10 Awesome Things to do in Hobart with kids

From museums devoted to all things brown and sticky, to swashbuckling pirate experiences on deserted islands and close encounters with little devils, there’s a lot of family fun to be had here in Hobart.

A wind-whipped island known for its whisky, wine, and oysters, Tasmania may not immediately strike you as the ideal destination for a holiday with kids. But look a little more closely and you’ll find that the Apple Isle is surprisingly accommodating for all ages – and nowhere does that ring more true than Tassie’s capital.

From a professionally organised treasure hunt on a deserted island to a museum dedicated to all things poo, a 4WD safari to spot the island’s eponymous devil, and a quaint-as-can-be model village, there are plenty of things to do in Hobart with kids.

1. Visit Mona

Admittedly, a museum seemingly devoted to life’s darker themes doesn’t seem particularly child-friendly, but don’t be put off; the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) has got something for every age group, starting with the animal seats on the 25-minute ferry journey from Brooke Street Pier.

MONA Roma ferry — Getting to Mona on the ferry is half the fun for kids. (Image: MONA/ Jesse Hunniford)

Once at Mona, most families focus on the outdoor area where the giant sculptures double as a playground, but indoors, staff can give you a good outline of what to see (and what to avoid) depending on your particular sensibilities. Entry to Mona is reduced for Tasmanians (only $5) and free for children aged under 12 but priced at $39 for adults, $34 for concessions and $17 for under 18. Be sure to book before you visit.

Entrance to the MONA in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia — Entrance to the Mona—one of the top attractions in Hobart. (Image: MONA and Rémi Chauvin)

2. Take a Port Arthur Ghost Tour

Some kids live for Halloween, school camp horror stories and ill-advised slasher movies when a lax sitter is in charge. They’re the ones to book in for a spine-chilling ghost tour of Port Arthur Historic Site’s infamous buildings and ruins.

The guided, lantern-lit tours go for 90 minutes, each passing moment filled with vivid stories of unexplained events and things that go bump in the night that have terrified convicts, free settlers, soldiers and visitors.

Held on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, an adult ticket is $35 and a child ticket $18 (children under 7 are free). And pre-tour cake at the Visitor Centre cafe is a must. Tickets must be pre-booked online and you’ll have to factor in a one-hour- and 20-minute drive south-east.

The Ghost Tour at the Port Arthur Historic site in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia — The Ghost Tour is a spine-chilling, lantern-lit exploration of Port Arthur Historic Site’s infamous buildings and ruins. (Image: Alastair Bett)

3. Get up close and personal with some Tasmanian Devils

Nothing says ‘Tasmanian getaway’ quite like a bit of downtime with the Apple Isle’s most famous critters, and happily, there are two great ways to enjoy them. At Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, you can amble at your own pace or book in for one of its daily 45-minute tours.

Over at Tasmanian Devil Unzoo where the creatures run wild, a great way to see them is with The Devil Tracker Adventure, a guided 4WD tour in native forest to see how they’re being tracked and monitored.

A family pass (two adults, two children) at Bonorong is priced at $99, while family entry (up to four children) at Tasmanian Devil Unzoo is $140, or $225 for The Devil Tracker Tour for adults (over 16 years) and $125 for kids aged eight to 16.

Tasmanian Devils Unzoo — The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo is the best place to see these endangered marsupials. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

4. Play pirate for a day with Esperance Adventures

You’d be hard-pressed to find a child (or adult) who doesn’t dream of heading to a deserted island – treasure map in hand – for a day of fun ‘foraging’. Esperance Adventures lets families do exactly that, offering a 2.5-hour tour that kicks off with a kayak from the beach at the River Mouth, Southport, over to an island where everyone will be given their map and clues to find the treasure.

The Treasure Hunter Tour is available between December and May and the $330 family ticket price (two adults, one child) includes morning tea, and what we hope are large bags of gold. Making a pit stop at Rocket @ The End of The Road for coffee and cake is the perfect way to end the experience.

Esperance Adventures' Treasure Hunter Tour in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia — Forage for treasure on a deserted island at the Treasure Hunter Tour. (Image: Esperance Adventures)

5. Take on a Springs to Sphinx rock walk

Looking for something to do in Hobart with kids that doesn’t break the bank? Get outdoors. Tasmania is no stranger to scenic, multi-day hikes, but when you’ve got little ones treading the path beside you, you’ll be thankful for this ‘maximum gain for minimal effort’ inclusion.

Located at kunanyi/Mt Wellington (bring warm layers), the 2.7-kilometre wonder is a short, level walk to a sandstone rock formation with spectacular views of Hobart, the Organ Pipes and the River Derwent.

Happily, you’re only a short distance from Rock Cabin, a historic stone shelter that is well worth the detour, and Lost Freight, a shipping container cafe located at the Springs and famous for its hot chocolate.

