Free things to do with toddlers in Hobart

Toddlers in Hobart are best served by the simplest places: a sandy bay, a garden lawn, a small park and the occasional museum. Kingston Beach, Bellerive and Cremorne give little ones shallow sand and gentle edges for paddling and digging, though the water is cold, so keep dips short. The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens give them space to roam, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is a good wet-day refuge with lifts, wide spaces and plenty of things to point at. The Army Museum is a small, calm outing for children who like shiny objects. The secret to a good toddler day is a small plan. Choose one place, bring layers for everyone, and let the toddler decide how long to stay. Hobart's weather changes fast, so a windproof jacket, a hat and a spare jumper are worth the weight. Water is cold and many beaches are not patrolled, so stay within arm's reach at all times. The listing will tell you about toilets, change tables and pram access, which are the details that matter most. A short walk, a snack on a rug and an early nap often make a perfect day.

Our picks

  • Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Hobart

    The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on Lower Domain Road, Queens Domain are open every day with free entry.

    ★ 4.7 (7,478)

  • Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Hobart

    The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) in Dunn Place, Hobart, has art, artefacts and natural history collections and free entry.

    ★ 4.5 (3,617)

  • Army Museum of Tasmania Army Museum of Tasmania Hobart

    The Army Museum of Tasmania is in the 1847 Military Gaol at Anglesea Barracks, Davey Street, Hobart.

    ★ 4.7 (169)

  • Kingston Beach Kingston Beach Kingston Beach

    Kingston Beach, 15 km south of Hobart, is patrolled by Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club from the first Saturday in December to the last weekend in March; swim…

    Patrolled First Saturday in December – last weekend in March · All-abilities access

  • Little Howrah Beach Little Howrah Beach Howrah

    Little Howrah Beach is a small sheltered beach on the Derwent, separated from the main Howrah Beach by a small rocky spit.

  • Long Beach Long Beach Sandy Bay

    Long Beach in Sandy Bay sits beside Long Beach Reserve, a City of Hobart beachside park.

Before you go

Best for which ages

Expect these to work for babies in carriers and for walkers up to about three. Beaches and gardens work for the youngest, and museums suit curious toddlers for short visits. Active toddlers will want open space and low equipment. Many of these outings also appeal to older siblings, so the whole family can share the day.

What to bring

Pack snacks, water, nappies, wipes and a change of clothes for everyone. Warm layers and a windproof jacket, even in summer. A sun hat, a carrier or pram for tired legs and a small toy for quiet moments. Pack a change of clothes and a snack that does not crumble in the pram or the carrier.

Parking and facilities

Check the listing for toilets and change tables, which the museum and gardens generally have. Beach car parks can fill on warm weekends. Close parking helps when you are carrying a tired toddler and a bag. Look for places with toilets close to the entrance and a short walk from the car, which helps a lot.

Prams and accessibility

Gardens and museums are generally pram-friendly, with lifts and flat paths. Beaches and bush tracks are harder, so a carrier is useful. The listing has the details. Gardens and museums are easy with a pram, while sand and hillside paths are harder, so a carrier helps there. Check the listing for gradient and surface.

How to make a day of it

Plan a short morning outing, then lunch and sleep. Balance a busy part with a calm part, and go home on a high. One good place beats three hurried ones. Be ready to head home after an hour or so if the mood turns, and feel good about leaving early.

Botanic gardens and big parklands

Open lawns, shaded paths and room to run, with toilets and a picnic spot close by.

All gardens and parklands in Hobart, free and paid

Free museums, galleries and science

Permanent collections with free entry. Special exhibitions can be ticketed; the listing says so.

Beaches, rock pools and ocean baths

Swim between the red and yellow flags. Patrol seasons and hours on each listing come from the surf club or council page.

  • Kingston Beach Kingston Beach Kingston Beach

    Kingston Beach, 15 km south of Hobart, is patrolled by Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club from the first Saturday in December to the last weekend in March; swim…

    Patrolled First Saturday in December – last weekend in March · All-abilities access

  • Little Howrah Beach Little Howrah Beach Howrah

    Little Howrah Beach is a small sheltered beach on the Derwent, separated from the main Howrah Beach by a small rocky spit.

