The Ultimate Guide to explore Hobart from MACq 01 Hotel

Couple overlooking Hobart waterfront

The sun is shining, the waterfront is sparkling, and you’re sipping a glass of bubbles on your balcony at MACq 01 Hotel. This is summer in Hobart, ready to join us?

Hobart is a great destination during the summer months. With its long sunny days, festivals and markets to explore, and local food and drink to enjoy, December through to February is a great time to visit Hobart and explore Tasmania’s beautiful landscape.

MACq 01 Hotel is the perfect base for your holiday, centrally located on the waterfront, a stone’s throw from popular attractions and events, and showcasing Hobart’s history.

Here’s our ultimate guide to experiencing the best Hobart and MACq 01 has to offer during summer. All attractions mentioned in our guide are easily accessible from MACq 01 Hotel and the city centre.

Wake up on the waterfront

A premier waterfront hotel, MACq 01 offers a luxury stay with a twist.
From the minute you arrive, guests are immersed in MACq 01’s quirky storytelling of tales of Tasmania, new and old. Every room tells the story of a Tasmanian character, from travelling musical families to environmental pioneers. Guests can learn more about Hobart’s rich history on a multitude of complimentary storytelling tours around Hobart, or some prefer to just indulge in the view and luxury surrounds.

MACq 01 catches the eye of guests from the moment they arrive, with unique angles of the architecturally designed building, luxury furnishings in every room, and sweeping views of kunanyi / Mt Wellington and the busy waterfront area.

Browse MACq 01 Hotel rooms.

Hobart's Summer Events

There is so much to explore during summer in Hobart, from a showcase of local spirits to food festivals. These are the top ‘must see’ events over the summer in Hobart…

Tasmania’s Taste of Summer

Sample the state’s very best food and drink at on Hobart’s waterfront showcases over 75 of the finest local eateries, breweries, distilleries and wineries at Tasmania’s Taste of Summer. Aside from tasty bites, you will also get a taste of live entertainment, fireworks for New Year’s Eve, and more.

Gin-uary Hobart Gin Festival

Gin-uary is a must for any gin lover. This weekend showcase of Tasmanian gins celebrates the state’s growing industry. Here you’ll learn about what makes each gin unique, sample the diverse range on offer, and enjoy the experience in the sunshine with friends. Be sure to visit the Gin-uary Bar for special cocktails and classic G&Ts, and continue your gin affair at Evolve Spirits Bar back at MACq 01 Hotel.

Outdoor markets

Tasmania is known for its fresh produce and locally made treasures. One of the best ways to discover local delights is at one of Hobart’s many outdoor markets. A regular among locals is the Hobart Twilight Markets, which showcases the best of Tasmanian eats, drinks, design, and music. Check the dates here. A Hobart institution for over 50 years, the Salamanca Market is one of Tasmania’s most visited tourist attractions, running each Saturday at Hobart’s historic Salamanca Place. The market includes fresh produce from local growers, hot coffee, delicious breakfast and lunch options, lots of gift ideas and plenty of handmade products.

Summer Dining

Hobart is a foodie’s dream. With a plethora of restaurants, cafes, and eateries scattered across the city, there is much to be sampled and enjoyed during your stay.

Be sure to check out MACq 01’s in-house restaurant Old Wharf. Centred around fresh local produce with an emphasis on Tasmanian seafood, Old Wharf Restaurant dishes up the best buffet breakfast on the water, seven days a week. With waterfront views and outdoor dining available on the deck, Old Wharf is the place to enjoy a taste of Tasmania’s best during summer. A menu highlight is the Bruny Island Oysters served with house-made pesto, a must-try at this waterfront eatery.

The best steak you’ll ever have is just a short walk from MACq 01 Hotel. Landscape Restaurant & Grill, offers a premium dining experience with focus on the exquisite produce of Tasmania, cooked on their famous Asado Grill. Awarded “Best Fine Dining” at the 2023 Tasmanian Hospitality Association Awards for Excellence, Landscape serves incredible meals surrounded by the works of John Glover. A must have experience while in Hobart.

Big foodie? Other great restaurants to check out in Hobart are Fico, Dier Makr, Sonny, and Frank Restaurant.

Waterfront Experiences

Hobart’s waterfront is the place to be during summer and is conveniently located at the doorstep of your MACq 01 Hotel room. From learning about Hobart’s past on a Storytelling Tour to an adventure on the water— there’s something for everyone.

A MACq 01 storytelling tour is the perfect way to explore the waterfront area and learn about Hobart’s rich history. Our Hidden Hobart: The Viewfinder Tour takes you from old wharf (now Hunter Street) to new wharf (now Salamanca), using retro viewfinders to see today’s views through the eyes of someone who stood in the same spot up to 150 years earlier. Storytelling Tours are free to all MACq 01 Hotel guests, contact reception to book a tour.

Keen to visit the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)? Make a trip of it and catch the ferry. Leaving regularly from Brooke Street Pier, the Mona Roma ferry is an experience in itself and a great option during summer. Grab a ‘posh pit’ ticket for an upfront seat with drinks and nibbles included.

For adventure enthusiasts or anyone keen to see more of Tasmania’s natural beauty, join a Pennicott Wilderness Journey. With a range of different cruises and journeys available from Bruny Island to Iron Pot, these popular tours allow you to soak up the fresh Tasmanian air and explore the best the state has to offer. Enquire about a tour from their office at Franklin Wharf, just a short stroll from MACq 01 Hotel.

Looking for help booking tours or local restaurants? Just ask our Concierge staff at Reception who will happily recommend and make reservations prior to, or during your stay.

Quench your thirst

On a warm summer’s day, there’s nothing better than cooling down with a tipple at a local bar. These are our favourite watering holes in Hobart…

Located inside MACq 01 Hotel, The Story Bar is a must-visit venue. With a large deck over the waterfront and cosy indoor space, The Story Bar is famous for its storytelling-themed cocktails and range of local spirits, wines, and beers.

If spirits are your drink of choice, head to Evolve Spirits Bar for an evening tipple, located inside MACq 01 Hotel. Awarded Tasmania’s Cocktail Bar of the Year and Australia’s Hotel Bar of the Year in 2021, Evolve showcases the finest whiskies and other spirits from Tasmania and beyond. Along with a vast collection of spirits, Evolve Spirits Bar is home to a unique collection of fossils. From a towering cave bear to a real dinosaur egg fossil. There is much to be discovered at this unique waterfront bar.

Awarded Australia’s best wine list, Institut Polaire is a cold climate wine bar worth checking out. With a snowy interior of marble and plush grey leather, Institut Polaire celebrates Tasmania as the gateway to Antarctica. A cool climate wine or a Süd Polaire Antarctic dry martini is the perfect way to cool down in summer.

A fantastic stop-off point when exploring the CBD is In The Hanging Garden. This large, tiered beer garden covers nearly an entire city block in the city centre. Grab a tipple from one of the bars, enjoy the alfresco dining options, and be entertained with live music.

Plan your summer getaway

An exciting summer adventure awaits you in Hobart. From exploring the waterfront and learning about Hobart’s rich history to sampling the best local delights, there is something for everyone to enjoy here.

To find out more about staying at MACq 01 and to book a room, click here.