Your first day in Hobart with kids
This first day in Hobart stays close to the waterfront. Mawson's Huts Replica Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) are both 0.4 km from the centre, Salamanca Market is 0.7 km out, Caldew Park (The Train Park) is 1.2 km and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are 1.9 km. It is mostly free: the market, TMAG, the playground and the gardens. Mawson's Huts has a small entry fee, with children 6 to 16 at $5.
Salamanca Market only runs on Saturday, 8:30am to 3pm, so this plan works on a Saturday. On other days, skip the market and start at the museums. TMAG is closed on Mondays. Bring a hat and layers, as the market is outdoors and runs rain or shine. The gardens have pram-friendly paths and a kiosk.
Every stop is a listing on Funtivities, checked against the place's own website. Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Prices and hours can change, so check the listing before you go.
The day at a glance
- Morning: Salamanca Market
- Late morning: Mawson's Huts Replica Museum
- Afternoon: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
- Afternoon: Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
- Late afternoon: Caldew Park (The Train Park)
Morning
Start at Salamanca Market
Salamanca Market, Hobart · Markets & Family Outings · Ages 0-17 · 4.5 stars (13635 reviews)
Hobart's Saturday street market on Salamanca Place, with around 300 stalls, street food and lawns. It runs 8:30am to 3pm, rain or shine, and is 0.7 km from the centre. It is a lively start for kids, though you will need to watch them in the crowd.
Tip: Open Saturdays only, 8:30am to 3pm.
Late morning
Step inside Mawson's Huts replica
Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, Hobart · Museum · Ages 0-17 · From $0 · 4.7 stars (633 reviews)
A replica of Mawson's Antarctic expedition huts on the Hobart waterfront, open daily 10am to 5pm. Children 6 to 16 pay $5, children 0 to 5 are free, and a family ticket (2 adults, 3 children 6 to 16) is $35. It is 0.4 km from the centre.
Tip: Adults pay $15 and concession is $12.
Afternoon
Explore TMAG with a backpack
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart · Museums & Science Centres · Ages 3-17 · Free · 4.5 stars (3617 reviews)
A free state museum and art gallery with a children's gallery for ages 0 to 7. Free family backpacks and toolkits are available. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, and 0.4 km from the centre.
Tip: Ask about the free family backpacks and toolkits. Closed Monday.
Afternoon
Walk the Botanical Gardens
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hobart · Nature & Outdoors · Ages 2-17 · Free · 4.7 stars (7478 reviews)
Free-entry botanical gardens on Lower Domain Road, Queens Domain, open daily. There is a kiosk and the paths are pram-friendly. It is 1.9 km from the centre and listed for ages 2 to 17, so it works as a gentle walk between louder stops.
Tip: Open 8am to 5pm. A kiosk is on site.
Late afternoon
Finish at The Train Park
Caldew Park (The Train Park), West Hobart · Playgrounds & Parks · Ages 2-10 · Free · 4.7 stars (492 reviews)
Caldew Park, known as The Train Park, is a free City of Hobart playground in West Hobart with a train theme, slides, swings, barbecues and public toilets. It is 1.2 km from the centre and listed for ages 2 to 10.
Tip: Barbecues and public toilets are on site.
Before you go
- Salamanca Market is open Saturdays only, 8:30am to 3pm, so this plan works on a Saturday.
- TMAG is free and closed on Mondays, open 10am to 4pm the rest of the week.
- Mawson's Huts: child (6 to 16) $5, under 6 free, family $35.
- The Botanical Gardens have pram-friendly paths and a kiosk.
- The Train Park has barbecues and public toilets.
Questions parents ask
What should we do on a first day in Hobart with kids?
On a Saturday, start at Salamanca Market, then visit Mawson's Huts Replica Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Finish at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens or The Train Park, a free playground in West Hobart.
Is Salamanca Market good for kids?
It has around 300 stalls, street food and lawns on Salamanca Place. It runs Saturday only, 8:30am to 3pm, rain or shine. It is a busy outdoor market, so keep a hand on little ones.
Are there free things to do in Hobart with kids?
The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is free, with a children's gallery for ages 0 to 7 and free family backpacks. The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and The Train Park are free as well.
More days in Hobart with kids
- A rainy day in Hobart with kids - Indoor stops close together, so a wet day still works.
- A beach day in Hobart with kids - Patrolled beaches, calm water and what is near the sand.
- A free day out in Hobart with kids - A full day where every stop has free entry.
- Hobart with toddlers and under-5s - Short distances, space to run and places built for under-5s.
- Hobart with teenagers - Things teenagers choose for themselves, not just tolerate.
- Visiting Hobart with kids: all guides