December 30, 2025

Hobart on a Budget: A 4-Day Family Survival Guide

Hobart on a Budget: How to Survive Tasmania Without Selling a Kidney Listen, I love Hobart. It’s got the air quality of a filtered mountain spring and the vibe of…

Hobart on a Budget: How to Survive Tasmania Without Selling a Kidney

Listen, I love Hobart. It’s got the air quality of a filtered mountain spring and the vibe of a cozy European village. But if you fly in from the mainland with a family of four—including a hungry teenager—and no plan? Your bank account will look like it’s been through a woodchipper by day two.

Tasmania is expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. Here is how to do 4 days in Hobart without breaking the bank.

The Transport Trap: Bus vs. Car

Normally, I’m a “take the bus” guy. But for a family of four? Rent the car.

Hobart’s public transport is… let’s call it “leisurely.” By the time you pay for four tickets to get anywhere interesting, you’ve already spent half a car rental fee. A small SUV gives you the freedom to hit the grocery store (essential for budget survival) and get to Mt. Wellington without paying for a tour bus. Use an aggregator site and book 3 months out.

The “Hobart Hunger” Warning

Here is the most important thing you will read today: Hobart shuts down early.

If you roll out at 8:30 PM looking for a family dinner on a Tuesday, you’re eating a meat pie from a petrol station. Most kitchens close their doors by 8:00 PM or 8:30 PM. For the best variety and budget-friendly eats, head to Elizabeth Street in North Hobart. It’s the “eat street.” You’ll find amazing Thai, burgers, and Italian that won’t cost a mortgage payment.

The 4-Day “No-Stress” Itinerary

Day 1: The Waterfront & Salamanca. If it’s Saturday, hit the Salamanca Markets. Pro tip: Don’t buy the expensive woodwork. Buy the $6 scallop pie and soak in the atmosphere. Walk the Battery Point sculpture trail for free.
Day 2: MONA (The Teenager Pleaser). Take the ferry for the views, but if you’re really pinching pennies, drive there. It’s the weirdest museum on earth. Your teenager will actually think you’re cool for taking them here.
Day 3: Mt. Wellington & Fern Tree. Drive to the summit. It’s free. The views are world-class. On the way down, stop at Fern Tree for a bushwalk to Silver Falls. Cost: $0.
Day 4: Richmond & The Zoo. Drive 30 minutes to Richmond. Walk across Australia’s oldest bridge. Then, hit Zoodoo or the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary to see a Tassie Devil. It’s the one “big” spend worth doing.

Where to Eat (Without the White Tablecloths)

Skip the fancy piers. Go to Flippers or Mures Lower Deck at the wharf for fresh fish and chips. It’s iconic, fast, and you can sit on the docks and fight off seagulls for free entertainment. For dinner, State Cinema Cafe in North Hobart has great vibes and decent prices.

The Damage: What’s it going to cost?

For a family of 4 (3 adults/1 teen pricing):

Flights: $600 – $900 (if you book Jetstar sales).
Car Rental + Fuel: $400.
Airbnb/Apartment: $800 (Get a place with a kitchen!).
Food: $600 (Mix of grocery runs and cheap eats).
Activities: $300.

Total: Approx $2,700 – $3,000 AUD. For a 4-day interstate family trip, that’s as lean as it gets while still having a blast.

Go to Hobart. Breathe the air. Eat the fish. Just make sure you’re in line for dinner by 6 PM.

A family of four standing on the rocky summit of Mount Wellington, Hobart in the background under a crisp blue sky.

A wide-angle shot of the Salamanca Market in Hobart, colorful stalls with local crafts and food, bustling atmosphere, sunny day, sharp focus on the sandstone buildings.

A delicious spread of fresh fish and chips in a cardboard box sitting on a wooden pier at the Hobart waterfront, yachts in the blurred background, golden hour lighting.