What's on in Hobart?
Dark Mofo
Visitors with flights Christchurch to Hobart in June will be in the city in time for the weird and wonderful midwinter Dark Mofo festival. Unlike any festival you’ve been to before, Dark Mofo is a celebration of the unorthodox with talks, performances, films, concerts and exhibitions all happening within the wintry town. The festival has gathered a reputation as a source for great live performances over the years, seeing some of the best musicians on the planet come to play in Hobart, including FKA Twigs, St.Vincent and Nicolás Jaar. From the winter feast to the visceral art performances, Dark Mofo is one of the best festivals in the world if you visit with an open mind. If you manage to grab cheap flights to Hobart from Christchurch in June, make sure you book to see as much as possible.
MONA
The highly original and inventive Musuem of Old and New Art (MONA) is 12 kilometres north of Hobart and has become one of the top attractions with locals and visitors with Christchurch to Hobart flights since it first opened back in 2001. In 2006, the museum underwent a huge $75 million renovation, funded by local Hobart philanthropist and owner David Walsh. Since then, it’s established a reputation as being one of the most engaging, thought-provoking and exciting museums around. You can get to the museum by catching the MONA ferry from Hobart’s Brooke St. Pier. It’s open 10am to 5pm most times of the year and costs around $33 NZD ($30 AUD) for an adult ticket. When you’re there, don’t forget to check out Moorilla as well, a fantastic cellar door that has been around since 1958.
Salamanca Place
No Christchurch to Hobart return flight trip is complete without a visit to the picturesque Salamanca Place by Hobart’s famous waterfront. The street is adorned by a row of traditional colonial sandstone warehouses, which date back to the city’s very prosperous whaling days of the 1830s. After falling into neglect, the area was restored in the 1970s and is now home to some of the best cafes, restaurants and bars in the city, not to forget the popular Salamanca Markets, which run every Saturday.
What is the best way to get around Hobart?
Bus
When your Christchurch to Hobart flights bring you to Tasmania’s capital, you’re likely to be surprised by the compact size of the city. It makes getting around on public transport easy and gives you the chance to see as much of Australia's island state capital as possible, even if you’ve only booked tickets to Hobart from Christchurch for the weekend. To use the bus, you can buy a Metro Greencard or simply buy single tickets when you get on board. Metro cards cost $27 NZD ($25 AUD) and are available in most shops and agencies around the city. Once you’ve bought a card, you’ll receive a discount for using the bus. There is also a hop-on, hop-off tour bus that can take you around the city’s top attractions. When you arrive at Hobart Airport (HBA), you can also catch the SkyBus shuttle into the city.
Ferry
If you’ve booked flights from Christchurch to Hobart during summer, the ferry is one of the most scenic ways to get around. There’s a ferry that runs from Brooke Street Pier to MONA in Claremont. It takes around 25 minutes and is available for use at all times of the year.
Walking
With a population of just under 250,000, Hobart is a relatively small and compact city, which makes travelling by foot a great option. If you’ve managed to snatch up some cheap flights from Christchurch to Hobart and want to stick to a budget, you should have no problem getting around by foot - there are plenty of walking tracks around the city.
Car
If you’ve booked Christchurch to Hobart flights with the intention of exploring more of Tasmania, then a rental car might be the best way to go. Rental companies like Hertz, Europcar and Avis are all available for pickup near Hobart Airport, giving you the chance to see more of Tasmania’s incredible scenery.
What should I pack for Hobart?
Clothing for all seasons
Unlike other areas of Australia, Tasmania can be cold, warm, wet and windy, often all in one day. To make sure you’re covered for all types of weather, it’s a good idea to pack clothing for all seasons, no matter when you book flights Christchurch to Hobart.
Comfortable footwear
There are many opportunities for exploring in Hobart and Tasmania, from Mt Field National Park to trekking up Mount Wellington. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors hiking and walking, make sure you pack suitable footwear. With unpredictable weather, it’s wise to invest in some durable and waterproof shoes.
Departing From Christchurch
Virgin Australia, Emirates Air, Jetstar, Qantas, and Air New Zealand fly from Christchurch Airport (CHC) to Hobart Airport (HBA). Travel time from CHC to HBA can last between seven and eight hours and includes one stopover in Sydney (SYD) or Melbourne (MEL).
Getting to Christchurch International Airport
Travel to Christchurch Airport from the city centre should take 15 to 20 minutes. The metro’s Purple line and route 29 bus will get you to the airport in 20 minutes for $8.50 NZD. The airport Super Shuttle runs 24 hours a day and is perfect for large families or groups. The fare for single passengers is $25 NZD with each additional group member costing $8 NZD. Taxis and Uber are the fastest transfer method. The 15-minute ride will cost $45 NZD.
Parking at Christchurch International Airport
Christchurch Airport has four convenient car parks to fit your parking needs and budget.
Where to Park at Christchurch International Airport
All of Christchurch Airports car parks include 24 hour monitoring and are located close to the terminals.
• Short Stay: The uncovered spaces in the Short Stay lot are perfect for weekend getaways to Hobart and include a quick, 3-minute walk to the terminals. Daily rates start at $27 NZD.
• Long Stay: Daily rates for the uncovered, Long Stay car park start at $27 NDZ. The terminals are just 5-minutes away.
• Orchard Road Park: The budget-friendly parking option is in the Orchard Road car park. Daily rates start at $22 NZD
• Craddocks: For covered and uncovered storage pre-book your space in the Craddocks. Parking rates include an on demand shuttle service to the terminals. Daily parking rates start at $80 NZD for covered slots and $60 NZD for uncovered storage.
Arriving in Hobart
Your decent into Hobart Airport (HBA) will either bring you along the Coal River Valley or over the Frederick Henry Bay and Seven Mile Beach. Both offer spectacular views of Hobart.
How to Get from Hobart Airport to Your Hobart Hotel or Accommodation
Hobart’s city centre is 17 kilometres from Hobart Airport (HBA). If you haven’t pre-arranged airport transfer with your hotel and you don’t plan on renting a car, use a taxi, Uber, or public bus for transit. Taxis and Uber can be found outside the baggage claim area. Taxi fares start at $50 AUD ($53 NZD) while Uber fares start at $31 AUD ($33 NZD). The SkyBus runs daily out of Hobart Airport (HBA). The 15-minute ride to the city centre costs $15 AUD ($16 NZD). The cheapest airport transfer is on the local route 750 bus. The 20-minute ride will cost only $6 AUD ($6.50 NZD).
Things to do in Hobart
For stunning views of Hobart and surrounding area, trek or drive up the narrow paths to the peak of Mount Wellington. Be sure to bring some water and a light sweater as the temperature at the peak can be colder and much windier than below. Don’t leave Tasmania without touring one of the most infamous prisons in Australia. Port Arthur was once known as the “inescapable prison" and housed the most hardened criminals. Tour the grounds set along rugged cliff faces as you dive into the sorted past of prisoners from long ago. Take in the exquisite beauty of Russell Falls that includes a three-tiered cascading waterfall, and Lake Dobson inside Mount Field National Park. The park is home to 80 metre (262 feet) tall gum trees, Mount Wellington, and the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary that houses rescued Tasmanian devils, koalas, and wombats. Join Tasmanians and tourists alike along the street market in Salamanca Place. With historical buildings and Mount Wellington setting the scene for a day of fun, you can taste fresh produce, homemade delicacies, and artwork from local artists.
