What’s it like to live in Hobart?
Are you looking for an Australian study experience that’s filled with history, culture, natural beauty, really great food, and an active sustainable lifestyle? Welcome to Hobart, home of the Tasmanian Devil and the world’s cleanest air.
Hobart Quick Facts
Hobart is the capital of Australia’s island state of Tasmania. With a population of just 250,000 it’s the smallest state capital in the country but has a reputation for natural beauty and environmental excellence. In fact, 60% of the Hobart municipality is native vegetation.
The city lies on the banks of the Derwent River system and at the foothills of Mount Wellington. It the gateway to Tasmania’s famous World Heritage rainforests and wilderness areas and is one of the few places on earth where you can view the spectacular phenomenon known as the Southern Lights, all year.
Studying in Hobart
Despite its small size, Hobart offers some outstanding academic choices, especially if you are interested in conservation, marine and environmental science. The University of Tasmania (UTAS) is the world’s #1 ranked university for climate action and environmental excellence and offers some amazing programs where you can get out into the wilderness yourself and experience the unique Tasmanian flora, fauna, and geological wonders.
But if you prefer vocational education and training (VET) qualifications and workplace learning, you’ll find world-class campuses of the TasTAFE in Hobart.
Tasmanian Wilderness
One of the main reasons people want to live and study in Hobart, is its proximity to the fantastic Tasmanian Wilderness. More than 20% of the state of Tasmania is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Wilderness Area — covering 1.58 million hectares and made up of national parks, marine conservation areas, and forests reserves.
You could walk the famous Overland Track in the Cradle Mountain-Lake Sinclair National Park, experience some of Australia’s largest and deepest caves in the Mole Creek Karst National Park, take a step back in time at the historic penal colony of Sarah Island, explore the rugged river valleys and deep gorges of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, or SCUBA dive the underwater caverns and tunnels of the Maria Island Marine Reserve — there is just so much to do.
Employment prospects
Finding a job in Hobart and Tasmania generally can be a challenge for international students. However, the Tasmanian government has created an online Jobs Portal which is an excellent resource for job seekers who aren’t sure where to look for paid employment in the city.
The portal also lists opportunities for internships and volunteer placements as well as free Career Coaching modules. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Public Transport
Hobart is a small city so you can easily get around without a car. There are buses that connect the metro areas with the university and TAFE campuses, entertainment district, shopping centres, and outer suburbs — but they don’t run at the frequency you’ll find in larger cities.
If you like walking and cycling, you’ll appreciate the beautiful walking paths and bikeways along the Derwent River and around the city. There are also rideshare services including Uber and GoCatch.
For bus timetables and fares in Hobart and the surrounding districts, check the MetroTAS website. To ride, get yourself a Greencard then load from your bank account or credit card.
If you are keen to explore the island of Tasmania there are regional bus services that connect Hobart with the cities of Burnie and Launceston as well as key tourist attractions. Again, the frequency of the trips can be quite limited so you might consider renting or buying a car.
Living Costs
Hobart is one of the more affordable destinations for international students in Australia, with much cheaper accommodation, transport, food, groceries, and personal services than the other cities.
One of the requirements of the Student Visa 500 is to demonstrate that you have enough money to cover all your expenses for the entire duration of your degree or qualification. We recommend using the Australian government’s Cost of Living Calculator and Budget Planner to create a full budget based on your personal needs and preferences. You can use this later when you submit your visa application.
Accommodation
No matter where you are in Australia, there is a lot of competition for student accommodation. If you are considering Hobart for your international study destination, you should make arrangements as early as possible.
The University of Tasmania as well as the TAFE colleges have student accommodation which is very affordable. Living on-campus is safe, connects you with a network of international students, and provides many opportunties for arts, performance, and sporting activities in the community.
If you prefer your independence or just want a more immersive experience living in Australian society, you can organise a private rental or find a homestay opportunity.
The following links will help you decide on the best option for you:
Essential Services
You’ll find the city of Hobart to be an exceptionally clean and safe place to live with all the essential services you would expect of an international destination. But without the traffic.
There are quality hospitals and healthcare facilities, upmarket shopping centres and retail outlets, fantastic restaurants and entertainment venues, government offices, parks, public WIFI, toilets, and change-rooms. You’ll also be impressed with the range of fresh and locally-sourced organic food and groceries.
Food Culture
The city of Hobart is home to some of the world’s freshest produce and seafood including delicious cheeses, boutique wines, and locally crafted beers. Can you imagine lunch on the riverbanks or wandering the local craft markets? How about buying organic vegetables at the farmer’s market or chilling to some live music on the wharf?
Environmental Excellence
Finally, Hobart is famous for its clean air and commitment to conservation, sustainability, and environmental awareness. If you’re already making green lifestyle choices, you’ll fit right into the climate conscious culture.
And if you’re not quite there yet, you’ll definitely learn more about sustainable living and might even become an ambassador for environmental awareness and smart climate choices.
DID YOU KNOW? Tasmania has more than 2,000km of bushwalking tracks as well as the world’s cleanest air, oldest trees, and super-cute Tasmanian devil.