The complete moving guide to Hobart

Nestled in the foothills of Mt Wellington/Kunanyi, Hobart is a small city with big of things to offer. With an amazing art scene, mouth-watering wine and dining options, and breathtaking natural attractions, Hobart is one of the most popular places to visit in the world.

Hobart is Tasmania’s capital city and is located at the entrance of the Derwent River. It’s also the second oldest capital in Australia, so expect a host of heritage buildings to greet you upon arrival.

As of 2016, 222, 356 individuals live in Greater Hobart while 50, 439 people call Hobart city home. The median age in Hobart is 39 years old¹. Majority of the locals who live here are born locally at 71.2%, followed by British expats at 4.1% and Chinese professionals at 3.5%. It’s no surprised that English is the most common language in Hobart − approximately 79% of households speak English at home¹.

In terms of employment, most locals are employed in the Healthcare and Social Assistance industry, followed by Public Administration and Safety, and Education and Training.

Weather

Individuals wishing to live in Hobart should know that like most European countries, Hobart has four distinct seasons: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring³.

• Summer (December to February) – Average temperate during summer ranges between 11.5 to 21°C (52.7 – 69.8°F). January and February are the driest months of the year.
• Autumn (March to May) – The city is covered in beautiful red and yellow hues during Autumn when average temperatures range from 8.9 – 17.3°C (48 – 63.1°F).
• Winter (June to August) – Expect frost, snow and Antarctic winds during winter when average daily temperatures ranges between 5 to 12.3°C (41 – 54.1°F). Also, be aware that overnight temperatures can dip to as low as 3°C (37.4°F).
• Spring (September to November) – Make sure you visit the Hobart Royal Botanic Garden during spring, where you can enjoy temperatures from 7.8 to 16.9°C (46 – 62.4°F). Just make sure you schedule your visit on a clear day as spring is Hobart’s wettest season.

In terms of rainfall, Hobart is quite dry and is Australia’s second driest capital city after Adelaide. Last year, the Australia Bureau of Meteorology reported total rainfall at Hobart was 656.mm⁴.

Schools, Universities and Higher Education

Those wishing to move to Hobart with their families can enrol their children at:

• Oakwood School at Claremont − Preschool to Year 12
• Calvin Christian School at Kingston – from Kindergarten to Year 12
• St Michael’s Collegiate – an independent, all-girls Anglican school for early learning, primary and secondary students

While those with older children can consider The University of Tasmania or TasTAFE.

Public Transport

The most popular way to get around Hobart is by car. Approximately 50% of households⁵ in Greater Hobart have access to two or more motor vehicles. Those without private transportation can use the city’s buses which travels to the North West, Northern, Southern, East Coast and West Coast of the state. There are also ferries that link Bruny Island to the mainland and the Bellerive Ferry “provides a fast, safe, and convenient passenger transport option that links the eastern shore with the city of Hobart”⁶.

Shopping

There are plenty of small shops and markets around Hobart where locals can buy artworks, clothing and produce, this include the Wander Bohemian Market and the Salamanca Market which is held every Saturday. Those wishing to shop in shopping centres can visit Eastland Shopping Centre, Northgate Shopping Centre and the Cat & Fiddle Arcade.

Events

Not to be beaten by bigger Australian cities, there are several annual events that are unique to Hobart, including:

• The Cygnet Folk Festival
• Ginuary Hobart
• Wine Machine Tasmania
• The Derwent Valley Autumn Festival
• Dark Mofo
• The Festival of Voices
• The Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest
• Tasmania Whisky Week
• The Taste of Tasmania
• The Falls Music and Arts Festival

For more information visit Hobart & Beyond or The City of Hobart’s Arts and Cultural festival page.

Entertainment

Locals generally enjoy concerts, art and music shows at MONA, the Theatre Royal and other providers.

Plants and quarantine

Like most Australian states, Tasmania has one of the strictest biosecurity laws in the world. Below are a list animals and items you cannot bring into the state⁷:

• Bees, including its products such as honeycomb, raw beeswax, bee suits, veils and other beekeeping equipment
• Fish products, goldfish, fishing bait, reptiles and amphibians
• Fruit and vegetables − there are dumping points available in Hobart airport
• Agricultural and recreational equipment that has been contaminated with plant materials or soil

Before you enter Hobart, make sure you read the complete list at Biosecurity Tasmania.

If you think Hobart is the Australian city for you and you’re interested in moving to Hobart, make sure you contact Grace. Grace can help you move to Hobart with our door-to-door complete removals service. We can take care of the entire process from the packing, loading, disassembly, assembly and can even unpack, set-up and clean your home so it’s ready for you when you arrive. If you’re after a professional, convenient and comprehensive removalist to help you relocate to Hobart, call Grace on 1300 723 844 or fill in one of our quick quotes.

^{1 Australia Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census QuickStats – Hobart (C)}

^{2 City of Hobart, Employment by Industry}

^{3 Australia.com, Weather in Hobart}

^{4 Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania in 2020}

^{5 ProfileID, Derwent Valley Council area – number of cars per household}

^{6 Tasmania Government, 2021, Derwent River ferry trial}

^{7 Tasmanian Government, 2021, Biosecurity Tasmania}