  • Long Beach Long Beach Sandy Bay

    Long Beach in Sandy Bay sits beside Long Beach Reserve, a City of Hobart beachside park.

  • Opossum Bay Beach Opossum Bay Beach Opossum Bay

    Opossum Bay Beach is usually sheltered from southern ocean swells by the rocky headland at its southern end, but can be exposed to some swells in stormy westerly…

  • Bellerive Beach Bellerive Beach Bellerive

    Bellerive Beach is a Derwent River beach in Clarence that the council describes as having calm shores.

    All-abilities access

  • Cremorne Beach Cremorne Beach Cremorne

    Cremorne Beach faces east and, according to Clarence City Council, is sheltered from the southern swells and Tasmania's predominant south westerly winds.

  • Roches Beach Roches Beach Lauderdale

    Roches Beach at Lauderdale faces east and, according to Clarence City Council, is sheltered from southern swells and Tasmania's predominant south westerly winds.

All beaches and rock pools in Hobart, free and paid

Waterfalls, lookouts and forest walks

Walks the park service or council describes with a length and grade. Each listing says how far, how hard, and what is at the start.

All walks, waterfalls and lookouts in Hobart, free and paid

Playgrounds and adventure parks

The destination playgrounds and nature play spaces worth a trip across town.

  • Caldew Park (The Train Park) Caldew Park (The Train Park) West Hobart

    Caldew Park, commonly known as The Train Park, is a City of Hobart park on the corner of Hill and Warwick Streets, West Hobart.

    ★ 4.7 (492)

  • Dru Point Bicentennial Park Dru Point Bicentennial Park Margate

    Dru Point Bicentennial Park is a Kingborough Council park at Margate.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.6 (481)

  • Tynwald Park Tynwald Park New Norfolk

    Tynwald Park is a Derwent Valley Council park and oval on the Lyell Highway at New Norfolk.

    ★ 4.5 (457)

  • Fern Tree Park Fern Tree Park Fern Tree

    Fern Tree Park on Huon Road, Fern Tree, is a City of Hobart park with a nature-based playground featuring inlaid Tasmanian animal engravings.

    ★ 4.6 (151)

  • Arthur Circus Park Arthur Circus Park Battery Point

    Arthur Circus Park is a small City of Hobart community park and playground in the centre of Arthur Circus, the heritage-listed circle of cottages in Battery Point.

    ★ 4.5 (162)

  • John Turnbull Park John Turnbull Park Lenah Valley

    John Turnbull Park is a large City of Hobart park at the corner of Creek and Lenah Valley Roads, Lenah Valley.

    ★ 4.5 (129)

  • Long Beach Reserve Playground Long Beach Reserve Playground Sandy Bay

    Long Beach Reserve on Long Point Road, Sandy Bay, is a City of Hobart beachside park with a very large, fenced, boat-themed playground beside Little Sandy Bay.

    All-abilities

  • John Doggett Park John Doggett Park West Hobart

    John Doggett Park is a City of Hobart community park on Lochner Street, West Hobart, serving the wider West Hobart area.

    ★ 4.6 (37)

  • Flyway Island Park Flyway Island Park Midway Point

    Flyway Island Park is a Sorell Council park at Midway Point.

    ★ 4.5 (49)

  • Giblins Reserve Giblins Reserve Goodwood

    Giblins Reserve in Goodwood is a Glenorchy City Council regional playspace for children and families of all ages and abilities, on the waterfront.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.3 (182)

  • Mount Nelson Oval And Playground Mount Nelson Oval And Playground Mount Nelson

    Mount Nelson Playground is a City of Hobart community playground at 555 Nelson Road, Mount Nelson, next to Mount Nelson Oval.

    ★ 4.4 (85)

  • Marieville Esplanade Playground Marieville Esplanade Playground Sandy Bay

    Marieville Esplanade is a City of Hobart community park and playground on the shore of the River Derwent, listed by the council at Marieville Esplanade, Battery Point…

  • Princes Park Princes Park Battery Point

    Princes Park in Battery Point is a City of Hobart regional park and playground, known as the 'boat park', at the corner of Castray Esplanade and Salamanca Place.

