Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Thursday; 09:30 to 17:00 Fridays
Post Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 12:00 Saturdays
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 17:00 Saturdays
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Hobart is a city with few serious safety concerns and the majority of visitors will enjoy their time here without experiencing any negative incidents. Crime levels are low; aside from the possibility of an encounter with a petty criminal, visitors are unlikely to be exposed to problems associated with illegal activities or those involved in them.
Take necessary precautions to avoid presenting yourself as an easy target to opportunist thieves such as pickpockets and bag snatchers. Keep cash and valuable items in hard-to-reach places and wear bags with single straps across the body. Avoid leaving anything of value on display in hire cars and be sure to park them in well-lit, well-populated areas.
The biggest dangers in Hobart are not from people, but from possible encounters with dangerous animals while visiting some of the nature spots in and around the city. Snakes are common and can be dangerous with the red bellied black snack not uncommon in Tasmania. Poisonous spiders are also prevalent so it’s wise to keep feet and legs covered at all times when walking in the bush.
Hobart is a safe place to visit from a health perspective, with visitors from developed countries running no higher a risk of taking ill here than they would at home. Standards of hygiene in public eating and drinking establishments are high and closely monitored, and the chances of food poisoning or similar bacterial contamination are low. Tap water is safe to drink although bottled spring or purified water is widely available if you prefer its taste.
There are no extremes of weather in Hobart so climate induced health problems are unlikely. While the summer sun is much cooler than in many Australian cities, it’s still wise to use sunscreen when out and about.
Standards of healthcare in public and private hospitals are high and visitors from the following countries are entitled to subsidised treatment under reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia: the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Malta and Italy, Republic of Ireland and New Zealand.
All other visitors should be sure to have travel insurance with medical coverage included.
Royal Hobart Hospital: + 61 3 62 22 8308
Emergency services: 000 (112 from a mobile phone)
Tasmania is an island belonging to Australia, a country whose official language is English. Residents of Hobart therefore speak English as a first language, while members of some ethnic communities may converse in different languages between
The Australian dollar (AU$) comprising 100 cents is the official currency of Australia. Notes are in denominations of AU$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of AU$2 and 1 and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.
Banks are the best places for exchanging cash and traveller’s cheques, with the best rates available and transactions sometimes commission-free or with the lowest charges. Alternatively, there are bureau de change facilities at some of the city’s bigger and more reputable hotels. Perhaps the most convenient way to get hold of cash is to withdraw it from an ATM. Most major credit and debit cards are accepted, but visitors should check bank charges for withdrawing cash in Australia with their bank first.
Adults arriving in Australia are permitted to bring the following items in without incurring duty charges: 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or loose tobacco, plus up to 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages. Perfumes, electronic goods and other products may be brought in up to the value of AU$900.
Australia has a strict stance on the importation of banned items and takes a dim view of anyone trying to circumvent import restrictions. Since many items (especially food products) are prohibited or subject to restriction, it’s wise to declare anything of this nature upon arrival to avoid legal consequences should these items be detected.
Generally, it’s difficult to accidentally offend an Australian since most are laid-back and live in a culture that has very few strict rules of etiquette. Locals in Hobart are no exception to this rule, and visitors will find them a friendly and approachable group of individuals.
Meeting and greeting are usually done with a hearty handshake and a ‘g’day’ (short for ‘good day’) although non-Australians can return this opener with a simple ‘hi’ or ‘hello’. Using first names is fine in most situations including business meetings and conferences; using titles is likely to be viewed as too formal.
Hobart’s locals may lack some of the cosmopolitan attitudes of dwellers of bigger mainland cities such as Melbourne and Sydney, but they are far from antiquated individuals and modern in their approaches to most aspects of life.
Dining Etiquette
Formal dinners do take place in Hobart households, although as a visitor you are much more likely to get invited to a barbecue, or ‘barbie’, which is a light-hearted informal affair where dining etiquette is all but absent. If you are invited to one, then just be sure to bring some beer or wine.
If you are invited to a formal evening dinner, don’t worry about strict observance of formal dining etiquette as the locals are laid back enough to be forgiving of most dinner table faux pas. Bring a bottle of wine or flowers and offer to help clean up after the meal and you are sure to keep in favour with the host or hostess.
Visa applicants should ensure their passport is valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay and that they are in possession of an onward air ticket. Tourist visas allow for any number of visits within a one-year period for stays of up to 30 days.
Visas can be applied for online through the Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or at an Australian embassy in your home country. ETA visas do not appear in your passport, but instead are logged electronically.
The Hobart Visitor Information Centre is located in the main downtown area of the city, within easy distance of popular hotels. The centre provides a wealth of information relating to topics such as accommodation, transportation, attractions and activities.
Hobart Visitor Information Centre
20 Davey street
Hobart Tasmania
7000
Phone: +61 3 6230 8233
The cost was a little more then we are used to, but it is a first class hotel. Easy to find (which is a trick in Australia), central to all water front activities, and easy to center tourist activitie...
