Hobart
The second oldest Australian capital city thanks to its history as a penal colony, Hobart is surrounded by beautiful wilderness.
It’s also the last port-of-call for anyone who wanted to travel to Antarctica, which makes sense out of why it’s also the base for French and Australian Antarctic operations.
key facts
- Location: On Tasmania’s southern coast, on the banks of the River Derwent
- Population: 219,000
- Size: 1,696 km2
weather
Hobart generally has fairy moderate weather, though it’s cooler than the other state capitals.
- Summer average: 17°C
- Winter average: 9°C
- Average rainfall: 550 mm
working in hobart
Hobart currently houses over 6,000 businesses. The economy in Hobart is diverse but the service industries are its strongest contributors.
Hobart’s largest employing sectors are public administration and safety, healthcare and social assistance and education and training.
Retail and professional and social services are also strong contenders.
studying in hobart
Hobart is home to the University of Tasmania, Australia’s fourth oldest university which is consistently rated in Australia’s top ten universities.
UTA is Tasmania’s only university and has faculties spread throughout the state. They offer courses in a wide array of disciplines including business, teaching, architecture, nursing arts, and marine and Antarctic studies.
Many students favour Hobart for its laid back vibe as it is smaller than most Australian capital cities. Its beautiful scenery and low cost of living also contribute to the city’s popularity.
More than 1 in 5 students at UTA are international students.
housing and property
Hobart has the most affordable housing of any state capital in Australia, with an average housing price of AUD $350,000 in January 2016 – less than a third of Sydney! Meanwhile, rent cost around $340 per week on average.
Hobart has a variety of housing options available, many of which look out onto the Derwent River or Mount Wellington.
The Tasmanian government’s Department of Health and Human Services has established an organisation called Housing Tasmania that provides information for those looking to purchase a home in Tasmania, as well as providing housing for residents with low income or special needs.
transport
Hobart’s public transport provider is Metro, which operates a bus network throughout the city.
Standard fares in urban areas range from AUD $3.20 to AUD $6.70 in urban areas, although frequent travellers can get a 20% discount by using a Greencard and students and children can get discounted tickets.
Hobart has fairly low traffic compared to other state capitals. Many find it easier to get around by car if they live in the outer suburbs as buses can be hard to track down outside the inner city.
Some students in Hobart choose to live in share-houses close to university so they can get by travelling primarily by foot.
tasmania
Tasmania is known as Australia’s island state but it’s actually an archipelago made up of 334 islands. The state also serves as the base for Antarctic missions, due to its geographical proximity to Eastern Antarctica.
Renowned for its stunning scenery, Tasmania is a popular destination for hikes and nature trails, which is no surprise considering it’s home to 17 national parks.
It also has 11 World Heritage-listed convict sites, so it has plenty of opportunities on offer to learn about the troubled history of Australia’s European settlement.
Tasmania is also home to a number of historic galleries in museums, notably the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), which hosts a number of festivals and events throughout the year.