  • Tolmans Hill Park Tolmans Hill Park Tolmans Hill

    Tolmans Hill Park is a City of Hobart park at 13 Woodcutters Road, Tolmans Hill, surrounded by native bushland off Old Proctors Road.

    ★ 4.5 (27)

  • South Hobart Playground South Hobart Playground South Hobart

    South Hobart Playground is a well-maintained local park situated in the leafy suburb of South Hobart, just a short drive from Hobart's CBD.

    ★ 4.5 (26)

  • Aberdeen Street Playground Aberdeen Street Playground Glebe

    Aberdeen Street Playground is a City of Hobart playground at 30 Aberdeen Street, Queens Domain, located between the Glebe and the Domain Tennis Centre.

    ★ 4.3 (21)

  • West Hobart Oval West Hobart Oval West Hobart

    West Hobart Oval at 19 Lansdowne Crescent, West Hobart, is a City of Hobart sportsground and playground beside Lansdowne Crescent Primary School.

  • St Andrews Park St Andrews Park Hobart

    St Andrews Park is a City of Hobart local park and playground at the corner of Patrick and Church Streets, North Hobart.

    ★ 4.2 (30)

  • Napoleon Street Park Napoleon Street Park Battery Point

    Napoleon Street Park is a small City of Hobart local park and playground at 42-44 Napoleon Street, Battery Point, next to the Battery Point Slipyards and the Patent Slip.

    ★ 3.9 (26)

  • Cascade Gardens Cascade Gardens South Hobart

    Cascade Gardens is a City of Hobart park in South Hobart, below the Cascade Brewery and beside the Hobart Rivulet, shaded by mature trees.

  • Wellesley Park Playground and Reserve Wellesley Park Playground and Reserve South Hobart

    Wellesley Park Playground and Reserve is a City of Hobart park at 134 Wentworth Street, South Hobart.

  • Parliament Street Reserve Parliament Street Reserve Sandy Bay

    Parliament Street Reserve is a City of Hobart park at 11 Parliament Street, Sandy Bay, described by the council as a park with a BBQ and playground.

  • Molle and Goulburn Street Park Molle and Goulburn Street Park Hobart

    Molle and Goulburn Street Park is a small City of Hobart park at 86 Molle Street, Hobart, which the council describes as a local park on the entrance into West Hobart.

All parks and playgrounds in Hobart, free and paid

More free days out

Community farms, wildlife spots and other places that cost nothing to get into.

  • Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry

    The Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry is a chocolate maker at 3 South Street, Taranna, on the Tasman Peninsula, a day trip from Hobart.

    ★ 4.4 (250)

  • Youth Arts & Recreation Centre (Youth ARC) Youth Arts & Recreation Centre (Youth ARC) Hobart

    The Youth Arts & Recreation Centre (Youth ARC) at 1 Market Place, Hobart, is a City of Hobart youth program for young people aged 12-25.

    ★ 4.6 (39)

  • KickstART Arts KickstART Arts New Town

    KickstART Arts is a community arts organisation based in St John's Park, New Town, running programs on site and in the community, along with studio hire and a community…

    ★ 4.3 (54)

Libraries, story time and rhyme time

Free sessions for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, usually in school term.

  • Hobart Library Hobart Library Hobart

    Hobart Library is the Libraries Tasmania lending library on the 1st floor of 91 Murray Street, Hobart, in the same building as the State Library and Archives of…

    Story time · ★ 4.5 (124)

  • Kingston Library Kingston Library Kingston

    Kingston Library is a Libraries Tasmania branch at 11 Hutchins Street, Kingston, Tasmania, 7050.

Questions parents ask

Where can toddlers paddle safely in Hobart?
Calm, shallow beaches such as Kingston and Bellerive are popular, though the water is cold. Stay within arm's reach and check the listing for facilities.
Where can a toddler burn energy when Hobart turns grey and wet?
The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, the library and the Army Museum are options. Check the listing for what suits little ones.
How do we handle the cold with a toddler?
Dress them in layers, bring a windproof jacket and a warm hat, and keep outings short. Have a warm drink and a spare change of clothes.
Is the botanical garden good for toddlers?
Yes, with open lawns, ponds and flat paths. Stay close to water and bring snacks.

Other kinds of free day in Hobart

For toddlers in other cities