Old Hobart Pub Walking Tour

About this tour

Uncover Hobart's rougher chapters on foot through 90 minutes of back-alley storytelling. This walking tour traces the city's former drinking dens, red-light quarters and underworld characters—convicts, smugglers, dodgy dealings—told by someone who knows the streets. Small groups of up to 12 mean you'll actually hear the guide. Drinks at each stop are your shout, not included in the price.

Highlights

• Former brothels and illegal drinking establishments mapped out
• Convict and smuggling history woven through street narratives
• Local guide with genuine knowledge of Hobart's underbelly
• Groups capped at 12 for genuine conversation
• Pubs remain open—purchase your own drinks as you go
• Accessible to all fitness levels, no strenuous hiking

What to expect

You'll walk at a steady pace through central Hobart, pausing outside heritage pubs and former hotspots while your guide fills in the messy details of who drank there and why. This isn't sanitised heritage tourism—expect stories of smuggling operations, rough trade, and the people who kept Hobart's underworld ticking. The route covers perhaps 2–3 kilometres total. You stop frequently, so pace is manageable. Bring cash or card to buy a drink or two if you fancy it; nothing's forced.

Good to know

Minimum age 18. Wear comfortable walking shoes and check the weather—Hobart's waterfront can be exposed. Public transport links are close by. The tour runs regardless of whether you drink, so come thirsty or come dry.