Kunanyi/Mt Wellington Summit in Tasmania — Take in the stunning views at the kunanyi/Mt Wellington Summit. (Credit: Luke Tscharke)

6. Visit the Pooseum (yes, really)

How long does it take an elephant to defecate? Why should you never walk barefoot on a tropical beach? All these questions (and many more) will be answered at Pooseum, a museum devoted to animal droppings.

Offering more than 50 information panels and 40 videos on touchscreens, kids will love the PooTube videos, kids’ corner, farting machine (and other interactive displays) as much as they’ll get a kick out of the Pootrid Shop, which sells all manner of digestive system-related gifts.

Not suitable for kids under eight, the museum – located in the historic village of Richmond in the Coal River Valley, a 25-minute drive from Hobart – is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm. Family ticket price $54+ (two adults, two children).

The Pooseum in Richmond, Tasmania, Australia — The ‘Pooseum’ — a museum dedicated to animal droppings. (Image: The Pooseum)

7. Check out Old Hobart Town

Take a step back in time with Old Hobart Town, the country’s only historical model village, which replicates (in miniature form) the life and times of the city back in 1820.

Located on the main street of Richmond, the attraction is set out in streets so you can walk and share stories of what life was like waaay before the internet and television. Don’t worry: among the 60-plus replica buildings and more than 500 period figurines, you’ll also find informative signage to help you out.

Family tickets are priced from $40 and the attraction is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Don’t forget to factor in time for Sweets and Treats nearby, where all manner of glass jars are filled with brightly coloured lollies.

The Old Hobart Town in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia — Old Hobart Town is Australia’s only historical model village. (Image: Old Hobart Town)

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

8. Go on an Iron Pot Cruise with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

Show me a kid who swears he or she isn’t obsessed with lighthouses and I’ll show you a liar (albeit an adorable one). Pennicott Wilderness Journeys is known for its extensive range of wildlife and nature cruises and its Iron Pot Cruise takes in Iron Pot, the country’s oldest lighthouse, as it traverses the seas in a 12-passenger vessel (don’t worry, the cabin is enclosed with large awning windows provided).

Cruising down the River Derwent, you’ll see all the city’s landmarks, circumnavigate Betsey Island and discover the city’s rich maritime past. Iron Pot Cruises depart from the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Hobart Booking Centre on Franklin Wharf, with 10am and 2pm departures daily (Cost: Adult: $140; Child: $120).

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys' Iron Pot Cruise in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia — Cruising down the River Derwent, you’ll see all the city’s landmarks and circumnavigate Betsey Island. (Image: Pennicott Wilderness Journeys)

9. Enjoy a distinctly Tasmanian adventure at TMAG

How can you go past a museum that strictly follows the ‘Kids in Museums Manifesto’. At the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) – a combined museum, art gallery and herbarium focused on showcasing Tasmania’s natural and cultural heritage and identity – opportunities for adventure are everywhere.

Grab a Discovery backpack (a free, in-gallery loan resource for kids aged between seven and 12, filled with objects, props and activities across a number of subject areas), and let the kids go wild.

Don’t miss the exhibition mapiya lumi around here, which has been specially developed for younger children. It’s easily one of the best things to do in Hobart with kids.

TMAG is open Tuesdays to Sundays, as well as public holiday Mondays with free admission.

Entry to Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery — The TMAG is a museum, art gallery and herbarium in one. (Image: Tourism Tasmania)

10. Go to Antarctica… In Hobart

Got a spare $20,000? You could sail to Antarctica to see the huts of Sir Douglas Mawson, Australia’s most famous polar explorer. Prefer to spend $35 on a family pass instead? Head down to Hobart’s waterfront to visit Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum, located a mere 200 metres from where Mawson’s expedition departed the city in 1911. There, you can check out a painstaking replica that takes into account every detail of where the man himself lived and worked in Cape Denison, East Antarctica.

Mawson's Huts Replica Museum — A fascinating replica of Dr Mawson’s room inside the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum.

The cherry on top? Proceeds from your visit go towards the conservation of the original huts, and it’s a short walk to Van Diemens Land Creamery – yum! Open seven days, 10am to 5pm.

Looking at other things to do and see in Hobart? We’ve got you covered with our ultimate travel guide to the city.

Overlooking the winding Tamar River, the Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is where two of Tasmania’s most acclaimed wine labels come together. Sip award-winning cool-climate wines and world-class sparkling while soaking up the vineyard views in one spectacular setting.

The fire crackles softly as you settle into a comfortable armchair, a glass of Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir warming your hands. Outside, rows of vines stretch across the Tamar Valley, their gentle contours framed by rolling hills and ever-changing skies. Or perhaps it’s a sunlit afternoon, and you’re on the terrace with a flute of PIRIE Vintage sparkling in hand, watching the valley shimmer beneath you as each crisp sip captures the freshness of Tasmania. At the Tamar Ridge and PIRIE Cellar Door, the setting in one of Australia’s most celebrated cool-climate wine regions is every bit as special as the wines.

