Location: Wellington Park, West Hobart, Tasmania
One of Hobart's most obvious highlights also ranks amongst its best, and there are few spectacles that can compare with Mount Wellington in Tasmania – both in terms of the view from afar and offered atop it. Sitting just to the west of central Hobart, the mountain makes for an impressive sight, with its seasonally snow-dusted peak making for a wonderful contrast with the greenery of its slopes.
The summit of Mt. Wellington – and its incredible lookout points – can be reached via a roughly 25 minute drive from the city CBD, with both tours and regular shuttle buses making the trek from the centre of Hobart on a consistent basis via its main Pinnacle Road.
The trip to the top is well worth the time investment, as upon reaching the summit and disembarking you'll be presented with one of the most awe-inspiring vistas in Australia; Hobart's famously clear skies couple with near-360 degree views to form a panorama that's truly impressive.
The view covers a variety of landscapes including Hobart itself, the boat-covered harbour extending to the Southern Ocean, the waters of the Derwent River and the vibrant green of the Derwent Valley, and makes for perhaps the best overall photography point in the region.
There are a variety of quality lookout points on offer at the top, all lead to by stable, scenic boardwalks that each provide their own aspect on the landscape, all wrapped up in a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The environment at the top is entirely different to that below, with the vegetation changing the closer you come to the summit; largely a result of the decidedly different climate to be encountered high up.
Join a Hobart city tour and you’ll be taken to Mt Wellington- the best vantage point in the city with spectacular views of the boat covered harbour extending to the Southern Ocean and Derwent Valley.
And what a difference this climate is; the summit of Mt Wellington sits at an official altitude of 1271m above sea level, and as a result the temperature difference at the summit compared to the base can be drastic. In the colder months of the year, it's not uncommon to have a temperature gap of 10 degrees or more compared to that down below!
Thus, it's important to dress appropriately warmly even if you're feeling comfortable at the base; you don't want to have the views and walking tracks spoiled by a lack of warmth.
The greater ranges of Mt Wellington and its surrounding national park also offer a bevy of other outdoor things to do if you're the active type, and those looking to partake in a spot of hiking, mountain biking, bush walking, or even horse riding will all be presented with such options.
If you're looking to see all of its essentials in the most efficient and convenient way possible, tours – with both half and full day options – of Mt. Wellington are available for reasonable prices that take you directly to the lookout points while also encompassing other regional highlights on the itinerary.
Whether you're grabbing a snapshot of it from ground level or ascending to the top for a scenic experience unmatched anywhere else in Hobart, Mount Wellington is likely to be one of the focal points of your trip to Hobart – and one of the strongest lingering memories of your time spent there.