Hobart, Tasmania

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Destination: Hobart, Tasmania

Introduction

Hobart, Tasmania's capital, sits at the foot of the brooding 1,271-metre Mount Wellington on the deep, sheltered waters of the Derwent River. It is a city with sailing in its soul — best known internationally as the finishing port of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, one of offshore sailing's toughest and most celebrated bluewater classics. Constitution Dock, right in the heart of the city waterfront, fills with race finishers each December and January in an atmosphere unique to Australian sailing. Beyond the race, Hobart is a gateway to some of the most remote and challenging cruising in the Southern Hemisphere: the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Bruny Island, Port Davey, and the wild Tasmanian south-west coast.

GPS Coordinates

42° 52' 55.560"S 147° 19' 37.920"E

42 52 55.560S 147 19 37.920E

Protected Anchorages

Constitution Dock in the city centre has pontoon berths managed by the Derwent Sailing Squadron — available to visitors outside race season; contact on VHF Ch 77 or call ahead. Sullivan's Cove marina (adjacent) is the main visitor marina with fuel and services. Sandy Bay, 3 km south of the dock, offers anchorage in 5–10 metres over mud with reasonable holding, though ferry wash and boat traffic require alert anchoring. The D'Entrecasteaux Channel, south of Hobart between Bruny Island and the mainland, is the prime local cruising ground: Great Bay on Bruny Island (2–5 m, sand and mud, good shelter) and Quarantine Bay offer excellent anchorages. Adventure Bay on the eastern side of Bruny (5–8 m, sand) is a historic anchorage used by Cook, Bligh, and d'Entrecasteaux. Further south, Port Esperance and Dover provide good shelter in 3–8 metres. Entry to Hobart requires navigating Storm Bay — a notoriously lumpy stretch in strong winds — and the Iron Pot lighthouse at the Derwent entrance. Call Hobart VTS on VHF Ch 12 when approaching.

Customs Protocols for Visiting Yachts

Hobart is not a primary international port of entry for international clearance, which should be completed at Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, or another designated entry port before sailing south. Once cleared into Australia, domestic travel between ports requires no further customs formalities. The Derwent Sailing Squadron (DSS) acts as the official welcoming authority for Sydney-Hobart race finishers and can assist with local requirements.

Yacht Clubs and Marinas in the Vicinity

  • Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania (RYCT), Marieville Esplanade
  • Derwent Sailing Squadron (DSS), Battery Point
  • Hobart Yacht Club
  • Sandy Bay Sailing Club

Renowned Attractions

  • Sydney Hobart Race finish at Constitution Dock — watching the fleet arrive from Boxing Day through New Year is a pilgrimage for any serious sailor; the dock fills with pontoon after pontoon of sea-battered yachts
  • MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) — provocative, world-class contemporary art museum in a stunning underground building; take the MONA ROMA ferry from Sullivans Cove
  • Salamanca Market (Saturday) — one of Australia's finest outdoor markets filling the historic sandstone warehouses along the waterfront with local produce, crafts, and street food
  • Mount Wellington / kunanyi — a 45-minute drive to 1,271 metres above the city delivers spectacular views over the Derwent and out to the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and beyond
  • Bruny Island — sail south through the D'Entrecasteaux Channel to an island of extraordinary wildlife (little penguins, echidnas, white wallabies), local cheese, and whisky
  • Port Arthur Historic Site — 90 minutes by road; UNESCO World Heritage convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, with spectacular cliffs and sea caves accessible by yacht
  • Cascade Brewery (1824) — Australia's oldest continually operating brewery, set beneath the mountain cliffs; tours available

Currency and Exchange Rate

Currency: Australian Dollar

Exchange Rate to USD

Nearby Yachting Destinations

Summary

Hobart is the finishing line of offshore sailing's most famous southern-ocean classic and a city that embraces its maritime identity with genuine passion. The D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island offer world-class cruising on the doorstep, while MONA, Salamanca Market, and the dramatic mountain backdrop make Hobart one of Australia's most rewarding stopover ports.