WHAT TO DO IN BATTERY POINT

Welcome to Battery Point

Neat little cottages, Georgian mansions and artisan shops line the narrow streets of Hobart’s first suburb.

Battery Point is widely regarded as one of the best-preserved colonial-era suburbs in Australia. Take time to meander the labyrinth of winding streets and soak in the charm of Hobart’s yesteryear. Tucked between historic houses and maritime-inspired museums, you’ll also discover dining and drinking establishments serving up quality food with a side of old-world hospitality.

An essential pitstop is the popular bakery Jackman & McRoss, which occupies a heritage double-fronted red-brick building on Hampden Road. One of the bakery’s biggest sellers is its lip-smacking scallop pies, filled with scallops in a light curry sauce – it’s a distinctively Tasmanian menu item. The Jackman & McRoss version also features the unique addition of the edible seaweed wakame.

After working up a thirst exploring these quiet and quaint streets, drop in at the white-and-blue nautically themed Shipwrights Arms Hotel, affectionately known to locals as ‘Shippies’. This relaxed, old-school pub, with walls adorned in historic memorabilia, has been pouring cold drinks since 1846.

Another way to tour this historical suburb is by taking a seat aboard Heritage Horse Drawn Carriages. Immerse yourself in the nostalgic atmosphere of Battery Point on this unique open-carriage ride, and hear the stories of prominent figures from the area – from seafarers to Hollywood stars and Hobart’s first reverend.

With some of the region’s best restaurants and oldest cottages, Battery Point makes for a joyful visit, offering a unique insight into Hobart’s ongoing evolution.

History of Battery Point

Time-travel to the early 19th century and learn how this historical area became one of Hobart’s most prosperous modern suburbs.

Battery Point was named in 1818 after the Mulgrave Battery, a defence station established on the southern side of the point to guard the port of Hobart.

When whalers began fishing the harbour, whaling captain James Kelly built sandstone stairs into the side of a cliff in 1839, as his shortcut between Battery Point and Salamanca Place. This zig-zagging staircase is now known as Kelly’s Steps – a clever inner-city shortcut ascending from a quiet, cobbled Salamanca alleyway to reach a tranquil road in Battery Point. This road, lined with neat picket fences and well-kept cottages, is aptly named Kelly Street. It leads from Kelly’s Steps past several houses with tiny, blooming cottage gardens onto the main street – Hampden Road.

Back in the day, Battery Point was the obvious place for maritime workers to live. These days, the compact suburb still features a jumble of dockworkers’ cottages and merchant-class mansions. One of these mansions has been converted into a museum named Narryna – The Merchant’s House. Captain Andrew Haig, a seafarer, built the Georgian two-storey townhouse on Hampden Road in the 1830s. Enter via a circular garden path surrounding a grand stone fountain to explore architecture, gardens and collections offering interesting insights into the early colonial life in Tasmania.

Another mansion built in the Italian Renaissance style on Runnymede Street is now the boutique hotel Lenna of Hobart. It has turret-like clerestory windows from where merchant owner Alexander McGregor could keep watch for his returning ships. In 2018, Battery Point Distillery started producing small-batch spirits, including a pink gin, from the premises.

The suburb has attracted whalers and jailers, sailors and antique dealers since colonisation, and it continues to evolve while retaining its heritage charm.

Heritage Horse Drawn Carriages

Clip-clop your way into colonial history on a horse-drawn carriage trip through this scenic suburb.

Heritage Horse Drawn Carriages offers a range of tours around the Hobart waterfront, Salamanca Place and Battery Point. Step up into the back of this spacious carriage with classic red upholstered seats and have a chat with your driver, donning traditional livery and a top hat to boot. A stylishly harnessed pair of horses is ready to whisk you away.

Begin this hour-long tour from the cobbled Salamanca Place, with its well-preserved Georgian warehouses, boutiques and galleries. Weave your way past some of Battery Point’s most intriguing sites, accompanied by guided commentary from your driver.

South of Runnymede Street is Arthur Circus, a striking ring of workers’ cottages surrounding a tiny central park, with a lush green lawn and shrubbery poking out through the ornate, black metal fencing. Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur put the allotments on the market in 1847 and, for more than a century, they were occupied by large working-class families. Today, these highly desirable cottages sell for more than $1 million.

Hear the history of this suburb’s first inhabitant – Bobby Knopwood. The famed first reverend of Hobart lived in Cottage Green from 1805. Learn about the debauchery that led to the eventual subdivision of his quarters.

There are plenty of seedy tales surrounding this area from back when seafarers frequented historical bars and brothels. But these days, Battery Point is a family-friendly suburb lined with pristine clay and brick buildings in vibrant shades such as white, blue and green. Locals and visitors often stroll the relaxed but buzzing main street, pausing to munch toasty pies and sip aromatic coffees at outdoor cafes. Cars come and go within the maze-like network of roads – some of which overlook a river dotted with white sailing boats.

Accessibility

Battery Point is a central suburb, only a 20-minute walk from the Hobart CBD. The historic docks area and tourism mecca of Salamanca Place is where you’ll find the entrance to Kelly’s Steps, which lead up to Battery Point. This narrow, unassuming alleyway is wedged between two Salamanca Arts Centre buildings on Salamanca Place – a very pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of zebra crossings. It’s also a hotspot for Ubers and taxi services.

Salamanca can be accessed via the Derwent Ferry, docking at Brooke Street Pier, or via car, or regularly serviced bus stops on nearby Davey Street – such as stop 3.

Battery Point can be accessed via car, with plenty of all-day, two-hour and one-hour parks lining the streets. There are two number 5 stops on both sides of Sandy Bay Road. These are the closest stops to Hampden Road and an easy way to access Battery Point. Metro buses frequent these stops on several different routes. Ride-sharing services are readily available in these areas.

Dog guides are welcome on the scenic horse-drawn carriage rides.