The two brands now share a beautifully refurbished cellar door, giving visitors the opportunity to sample both still and sparkling wines from the Brown Family Wine Group’s luxury portfolio in a single stop. Alongside the shared tasting space, they’ve also introduced a range of premium experiences tailored to each brand.

Tamar Ridge’s story began in 1994, when vines were planted at Kayena in Tasmania’s Upper Tamar Valley. Guided by renowned viticulturist Dr Richard Smart – the “Flying Vine Doctor” – the vineyard quickly gained a reputation for quality, with a new winery established in 1998 and the Tamar Ridge label born.

sitting on the lawn of Tamar Ridge & Pirie Cellar Door — Sit outside to soak in the sun as you enjoy Tamar Valley views. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

Today, New Zealand-born head winemaker Tom Wallace leads the cellar, brings his passion for cool-climate winemaking to help shape Tamar Ridge’s reputation for elegant, expressive wines.

Founded by Dr Andrew Pirie in 1995, PIRIE helped prove the island’s potential for world-class cool-climate sparkling.

Crafted in the traditional method from hand-picked Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the Valley, PIRIE Tasmania sparkling wines are celebrated for their fine beads, depth and elegance. With a collection of trophies, gold medals and top honours behind them, these rare vintages showcase the very best of the state’s sparkling wine.

Brown Brothers – now known as the Brown Family Wine Group – acquired Tamar Ridge, PIRIE and Devil’s Corner on the island’s east coast in 2010, extending the legacy of a family wine company founded in 1889 at Milawa in Victoria’s King Valley. The company has continued its pursuit of exceptional cool-climate vineyards, recognising Tasmania’s unique potential in a changing climate.

Location

roaring fireplace inside Tamar Ridge & Pirie Cellar Door tamar valley — Get cosy by the roaring fireplace. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is set on the west bank of the Tamar River, just 20 minutes north of Launceston and around two and a half hours’ drive from Hobart near the riverside village of Rosevears in northern Tasmania. Stretching more than 60 kilometres along the river, from the mouth near Launceston north towards Bass Strait, the Valley is a vast patchwork of vineyards, orchards, farmland and historic townships.

Style & decor

interior of Tamar Ridge & Pirie Cellar Door tamar valley — Come for a regular tasting, or book an experience. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase panoramic views, while outdoor decks make the most of the surrounding scenery. Inside, the refined contemporary interiors strike a balance between modern luxury and the natural surrounds, with a double-sided fireplace to linger by. A Tamar River view creates a warm focal point. Natural wood accents add a sense of place, including a handcrafted 12-seat Tasmanian oak table that anchors the space with understated elegance.

Wine experiences

The cellar door’s curated wine experiences pair award-winning wines with local produce and the stories behind them. For those who prefer a leisurely visit without a set itinerary, the cellar door also offers cheese platters and small plates, best enjoyed with a glass in hand while taking in those Tamar River views.

Come for a taste, stay for an experience.

PIRIE & Oyster Experience

A true taste of Tasmania comes to life in the PIRIE & Oyster Experience, created in partnership with Tasmanian Oyster Co. Exploring the connection between merroir and terroir – the influence of the sea and soil on flavour – this guided tasting pairs three premium oysters from different Tasmanian growing regions with three expressions of PIRIE sparkling wine: the NV, 2021 Vintage and Blanc de Blanc.

As each oyster and wine pairing is revealed, guests discover how Tasmania’s unique landscapes shape flavour, from the mineral freshness of the ocean to the elegance and precision of cool-climate sparkling wine.

Pinot Noir Blending Experience

For those who want to step behind the winemaker’s bench, the Pinot Noir Blending Experience offers a hands-on journey into the art of creating great wine.

Guests taste through three to four individual Pinot Noir clones from the previous vintage, each revealing its own personality through aroma, structure and character. Guided by the cellar door team, visitors explore how these individual components come together to create balance and complexity – before attempting their own blend.

Will you recreate the house style, or create something entirely original? This immersive experience offers a fascinating insight into the craft, creativity and precision that goes into every bottle.

Supreme Indulgence

Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door — Settle in for true indulgene. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

The most elevated experience at the cellar door, the Supreme Indulgence (PIRIE Sparkling with Caviar tasting) is a celebration of luxury, refinement and Tasmania’s exceptional produce.

Priced at $99 per person, the tasting pairs PIRIE Tasmania’s most distinguished sparkling wines with carefully selected sturgeon caviar, chosen to enhance the elegance, texture and finesse of each cuvée. Hosted by an expert member of the team, the experience unfolds as a thoughtful exploration of fine bubbles, delicate flavours and the craftsmanship behind every bottle.

Start planning at tamarridge.com.au and pirietasmania.com.au.

10 awesome things to do in Hobart with kids