The Best Art Galleries in Hobart to Add to Your Cultural Calendar

To do Hobart’s art scene justice, you’re going to need more than a weekend. From long-standing establishments to flash-in-the-pan exhibitions, Hobart’s vibrant art galleries have something for everyone. Contemporary collections and local works are just the beginning. Australia's most celebrated modern art museum also resides in this historic port city. So, our advice is to fuel up at one of the best cafes in town before making your way through this edit.

Read on for the best art galleries in Hobart to meander through this weekend..

Henry Jones Art Hotel

The Henry Jones Art Hotel, housed in Hobart’s oldest waterfront warehouses, is a must-visit art gallery. With over 400 pieces of contemporary Tasmanian art on display, it offers a dynamic collection spanning painting, sculpture, printmaking, and more. This unique art hotel showcases emerging and established local artists, with works featured throughout the hotel’s public spaces, guest lounges, and private rooms. The Henry Jones Art Prize and guided Art & History Tours further enhance the experience, inviting guests to explore both art and the rich history of the site. A true cultural hub, it's one of finest artistic destinations in the city.

25 Hunter Street, Hobart 

Salamanca Arts Centre

We’re slightly cheating here, given that Salamanca Arts Centre houses several of the city's top galleries—making it a one-stop shop for art lovers visiting Tasmania's capital. On a rainy or chilly Hobart day, head to the historic Salamanca Place building, where you can explore numerous artists' studios, design retailers, and galleries, including the Long Gallery, the Nolan Gallery, Off Centre, Spacebar Gallery, and the Sidespace Gallery. A true celebration of local talent, the space showcases works across every medium imaginable, from painting and photography to ceramics and jewellery.

77 Salamanca Place, Battery Point

Lady Franklin Gallery

Lady Franklin Gallery is a quirky little art gallery (open Sundays) housed inside a historic Greek-inspired sandstone building in the leafy suburb of Lenah Valley. It was commissioned by Governor John Franklin’s wife Jane in 1842 – paid for out of her own pocket – after she despaired at the lack of cultural spaces in Hobart at the time. These days, it’s a community arts co-op where you can find exhibitions (which change monthly!) and workshops hosted by local artists, all run by the Art Society of Tasmania.

268 Lenah Valley Road, Lenah Valley

MONA

To call MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) an art gallery is almost a disservice. Set on a stunning 8.5-acre peninsula just north of Hobart, it’s a multi-faceted destination that combines accommodation, bars, a library, brewery, winery, picnic lawns, and playgrounds for the little ones—all alongside the three-level underground art museum and gallery.

An immersive experience that blends art, architecture, and technology in unexpected ways, Mona challenges the boundaries of art with provocative installations like Cloaca Professional, which replicates the human digestive system, and Sidney Nolan's Snake, a sprawling artwork made of 1620 panels.

Housing over 1900 works—from ancient Egyptian treasures to cutting-edge contemporary art pieces—Mona offers a unique, self-guided experience with a pocket-sized guide instead of traditional tours. 

655 Main Road, Berriedale 

Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery

The sensible older sister of the outrageous MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is Hobart’s more traditional cultural offering. You won’t find a poo machine here, but you will find loads of interesting exhibitions – from historical collections of convict artefacts, Aboriginal art from the palawa people, colonial arts and crafts and family-friends kids’ exhibitions. In addition to TMAG’s permanent collections, it has several new exhibitions a year. Currently on display: a stunning collection of art from landscape painter Lloyd Rees, celebrating his time in Tasmania.

Dunn Place, Hobart

Contemporary Art Tasmania

Contemporary Art Tasmania (CAT) is a striking and welcoming space that brings experimental and contemporary art to life in Tasmania. Since its humble beginnings in 1982, CAT has become a key part of the local art scene, offering exhibitions, artist residencies, and professional development opportunities. The gallery’s program is all about fostering creative exploration, connecting local artists with national and global trends.

Beyond exhibitions, CAT also provides a supportive environment for emerging artists, offering mentorship and a chance to present new work. Their Engagement Program sparks conversation and deepens the connection between art and community, making art accessible and engaging for everyone.

27 Tasma Street, North Hobart 

Handmark 

For Allanah Dopson, Handmark’s Director, the gallery is a tribute to the “... handmade, the family of Tasmanian artists we represent, and our great staff.” Since its opening in 1980, Handmark has showcased the diverse and eclectic talents emerging from the Tasmanian art scene. The gallery, located in a coveted building in the historic Salamanca hub, features works by both established and emerging artists. From raku-fired ceramics and glass sculptures to textiles and wood, the unique pieces sit alongside more traditional mediums, offering a chance to adorn your walls or simply admire.

77 Salamanca Place, Hobart

Art Mob 

An integral part of the many vibrant art galleries in Hobart, Art Mob is a gallery renowned for its celebration of Aboriginal art, jewellery, and cultural objects. Specialising in works by prominent Palawa/Tasmanian artists, Art Mob has garnered global recognition for its thoughtfully curated exhibitions. Under the guidance of director Euan Hills, whose extensive knowledge of Indigenous art, its creators, and their stories enriches every visit, the gallery offers an unparalleled experience. If time allows, be sure to explore the packing room, where an extensive collection of art is available for viewing, providing further insight into this remarkable space.

29 Hunter Street, Hobart

Despard Gallery 

Well into its fourth decade, Despard Gallery has been a constant in Hobart’s art scene since 1985. Housed in a beautiful sandstone building a stone’s throw from Salamanca Place, the current space was purpose-built above its original gallery location. Historic timber posts are a nod to the past, but the artwork focuses on contemporary work, and Despard is known for its brilliant and extensive exhibition featuring local, national and international artists.  

A leading art gallery since its founding, it has been recognised globally for international exhibitions in the likes of New York and Chicago. Despards’ exhibitions rotate frequently, but it’s the creativity and consideration behind the curation of its shows that sets it apart.  

Level 1/15 Castray Esplanade, Hobart 

Good Grief 

Good Grief is an art gallery in Hobart that is impossible to miss, thanks to its bright yellow exterior and striking murals. Housed in a former automotive workshop, the gallery celebrates experimental and emerging art across various mediums, including performance, sound installations, textiles, and furniture design. Their exhibition openings are lively affairs, often featuring installations and events in their charming internal courtyard, alongside occasional market days. Keep an eye on their social media for upcoming events, like their inaugural Sunday Cinema Club, and don’t forget to visit the cleverly curated shop to bring home a piece of the action.

62 Argyle Street, Hobart

Bickerstaff + Blizzard 

Having opened in mid-2022, Bickerstaff Blizzard was never one to sit still for long. Always keeping you guessing, co-founders Jess Blizzard and Shelly Bickerstaff pride themselves on hand-selecting uber-creative talent from Tasmania and afar for their rapid-paced exhibitions. Over the last 12 months, the gallery has showcased the likes of Candice Broderick (a finalist in the 2023 Glover Art Prize), the neon perspex furniture of CK Studio, and acclaimed Sydney-based and cowboy depicting artist, Jacob Pedrana. The gallery has recently closed its bricks-and-mortar space, opting to move to intimate, invite-only art events in secret locations. They’re gearing up for the first one shortly, so drop them a DM to get on the list.  

Various locations 

Loved our round-up of the best art galleries in Hobart, which showcases some of the finest contemporary art Australia has to offer? You're in for a treat! Hobart is also home to an array of exceptional restaurants and markets, offering even more creative inspiration.