Moving to Hobart
Small, wild and the closest thing to home
Cool green hills, proper seasons, sandstone terraces and an arts scene punching far above its size. Brits who miss the UK landscape land here.
255,000
9-11 hours ahead of the UK
$420
about £215
$78,000
about £40,000
$700,000
Would Hobart suit you?
Why UK movers pick it
Hobart is Australia at its most European: a compact harbour city under a mountain, with MONA, a serious food and whisky scene, and wilderness half an hour away. Salaries are lower and the job market is narrow, but so is the commute — and the housing is a fraction of Sydney.
"The most British climate in Australia — think Cornwall or the Scottish borders with cleaner light."
On the weather.
"Cardiff rents in a city the size of Derby."
On rent.
Weather, plainly
22°C
12°C
190
120
Cool temperate. Mild summers, cold crisp winters, snow on the mountain.
Rent compared with other cities
Weekly one-bed rent, cheapest to priciest.
How Hobart rates
Suits you if
- You want mountains, forests and cold-water coast on your doorstep
- You work in healthcare, education or hospitality
- You want a slow, small, creative city
- You are chasing regional visa points
Think twice if
- You need a deep professional job market
- You moved to escape cold, damp winters
- You want frequent direct flights
Suburbs worth knowing
Rent shown is a weekly median for the area, with a rough UK equivalent so you can picture it.
Battery Point / Sandy Bay
Historic, waterfront, university
UK equivalent: Clifton Village
North Hobart
Restaurant strip, terraces, arty
UK equivalent: Stokes Croft
Kingston
Family beach suburb, 20 min out
UK equivalent: Portishead
Indicative planning rate of A$1.95 to £1. Check a live rate before you transfer money.
Dig deeper
Jobs market+
Narrow. Health and aged care, education, tourism, aquaculture and antarctic research are the reliable employers. All of Tasmania is a designated regional area, which is a significant visa advantage.
Health, education, tourism and antarctic science are the mainstays.
Schools+
Small, community-focused schools; fewer choices than the mainland.
Healthcare+
Royal Hobart Hospital covers the south; complex specialist care sometimes means flying to Melbourne.
Getting around+
Buses are limited. You will want a car.
Brits here+
Noticeable British and European contingent, drawn by the landscape and the pace.
Visas+
The whole of Tasmania is regional for visa purposes — subclass 491 and 494 apply statewide.
Other places to consider
Keep researching
Ready to plan the move to Hobart?
See how far your salary really stretches once rent, bills and tax are accounted for, then check which visa and job pathways fit your skills.