A Perfect Day Wandering Battery Point, Hobart’s Most Charming Neighbourhood

Set on a gentle rise above the Derwent, Battery Point is a storybook of sandstone cottages, flowering gardens and winding lanes that lead to the sea. Once home to whalers and shipwrights, today it’s one of Hobart’s most enchanting neighbourhoods — where Georgian façades house cafes, galleries and boutiques, and maritime history hums beneath the cobblestones.

There’s an easy rhythm here — coffee along Hampden Road, an unhurried wander down the Sculpture Trail, sunset spilling gold over Princes Park. Each turn reveals another facet of Battery Point’s quiet allure: graceful, grounded, and entirely its own.

1. Explore Kelly Steps

Begin your Battery Point wander at the Kelly Steps, the sandstone staircase that’s carried countless footsteps since 1830. Carved into the escarpment to connect Salamanca Place with the hill above, these golden steps lead you past ivy-draped cottages and glimpses of the harbour below. Named for early settler James Kelly, they remain one of Hobart’s most evocative passages — a short climb through time that sets the tone for everything this storied suburb has to offer.

 5 Kelly Street, Battery Point

2. Health Kick O’Clock

Where wellness meets whimsy, Kombi Cafe & Smoothie Bar brings a splash of sunshine to Battery Point. Born from a restored ’75 Kombi van, this gluten-free favourite serves Paradox coffee, jewel-toned smoothies and wholesome bowls as beautiful as they are nourishing. It’s a spot that makes healthy feel joyful — bright, breezy, and effortlessly stylish. Swing by for your morning fix before a day exploring Hobart’s cobbled streets.

20 Francis Street, Battery Point 

3. Stroll Through Arthur Circus

Storybook charm comes to life at Arthur Circus, a perfect little ring of heritage cottages gathered around a grassy green. Each 19th-century home, with its painted façade and prim garden, feels like a scene paused in time. Once home to Hobart’s shipbuilders and sailors, today it’s a quiet pocket of nostalgia — a place to wander, breathe, and admire history at its prettiest. Framed by picket fences and soft light, it’s no wonder photographers can’t resist capturing its spell.

4. Visit Narryna Heritage Museum

Step inside Narryna Heritage Museum and Hobart’s early stories unfold in remarkable detail. Housed in a stately Georgian residence built in 1837, this museum offers a vivid glimpse into 19th-century life through beautifully curated displays of colonial art, maritime artefacts, and everyday treasures. Each room feels alive with history — portraits, polished timber, and whispers of another time. As Tasmania’s oldest folk museum, it’s a true keeper of the island’s past, best savoured slowly before stepping out into its peaceful garden — a quiet echo of another era.

103 Hampden Road, Battery Point

5. Enjoy Local Cafes & Historic Pubs

Battery Point brims with warmth and appetite. Along Hampden Road, the air smells faintly of butter and espresso — Daci & Daci Bakers for glossy pastries, Jackman & McRoss for still-warm bread, scallop pies and old-school comfort. Lēoht serves wholesome dishes and specialty coffee in a pretty-in-pink setting, with a glass of wine if the moment calls for it. As dusk draws in, locals drift to “Shippies“ for a classic pub feed or Preachers for beers, conversation and that familiar Battery Point ease.

6. Have Dinner at Hampden Bar & Bistro, Battery Point’s Old-World Charmer

Inside a beautifully restored 1840s terrace, Hampden Bar & Bistro captures Battery Point at its most refined. Emerald panelling, candlelight and an easy undertone of conversation frame a menu that balances precision with pleasure — truffle-laced gnocchi, Cape Grim tartare, and local steak grilled just so. Each course arrives with quiet confidence, complemented by a wine list that flatters every flavour. An evening here feels composed yet effortless — modern Hobart dining with old-world poise.

22 Francis Street, Battery Point

7. Walk the Historic Battery Point Trail

Step back in time on the Historic Battery Point Trail, a 7km wander through Hobart’s most storied streets. Beginning at Salamanca Place, the route winds past sandstone cottages, sculptural surprises, and elegant churches that tell tales of the city’s colonial past. Pause beneath the spire of St George’s Anglican Church, peek into the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, then follow the curve of the waterfront to AJ White Park — where history meets horizon. It’s a walk made for curious minds, camera in hand, and no need to rush.

8. Admire Lenna Hotel

A true icon of Battery Point, Lenna Hotel is a stunning Georgian building that has been beautifully restored. Originally a private residence, Lenna was built in the 1830s and later transformed into one of Hobart’s most beloved boutique hotels. The hotel’s striking exterior, with its classical proportions and elegant detailing, makes it a standout in the area.

Take a moment to admire the architecture, and if you have time, step inside to enjoy a meal or drink at the hotel’s restaurant, which has fantastic views over the harbour.

20 Runnymede Street, Battery Point 

9. Discover Local Boutiques

Battery Point’s boutiques are small in number but rich in character. Along Hampden Road, you’ll find thoughtfully curated stores celebrating Tasmanian creativity — from local art and handmade homewares to timeless vintage. Step into Habeō for design-led treasures, books and gifts, or Wild Island, where photography and fine art capture Tasmania’s wild beauty. Every shopfront feels personal, every find made with care — a quiet reminder that the best souvenirs aren’t things at all, but stories waiting to be taken home.

Habeō, 113 Hampden Road, Battery Point

Wild Island, Shop 8/33 Salamanca Place, Battery Point

10. Visit the Battery Point Sculpture Trail

For a stroll that feeds both mind and imagination, follow the Battery Point Sculpture Trail — a 2km open-air gallery winding through the suburb’s storybook streets. Each contemporary piece, crafted by local and national artists, plays off its surrounds in clever, unexpected ways — part art, part history, all Hobart charm. It’s a walk where creativity meets coastline, revealing the city’s soul one sculpture at a time.

11. Enjoy a Picnic at Princes Park

In the heart of Battery Point, Princes Park feels like a deep exhale — a pocket of calm where native grasses sway and the harbour shimmers just beyond the trees. Expansive lawns spill toward the water, inviting lazy picnics and unhurried afternoons with friends. As the sun drifts low, the park takes on a golden hush, the light softening over masts and rooftops. It’s a simple, singular kind of magic — the perfect full stop to a day spent wandering one of Hobart’s most storied neighbourhoods.

Castray Esplanade and Salamanca Place, Battery Point 

Battery Point offers the perfect mix of history, culture, and scenic beauty. If you’ve enjoyed our guide to this beautiful neighbourhood, be sure to check out our top picks of Hobart bakeries as well as the best markets in Hobart and surrounds. 

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

22 October 2025

Kelsey Harrington is a Melbourne-based writer with a sharp eye for the city's ever-evolving food, wine, arts, and culture scene. Her journey into the creative industry took the scenic route—what started as a passion for capturing Melbourne’s energy through a camera lens led her to Sitchu, where she worked her way up to Melbourne Editor. With over four years in the industry, she’s all about uncovering the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Off the clock? You’ll find her diving into a platter of fresh oysters and crudo, gallery-hopping, or sipping an extra dirty martini while plotting her next adventure.