as well as hard-working fishing vessels. And where the fishing vessels dock you’re sure to find the freshest seafood, making this a good place to stop for a lunch or dinner.
Be sure to set aside time to drive about 15 minutes north of Hobart to visit the Museum of Old and New Art, known as MONA, in Berriedale. From ancient relics to modern works, MONA displays its varied pieces of artwork six days a week. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Residents of Tasmania are admitted free, but it’s worth the price of admission for visitors from elsewhere.
There is less rain in Hobart than almost anywhere in Australia, a mere 24 inches per year. It is the second-driest capital city in Australia. Temperatures are in a comfortable range during summer (70 degrees) and winter (50 degrees). Remember, summer in Australia comes during what Americans and Europeans think of as the winter months, and vice versa.
Hobart, like the rest of Tasmania, experiences four seasons. The warmest months are December through March, which is also Tasmania’s summer and beginning of autumn. Tasmania’s fall months are March through May, and it’s also harvest time. Winter arrives in June and stays through August. Many people may not know that this is the optimal time for whale watching in Australia. Spring encompasses September through November and it’s the season when the island’s state parks truly come alive. Experts say Tasmania’s best trout fishing can be had in the spring.
Luckily for you, many of Tasmania’s national parks are open to campers. There are few places to camp directly inside the city, but on the outskirts it is easy to find a holiday park or campground. It is best to stay in official campgrounds, which offer amenities such as bathroom facilities.
If you prefer peace and quiet, Sandy Bay is a good choice, but some travelers think it’s a little too far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
If your plan involves taking in the beauty of Mount Wellington, take note that while camping is allowed in Wellington Park, there are no formal sites for campervans or motorhomes, and no facilities. Camping is allowed only in the Natural Zone, but not in picnic areas, access points to the park, car parks, or along/within the vicinity of Pinnacle Road. Campfires are allowed but can only be lit in designated fireplaces or those that are built for this purpose, and only when restrictions or fire bans have been put in place.
No trash bins are available in Tasmania’s national parks, and the rules at all parks state that visitors must take out whatever they bring in. Campers should be sure to bring the proper means for disposal of trash. Also, dogs are not allowed in the parks.
Other good choices are Port Arthur Caravan Park, Coles Bay Caravan Park, and Cradle Mountain, if you’re planning to leave Hobart for a longer trek around Tasmania.
Campervan & Motorhome Rental Locations in Hobart